Setting files to expire

You can either set your files to expire after opening, or on a fixed date & time.

Eefennie Fam avatar
Written by Eefennie Fam
Updated over a week ago

As the file owner, you can either set your file's online access on Digify to:

  • Expire after opening; or

  • Expire on a fixed date and time (including setting an access start date and time)

After the file expires, the recipient will no longer be able to view your file on Digify.

Note: Setting a file expiry limits your recipients' online access to files on Digify after a specified amount of time. Once a file is downloaded by the recipient, file expiry will not apply. Digify is not able to control access to your downloaded files.

List of contents


Which file formats can I set an expiry for?

You can set an expiry for the following file formats:

  • PDF

  • MS Office documents

  • Images

  • Videos

  • Audio files

  • Non-viewable file formats (Only "Expire on a fixed date & time")


How to set a file to expire on a fixed date & time

Step 1: From your dashboard, go to Send Files. Upload the files you wish to send.

If your file has already been sent, ignore the above and go to Manage Sent Files from your dashboard instead. Then, right-click on the desired file and click on Settings in the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Under Expiry, select "Expire on a fixed date & time".

Then, select "Custom" to set the specific dates and times for when you want access to your file to start and end. Date and time are based on your browser's time zone.

Alternatively, you can select from one of the predefined expiry: 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, 60 days or 90 days.

Step 4: Continue selecting your other preferred security settings.

Note: If you allow your recipient(s) to download or print the file, they can only do so before the file expires. After the expiry date and time, the file will no longer be accessible and they will not be able to download or print the file.

Step 5: If you wish to notify your recipients via email, click on the Send & notify recipients button. Otherwise, click on Get link & skip notification.



How to set a file to expire after opening

Step 1: From your dashboard, go to Send Files. Upload the files you wish to send.

If your file has already been sent, ignore the above and go to Manage Sent Files from your dashboard instead. Then, right-click on the desired file and click on Settings in the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Under Expiry, select "Expire after opening".

Then, set how long your recipient(s) will have in days, hours, and/or minutes to view the file before it expires.

Step 3: Continue selecting your other preferred security settings.

Note: If you allow your recipient(s) to download or print the file, they can only do so before the file expires. When the timer lapses, the file will no longer be accessible and they will not be able to download or print the file.

Step 4: If you wish to notify your recipients via email, click on the Send & notify recipients button. Otherwise, click on Get link & skip notification.



How to use "Expire after opening" with different access settings

Depending on your goal, you can use the following combinations when sending files with "Expire after opening".

  • Anyone with link + Expire after opening. Anyone who has the link will be able to access your file. The timer will start the moment the first recipient views your file. When the file expires, it will no longer be accessible to anyone.

  • Only whitelisted domains + Expire after opening. Anyone within the domain will be able to access the file. If there are multiple recipients, each recipient will have their own timer that will start the countdown upon viewing the file.

  • Only people I specify + Expire after opening. Only an invited recipient can access your file using the email address you’ve specified. If you’re sending the file to multiple recipients, each recipient will have their own timer that will start the countdown upon viewing the file.


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