Stopping Gmail forwarding can require checking both the general forwarding switch and individual filters. Turning off one route does not necessarily remove the other. Review the source account’s actual rules rather than relying on whether a temporary reminder banner is visible.
Disable the general route
- Open the source Gmail account on a computer.
- Go to Settings, then See all settings.
- Open Forwarding and POP/IMAP, or Forwarding.
- Select Disable forwarding and save changes.
Confirm the source address before changing anything. If a shared workflow depends on the route, coordinate the change and an approved replacement first.
Inspect filters and stored destinations
Open Filters and blocked addresses and look for Forward to actions. Edit or remove the specific forwarding rules that should stop. Do not delete unrelated organization or labeling rules.
Review any stored forwarding addresses in the source settings and remove an obsolete destination using the available removal control where appropriate. A stored verified address and an active forwarding action are separate facts.
Test the stop and understand its limits
Use a harmless new message that would previously have matched. Verify that it remains in the intended source location and is no longer forwarded by that route.
Copies already delivered to the old destination are not recalled by disabling forwarding. If you need those copies handled differently, coordinate with the authorized destination owner through the appropriate records or security process.
Other systems can also create copies, including forwarding configured at another provider or an administrator’s routing rule. If mail continues, inspect headers and the exact source of the remaining route rather than repeatedly toggling the same switch.
Google’s reminder normally appears only during the first week after setup, so its later absence is not proof of a stopped route. If the destination is unfamiliar or you never authorized it, secure the account and review other access rather than treating removal alone as a complete incident response. Preserve important evidence privately before altering suspicious settings.
Browse Gmail & Google Account help
References
Reviewed against the linked product guidance, standards, and identified vendor or public-authority guidance on October 29, 2026. Available options and screen labels can vary by account, device, region, and organization policy.