If your Free Redis Cloud (30 MB) database disappeared, it was likely deleted automatically after 14 days with no read or write activity.
Free Redis Cloud databases are intended for learning, development, and testing. To keep evaluation resources available, Redis Cloud automatically removes Free databases that remain inactive.
Free databases are not recommended for production workloads; for production or critical staging, use a paid Redis Cloud plan.
How inactivity is determined
A Free database is considered inactive when no Redis commands reach it (e.g., SET, GET, or normal application traffic) for 14 consecutive days.
The following do not count as activity:
Logging into the Redis Cloud Console
Viewing metrics or configuration
Leaving the database provisioned without application traffic
Only these Redis commands reset the inactivity timer; console access, viewing metrics, or simply leaving the database provisioned do not count as activity.
Before deletion, Redis Cloud may send one or more warning emails indicating that the Free database will be deleted unless activity occurs. Email delivery is not guaranteed, so the database might still be deleted for inactivity even if you don’t see a warning email.
This behavior is defined in the Redis Cloud Terms of Service for Evaluation Services.
How to confirm this is what happened
If you answer yes to the first three points below, the deletion was expected behavior:
The database was on the Free (30 MB) tier
No Redis read or write commands ran for approximately 14 days
The database no longer appears in the Redis Cloud Console
You may also have received a deletion warning email, but this is not required for the deletion to occur.
What happens when a Free database is deleted
The database and all data are permanently removed
No backups or recovery options are available for Free databases
In some cases (especially with Heroku or Vercel integrations), the Redis Cloud subscription remains empty after the free database is deleted. You must delete that empty Free subscription before creating a new Free database. If you cannot delete it in the UI, contact Redis Support to have it removed for you.
What you can do next
Recreate a Free database
Delete any empty Free subscription first, then create a new Free database
Prevent future deletion
-
Run at least one Redis command against each Free database every 14 days:
SET keepalive_key "active" EX 60 Automate this with a scheduled job (cron, Cloud Scheduler, etc.) so the database continues to receive read/write activity within every 14‑day window.
Use a paid plan
Paid Redis Cloud databases are not deleted due to inactivity
Paid plans support durability features and production workloads
Common edge cases
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “I was logging into the console.” | Logging into the Redis Cloud Console does not count as database activity. Only Redis read or write commands reset the inactivity timer. |
| “My data is gone.” | Free Redis Cloud databases do not have backups or recovery options. Once deleted, data is permanently removed. |
| “I can’t create a new Free database.” | An empty Free Redis Cloud subscription must be deleted before a new Free database can be created. |
| “This was a paid database.” | Paid Redis Cloud databases are not deleted for inactivity. If a paid database is missing or inaccessible, check for account or subscription deletion by an owner or admin, or billing issues such as unpaid invoices or account suspension. |
When to contact Redis Support
Redis Support cannot restore Free databases, but can confirm whether a deletion was caused by inactivity.
Contact Redis Support only if:
Redis read or write commands were actively running within the last 14 days and
The database was still deleted
Include the subscription ID, database name, and approximate timestamps of recent activity.
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