ChatGPT code reveals ‘Citron Mode’ as the internal name for upcoming adult mode [U: Delayed]

Update 07/03/26 – 04:01 pm (IST): OpenAI has reportedly delayed ChatGPT’s planned “adult mode” again, saying it wants to focus on higher-priority work like intelligence upgrades, personality improvements, personalization, and making the experience more proactive.

According to Axios, the company said it still plans to bring the feature eventually, but wants more time to improve age prediction and protections for younger users before rolling it out.

Update 27/02/26 – 09:48 am (IST): Android Authority has now spotted an explicit “Naughty chats” toggle in ChatGPT v1.2026.055, and the strings say it will let the assistant use “spicier, adult-themed language” only when a user asks, with access limited to 18+ accounts and potentially gated behind age verification.

The report adds that OpenAI may rely on its age prediction system first, and if someone gets misclassified as under-18, they may need to submit a selfie-based ID check through Persona to unlock the setting. This lines up with Sam Altman’s October 2025 remarks about allowing erotica for verified adults while keeping it opt-in, and it further supports the idea that the “Citron Mode” code we spotted earlier is part of a broader adult-mode rollout with stricter age gates built in.

Original article published on February 20, 2026, follows:

A developer spotted fresh clues in the ChatGPT web app. Tibor Blaho found new code references to something called “Citron Mode Enabled”. The app also treats chats marked as “citron-only” differently from normal ones.

Sharing such a chat triggers a specific alert, and it warns about sensitive content. The note adds that the person receiving the link may need to confirm they are 18 or older to view it. Blaho shared a clear screenshot of these strings on X.

And just a few hours after that, TestingCatalog followed up with a screenshot of the sharing warning.

These screenshots have sparked many discussions. Most folks see “Citron Mode” as OpenAI’s codename for the adult mode feature users have been waiting for. Threads and posts on X picked up hundreds of thousands of views fast.

It all lines up with statements from OpenAI’s top people. CEO Sam Altman has mentioned giving verified adults more freedom in their chats. This includes topics like erotica that current filters often block. Fidji Simo, who heads applications at the company, pointed to a Q1 2026 launch window last December. She said they need reliable age checks before flipping the switch.

OpenAI started preparing the ground months ago. We covered their age prediction rollout in November last year. The system looks at how accounts behave to guess user age and apply limits where needed. Users flagged as possibly underage get prompts to verify with ID.

These latest code bits add another layer. They show OpenAI building in 18+ gates even for shared conversations. It suggests the adult mode will come with real boundaries to separate experiences for different age groups.

Citron Mode itself remains hidden for now. Regular users cannot turn it on yet. The changes sit deep in the app, likely for internal testing only. But the timing feels telling, especially with the Q1 target.

If everything goes as expected, ChatGPT adult mode could change how millions interact with the AI. Verified adults might enjoy less restricted conversations, while underage users won’t be exposed to the same.

That said, while there’s no ETA for a release, since it’s already showing up in the code along with a UI, it’ll likely be announced very soon. Some even predict that it’ll go live as early as today, alongside ChatGPT 5.3.

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