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OpenAI API · Forced move · Tracked since October 13, 2026 · Sources checked Oct 13

Time to bail on OpenAI API: first GPT-5 snapshots, o3, image models?

Time to Bail · Boarding pass

FromOpenAI API: first GPT-5 snapshots, o3, image models
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Act. You can stay.

Older image models stop December 1, 2026. The first GPT-5 snapshots, o3 and o3-pro stop December 11, 2026.[1]

Act means: change a setting or plan before the date. You can stay.

Gate closes
Image models removed
Time left
47days
Status
Act

OpenAI retires early GPT-5 snapshots, o3 and old image models

OpenAI removes older GPT Image models from the API on December 1, 2026. The first GPT-5 snapshots, o3 and o3-pro shut down on December 11, 2026.

How it is winding down

  1. Dec 1Image models removedNext
  2. Dec 11Second date

What to do before December 1

Tick steps as you go. Your progress stays in this browser.

  1. List the models you call

    Search for gpt-5-2025-08-07, gpt-5-mini, gpt-5-nano, gpt-5-pro, o3, o3-pro and older gpt-image names.

  2. Switch to the named replacement

    Most move to gpt-5.6-sol. Image calls move to gpt-image-2.5-sunburst or gpt-image-2.5-flare.

  3. Test before the dates

    Run your prompts on the new model. Images by December 1, the rest by December 11.

Facts we checked

Facts and their sources
Image models removedDecember 1, 2026[1]
Image modelsgpt-image-1-mini, gpt-image-1.5 and chatgpt-image-latest → gpt-image-2.5-sunburst or gpt-image-2.5-flare[1]
Second dateDecember 11, 2026[1]
Replacementgpt-5.6-sol replaces gpt-5-2025-08-07, gpt-5-pro-2025-10-06, o3-2025-04-16 and o3-pro-2025-06-10[1]
Replacementgpt-5.6-terra replaces gpt-5-mini-2025-08-07[1]
Replacementgpt-5.6-luna replaces gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07[1]
After shutdownThe model can no longer be accessed[1]
Apps that call these modelsStop working on December 1 or December 11, 2026[1]

Sources

Check it yourself. Every fact above links here.

  1. OpenAI API deprecations OpenAI · primary · checked Oct 13
Read the published editorial report

What changed

Time to bail on OpenAI API: first GPT-5 snapshots, o3, image models? Act. You can stay. Older image models stop December 1, 2026. The first GPT-5 snapshots, o3 and o3-pro stop December 11, 2026.

On our scale this is Act: change a setting or plan before the date. You can stay.

OpenAI removes older GPT Image models from the API on December 1, 2026. The first GPT-5 snapshots, o3 and o3-pro shut down on December 11, 2026.

Here are the facts we checked:

  • Image models removed: December 1, 2026 (OpenAI)
  • Image models: gpt-image-1-mini, gpt-image-1.5 and chatgpt-image-latest → gpt-image-2.5-sunburst or gpt-image-2.5-flare (OpenAI)
  • Second date: December 11, 2026 (OpenAI)
  • Replacement: gpt-5.6-sol replaces gpt-5-2025-08-07, gpt-5-pro-2025-10-06, o3-2025-04-16 and o3-pro-2025-06-10 (OpenAI)
  • Replacement: gpt-5.6-terra replaces gpt-5-mini-2025-08-07 (OpenAI)
  • Replacement: gpt-5.6-luna replaces gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 (OpenAI)
  • After shutdown: The model can no longer be accessed (OpenAI)
  • Apps that call these models: Stop working on December 1 or December 11, 2026 (OpenAI)

You can stay on OpenAI API. You have to change a setting or plan before the date.

Leaving is a choice here, not a must.

OpenAI is the main source for this page. OpenAI API has not said more than what is listed here. If a fact is not on this page, we do not know it yet.

Who is affected

Apps that call these models: Stop working on December 1 or December 11, 2026.

The date to remember is December 1, 2026. Make the change before then.

What to do before December 1

  1. List the models you call. Search for gpt-5-2025-08-07, gpt-5-mini, gpt-5-nano, gpt-5-pro, o3, o3-pro and older gpt-image names.
  2. Switch to the named replacement. Most move to gpt-5.6-sol. Image calls move to gpt-image-2.5-sunburst or gpt-image-2.5-flare.
  3. Test before the dates. Run your prompts on the new model. Images by December 1, the rest by December 11.

A few tips:

  • Make the change yourself before the date. Do not wait for the last reminder email.
  • Write down your current plan or settings first, so you can compare after the change.
  • After the change, open your settings again and check that it worked.

How to tell your users

If the change affects your members or team, send one short email. Say what changes for them and when. Put the most important line first.

If there is a date, send a short reminder a few days before it. Keep a copy of the list you sent it to.

Options people mention

Listed for convenience. Not ranked. Not paid. These names come up in threads and reviews; that does not show where people moved.

Before you pay, check the price page of each tool yourself. Prices change, and we only list what our sources say.

Questions people ask

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Sources

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