Managing user access on a WordPress site can be a challenge, especially when you need to grant temporary access to collaborators, developers, or clients. Instead of creating a new user account and manually setting up and sharing a password, you can streamline the process with the Temporary Login Without Password plugin. This plugin allows you to generate a temporary login link that grants access without the need for a password. In this article, we’ll guide you through installing the plugin and explain how to use it to send temporary access links.
The Temporary Login Without Password plugin simplifies granting temporary access to your WordPress site. It eliminates the hassle of creating, sharing, and managing temporary users’ passwords while maintaining control over their access level and expiration. Following this article’s steps, you can easily install the plugin, generate temporary login links, and manage access securely and efficiently.
Kadence support sometimes requests a temporary login link to our customer’s WordPress website using the “Temporary Login Without Password” plugin to streamline support and troubleshooting. In most cases, administrator privileges are necessary to access all settings, plugins, and themes to fully diagnose and resolve issues. For security best practices, it’s advisable to provide access to a staging site rather than a live site or ensure that appropriate backups are made before granting temporary access. This protects the live environment from any unintended changes, while the temporary login ensures secure, time-limited access without sharing sensitive credentials.
Installing the Temporary Login Without Password Plugin
Step 1: Access Your WordPress Dashboard
To start, log in to your WordPress admin area. You’ll need administrator privileges to install and activate plugins.
Step 2: Navigate to the Plugins Section
Once you’re logged in:
- On the left-hand side, click on Plugins.
- Then click Add New at the top of the screen.
Step 3: Search for the Plugin
In the search bar, type Temporary Login Without Password. The plugin should appear in the results.
Step 4: Install the Plugin
When you find the plugin:
- Click the Install Now button next to the plugin name.
- After installation is complete, click Activate to enable the plugin on your site.
Step 5: Plugin Configuration
Once activated, the plugin will create a new menu option in the WordPress dashboard. To start creating temporary login links, navigate to Users > Temporary Logins.
Creating and Sending a Temporary Login Link
Now that the plugin is installed and activated follow these steps to generate and send a temporary login link:
Step 1: Go to Temporary Logins
- In the WordPress dashboard, go to Users > Temporary Logins. Here, you’ll find the interface to create, view, and manage temporary user accounts.
Step 2: Create a New Temporary Login
- Click on Create New at the top of the screen.
- Fill in the required details, including the name and email address of the person you want to grant access to.
Step 3: Choose a User Role
- Select the role you want to assign to the temporary user. The available options will be the standard WordPress roles, such as Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, or Subscriber. Choose a role based on the level of access you want to grant. Example:
- Administrator: Full control over the site, including settings and plugins.
- Editor: Can edit and publish content but cannot modify site settings.
- Subscriber: Minimal access, typically just for viewing content.
Step 4: Set Expiration Date
- Choose how long the login link will remain valid. You can set the expiration from 1 day up to 1 month or use a custom date. Once the expiration date is reached, the temporary account will automatically expire, and the user will no longer have access.
Step 5: Generate the Login Link
- Click Submit after filling in the details. The plugin will then generate a unique login link for the user.
Step 6: Copy and Share the Link
- After generating the link, you’ll see it listed under Temporary Logins. Click the Copy Link to get the URL.
- You can now send this link via email, message, or any other communication method. When the recipient clicks the link, they’ll gain access to your WordPress site without needing a password.
Managing Temporary Logins
The Temporary Logins page fully overviews all active, expired, and pending temporary users. You can manually revoke access before the expiration date if necessary. Here’s how to manage these users:
- Viewing Login Details: You can see details such as the user’s role, email, and expiration date.
- Revoking Access: To revoke access manually, click the Delete button next to the temporary user account. This will immediately disable the link.
- Resending the Link: If the temporary user loses the link or needs to resend it, you can generate a new one by clicking Resend Link.
Security Considerations
While the Temporary Login Without Password plugin is convenient, you should follow best practices to maintain the security of your WordPress site:
- Limited Roles: Be cautious about the roles you assign. Only grant as much access as is necessary for the user’s tasks.
- Monitoring Activity: Consider using an activity log plugin to track what actions temporary users perform while accessing your site.
- Regular Review: Regularly review temporary logins to ensure no expired or unused accounts are lingering.
