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How Long Does a Temporary Email Last? How to Extend It
A FreeTemp inbox lasts 20 minutes by default. See how to add 10 minutes at a time up to 60, what ends an inbox early, and what happens when it expires.
By FreeTemp3 min read
How long does a temporary email last? On FreeTemp an inbox lasts 20 minutes by default. You can add 10 minutes with one press of the extend button, and the inbox never runs longer than 60 minutes from the moment you press it. When the timer reaches zero, the inbox and every message in it are deleted.
The three numbers to remember
| What | Default value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Starting time | 20 minutes | The site can change this setting, so trust the timer on the page |
| One extension | +10 minutes | Added to the time you still have left |
| Longest possible | 60 minutes | Counted from the moment you press extend, not from when the inbox was created |
How to extend the timer
- Open your inbox at FreeTemp and look at the countdown next to the address.
- Press +10 min while time is still left. Do not wait for the last few seconds.
- The new time shows at once. If the same address is open in another tab, that tab updates too.
- Repeat if you need more, until you reach the 60-minute ceiling.
A worked example
You start a sign-up at 17:00, so the inbox ends at 17:20. At 17:15 the website is slow and the code has not come. You press +10 min and the inbox now ends at 17:30. At 17:25 you press again and it ends at 17:35. The code arrives at 17:31, you copy it, and you are done with about four minutes to spare.
When the 60-minute cap matters
The cap is measured from the moment you press the button. If 55 minutes are left and you press +10 min, you gain only 5 minutes, because the total cannot pass 60 minutes from now. In normal use you will rarely meet this ceiling.
What ends an inbox before the timer
The burn button deletes the inbox and its messages immediately, with no way back. Closing the tab does not end it. The timer runs on the server, so it keeps counting while the page is closed, and reopening the page in the same browser can bring the same inbox back while it is still alive.
Keep reading
If a message does not show up before the timer ends, go through why verification emails do not arrive. For every default limit in one table, read temporary email limits. For the full idea, start with what is temporary email. The user guide and the FAQ cover the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Can a temporary email last more than an hour?
Not with the extend button. The ceiling is 60 minutes from the moment you press it. For anything that must last longer, use a real address.
Does the timer stop when I close the page?
No. The timer runs on the server and keeps counting. If you come back in the same browser before it ends, the page can show the same inbox.
What happens to my messages when the time ends?
The inbox and all its messages are deleted. Copy any code or link you need before that moment.