ChatGPT на GPT-5.6: OpenAI снимает лимиты текста и добавляет кнопку Think для бесплатных

OpenAI on August 11, 2026 announced the removal of text chat limits for free-tier and Go-tier users in ChatGPT. The following week, around August 18, the changes will take effect simultaneously with the launch of the Think button — a new deep reasoning mode for complex tasks.

What changes for free users

The Free and Go tiers of ChatGPT will stop limiting the number of text messages starting August 18, 2026. Previously, users encountered limits after a certain number of requests — now text conversations become completely unlimited. Restrictions will remain only for messages with attachments: uploaded files and images.

At the same time, according to the official OpenAI blog, starting this week (from August 11, 2026) the base model for free and Go users is being upgraded to GPT-5.6 — a more powerful version previously available primarily to paid subscribers.

• Unlimited text chats — from August 18, 2026, Free and Go tiers
• Switch to GPT-5.6 as the base model — from August 11, 2026
• Think button for extended reasoning — from August 18, 2026
• Limits on messages with files and images — remain
• Plus ($20/month) and Pro ($200/month) tiers are not affected by this update

What is the Think button

The Think button is a new feature for free and Go users of ChatGPT that provides access to an extended reasoning mode for complex questions. According to the official OpenAI announcement, the mode uses increased computational resources for tasks requiring multi-step logic: mathematics, code writing, and in-depth analysis.

"Users will get access to a higher level of reasoning for complex questions," states the official

OpenAI statement published on the company's blog.

Previously, extended reasoning modes were available only on paid ChatGPT tiers. The Think button for free accounts is a lighter form of this feature: OpenAI is systematically opening up "heavy thinking" tools to a wider audience while maintaining price differentiation through limits on files and images.

Why OpenAI is easing free-tier limits

OpenAI is consistently narrowing the gap between free and paid access to ChatGPT amid competition with Google Gemini and Anthropic Claude. Both competitors have in recent months expanded the capabilities of their free tiers, lowering the threshold for access to powerful language models.

It is important to keep in mind the boundaries of the new offering: despite unlimited text, uploading files and working with images still remain behind a paid barrier. This preserves the key advantages of the Plus and Pro tiers for professional users.

What this means

Base access to the GPT-5.6 model, unlimited text conversation, and Think mode without a monthly fee — the most significant upgrade to free ChatGPT in recent times. Users who constantly hit limitations will have a qualitatively new tool by August 18, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When will ChatGPT remove text chat limits?

Text message restrictions for Free and Go tiers are being lifted during the week of August 18, 2026, according to the official OpenAI announcement. An exact date was not specified by the company.

Will limits on files and images remain in free ChatGPT?

Yes, restrictions on messages with attachments — files and images — remain even after the removal of text limits. Only text conversation becomes unlimited.