How to Forward Gmail to Another Email Address (Automatic Forwarding)

Moving to a new email address, or just want your Gmail to land in the inbox you actually check? Gmail can automatically forward every new message to another address, or only the messages you pick with a filter. This guide walks through each screen in Gmail on a computer, shows what to do with the copy Gmail keeps, and explains how to turn forwarding off again.

Quick answer

In Gmail on a computer, click Settings (gear) → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP. Add the address you want to forward to and confirm it with the verification link Gmail sends there. Then select Forward a copy of incoming mail to, pick that address, choose what happens to Gmail’s copy (we recommend keep Gmail’s copy in the Inbox) and click Save Changes. To forward only some messages, use a filter with the Forward it action instead.

Gmail forwarding at a glance

Question	Answer
Where is it?	Settings (gear) → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP (called Forwarding on some accounts)
What gets forwarded?	All new messages, except spam. Mail already in your account is not sent.
Verification	Gmail sends a verification link to the new address. Forwarding works only after you click it.
Gmail’s copy	Keep it in the Inbox, mark it as read, archive it, or delete it
Only some messages	Create a filter and tick Forward it
Several addresses	Automatic forwarding goes to one address; make one filter per extra address
Devices	Set it up in Gmail on a computer (not the Gmail app). It then works for all mail, wherever you read it.

Source: Gmail Help: Automatically forward Gmail messages to another account. Screens checked in Gmail on the web, October 2026.

Step 1: Open the Forwarding settings

1. Open Gmail on a computer and sign in to the account you want to forward from.
2. Click the gear icon (top right), then See all settings.
3. Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.

The Forwarding section at the top has two choices: Disable forwarding (the default) and Forward a copy of incoming mail to.

Step 2: Add and verify the forwarding address

1. In the Forwarding section, click Add a forwarding address. On some accounts Gmail instead shows a box right after Forward a copy of incoming mail to (as in our screenshot); type the address there.
2. Enter the address you want your mail sent to, for example yourname@example.com, then click Next → Proceed → OK.
3. Gmail sends a verification message to that address. Open the other mailbox and click the verification link in it.
4. Go back to Gmail’s Settings page and refresh the browser, then open the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab again.

Gmail won’t forward anything until the address is verified. This stops anyone from secretly pointing your mail at an address they don’t control. If the verification message doesn’t arrive within a few minutes, check that mailbox’s spam folder.

Step 3: Turn on forwarding and choose what Gmail keeps

1. Select Forward a copy of incoming mail to and make sure your verified address is shown.
2. Open the menu after “and” and choose what happens to Gmail’s own copy of each message.
3. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

Option	What happens in Gmail	Good for
keep Gmail’s copy in the Inbox	Nothing changes; the message stays unread in your Inbox	Most people (Google’s recommendation)
mark Gmail’s copy as read	Stays in the Inbox, marked read	Keeping a full copy without unread counts
archive Gmail’s copy	Skips the Inbox but stays in All Mail and search	Moving to a new address but keeping a backup
delete Gmail’s copy	Moved to Trash (emptied after 30 days)	Only if you’re sure you never need a copy

For the first week, Gmail shows a notice at the top of your inbox saying “You are forwarding your email to …”. That’s a reminder, not an error.

Step 4 (optional): Forward only some messages with a filter

Automatic forwarding sends everything. To forward only certain mail, for example invoices from one sender, leave automatic forwarding set to Disable forwarding and use a filter. You still need to add and verify the address first (Step 2).

1. At the top of Gmail, click Show search options (the sliders icon at the right end of the search box).
2. Enter your criteria, such as the sender in From, then click Create filter.

3. Tick Forward it and choose the verified address. If you haven’t added one yet, the box is greyed out and an Add forwarding address link takes you to the Forwarding settings.
4. Click Create filter.

To forward to more than one address, make one filter for each address. New to filters? See our step-by-step guide How to Create Filters in Gmail.

How to turn off Gmail forwarding

1. Settings (gear) → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
2. Select Disable forwarding.
3. Click Save Changes.

If you set up filters that forward, edit or delete those too under Filters and Blocked Addresses.

Frequently asked questions

Will my old emails be forwarded?
No. Forwarding only applies to new messages that arrive after you turn it on. To move old mail, use the new provider’s import tool or connect Gmail by IMAP.

Is spam forwarded too?
No. Gmail forwards everything except messages it puts in Spam.

I see a “You are forwarding your email” notice but never set it up. What should I do?
Someone may have access to your account. Change your Gmail password right away, then select Disable forwarding and check your filters. See Help, my Gmail account has been hacked for more steps.

Can I forward from the Gmail app on my phone?
You can’t change forwarding in the app. Open Gmail in a computer browser to set it up; once it’s on, it works no matter where you read your mail.

Forwarding vs. “Send mail as”: what’s the difference?
Forwarding sends incoming Gmail to another inbox. “Send mail as” lets Gmail send from another address. If you’re moving to your own domain, you’ll often want forwarding in Gmail plus SMTP settings in your new mail app. See How to Send From Your xyz.am (Thexyz) Address in Gmail.

Can my work or school account forward mail?
Maybe not. Google Workspace administrators can block automatic forwarding. If the option is missing or greyed out, ask your administrator.

Sources

• Gmail Help: Automatically forward Gmail messages to another account
• Gmail Help: Create rules to filter your emails
• Screenshots taken by Webmail Wiki in Gmail on the web, October 2026. No settings were changed.