Getting started
What Is Temporary Email and How Does It Work
A temporary email is a free inbox that expires on its own. See how it works, what FreeTemp keeps, and when it protects your real inbox.
By FreeTemp3 min read
A temporary email is a free inbox you use for a few minutes and then walk away from. You hand its address to a website that asks for an email, the website sends its message there, and you read it on the page. Your real inbox never sees the message, and the temporary one disappears when its time runs out.
How a temporary email works
Here is the whole flow on FreeTemp, from the first click to the last message.
- Open the FreeTemp homepage. A random address is created for you, and a short bot check may appear first.
- Copy the address and paste it into the sign-up form of the website.
- Keep the FreeTemp tab open. New messages show up live in the inbox, with no refresh button to press.
- FreeTemp picks verification codes and links out of each message and shows a quick code with a copy button.
- When the time is over, the inbox expires. You can also delete it yourself earlier with the burn button.
What you get, and what you do not
| Feature | How it works in FreeTemp |
|---|---|
| Lifetime | 20 minutes by default, +10 minutes per press, up to 60 minutes |
| Direction | Receive only. You cannot send or reply |
| Message size | Up to 2 MB by default. Larger messages are rejected |
| Messages shown | The latest 50 |
| Images | External images are blocked by default |
| Early deletion | The burn button removes the inbox and its messages at once |
These are the default values and the site can change them, so treat the table as the usual behavior and not as a promise.
When a temporary email is useful
Sign-ups you will not keep
Download a file, try a free tool, or enter a contest once. You get the confirmation message and nothing lands in your personal inbox afterwards.
Testing a sign-up flow
Developers and testers need many fresh addresses to check a verification email or a registration form without filling a real mailbox.
Staying away from promotional mail
A site that sends a code and then a stream of offers can only reach an address that is gone in an hour.
Where to go next
The user guide walks through each step with screenshots, and the FAQ answers the short questions. To see what the service protects and what it does not, read is temporary email safe. To compare it with similar ideas, read temporary email vs disposable email vs email aliases.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a FreeTemp inbox last?
By default 20 minutes. You can add 10 minutes at a time, up to 60 minutes from the moment you press the button.
Can I send email from a temporary address?
No. FreeTemp is receive-only: you can read what arrives, but you cannot send or reply from the address.
Do I need an account?
No. An address is created when the homepage opens, with no sign-up and no password.