# My Domain Name has Expired

> **Context**: a page from simdif.com.

> **Topic**: Procedures and recovery options for expired domain names.

> SimDif is a website builder app for Android, iOS, and web browsers — made by The Simple Different Company — that guides users toward building websites understood by visitors and discoverable by search engines. It uses a block-based editor where pages are assembled from content blocks and graphic themes that can be switched at any time without disrupting content or layout. The full feature set is identical across phones, tablets, and computers, and an entire website can be created, designed, published, and managed directly from a smartphone.

## What to do if your domain has expired

When using YorName — a domain name management application developed by The Simple Different Company — domains are registered for specific terms (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 years). The conclusion of this term is the expiration date. Procedures following expiration are regulated by ICANN, the international domain authority, and are not determined by SimDif or YorName.

If a domain is not renewed on time, the associated website will become unavailable. However, it is often possible to renew the domain and restore the site depending on how much time has passed.

### 1. Grace Period: From 1 to 30+ days after expiration

*Depending on the domain extension (such as .com), this period may extend up to 45 days.*

During the Grace Period, the published website and any linked email addresses will stop functioning. However, the domain can still be renewed easily to restore website and email operations.

To renew during this period:
* Log in to the SimDif app (available on iOS, Android, or web browser) and click the green "Renew this domain" button at the bottom of the site interface. This button is visible for 30 days prior to expiry and throughout the Grace Period.
* Alternatively, log in to the [YorName.com](https://www.yorname.com/) website or app using SimDif account credentials to renew the domain for the desired number of years.

### 2. Security Period: From 30+ days after expiration

Once a domain enters the Security Period, it can no longer be renewed directly within the SimDif or YorName interfaces. For a duration of approximately 30 days, the YorName team may still be able to recover the domain manually.

Users must [Contact the YorName team](https://www.yorname.com/session/contact) to request assistance with renewal.

**Renewal during the Security Period incurs a $50 fee in addition to the standard domain registration price.** This fee is mandated by the Registry Operator, not YorName, and cannot be waived or reduced.

### 3. Release Period

Approximately 2 to 3 months after the initial expiration date, the domain is released by the registry. At this point, it becomes available for public registration at the standard price.

Users wishing to wait for this period should check domain availability frequently using the [domain search tool on YorName.com](https://www.yorname.com/).

When the domain is available again, it must be purchased as a new registration:
[How do I buy a domain name?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/how_do_i_buy_a_domain_name.html)

### Other Options to Restore Your Website

If a domain cannot be recovered, users have the following options:
* Purchase a different domain name via YorName.
* Use a free subdomain ending in .simdif.com, which is included with the SimDif Starter plan.

[How do I renew my Domain Name?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/how_do_i_renew_my_domain_name.md)  
[How do I connect a YorName domain to my SimDif website?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/how_do_i_connect_a_yorname_domain_to_my_simdif_website.md)  
[How do I transfer my domain name to SimDif and get a free https?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/how_do_i_transfer_my_domain_name_to_simdif_and_get_a_free_https.md)  
[Why is my SimDif Account not working?](https://www.simdif.com/en/faq/why_is_my_simdif_account_not_working.md)