If you’ve ever wanted to start a new conversation within a chat, or rather, “branch out” into a different chat, now you can. OpenAI just rolled out conversation branching, a new ChatGPT feature that lets users go in multiple directions within a single chat without losing their original thread.
Now live for all tiers, but users must be logged in to explore a new idea or test an alternate prompt without manual copying and pasting or starting over completely.
Announced by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a post on X, the update addresses a long-standing limitation in ChatGPT’s design. Until now, if you wanted to redirect a conversation in a different direction, for example, if your first prompt asked for the differences between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, and then you wanted to compare the MacBook Air to the Microsoft Surface, you would have to do so in a few clicks.
What is conversation branching?
By popular request: you can now branch conversations in ChatGPT, letting you more easily explore different directions without losing your original thread.Available now to logged-in users on web. https://t.co/l6RflhOGuK pic.twitter.com/CpVehkULOBSeptember 4, 2025
On X, Sam Altman posted, “By popular request: you can now branch conversations in ChatGPT,” Altman wrote. “Letting you more easily explore different directions without losing your original thread.”
In other words, conversation branching lets you fork a chat at any point, creating a new thread that picks up from that exact message. The original conversation stays intact in your history, while the branch becomes a new, independent dialogue you can continue, edit or rename as you like.
Now, you can easily follow a different idea, try a new prompt or compare results side by side.
Why I already love it
Because my thoughts aren’t linear, I appreciate that ChatGPT now works the way my brain does. I’m constantly jumping between ideas, testing different angles and circling back to things. Conversation branching lets me do that without clutter or confusion and without losing momentum.
I’ve already used it to compare dining room table sets, explore outlines and rework prompt phrasing when I wasn’t sure which version would hit better. I no longer have to copy-paste into a new chat or retrace my steps. It just flows better, like actual creative thinking.
I’ll admit, I’m one of those people who keeps the same chat for dozens of different queries. Word to the wise, if you use this new feature, be more mindful about starting a new chat when the topic changes. Rather than opening up your laptop and jumping into the last conversation, if it doesn’t relate, start a new chat. I’m definitely guilty of this, and this new feature is making me more aware of how often I do that. Now that I’m branching off, things can get cluttered fast, and I’m trying to break that habit.
Whether you’re writing, coding, brainstorming, planning a trip or exploring “what if” scenarios, this feature makes ChatGPT feel like a better brainstorming partner. The flexibility and ability to pivot are a total game-changer.
How to use conversation branching in ChatGPT
- Hover over any message in an existing conversation.
- Click the three-dot menu (•••) next to it.
- Select “Branch conversation” from the dropdown.
- Or highlight and choose "Ask ChatGPT" to start a new conversation
That’s it. A new conversation window will open, starting from that message. You can rename the branch, explore alternate responses or keep iterating; all while your original thread remains untouched.
The takeaway
ChatGPT’s new conversation branching feature is one of those updates that might not be as exciting as a new model, but it's certainly as useful. You may not have even realized you needed it until you actually give it a try. Now that it's here, I can't imagine using ChatGPT without it.
It’s available now, free for everyone on the web. So go ahead, branch out and see where your next idea leads. Let me know your thoughts about this new feature in the comments.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
More from Tom's Guide
- I use Perplexity every day — these are my 7 favorite prompts (plus, how to get Perplexity’s browser for free)
- 5 Reasons why ChatGPT-5 beat Gemini in our coding face-off
- I tested ChatGPT-5 vs Nano Banana with 9 AI image prompts — and there's a clear winner
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
