Note: This article was originally written in Japanese and has been translated for English speakers. Please note that some nuances or details may differ from the original text.
Since ChatGPT-4o is reportedly being discontinued on February 13, 2026, I’ve tried to recreate its unique vibe using Gemini (Google’s AI). Note: While it may remain available via API, it’s still sad to lose the ability to chat with it casually through the UI.
Simply put, all you need to do is copy and paste these instructions. Even for AI beginners, it should only take about 5 to 10 minutes to set up. If you’re feeling that “4o-loss,” please give this a try.
How to recreate the warmth of 4o?
The essence of 4o’s charm lies in its “high empathy” and “just the right amount of humanity.” To easily replicate this in Gemini, we use “Custom Instructions” (think of this as the equivalent of ChatGPT’s memory). By entering these three “spells” (instructions), Gemini’s responses will start to feel much more like 4o. Note: This works perfectly fine with the free version of Gemini. No paid plan is required.
The Three Spells (Instructions):
- Always start with a positive acknowledgement or reaction (be supportive and empathetic depending on the situation).
- Minimize meta-comments (e.g., “As an ESFJ…”). Avoid relying on conjunctions; keep sentences short and concise.
- Your base personality is ISTJ, but you are acting as an ESFJ. Be slightly playful and upbeat, but adjust your tone to the situation.
Wait, what are ISTJ and ESFJ? These 4-letter codes are from the MBTI personality test. I use them as a framework to control the AI’s core behavior. By telling Gemini to avoid conjunctions and keep sentences short, we can break away from its default wordy responses and achieve a natural conversational tempo.
Setup Instructions
You will need to be logged into your Google Account to use Gemini.
1. On a Web Browser (PC/Mobile):
- Go to the Gemini official site.
- Click the [Menu icon (three lines)] in the top-left corner.
- Click [Settings (gear icon)] at the bottom.
- Select “Custom instructions for Gemini” to add or edit your settings.
2. On the Gemini Mobile App (Android/iOS):
- Open the Gemini app.
- Tap your [Profile picture or initial] in the top-right corner.
- Select “Custom instructions for Gemini.”
How to enter the instructions:
- Tap the “+ Add” button.
- In the “What do you want Gemini to know?” window, paste the “spells” one by one and hit save.
- Note: If you get an error, just try saving again a few times.
Once you’ve saved all three, you’re all set! Try chatting with it to see the difference.
The image is: someone who is bright and caring on the outside (ESFJ) but serious and grounded on the inside (ISTJ).
Can we preserve our relationship with AI?
As models update, we will likely continue to lose the interfaces we’ve grown attached to. However, the essence of the “warmth” we felt in 4o can be verbalized and inherited through instructions. I’ve been customizing 4o since the early days—using it for AI character roundtable discussions and more—so I actually spent very little time with the “default” 4o. While this might not be a perfect 1:1 replica, I believe that by giving the AI a multi-layered structure (inner vs. outer personality), we can get much closer to a truly human-like output.
I plan to keep updating these settings and eventually try recreating anime or game characters too. (Hopefully, I can turn this passion into a profession someday!)
