Anthropic Retires Claude Haiku 4.5 from Model Selector
Anthropic will remove Claude Haiku 4.5 from its model selector on October 29. Consequently, this update heavily affects Free, Pro, and Max subscribers. It directly impacts standard chat, Claude Cowork, and Claude Design. Fortunately, the platform preserves your previous conversations securely. Furthermore, the upgraded version will generate responses when you continue those older threads. Here is a breakdown of exempted users and necessary preparations before the transition.
The Phasing Out of Claude Haiku 4.5
Starting October 29, the older model will vanish from your selection menu. The company detailed this upcoming shift in a recent help article and an official email to users. Meanwhile, Anthropic upgrades Claude with a new Haiku 5.5 model to take its place. Indeed, this advanced version has been accessible on the free tier since early October.
Impact on Free, Pro, and Max Subscribers
This modification directly applies to the Free, Pro, and Max subscription plans. Therefore, it spans across regular web chats, desktop applications, and mobile platforms. Users can continue selecting the older version until the October 29 deadline. After that specific date, the option disappears entirely. However, Team and Enterprise plans remain completely exempt. Similarly, Claude Code and developers utilizing the Anthropic API will not experience this restriction.
Preserving Your Previous Conversations
According to the official documentation, your existing chats remain safely stored in your account. The system will not delete any historical data. If you reopen an archived thread after October 29, the upgraded version seamlessly takes over. Additionally, you can manually switch models during any active session. For instance, you might prefer Sonnet or Opus for highly complex inquiries.
How to Prepare for the Transition
This transition particularly matters for users who rely on fixed automated routines. A newer intelligence might structure summaries or handle translations differently. Consequently, Anthropic strongly advises testing the upgraded version immediately. Select the new model in a fresh chat and assign it a familiar task. If the output meets your expectations, no further action is required. Otherwise, you should review and adjust your saved project instructions. Please perform these tests while both versions remain available for direct comparison.
