Character.AI users could lose access to their AI conversations if the company shuts down its platform. The company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. It is now seeking a buyer through a court-supervised sale process.
Character.AI has said its platform will continue operating during the sale. However, it may wind down the service if no buyer agrees to keep it running. This has raised questions about users’ chat histories, account data and paid subscriptions.
The company has also confirmed that users can still export their data. It says its privacy and security practices remain unchanged for now. Users who want to keep a copy of their conversations may want to request an export before the sale process ends.
ALSO READ: Character.AI Files for Bankruptcy as Disney Offers $20 Million for Assets
Character.AI Users Can Still Access Their Chats for Now
Character.AI announced its bankruptcy filing on October 12, 2026. In its official update, the company said the platform would remain operational throughout the court-supervised sale process.
Users can still access the service and interact with their AI characters. The company has also confirmed that existing subscriptions remain active. Billing arrangements have not changed for now.
However, continued access is not guaranteed. Character.AI expects the sale process to finish by late November or early December 2026. If it cannot find a buyer willing to continue operating the platform, the service will be wound down.
The company has not announced a shutdown date. It has also not said that users will immediately lose access to their conversations. For now, users can continue using the platform. However, those who want to preserve their conversations should consider downloading their data while the service remains available.
Character.AI Users Can Export Their Chats and Account Data
Character.AI allows users to download a copy of their account data through its website or mobile app. The option could be useful for users concerned about losing access to their conversations if the platform shuts down.
However, the process can take time. According to the company’s Help Center, data exports can take three to four weeks to complete. Once the files are ready, users receive an email with a download link. The link expires after seven days.
Users can request an export through their account settings. On the website, they need to open Profile Settings, go to Account, select Manage Account & Data, and click Export Data. On the mobile app, they can open their profile settings, select Legal & Privacy, and tap Export Data.
Character.AI has not announced a shutdown date. However, the company has said it may wind down the platform if its bankruptcy sale fails to find a buyer willing to continue operating the service.
Users who want to preserve their data may therefore wish to submit an export request while the platform remains available. They should also check the downloaded files to confirm what information is included. Exporting data does not guarantee that conversations can be transferred to another chatbot service.
What Happens to Character.AI User Data if the Platform Closes?
Character.AI has said that its privacy and security practices remain unchanged during the bankruptcy process. The company has also confirmed that users can export their data or delete their accounts.
However, the possibility of a shutdown creates uncertainty about future access to stored conversations. If the platform closes, users may no longer be able to open their chat histories through the app or website.
Downloading account data provides a way to keep a copy of the information included in the export. It does not guarantee that users will be able to continue their conversations with the same AI characters elsewhere.
Users should also remember that saving a data export and deleting an account are different actions. Those who want to preserve their information should download and check their files before taking any steps to delete their accounts.
Character.AI has not announced that user data will be deleted as part of the bankruptcy process. It has also not provided a specific deadline for exporting data if the platform eventually shuts down. Users can review the company’s official privacy policy for more information about how their personal information is handled.
Will Character.AI Subscriptions Continue During Bankruptcy?
Character.AI has confirmed that paid subscriptions remain active during the sale process. It has also said that billing arrangements remain unchanged for now.
The company intends to notify subscribers in advance if any service changes affect paid features. However, the long-term status of subscriptions will depend on what happens to the platform.
If a buyer takes over operations, the future of paid features may depend on the new arrangements. If the service shuts down, subscribers could face a loss of access to the features they currently pay for.
Character.AI has not announced a general cancellation of subscriptions as part of its bankruptcy filing. Users should check official company updates for information about any changes to billing or paid services.
Those who have concerns about upcoming payments should review their subscription details and the company’s latest announcements. They should not assume that a potential shutdown has already taken effect.
What Character.AI Users Should Do Before the Sale Is Complete
Character.AI remains available, but its long-term future is uncertain. Users do not need to assume that their chats will disappear immediately. However, they should consider taking steps to protect the information they want to keep.
Requesting a data export is a practical first step. Users should allow enough time for the request to be processed and download the files before the link expires. They should also monitor official announcements about the bankruptcy sale, subscriptions and any changes to data access.
The coming weeks will determine whether Character.AI finds a buyer willing to continue operating its platform. Until the company provides more details, users should treat continued access as uncertain and keep a copy of any available data they want to preserve.