Frequently asked questions
Everything about how Temp Mail works, what it stores and for how long.
Is Temp Mail really free?
Yes. Creating addresses, receiving mail, detecting codes and exporting emails are all free, with no account and no card. The service is funded by a few clearly-labelled ads.
How long does a mailbox last?
A new mailbox lasts 24 hours by default and you can extend it a few times. Password-protected mailboxes last 7 days. Individual emails are deleted after their retention period, shown under your address.
Can I send emails from Temp Mail?
No. Temp Mail is receive-only. This keeps the service from being used for spam and keeps our domains trusted, so the mail you are waiting for actually arrives.
Can other people read my temporary inbox?
Anyone who knows the exact address can open a mailbox that has no password. Random addresses are practically impossible to guess. If you choose a custom name or share the address, set a password from the mailbox menu.
Why don’t I see the email I am waiting for?
Most mail arrives within seconds. Check that you typed the address exactly, wait a minute and press Refresh, then check the sender’s spam rules — some services refuse to send to temporary domains. Emails larger than 25 MB are rejected.
How does the verification-code detection work?
When an email arrives, our server looks for 4–8 digit numbers and short alphanumeric codes near words like code, OTP, PIN or verification in 15 languages. Detected codes appear as a chip in the inbox and as a one-tap copy button in the email.
Can I choose my own address?
Yes. Click Custom… next to your address, type a username of 3–31 characters (letters, digits, dot, dash, underscore) and pick a domain. Availability is checked as you type. Some system names (postmaster, admin, support…) are reserved.
How do I open my mailbox on another device?
Use the QR button to scan the address with your phone, or choose Open an existing address on the other device and type it. Password-protected mailboxes will ask for the password.
Can I keep an email after the mailbox expires?
Export it first: open the email and choose Export (.eml, .json, .html or .txt) or Print / Save as PDF. You can also export a whole mailbox as a ZIP from the mailbox menu.
What happens to my data?
Emails are stored only until they are deleted by the retention schedule or by you. We keep no account, no name and no payment data. IP addresses are hashed for rate limiting and abuse prevention. See the privacy policy for details.
Can I use Temp Mail on my phone?
Yes — the site is a Progressive Web App. Open it in your browser and choose Add to Home Screen to get an app icon, offline support and a tab bar designed for one-handed use.
How do I report abuse?
If a Temp Mail address is used to harass you or to break a service’s rules, use the Report abuse link in the footer and include the address and the time. We ban abusive mailboxes and block patterns of misuse.