How do I keep my memory when switching between Claude and ChatGPT?

Claude and ChatGPT do not share memory — each keeps its own, on its own servers. To carry context between them you need an external memory layer (an MCP server or an app like Alma) that both can read. Claude can also do a one-time markdown import of a ChatGPT memory export.

Why native memory does not transfer

ChatGPT’s memory lives in OpenAI; Claude’s lives on Anthropic’s servers. There is no shared store between them, so a fact you taught ChatGPT is invisible to Claude and vice versa.

One-time export vs live sync

In 2026 Claude added a one-time markdown import that can ingest a memory export from ChatGPT or Gemini. That helps when you move once, but it is a snapshot, not continuous sync — new memories created afterwards stay siloed again.

The MCP route

For memory that stays in sync across both, keep it in an independent layer. Alma stores your memory once and serves it to any MCP-compatible client, so the same context is available whether you are in Claude Desktop, Cursor or Alma’s own chat.

Related

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