The link expired or was already used

Why a sign-in link says it expired or was already used, and how to get a working one.

Updated November 2, 2026 · 2 min read

A sign-in link works once and expires after 5 minutes. If the page says it has expired or was already used, ask for a new link or use a code. Nothing is wrong with your account.

What you'll see

Message	What it means
"This link has expired or was already used. Ask for a new one."	The link is more than 5 minutes old, or it has already signed someone in.
"This link is incomplete"	Your mail app cut off part of the link.

Why a link is used up

You pressed "Yes, sign me in" already, perhaps in another tab.
You opened an older email instead of the newest.
More than 5 minutes passed since we sent it.

Get a new link

Go to the sign-in page and enter your email address.
Open the newest email with the subject "Your TaleTykes sign-in link".
Press the link, then press "Yes, sign me in" on the page that opens.

Do this soon after the email arrives so you stay inside the 5 minutes.

Fix an incomplete link

In the email, press and hold the link, or right-click it, and copy the full address.
Paste it into your browser's address bar.
If the address is still cut off, use a code instead. See Sign in with an 8-digit code.

If you are already signed in

If you pressed the button earlier, you may already be signed in. Open the site in the same browser and check before asking for another link.

If it doesn't work

You keep getting expired links. Your mail may be delayed. Ask for a code, which you type as soon as you see it.
You see "Too many links asked for." Wait a few minutes. The limit is 3 links per 5 minutes. See Too many tries.
Nothing arrives. See Sign-in email didn't arrive.

Common questions

Is someone else using my link? We ask for a button press so that email security programs can't use the link before you. If you didn't ask for a link, ignore the email. Nobody can sign in without pressing the button.

Back to the main route: Sign in with an email link. Or write to support@taletykes.com.

Sign in with an email linkHow the email sign-in link works, why it asks you to press a button, and how long it lasts.Sign in with an 8-digit codeHow to get an 8-digit sign-in code by email when the link is hard to open, and what its limits are.The sign-in email didn't arriveWhere to look when the sign-in link or code email is missing, and how to ask again without hitting the limit.My child isn't on "Who is reading?"Why a child may be missing from the reading page, and what to check in consent, the trusted browser and cookies.

Still stuck?

Write to us with what you were trying to do and what you saw on screen.