# Experience when impersonation is terminated automatically after some time

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/experience-when-impersonation-is-terminated-automatically-after-some-time/402252
**Category:** UX
**Tags:** impersonate
**Created:** [May 5, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/experience-when-impersonation-is-terminated-automatically-after-some-time/402252 "2026-05-05T22:32:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 1

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### Author: ![Moin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/moin/32/554653_2.png) [@Moin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Moin)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/experience-when-impersonation-is-terminated-automatically-after-some-time/402252/1 "2026-05-05T22:32:17Z")

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Fortsetzung der Diskussion von [New Bug With Experimental Impersonation Interface](https://meta.discourse.org/t/new-bug-with-experimental-impersonation-interface/395621/10):

> [@New Bug With Experimental Impersonation Interface](https://meta.discourse.org/t/new-bug-with-experimental-impersonation-interface/395621/5):
>
> I noticed something similar and I think it was related to me doing something else in between, so I impersonated them for longer than 15 minutes. I think impersonation is terminated then, but the interface doesn’t reflect that. After a reload, I was always back at my admin account.

> [@New Bug With Experimental Impersonation Interface](https://meta.discourse.org/t/new-bug-with-experimental-impersonation-interface/395621/9):
>
> Yes there is a hidden `experimental_impersonation_time_limit_minutes` setting set to 15 minutes. I’m not super familiar with this system, but definitely would be a nicer experience if we auto-refreshed/updated the UI once you pass this limit, or at least indicate it _somewhere_.

> [@New Bug With Experimental Impersonation Interface](https://meta.discourse.org/t/new-bug-with-experimental-impersonation-interface/395621/10):
>
> I am not sure if it was because 15 minutes had passed, but it’s not unlikely. I didn’t want to wait another 15 minutes to verify. I was more focused on how editing categories worked for the moderator than on the impersonation feature.
> 
> But I think the error in the browser console was something that refered to the timer

The change is now stable and I can still reproduce that. Are there any plans to improve the experience for admins after the impersonation expires?

I think a better indication that you are no longer impersonating the user would help to prevent false negative testing where the admin thinks something works for normal users while in fact they are using their admin privileges.

Also, it’s confusing when the button to stop impersonating doesn’t work.

Example screenshot where it seems the user is able to see the staff (Team) category and showing the error using the stop impersonating button.

 ![impersonation](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/f/8/6/f86ebc96529fb7cd714205b593fb037870e5a0ac.png)

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