Temporary Email FAQ
Use 5 Minute Mail for one short, low-risk task. These answers explain the timer, delivery failures, privacy boundary, and when a permanent address is the safer choice.
What is a temporary email address?
It is a short-lived inbox you can use when a site requires an email address but you do not want to share your personal mailbox.
How long does an inbox last?
The default session lasts five minutes. You can add time in five-minute increments before it expires, up to the service limit shown by the tool.
What happens when the timer reaches zero?
The address and its messages are no longer available through this tool. Create a new address for another task; an expired session cannot be restored.
Can I send email from 5 Minute Mail?
No. This service is receive-only. That keeps the product simpler and reduces abuse risk.
Why did my message not arrive?
The sender may be delayed, may block disposable domains, or may have sent after the inbox expired. Confirm the copied address, refresh once, and request a new message while the timer is active.
Is a temporary inbox private?
Do not treat it as private. Anyone with the active address and session token may be able to read its messages, and several email providers handle a message before it reaches your browser.
Does HTTPS make an email confidential?
HTTPS protects the connection between your browser and this website. It does not provide end-to-end encryption for the email path or remove copies held by the sender and delivery providers.
Can I use it for password recovery?
No. Use a permanent address for any account you may need to recover. Once the temporary inbox expires, you may be locked out with no way to receive another recovery link.
Why does a website reject the address?
Some websites block disposable domains to reduce abuse or require a durable identity. Respect that rule and use a permanent inbox or forwarding alias instead of trying to bypass the block.
Is temporary email the same as an email alias?
No. A temporary inbox receives mail for a short session and then disappears. A forwarding alias usually remains under your control and sends messages to a permanent inbox.
Will reloading or closing the page keep my inbox?
Do not rely on it. The active address and token are held by the open browser session, so reloading, closing the tab, or changing devices can end your access before the server timer does.
What should never be sent to a temporary inbox?
Avoid passwords, identity documents, banking or medical records, legal notices, payment receipts, private attachments, and links needed to recover a permanent account.
Need more detail?
The temporary email guides compare short-lived inboxes, forwarding aliases, and permanent accounts. The privacy policy describes message handling, service logs, and advertising technology.
Create a temporary inbox