OpenAI has announced it will discontinue Sora, its AI video generation platform, marking a significant shift in the company's product strategy. The Sora web and app experiences will be discontinued on April 26, 2026, while the Sora API will shut down later on September 24, 2026. This decision affects thousands of users who have created content using the tool and raises questions about OpenAI's priorities as it focuses resources elsewhere.

When Will Sora Actually Go Away?

OpenAI has provided a staggered timeline for the shutdown. Users have until April 26, 2026, to access the Sora web and app experiences before they disappear entirely. Developers and businesses relying on the Sora API have a longer window, with access continuing until September 24, 2026. This gives the developer community several additional months to migrate their applications to alternative solutions or adjust their workflows.

What Happens to Content You've Already Created?

The discontinuation raises an urgent question for creators: what happens to the videos and images they've generated? OpenAI is clear that users should act quickly. If you want to keep your Sora content, the company strongly recommends exporting your data before the app is discontinued. After the discontinuation date passes, OpenAI will permanently delete any data associated with your use of Sora, though the company is still determining whether it can offer a limited export window after the app shuts down.

How to Export Your Sora Content Before It's Gone

• Access the Export Page: Go to sora.chatgpt.com/exports/me to begin the export process for all your created content.
• Select and Request Export: Click the Export button and wait for your export request to begin processing; the company will email you when your export is ready.
• Download Your Files: Return to sora.chatgpt.com/exports/me to download completed exports as ZIP files; export times vary depending on how many videos you've created.
• Act Before April 26, 2026: OpenAI recommends exporting content before the discontinuation date to avoid potential issues with any final export window that may or may not be offered.

The export process is straightforward but requires patience, especially for users with large libraries of videos. OpenAI acknowledges that if you have a large number of videos, your export may take a considerable amount of time to complete. Users should plan accordingly and not wait until the last moment to initiate their exports.

For those who purchased ChatGPT or Sora credits, there is some good news. Any purchased credits can still be used for Codex, OpenAI's code generation tool, so the investment isn't entirely lost. However, users with refund questions are directed to OpenAI's standard subscription refund policy.

The discontinuation of Sora reflects broader trends in the AI industry, where companies are consolidating resources around their most successful products. While OpenAI continues to invest heavily in ChatGPT and its underlying language models like GPT-4 and the anticipated GPT-5, specialized tools like Sora appear to be taking a back seat. For creators and developers who have integrated Sora into their workflows, the shutdown represents a significant disruption that requires immediate action to preserve their work.