Auto Post Expiry Manager
Auto Post Expiry Manager allows you to set an expiry date and time for any post or custom post type. Once the scheduled expiry time is reached, the post will automatically switch from “Published” to “Draft” status.
Consider an alternative
Auto Post Expiry Manager shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 100+ sites and was last updated 1 year ago, and scores 34/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Auto Post Expiry Manager stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| auto unpublish | #7 |
| expire posts | >100 |
| post expiration | #97 |
| post lifecycle | #23 |
| schedule post draft | #98 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About Auto Post Expiry Manager
From the official readme · v1.0Description
Auto Post Expiry Manager allows you to set an expiry date and time for any post or custom post type. Once the scheduled expiry time is reached, the post will automatically switch from “Published” to “Draft” status.
It’s useful for:
– Event announcements
– Time-sensitive promotions
– Auto-drafting outdated posts
– Limiting visibility on dated content
Key Features:
– Works with all public post types
– Set expiration time using a simple datetime picker
– Lightweight cron job runs every minute
– Automatically removes expiry after execution
– Manual trigger available via URL for testing
License
This plugin is licensed under the GPLv2 or later.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hardik Galiya
Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to the
/wp-content/plugins/directory. - Activate the plugin through the Plugins menu in WordPress.
- Edit any post or custom post type. Use the “Expiry Date & Time” box in the sidebar to set when it should expire.
- That’s it! The post will be drafted automatically at the scheduled time.
Frequently asked questions
Will this work for custom post types?
Yes, it works for all public post types.
What happens to the post after expiry?
The post status is changed to Draft and the expiry field is cleared.
Can I manually trigger the expiry check?
Yes. You can run yoursite.com/wp-admin/?force_expire=1 as an admin to manually check and expire posts.
Does it use WP Cron?
Yes, a custom event is scheduled to run every minute using wp_schedule_event().
Changelog
First stable version.
1.0
- Initial release of Auto Post Expiry Manager.
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Auto Post Expiry Manager alternatives
All auto unpublish plugins →FAQ
Auto Post Expiry Manager: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
Is Auto Post Expiry Manager free?
Yes. Auto Post Expiry Manager is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Auto Post Expiry Manager safe to use in 2026?
Auto Post Expiry Manager shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 100+ sites and was last updated 1 year ago, and scores 34/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Auto Post Expiry Manager?
Auto Post Expiry Manager is active on 100+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 1,143 times since it launched in June 2025. It was downloaded 121 times in the last 30 days.
Does Auto Post Expiry Manager work with WordPress 7.1?
Auto Post Expiry Manager is officially tested up to WordPress 6.8.10, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does Auto Post Expiry Manager need?
Auto Post Expiry Manager requires PHP 7.2 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Auto Post Expiry Manager last updated?
The latest version, 1.0, was released on June 23, 2025 (1 year ago).
Who makes Auto Post Expiry Manager?
Auto Post Expiry Manager is developed and maintained by Hardik Galiya.
What are the best alternatives to Auto Post Expiry Manager?
The most popular alternatives to Auto Post Expiry Manager are DishSoap (10+ installs) and Raptor Scheduled Content Ex… (<10 installs).
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