Gmail can automatically save addresses you email so they appear in future recipient suggestions. You can stop that behavior without deleting existing messages or preventing people from emailing you.
Change Gmail’s auto-complete saving preference
On a computer, open Gmail in the intended account. Go to Settings, See all settings, and find Create contacts for auto-complete. Select I’ll add contacts myself, then save changes.
This controls Gmail’s automatic contact saving for people you email. It does not erase addresses already saved in Google Contacts or Other contacts, and it does not prevent Gmail from suggesting people you deliberately saved.
Review the broader interaction setting
Your Google Account has a separate People & sharing setting called Contact info saved from interactions. It governs contact information saved through interactions across Google products, not just the Gmail preference.
Review that setting if addresses also appear after sharing documents or interacting elsewhere. Turn it off only if that matches your preference. Keep the two settings distinct so you know which behavior you changed.
Clean up existing suggestions selectively
In Google Contacts, inspect Other contacts on a computer. Edit or remove specific unwanted entries, or use the suggestion-hiding option where available. Google’s guidance notes that Other contacts is not shown in the same way on the mobile Contacts interface.
Do not delete all contacts simply because automatic saving was enabled. Export important entries before a substantial cleanup, and remember that contact changes can synchronize to other devices. Existing email conversations remain separate from the contact list. If you remove an automatically saved entry but leave automatic saving enabled, later interactions can add information again. Test with a harmless new draft and inspect the suggested destination; you do not need to send mail to establish whether the old address is still offered.
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.