Gmail templates save reusable message text so that you can insert it into a new email without starting from scratch. Google documents templates for Gmail on a computer, not the Gmail mobile apps. Treat a template as reusable content, not a completed recipient-specific message.
Enable and create a template
- Open computer Gmail and go to Settings → See all settings → Advanced.
- Enable Templates and save the settings.
- Compose the reusable text in a new draft, removing details specific to one recipient.
- Open the compose window’s More options menu and choose Templates → Save draft as template → Save as new template.
- Give it a recognizable name and confirm the save.
Use clear placeholders for information that must change. Before saving, inspect names, dates, case numbers, links, and any closing already included in the text. Do not store unnecessary customer information in a template intended for broad reuse.
Update the intended saved entry
Insert the existing template into a test draft and edit the wording. Use Save draft as template and select the correct entry under Overwrite Template, then confirm the replacement.
Overwriting the wrong similarly named template can affect later replies. Keep an approved copy outside the editor when the wording is important. Editing the text of an ordinary outgoing draft is different from deliberately overwriting the reusable template.
Insert, review, or delete deliberately
To reuse a template, open a new message, choose it under Insert template, and finish the recipient-specific content before sending. Check the actual To field, subject, facts, and final signature. A template is not an automatic check of those details.
For deletion, use Delete template and select the intended saved entry. Google warns that a deleted template cannot be recovered. Do not delete useful templates merely because you are working on a phone where the web-only menu is absent. If the template is part of an automatic reply, review that dependency before changing or removing its wording.
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References
Reviewed against the linked official and developer guidance on October 27, 2026. Available options and screen labels can vary by account, device, region, and organization policy.