Support Can’t Restore 1/2 Version Arrows — Why Do Some Accounts Still Have the Version Selector (Paid Users Affected)? Paid Users Losing the Message Response Selector

ChatGPT Bugs
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  1. version selector removed for “affected accounts” — is this intentional, and why is access unequal?

  2. retroactive removal of message version arrows/edited history — what changed, and how do users recover past variants?

  3. paid users losing version navigation while others still have it — can OpenAI clarify the rollout criteria and remediation?

Body:

Hi all, starting a new thread because support has now stated this plainly: the version selector / arrow controls (1/2, 2/2, 3/4) that let you navigate regenerated responses and edited-message history are “not available in the current ChatGPT web experience for affected accounts,” and this is “expected behavior at this time.” Support also says they cannot restore it on an individual account and they have no timeline.

This raises a few critical questions that need a clear OpenAI answer (not just workarounds):

  1. why is this feature still available for some users/accounts but not for others? if this is feature-flag/cohort/a-b testing, please confirm the criteria for who is “affected.”

  2. is this a permanent deprecation of version history navigation, or temporary rollout/experiment?

  3. the worst part is the retroactive impact: older chats that previously had version navigation are now missing it, breaking workflows where people referenced “version 1” etc. how are users supposed to recover or access those past variants?

  4. exports only include the currently visible version, so “copy before regenerate” doesn’t help with retroactive loss. will openai provide an export/recovery option that includes all stored variants, or an alternative UI?

This issue has been ongoing since around feb 19 and has impacted many users (thousands of views and dozens of comments on the existing thread). On the old thread, OpenAI asked for details once (model/platform/web vs desktop), many users replied with those details, and then OpenAI didn’t follow up on that thread with any acknowledgement or status update afterward. even without an eta, a transparent statement acknowledging what changed, why access is uneven, and what the remediation plan is would help a lot.

For anyone replying, please include:

  • whether it’s retroactive for you (old chats too)

  • web/desktop/mobile

  • whether you still see 1/2 arrows or not

  • if search shows old hidden text but you can’t navigate to it

OpenAI team: can you please respond directly here with a clear position (bug vs intentional change), cohort criteria, and recovery plan?

4 Likes
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It’s been retroactive for me. None of my old chats can return to previous edits.

It affects every device and browser I’ve tried, it’s absolutely at the account level. I can start a brand new free account on the same browser session and the edit arrows are back.

What irks me is that this happened on a subscription that I’ve paid for since Plus launched. Support’s answer that “this is expected behavior at the time” and that they won’t restore the feature is absolutely infuriating. On a free account I could understand, but actively removing a critical feature for a random selection of paid accounts shouldn’t fly.

And I agree, I really want a response from OpenAI on this. An actual response, not a vague handwaving.

5 Likes
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The same applies to me.

On a related note, they have just downgraded another feature (this one is documented). You can now edit ONLY your last message. :clown_face: I have opened a thread requesting this change to be reverted – Restore the Ability to Edit All Messages.

7 Likes
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Two worset updates of ChatGPT interface ever.

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I’m gonna use Claude instead. The experience with gpt is getting worse and worse

3 Likes
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to everyone the response navigator feature is restored.

1 Like