Retention guide
How long does temporary email last?
Signed-in users can save up to 3 free inboxes for up to one day, although provider availability may end earlier. Paid plans retain messages for 7 or 30 days, depending on the plan.
Product rules reviewed: October 15, 2026
Free temporary inboxes
An ordinary guest inbox can reopen in the same browser while its session and provider remain available, if its cookies and local storage are preserved. Closing a tab alone does not necessarily end access. Clearing site data, replacing the address or expiry can prevent reopening. Timed tools use their displayed session deadline.
10 minute mail
The visible timer describes the active session. If messages are present, the tool may extend the session to reduce accidental loss, but you should still copy any information you need before leaving.
Saved inboxes and paid plans
Paid accounts can save eligible inboxes and restore them on another device while the plan and mailbox remain active. This improves continuity but is not permanent archival storage.
When to use permanent email
Choose a permanent inbox for password recovery, purchases, work, finance, healthcare, government services, or any account you may need months or years later.
Three different clocks
The page session, mailbox availability, and message-retention period are related but not identical. A timer can describe the active tool session while provider availability determines whether the address still receives mail. Retention describes how long an eligible received message remains available under the current plan.
Because delivery depends on external mail networks, a message sent near the end of a session may arrive too late. Temporary email should not be used when a deadline or delayed message would create a serious consequence.
Plan retention at a glance
| Access type | Designed availability | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Free saved inbox | Up to 1 day | Up to 3 inboxes; provider availability may end earlier |
| 7-Day Pass | 7 days | Up to 10 inboxes; one-time pass, not permanent storage |
| Monthly or yearly Pro | 30 days | Up to 25 inboxes while entitlement remains active |
| 10 Minute Mail session | Visible countdown | Short session; copy needed information before leaving |
Before the inbox expires
- Confirm that the expected message has arrived and belongs to the correct task.
- Move any legitimate long-term workflow to a permanent address.
- Do not rely on screenshots as a substitute for account recovery or official records.
- Delete messages you no longer need.
- Assume that expired or deleted inboxes and messages cannot be restored.
Where are the reopening instructions?
Reopening an active inbox is different from recovering deleted messages. Use the save-and-reopen guide below for same-browser, Dashboard and cross-device steps. The temporary Gmail, Outlook and Hotmail tool allows sessions of up to 60 minutes each. Save the address and recovery code to reopen the inbox later, including on another device. Availability still depends on the upstream mailbox; deleted messages cannot be restored.