How long does a LIVE access token last?

[John4242]

In the Sandbox environment, I get an access token from developer.paypal.com which lasts about 10 years and starts with "access_token$sandbox".

For the LIVE environment I can't see anything similar, but found that I can get one using REST as described here: https://www.paypal.com/de/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-get-an-access-token-ts2128

My question is, how long does that access token last? Is it just to capture one previously authorized payment? Or can I use it for 10 years?

Also, when I am still using Sandbox, can I request an access token as I would when LIVE? Or can I use the one found above? Why are there two possibilities and where are the differences documented?

Also, does anybody else find the paypal documentation unbelievably disastrously bad? I have spent MANY days trying to get this far.

[capmobile]

I think the developer stuff is difficult because the sandbox environment needs work. Regarding access token lasting time if you make a request it shows an expiration of the token for access. I get around 30 secs for identity, but it might differ depending on the auth required. My guess is around 31240 ms or 31.24 seconds.