ChatGPT macOS app: deleted web chats remain as unopenable “ghost” sidebar entries #42917

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

26.901.41123

What subscription do you have?

Plus

What platform is your computer?

Darwin 25.6.0 arm64 arm

What issue are you seeing?

Hi team,

I’m reporting a reproducible conversation-deletion sync bug in the new ChatGPT macOS app.

Expected: After deleting a conversation on the web or in the macOS, it should disappear from the sidebar of web app or macOS app (deletions are supposed to be removed from history immediately).

Actual: The conversation disappears on the web, but its title remains in the macOS app sidebar. Clicking it shows “Could not load this ChatGPT conversation,” creating a nonfunctional “ghost” entry.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Sign into the same account on chatgpt.com and the ChatGPT macOS app
2. Create a conversation; wait for it to appear in the Mac sidebar
3. Delete the conversation on the website or macOS app
4. Confirm it’s gone on the website
5. Return to / relaunch the Mac app
6. Deleted conversation title remains but cannot be opened

Cross-profile: Reproduced on two separate macOS user profiles using the same OpenAI account (fresh local app data). New deletions become ghosts in the new profile too.

Ghost titles observed (original profile):
US Per Capita Income
Long Hair Cleaning Solutions
Ghost chat sync issue

• Environment: ChatGPT macOS app version: 26.901.41123
• macOS version: 26.6.2 (25G83)
• Plan: Plus
• Sign-in method: email login and Google login tested

Archived Chats: Confirmed not archived

Repro time/time zone: Sep 4, 8:30pm, PDT

I can provide screenshots/screen recording on request.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

Feedback ID: no-active-thread-01a06f98-ab0c-7860-b61e-752d9d31659d

What is the expected behavior?

Steps to reproduce:

1. Sign into the same account on chatgpt.com and the ChatGPT macOS app
2. Create a conversation; wait for it to appear in the Mac sidebar
3. Delete the conversation on the website or macOS app
4. Confirm it’s gone on the website
5. Return to / relaunch the Mac app
6. Deleted conversation title remains but cannot be opened

Cross-profile: Reproduced on two separate macOS user profiles using the same OpenAI account (fresh local app data). New deletions become ghosts in the new profile too.

Additional information

No response