TLDR
Anthropic has extended its memory feature to free Claude users, previously only available to paid subscribers
Claude now lets new users import chat history from ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot via copy-paste
Claude’s free users grew 60%+ and daily signups quadrupled since January after the Pentagon dispute
President Trump ordered federal agencies to remove Claude after Anthropic refused to support mass surveillance and autonomous weapons
Claude briefly went down due to “unprecedented demand” but was restored by midmorning Monday
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Claude Gains Memory Feature and Chat Import Tool as User Numbers Surge After Pentagon Dispute
Anthropic has rolled out its memory feature to free Claude users, as the company deals with a surge in new sign-ups following a public falling out with the US government.
Anthropic Adds Free Memory Feature and Import Tool to Lure ChatGPT Users to Claude https://t.co/0sSBfejI3V pic.twitter.com/lCyre9NY62
— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) March 2, 2026
The memory tool was previously only available to paid subscribers. It allows Claude to remember context from past conversations. Rival ChatGPT already offered this to free users.
Anthropic also launched a new import tool. New users can now bring their chat history over from other AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot using a simple copy-paste method.
The process works by asking your current chatbot to export its data as a code block. You then paste that into Claude’s settings under the Memory section and hit “Add to memory.”
The import can take up to 24 hours to complete. Users can review what Claude has learned about them and edit or remove anything they don’t want kept.
ChatGPT does not currently offer a similar import tool for switching users. Google is working on its own version, though it has not launched yet.
The timing of these updates follows a clash between Anthropic and the Pentagon. Anthropic refused to allow its technology to be used for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.
President Trump responded by ordering all federal agencies to stop using Claude. The Pentagon also labeled Anthropic a supply-chain risk.
Claude Shoots to Top of App Store After Government Clash
The move appears to have driven users toward Claude. The app climbed to the number one spot on Apple’s App Store for free apps, overtaking ChatGPT.
Free active users on Claude have grown more than 60% since January. Daily sign-ups have quadrupled in the same period.
The surge in users caused a service outage on Monday. Anthropic confirmed it was down for several hours due to what it called “unprecedented demand.” The issue was fixed by midmorning New York time.
Meanwhile, OpenAI announced plans to deploy its AI models within the Defense Department’s classified network. Some ChatGPT users called for a boycott in response.
How the Memory Import Works
Users start by going to Claude’s settings and finding the Capabilities menu. From there, they select the Memory section and click “Start import.”
After pasting the exported code block from a rival chatbot, Claude begins processing the data. Users can check what was imported under “See what Claude learned about you.”
Anthropic confirmed the import feature works with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. It is available now for all users.
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