How to Forward Email in Google Workspace
Complete step-by-step guide to setting up email forwarding in Google Workspace. Learn automatic forwarding, selective forwarding, and advanced routing options for seamless email management.
Perfect for: Perfect for: Teams managing shared inboxes, employees transitioning roles, executives with assistants, or organizations needing centralized email monitoring.
Prerequisites Before You Start
Make sure you have the necessary permissions and understand forwarding options before configuring email forwarding.
Admin Access
Super admin or delegated admin privileges for organization-wide forwarding
User Permissions
Account owner access for individual email forwarding setup
Active Email Account
Valid Google Workspace email account with active subscription
Forwarding Policy
Understanding of your organization's email forwarding policies
Important Notes
- • Forwarded emails may end up in spam folders if not properly configured
- • Some forwarding options require admin approval in enterprise environments
- • External forwarding may be restricted by your organization's security policies
- • Forwarded emails retain original sender information but add forwarding headers
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Secondary Domain
Follow these detailed steps to successfully add and configure your secondary domain in Google Workspace.
Access Gmail Settings
Open Gmail and navigate to the settings menu to configure forwarding
Detailed Steps:
- Sign in to Gmail with your Google Workspace account
- Click the gear icon in the top right corner
- Select 'See all settings' from the dropdown menu
Navigate to Forwarding Tab
Find the Forwarding and POP/IMAP settings section
Detailed Steps:
- Click on the 'Forwarding and POP/IMAP' tab
- Locate the 'Forwarding' section at the top
- Review current forwarding status if any exists
Add Forwarding Address
Click 'Add a forwarding address' and enter the destination email
Detailed Steps:
- Click 'Add a forwarding address' button
- Enter the email address where you want to forward messages
- This can be internal (@yourcompany.com) or external email
Verify Forwarding Address
Complete the verification process for the forwarding address
Detailed Steps:
- Google sends a verification email to the forwarding address
- Check the destination inbox for the verification email
- Click the verification link or enter the confirmation code
Configure Forwarding Options
Choose how you want forwarding to work with your emails
Detailed Steps:
- Select 'Forward a copy of incoming mail' option
- Choose to keep Gmail's copy, mark as read, archive, or delete
- Recommended: 'Keep Gmail's copy in the Inbox' for backup
Save and Test Configuration
Save your settings and test the forwarding functionality
Detailed Steps:
- Click 'Save Changes' at the bottom of the page
- Send a test email to your account from another address
- Verify the email arrives at both original and forwarded addresses
Advanced Forwarding Options (Admin Console)
For organization-wide forwarding rules and advanced routing, use Google Admin Console to configure comprehensive email forwarding policies.
- • Admin console changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate
- • Test routing rules with internal emails before implementing organization-wide
- • Document all forwarding rules for compliance and troubleshooting
Common Issues & Solutions
Troubleshoot common problems when adding secondary domains to Google Workspace.
Verification Email Not Received
Solution:
Check spam/junk folder of destination email and ensure email address is typed correctly
Prevention:
Use internal company addresses first, then verify external addresses carefully
Forwarded Emails Going to Spam
Solution:
Add your original email address to destination email's safe sender list
Prevention:
Use SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records properly configured
External Forwarding Blocked
Solution:
Contact your admin to enable external forwarding in organization settings
Prevention:
Check organization policies before setting up external forwarding
Forwarding Delays
Solution:
Email forwarding typically has 1-5 minute delays; check server status if longer
Prevention:
Set expectations for forwarding delay times with stakeholders
Need Help Adding Your Secondary Domain?
While this guide covers the technical steps, domain setup can be tricky with DNS propagation, verification issues, and configuration complexities. Our Google Workspace experts can handle the entire process for you.
Quick Setup
Complete secondary domain setup in 24-48 hours
Zero Risk
No downtime or email disruption during setup
Free Support
Ongoing support included at no extra cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about adding secondary domains to Google Workspace.
Can I forward emails to multiple addresses simultaneously?
Gmail allows forwarding to only one address per account through user settings. However, you can use filters to forward specific emails to different addresses, or use Google Admin Console routing rules for multiple destination forwarding at the organization level.
Will the original sender know their email was forwarded?
No, the original sender won't be notified that their email was forwarded. However, email headers will show forwarding information if the recipient examines the email's technical details.
Can I forward only specific types of emails automatically?
Yes! Use Gmail filters to forward emails based on sender, subject line, keywords, attachments, or other criteria. Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses to create custom forwarding rules.
What happens to forwarded emails if I delete my Gmail account?
If you delete your Gmail account, forwarding will stop immediately. Already forwarded emails remain in the destination inbox, but no new emails will be forwarded. Plan for alternative forwarding methods before account deletion.
Is there a limit to how many emails can be forwarded?
Google Workspace doesn't specify exact forwarding limits, but extremely high volumes may trigger spam protection. For bulk forwarding needs, consider using Google Groups or Admin Console routing rules instead.
Can I forward emails from a shared mailbox or group email?
Yes, but it requires admin access to the shared mailbox. Sign in to the shared mailbox directly, then follow the same forwarding setup process. Alternatively, use Admin Console routing rules for group email forwarding.
How do I stop email forwarding once it's set up?
Go back to Gmail Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP, select 'Disable forwarding' and click 'Save Changes'. The forwarding address will remain in your list but won't receive new emails.
Can forwarded emails be automatically organized into folders?
At the destination email, you can create rules to automatically sort forwarded emails into specific folders based on original sender, subject, or forwarding headers. This helps maintain organization in the receiving inbox.