If you've moved to a Google Workspace business email but people still send messages to your old @gmail.com address, you can set up email forwarding so those emails land in your new inbox. Email forwarding (sometimes called auto-forwarding or redirecting email) sends a copy of every new email from one address to another. This guide shows you how to turn on Gmail forwarding, forward only certain emails, and turn it off again.
What Gmail auto-forwarding does
Once forwarding is on, every new email that arrives in your Gmail account is automatically sent on to the address you choose, for example your Google Workspace email. You can choose whether Gmail keeps its own copy.
A few things to know before you start:
- You'll need a computer. Forwarding can't be set up in the Gmail app on your phone.
- Only new emails are forwarded. Emails already in your inbox stay where they are.
- Spam isn't forwarded.
- You'll need access to the inbox you're forwarding to, because Google sends a verification email there.
How to set up email forwarding in Gmail
Step 1: Open your Gmail settings
On a computer, sign in to the Gmail account you want to forward from (for example your @gmail.com address). Click the Settings icon (the cog) in the top right, then click See all settings.
Step 2: Add a forwarding address
- Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
- Click Add a forwarding address.
- Enter the email address you want your emails sent to, for example your Google Workspace email.
- Click Next, then Proceed, then OK.
Step 3: Verify the forwarding address
Google sends a verification email to the address you entered. Open that inbox, find the email from Google, and click the verification link inside it.
If you can't see the verification email, check the spam or junk folder of the inbox you're forwarding to.
Step 4: Turn forwarding on
- Go back to your Gmail settings and refresh the page.
- On the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab, select Forward a copy of incoming mail to and check your forwarding address is chosen.
- Choose what Gmail should do with its own copy. Keeping it in your inbox is a safe choice, so you still have a backup.
- Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
That's it. New emails sent to your Gmail address will now arrive in your other inbox too.
Forward only some emails
If you only want certain emails forwarded, like emails from a particular sender, you can use a filter instead. Add and verify your forwarding address first (Steps 1 to 3 above), and make sure automatic forwarding is turned off.
- In the search box at the top of Gmail, click Show search options.
- Enter what you want to match, for example a sender's email address. Click Search to check the right emails show up.
- Click Create filter.
- Select Forward it and choose your forwarding address.
- Click Create filter.
To forward emails to more than one address, create a separate filter for each address.
Turn off Gmail forwarding
- Open Gmail, click the Settings icon, then See all settings.
- Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
- Select Disable forwarding.
- Click Save Changes.
Tips and things to watch out for
- Keep Gmail's copy in your inbox, at least at first. If something goes wrong with forwarding, you won't lose any emails.
- Send yourself a test email to your Gmail address after setting up, and check it arrives in your other inbox.
- Forwarding only works one way. Emails you send from your new address won't show up in Gmail.
- If Google shows you a security alert about forwarding you didn't set up, check your forwarding settings straight away and change your password.
Frequently asked questions
Why hasn't my email forwarding started working?
Check you've clicked the verification link, then gone back to Settings and selected Forward a copy of incoming mail to and clicked Save Changes. Adding the address on its own doesn't turn forwarding on.
Can I set up forwarding on my phone?
No. Gmail forwarding can only be set up on a computer. Once it's on, it works for all your devices.
Will my old emails be forwarded too?
No. Only new emails that arrive after you turn forwarding on are forwarded.
Can I forward to more than one email address?
Automatic forwarding sends to one address. To forward to several, create a filter for each address.
When I reply to a forwarded email, which address does it come from?
It comes from the inbox you reply from. If you reply from your Google Workspace inbox, the reply is sent from your Workspace address.
Can I forward emails from my Google Workspace account too?
Yes, the steps are the same. Some Workspace accounts have forwarding turned off by the administrator.