How a random address
becomes a readable inbox
Putting a name and domain together gives you a string of text—not a working inbox. To receive mail, the server must create the inbox and give your browser the credentials to read messages.
No signup · Temporary inboxes receive only · The server provides the actual address
An address may look simple,
but its appearance doesn’t receive email
This is a structural example, not a working address created for you. Copy the actual address shown in the inbox on the homepage; don’t use the example below.
mayaholt
Prefix / local part
@
Separator
tempsummit.com
Domain / receiving service location
A name-like prefix is just an appearance
mayaholt It may look like a name, but that doesn’t mean a user with that name exists or that it verifies anyone’s identity. An easy-to-read prefix also doesn’t guarantee every website will accept the domain.
Only the server can tell you if an inbox exists
Changing even one letter may create a different address—or one with no inbox behind it. We don’t treat strings made up in your browser as working email addresses. The prefix format and address are determined by the server’s response when the inbox is created.
If you’re wondering whether a virtual email address can receive mail, start by comparing temporary email, forwarding aliases, and regular email.
Three things happen between creation and delivery
When you open the homepage, your browser requests an actual inbox. There’s no need to create an account or choose a prefix for your temporary email address.
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1
Create an inbox and get its address and token
The homepage asks the server to create an inbox the first time you visit, or when there isn’t a valid inbox to restore. The response includes an email address, an access token, and an expiry time. If a valid inbox already exists, the site tries to restore it—refreshing the page doesn’t create a new one every time.
POST /api/tempmail/createCreating a temporary inbox only sets its validity period; you can’t choose a custom prefix on the homepage. To manage your own prefix, use the separate email forwarding alias feature.
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2
Copy the full address and enter it in the form
Use the copy button beside the address on the homepage, then paste the full address into the signup or download form. Check the domain before submitting, and keep the inbox open afterward so you don’t lose the address before the email arrives.
For trials where you may need to recover your account later, don’t focus only on the activation email. Read our guide to choosing an email address for trials and downloads.
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3
Return to your inbox and open the real email
The inbox checks for new messages automatically, and you can also refresh it manually. A message’s details—including sender, subject, and contents—are requested only when you open it. Sample emails on the page demonstrate the interface; they don’t test delivery.
This address receives email only; you can’t send or reply from it. If the other party requires a reply to complete a process, use a regular email account that can send messages.
Give the email address to others,
but keep the access token to yourself
The address is where mail is delivered; the token lets you access the temporary inbox. Knowing an address doesn’t give you permission to read its messages.
Once the server creates an inbox, your browser uses the returned token to request the message list. When you open a message, it uses the same token and the message ID to request its contents. The token is not an email verification code, and you should never enter it into a third-party signup form.
Never share the inbox credentials saved in your browser, request URLs containing a token, or screenshots of developer tools. Don’t assume you can restore access after switching devices or clearing browser data. The public email address alone cannot be used to recover the inbox.
Learn about inbox data and accessCreation response
- address
- Email address to enter in a form
- token
- Access token for reading the inbox
- expires_at
- Inbox expiry time
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Request the message list
GET /api/tempmail/inboxThe request includes the inbox token and returns message IDs and list details.
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Open a message
GET /api/tempmail/email/{id}The request uses the same token to retrieve the selected message.
This diagram shows the data flow; it is not a clickable request link. Never share your credentials with a sender or customer support.
Extend the current inbox or start fresh with a new one
A temporary inbox isn’t a permanent archive. The countdown on the homepage shows how much time is left. Extending an inbox and replacing it are different actions and aren’t interchangeable.
| Action | What happens to the inbox | What to know first |
|---|---|---|
| Create an inbox | A temporary inbox is created with a default validity period of 3 hours. | Use the address and countdown actually shown on the homepage. |
| Extend by 3 hours | Adds 3 hours to the current inbox without changing its address, up to a maximum of 24 hours. | If you’re still waiting for an email, extend the inbox first. Once it reaches the limit, you can’t extend it further. |
| Replace the address | Creates a new inbox with the default 3-hour duration, then invalidates the old one. | Messages aren’t moved from the old inbox, and its address isn’t simply renamed. |
| Inbox expires | The address and all messages in the inbox are deleted and can’t be recovered. | Save any message contents or download information you need before the inbox expires. |
The only real test is receiving an actual email
A correctly formatted address, a successful copy, or an openable sample email doesn’t mean your message was delivered. Test the full route from the sender to your current inbox.
Run a test without sensitive information
- Open the homepage, make sure an address has been created and the countdown is running, then copy the full address.
- Send a regular test email from another account you’re authorized to use, or request a confirmation email from a trusted service. Choose an easy-to-recognize subject line; don’t include passwords or private information.
- Return to the site and wait for it to refresh automatically, or refresh manually if needed. Find the matching subject and sender, then open the message and check its contents. It shouldn’t be marked as a sample.
A successful test means that particular email was delivered. It doesn’t guarantee delivery from every third-party platform or for every message.
If nothing arrives, check these three things
- Will the third party send it?
- Some services block temporary email domains or require a work email address. A name-like prefix won’t bypass their policies, so follow the sender’s rules.
- Has the email been sent?
- Sender queues, spam checks, and network delays can all slow delivery. Check the address and the sender’s status message; don’t repeatedly request multiple verification codes.
- Is the inbox still valid?
- Check the countdown and whether you’ve replaced the address. A network issue on the page doesn’t necessarily mean the inbox has expired, but refreshing can’t recover messages from an expired inbox.
Don’t use a temporary address for accounts you may need to recover
Use an email account you control long-term for banking, work, paid services, and any account where you might need to reset your password later. For newsletters you want to keep receiving, consider a forwarding alias. It can receive and forward messages, but it can’t send replies from the alias.
Understand the route, then receive your first email
For a one-time inbox, try the homepage. For ongoing use, choose the right address first.
Use the address currently generated on the homepage. The example on this page is not a working inbox.