# New default for pending user approval reminders

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/new-default-for-pending-user-approval-reminders/408429
**Category:** Announcements
**Created:** [July 28, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/new-default-for-pending-user-approval-reminders/408429 "2026-07-28T12:27:33Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![zogstrip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/zogstrip/32/512781_2.png) [@zogstrip](https://meta.discourse.org/u/zogstrip)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/new-default-for-pending-user-approval-reminders/408429/1 "2026-07-28T12:27:33Z")

</div>

On sites that require staff approval for new members, we want staff to learn about people waiting for approval sooner.

To improve this, we’re introducing an **“Update pending users reminder default”** upcoming change. When enabled, the default for `pending_users_reminder_delay_minutes` is set to **30 minutes** (_currently 480, i.e. 8 hours_). Admins who have already changed this setting manually will see no effect.

When this change moves to `stable`, we’ll make 30 minutes the permanent default and remove the upcoming change, but the setting will remain available for admins to change.

> **Note:** This only matters on sites with `must approve users` enabled. The reminder isn’t sent otherwise, so you’ll only see this change if that setting is on.

### Opting in early

To apply this change to your site now, enable the “Update pending users reminder default” upcoming change in `/admin/config/upcoming-changes`:

 ![upcoming-change-item](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/c/b/f/cbf5024db74120b10acd65496d91c36533a07e73.png)

You’ll see the change reflected in the site settings UI:

 ![site-setting](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/4/9/a/49a19f1eebc7fe3bcb77333895bffe7b2cc376f3.png)

### 📣 What do you think?

If you run an approval-based community, does 30 minutes strike the right balance for you? Let us know if you’d expect a different default.