Table of Contents

How to Forward Emails from Gmail to Gmail: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to forward emails from one Gmail account to another? Excellent choice! It’s a savvy move for centralizing communication, creating backups, or even delegating tasks. The process is straightforward, but like any digital dance, understanding the steps ensures a smooth performance. Let’s dive right in.

How to Forward Emails from Gmail to Gmail:

Log in to the Gmail account you want to forward emails from (the source account).
Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner to open the Settings menu.
Select “See all settings“.
Click on the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab.
In the “Forwarding” section, click “Add a forwarding address“.
Enter the Gmail address you want to forward emails to (the destination account).
A verification code will be sent to the destination Gmail address.
Log in to the destination Gmail account and find the verification email from Google.
Copy the verification code from the email.
Return to the source Gmail account (where you’re setting up forwarding) and paste the verification code into the provided field. Click “Verify“.
In the “Forwarding” section of the source Gmail account, use the dropdown menu to select what happens to the original messages. You can choose to:
- “Keep Gmail’s copy in the Inbox” – This is the most common and recommended option.
- “Mark Gmail’s copy as read“
- “Archive Gmail’s copy“
- “Delete Gmail’s copy“
At the bottom of the page, click “Save Changes“.

That’s it! Now, emails sent to the source Gmail account will automatically be forwarded to the destination Gmail account, according to the option you selected for handling the original messages. Remember to test the forwarding to ensure it’s working correctly by sending a test email to the source account.

Understanding Forwarding Options

While setting up forwarding, you’ll encounter crucial options that determine how your emails are handled. Let’s break them down:

Keep Gmail’s copy in the Inbox

This is the safest and most versatile option. Your original emails remain in the source account’s inbox, allowing you to refer back to them if needed. This is especially useful if you want to maintain a record of your communications in both accounts.

Mark Gmail’s copy as read

This option forwards the email and marks the original as read in the source account. It can help keep your inbox clean in the source account, but be mindful that you might miss important details if you’re not actively checking the destination account.

Archive Gmail’s copy

Choosing this option will forward the email and immediately archive the original in the source account. This removes the message from the inbox but retains it for later access via search or the “All Mail” label. It’s a decent middle ground if you want a cleaner inbox but still need to retain the emails.

Delete Gmail’s copy

This is the most aggressive option. It forwards the email and then deletes the original from the source account. Use this option with extreme caution as it can lead to permanent data loss if something goes wrong. This option should only be considered when absolutely necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 of the most common questions regarding Gmail forwarding, designed to help you troubleshoot problems and optimize your forwarding setup:

I’m not receiving the verification code. What should I do?

Check your spam folder in the destination Gmail account. Sometimes, verification emails end up there.
Ensure the forwarding address was entered correctly in the source Gmail account. Double-check for typos.
Wait a few minutes. It can sometimes take a little while for the email to arrive.
If you still haven’t received the verification code, try adding the source Gmail address to your contacts in the destination Gmail account. This can sometimes help bypass spam filters.

Can I forward emails from multiple Gmail accounts to one Gmail account?

Yes, you can! Simply repeat the forwarding setup process for each source Gmail account, using the same destination Gmail address. Each source account will need to be verified independently.

Is there a limit to how many Gmail accounts I can forward emails to?

While there isn’t a hard-and-fast documented limit, Google may impose restrictions if they detect unusual or excessive forwarding activity. It’s generally best to keep the number of forwarded accounts reasonable.

How do I stop forwarding emails from Gmail?

Log in to the Gmail account that is currently forwarding emails (the source account).
Go to Settings -> “See all settings” -> “Forwarding and POP/IMAP“.
In the “Forwarding” section, select “Disable forwarding“.
Click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the page.

Can I forward only certain emails from Gmail, based on specific criteria (e.g., sender, subject)?

Yes! This is where Gmail filters come in handy.
First, set up a filter in the source Gmail account that identifies the emails you want to forward.
During filter creation, choose “Forward it to:” and select the desired forwarding address.
This will only forward emails that match the filter’s criteria.

What happens if the destination Gmail account is full? Will emails still be forwarded?

No. If the destination Gmail account is over its storage quota, incoming emails, including forwarded ones, will likely be bounced back to the sender. The forwarding process will effectively stop until space is cleared in the destination account. Make sure that you have sufficient storage on the destination account to avoid disruptions.

Will forwarding emails from Gmail compromise my account security?

Forwarding itself doesn’t directly compromise security, but it’s essential to secure both the source and destination Gmail accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. An attacker gaining access to either account could potentially access forwarded emails.

I’m forwarding emails, but the attachments are missing in the destination account. What’s going on?

This is unusual. Gmail generally forwards attachments without issue. Ensure that the attachments aren’t exceeding size limits in either account. Also, check if any antivirus software or browser extensions are interfering with the forwarding process. Try temporarily disabling them to see if the problem resolves.

Can I use forwarding to create a “catch-all” email address that forwards everything to my primary Gmail account?

Yes, technically, but with caution. A catch-all address forwards all emails sent to a domain (e.g., @yourdomain.com) to a specific mailbox. You would need a custom domain for this. This can result in a lot of spam hitting your primary Gmail account if the catch-all address becomes widely known. Use this functionality selectively.

Is there a difference between forwarding and POP/IMAP access when it comes to Gmail?
- Yes, there’s a significant difference. Forwarding automatically sends copies of emails to another account. POP/IMAP allows you to access your Gmail account from other email clients (like Outlook or Thunderbird). Forwarding is a push mechanism, while POP/IMAP is a pull mechanism.
Can I forward calendar invites and other non-email items from Gmail to another account?
- No, forwarding primarily works for email messages. Calendar invites are handled separately, and you would typically need to invite the destination Gmail address directly to events.
If I delete an email in the destination account, will it be deleted in the source account as well (when forwarding is enabled)?
- No. Deleting an email in the destination account will not affect the original email in the source account. The two are treated as separate copies. However, selecting the option “Delete Gmail’s copy” from the source account during initial setup will mean the message is deleted permanently after forwarding, regardless of if it has been deleted from the destination account.

Forwarding emails from Gmail to Gmail is a powerful tool when used correctly. By understanding the options, troubleshooting common issues, and securing your accounts, you can streamline your email management and stay organized. Now go forth and conquer your inbox!