How to Automatically Forward Gmail to Another Email Address

Gmail can automatically forward new incoming messages to a verified destination. Configure it in the source account, then explicitly enable it after confirming the destination. Adding and verifying an address alone is not the complete activation step.

Add a destination you are authorized to use

1. Open the source Gmail account on a computer.
2. Go to Settings, then See all settings.
3. Open Forwarding and POP/IMAP, or Forwarding where that is the displayed tab.
4. Choose Add a forwarding address and enter the intended destination.
5. Complete the confirmation prompts.

Gmail sends a verification message to the destination. Confirm it there only if you recognize the request and control or are authorized to use that mailbox. Forwarding work mail to a personal address can violate the organization’s approved handling rules.

Enable forwarding and retain the source copy

Return to the source settings, refresh if necessary, and select Forward a copy of incoming mail to the verified address. Review what happens to Gmail’s own copy. Google’s guidance recommends keeping that copy in Inbox.

Save changes, then use a harmless newly delivered message to verify both accounts. The general forwarding feature applies to new incoming messages and excludes Spam; it is not a historical mailbox transfer.

Check scope and ongoing effects

If you want only selected messages forwarded, use a tested filter instead of enabling all-mail forwarding as well. Review existing forwarding filters so two routes do not create unexpected copies.

Google displays a forwarding reminder for the first week after setup. The reminder disappearing later does not establish that forwarding stopped. Inspect the actual settings when auditing the account.

Do not delete the source mailbox or its records just because a test arrived. Destination capacity, filtering, and access remain separate concerns. Keep the recipient address and business purpose documented, and review old destinations when your workflow changes. A successful forwarding test proves that example’s route, not that every historical message or Spam item will be delivered to the other account.

Browse Gmail & Google Account help

References

• Automatically forward Gmail messages to another account

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.