ChatGPT Lacks Timestamps Despite Years of User Requests

ChatGPT users have been requesting timestamp functionality for conversations for several years, yet the feature remains unavailable. The issue was highlighted in a community discussion on the OpenAI forum, which has been active since at least 2023.

Users argue that timestamps are essential for tracking conversation history, debugging code, and maintaining accurate records of interactions with the AI. The lack of this basic feature has caused frustration among developers and casual users alike.

Currently, ChatGPT only displays relative time indicators like 'Today' or 'Yesterday' rather than specific dates and times. This makes it difficult to organize conversations or reference specific interactions from the past.

The community thread has grown to include numerous comments and upvotes, indicating widespread demand. Despite the clear user need and the technical feasibility of adding timestamps, OpenAI has not yet implemented this feature or provided a timeline for when it might be added.

The request for timestamps in ChatGPT conversations has been a persistent topic within the user community. A specific thread on the OpenAI community forum has served as the central hub for this discussion, accumulating significant engagement over time.

Users have expressed that the inability to see specific dates and times for their conversations creates significant organizational challenges. The current system relies on vague relative time indicators, which fail to provide the precision needed for professional and technical workflows.

The demand for this feature is not limited to a small group of users. The volume of comments and upvotes on the community forum thread demonstrates a broad consensus that this is a necessary improvement to the platform.

For many users, the absence of timestamps is more than a minor inconvenience; it impacts their ability to use the tool effectively. Developers, researchers, and professionals who rely on ChatGPT for daily tasks need accurate records of their interactions.

Specific use cases mentioned by the community include:

• Debugging code by referencing specific conversation sessions
• Tracking the evolution of a project over weeks or months
• Complying with record-keeping requirements for professional work
• Simply remembering when a specific idea or solution was generated

Without precise timestamps, users are forced to manually track their conversation history outside of the platform, which defeats the purpose of having a seamless, integrated tool.

As of late 2025, ChatGPT continues to operate without this requested feature. The user interface organizes conversations into sections labeled 'Today,' 'Yesterday,' and 'Previous 7 Days,' but does not offer a way to sort or search by exact date and time.

This limitation is particularly noticeable for users with high volumes of interactions. Finding a specific conversation from several weeks ago can become a tedious process of scrolling and guessing based on the relative time categories.

The technical implementation of adding timestamps would likely be straightforward for the developers at OpenAI, making the continued absence of the feature a point of confusion for the user base.

The question remains when, or if, OpenAI will address this long-standing user request. The company has made numerous updates to ChatGPT's capabilities, including new models and features, but this fundamental quality-of-life improvement has not been prioritized.

Continued community engagement on the topic may eventually lead to action. However, for now, users must continue to work around the limitation or hope that it is added in a future update.

The situation highlights a common challenge in software development: balancing new, flashy features with foundational improvements that enhance the core user experience.