How to switch from ChatGPT to Claude: Transferring your memories and settings is easy
Published: (March 4, 2026 at 01:30 PM EST)
4 min read
Source: ZDNet
Source: ZDNet
*Thomas Fuller/NurPhoto via Getty Images*
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### ZDNET's key takeaways
- Claude AI now lets you copy memories from another AI service.
- The goal is to help you switch to Claude easily.
- The process uses simple copy‑and‑paste instructions.
Many AI tools offer a memory feature that gathers and stores details about you—from your conversations or the information you provide—to personalize chats based on your background, job, hobbies, and interests. Building this in‑depth memory can take time. Anthropic’s Claude AI now provides a quick and simple way to transfer your memories from other services.
With the new **memory import** option, you can move memories to Claude from AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot. This helps you switch to Claude without starting over with fresh memories and preferences.
**Also:** [Why I stopped using ChatGPT for everything](https://www.zdnet.com/article/stop-using-chatgpt-ai-models-i-use-instead/)
Claude has been gaining momentum, evident from its iOS app topping the free‑app chart in [Apple’s App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/claude-by-anthropic/id6473753684). Meanwhile, ChatGPT is facing the [QuitGPT campaign](https://quitgpt.org/). Anthropic sees an opportunity to attract users looking to jump ship. Even if you’re not leaving another AI, you can still use the memory import tool to give Claude the same memories.
> **Disclosure:** Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging copyright infringement in training and operating its AI systems.
[Image: Claude AI import and export memories]
*Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET*How to Use Claude’s Memory‑Import Tool
1. Get Started
- Create a Claude account (free or paid).
- Open the Claude memory‑import page and click “Start Import”.
Tip: If you already use Claude, you can reach the same screen from Settings → Privacy → Manage (Memory preferences) → Start import.
2. Copy the Auto‑Generated Prompt
A small window appears with a ready‑made instruction set.
- Click Copy to copy the prompt.
- Sign in to the other AI service you want to export memories from.
- Paste the copied prompt into its input box and submit.
Prompt that gets copied
I'm moving to another service and need to export my data. List every memory you have stored about me, as well as any context you've learned about me from past conversations. Output everything in a single code block so I can easily copy it.
Format each entry as: [date saved, if available] - memory content.
Make sure to cover all of the following — preserve my words verbatim where possible:
- Instructions I've given you about how to respond (tone, format, style, "always do X", "never do Y").
- Personal details: name, location, job, family, interests.
- Projects, goals, and recurring topics.
- Tools, languages, and frameworks I use.3. Retrieve & Clean Your Memories
- In the response window, click Copy to copy Claude’s exported memories.
- (Optional) Paste the data into a text editor and review it.
- Delete any entries you don’t want to keep.
- Each memory is a separate line, making removal easy.
4. Import the Cleaned Data Back into Claude
- Return to the Claude memory‑import window.
- Paste the revised text into the provided field.
- Click Add to Memory (or submit as a new prompt).
Claude will process the input and then display a formatted list of everything it now knows about you.
5. Verify the Import
Start a fresh chat with Claude and ask:
“What do you know about me?”
Claude should list the details you just imported.
6. Delete or Disable Memories (Optional)
If you ever want to remove stored memories:
- Go to Settings → Privacy → Memory.
- Hover over “Memory from your chats” and click the trash‑can icon.
- You can also toggle off “Generate memory from chat history.”
Alternatively, simply tell Claude in a prompt that you want all stored memories deleted; the model will comply.