How to Enable ChatGPT Adult Mode: Complete Guide (January 2026 Update)

Searching for how to enable ChatGPT's adult mode? You're not alone. Since OpenAI announced this feature in late 2025, millions of users have been trying to figure out how to access it. Here's the truth: adult mode is NOT available yet as of January 2026, but it's officially launching in Q1 2026.

This guide explains everything you need to know about ChatGPT's adult mode—what it actually is, how to prepare for it, and what you can expect when it launches. We'll also cover the age verification process and address common misconceptions.

What Is ChatGPT Adult Mode? (Current Status in January 2026)

Adult mode is OpenAI's upcoming feature that allows verified adults to access mature content and conversations—it launches in Q1 2026 and is not currently available.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman first announced adult mode on October 14, 2025. Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of Applications, later confirmed the feature would debut in the first quarter of 2026 during a briefing about GPT-5.2.

Adult mode is NOT a separate "porn AI" or a completely unrestricted chatbot. Instead, it's an expansion of what ChatGPT can discuss with verified adult users. Think of it as removing some of the safety guardrails that currently prevent discussions of mature topics—while still maintaining important ethical boundaries.

The feature will allow conversations about topics that are currently blocked, including erotica, frank discussions of sexuality, complex relationship scenarios, and mature creative writing. However, it will never allow content involving minors, non-consensual scenarios, or illegal material.

As of January 26, 2026, adult mode is still in testing. OpenAI is rolling out its age-prediction AI in select countries before enabling the full feature globally.

How to Enable Adult Mode (Step-by-Step Guide)

When adult mode launches, you'll enable it through your ChatGPT account settings after passing age verification. Here's how to prepare now.

Since adult mode isn't available yet, there's no button to click today. However, based on OpenAI's official announcements, here's what the process will look like:

Step 1: Ensure Your Account Is in Good Standing

Make sure your ChatGPT account is active and hasn't had any policy violations. Accounts with a history of attempting to bypass content filters may face additional scrutiny.

Step 2: Wait for Age Prediction to Reach Your Region

OpenAI is testing its age-prediction AI in select countries first. If you're placed in the "under-18 experience" incorrectly, you'll have the option to verify your age manually.

Step 3: Navigate to Account Settings (When Available)

Once adult mode launches, look for a new option in your ChatGPT settings. OpenAI has indicated this will require explicit opt-in—it won't be enabled by default.

Step 4: Complete Age Verification

You'll need to verify you're 18 or older. This may involve:

• Automatic AI-based age prediction (based on your usage patterns)
• Manual verification through Persona (government ID or selfie)

Step 5: Accept Terms and Enable

After verification, you'll need to accept additional terms of service specific to adult content before the feature activates.

Important Note: OpenAI hasn't confirmed whether adult mode will require a ChatGPT Plus subscription. Given the additional infrastructure required for age verification, it's likely to be a paid feature—but this hasn't been officially announced.

Age Verification Explained: How OpenAI Confirms You're 18+

OpenAI uses a combination of AI-based age prediction and third-party ID verification through Persona to confirm users are adults.

This is one of the most innovative—and controversial—aspects of ChatGPT's adult mode. OpenAI has built an AI system that attempts to predict your age based on how you use ChatGPT.

The age-prediction system analyzes several signals:

• Topics you discuss
• Time of day you use ChatGPT
• Writing style and vocabulary
• General usage patterns

If the AI is uncertain about your age, you'll be defaulted to the under-18 experience for safety. This "when in doubt, restrict access" approach is intentional.

Manual Verification Through Persona

If the AI incorrectly classifies you as under 18, you can verify your age manually. OpenAI partners with Persona, a trusted third-party verification service, for this process.

You have two verification options:

1. Government ID upload - Submit a photo of your passport, driver's license, or national ID card
2. Selfie verification - Take a live photo that Persona compares against ID databases

Privacy Protection: Persona deletes your ID or selfie within hours after verification. OpenAI never sees your actual ID—they only receive your date of birth or a confirmation that you're over 18.

For users in Italy specifically, age verification must be completed within 60 days of being prompted, or your account will be disabled until verification is complete.

What Content Is Allowed vs Still Banned

Adult mode expands what ChatGPT can discuss but maintains strict prohibitions on illegal and harmful content.

Many users expect adult mode to mean "anything goes"—that's not the case. OpenAI has been clear about what will and won't be allowed:

Adult mode is text-based only. OpenAI will not generate explicit images—DALL-E and other image tools will maintain their existing restrictions regardless of adult mode status.

The key distinction: adult mode allows consensual adult themes in text form while maintaining absolute prohibitions on content that could cause real-world harm.

Subscription Requirements: Is ChatGPT Plus Needed?

Official requirements haven't been announced, but adult mode will likely require a paid subscription.

As of January 2026, OpenAI hasn't confirmed whether adult mode requires ChatGPT Plus, Pro, or a separate subscription tier. Here's what we know:

Likely Paid Feature: The infrastructure for age verification, content moderation, and legal compliance is expensive. It's unlikely this will be available on the free tier.

Possible Scenarios:

1. Included with ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)
2. Included with ChatGPT Pro ($200/month)
3. Separate add-on purchase
4. New "ChatGPT Adult" tier

For users interested in ChatGPT Plus for other features like GPT-4 access, there are options available. Users without international credit cards can access ChatGPT Plus through third-party services like fastgptplus.com, which offers subscription services with local payment methods. Note that having a Plus account today doesn't guarantee adult mode access—verification will still be required.

Current Alternatives While Waiting for Adult Mode

While adult mode isn't available, here are your legitimate options for mature AI conversations.

Let's be direct: if you're looking to bypass ChatGPT's content filters through "jailbreaks" or DAN prompts, those methods are unreliable and violate OpenAI's terms of service. Here's why they're not a good idea:

• Constantly patched: OpenAI updates its models to block known jailbreaks within days
• Account risk: Repeated attempts to bypass filters can result in account suspension
• Inconsistent results: Even when they work, responses are unpredictable

Legitimate Alternatives:

1. Wait for Official Adult Mode (Q1 2026)

The most straightforward option. Adult mode is launching soon, and it will provide a consistent, reliable experience.

2. Use Purpose-Built AI Platforms

Several AI platforms are specifically designed for adult content with proper age verification:

• Character.AI (with mature character options)
• NovelAI (for creative fiction)
• Specialized adult AI chatbots

3. Adjust Your Prompts

For non-explicit but mature discussions, try framing your requests in clinical or academic language. ChatGPT can discuss many adult topics when approached appropriately:

• "From a health education perspective..."
• "In the context of adult relationship counseling..."
• "For a mature-rated novel I'm writing..."

4. Use the API with Custom Guidelines

Developers can access OpenAI's API and implement their own content policies. This requires technical knowledge and maintaining your own safety systems.

Privacy and Data: What Happens to Your ID?

Persona handles verification independently—OpenAI never sees your actual ID documents.

Privacy concerns are valid when any service asks for government ID. Here's exactly how OpenAI's verification system handles your data:

Verification Partner: Persona

Persona is a well-established identity verification company used by many tech companies. They specialize in secure identity verification while protecting user privacy.

Data Flow:

1. You submit ID/selfie to Persona (not OpenAI)
2. Persona verifies your age
3. Persona sends OpenAI only: your date of birth OR confirmation you're 18+
4. Persona deletes your ID/selfie within hours

What OpenAI Receives:

• Your date of birth, OR
• A simple yes/no age confirmation
• NOT your actual ID images
• NOT your ID number or other details

What OpenAI Does NOT Receive:

• Your ID photos
• Your passport/license number
• Your address from your ID
• Your selfie

This separation of concerns is intentional. OpenAI doesn't want the liability of storing government IDs, and Persona specializes in secure verification with rapid data deletion.

For users concerned about any verification, remember: adult mode is opt-in. If you're not comfortable with the verification process, you can simply continue using ChatGPT's standard experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ChatGPT adult mode available now?

No. As of January 26, 2026, adult mode is not yet available. OpenAI has confirmed it will launch in Q1 2026. The age-prediction AI is currently being tested in select countries.

Will adult mode be free?

Unlikely. While official pricing hasn't been announced, the infrastructure required for age verification and content moderation suggests adult mode will be a paid feature, possibly included with ChatGPT Plus or Pro subscriptions.

Can I use DAN prompts or jailbreaks instead?

While jailbreak prompts exist, they're against OpenAI's terms of service, frequently patched, and can result in account suspension. Waiting for official adult mode is the safer choice.

Does age verification store my ID permanently?

No. Persona, the third-party verification service, deletes your ID or selfie within hours. OpenAI only receives your date of birth or age confirmation—never your actual documents.

What if the AI incorrectly guesses my age?

If OpenAI's age-prediction AI places you in the under-18 experience incorrectly, you can verify your age manually through Persona using government ID or a selfie.