How to Setup Catchall Email in Google Workspace
Complete step-by-step guide to configuring catchall email addresses in Google Workspace. Never miss an email sent to non-existent addresses on your domain again.
Perfect for: Perfect for: Small businesses, startups, or organizations that want to capture all emails sent to their domain, including typos and non-existent addresses.
Prerequisites Before You Start
Ensure you have the necessary permissions and setup before configuring catchall email.
Admin Access
Super admin privileges in Google Workspace
Verified Domain
Domain must be fully verified and configured in Google Workspace
Active Users
At least one active user account to receive catchall emails
Email Routing Knowledge
Basic understanding of email routing and forwarding concepts
Important Considerations
- • Catchall can increase spam volume significantly - use with caution
- • Consider the storage impact on the receiving user's mailbox
- • Catchall applies to the entire domain - cannot be selective by subdomain
- • May affect email deliverability if spam volume increases dramatically
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Secondary Domain
Follow these detailed steps to successfully add and configure your secondary domain in Google Workspace.
Access Google Admin Console
Sign in to your Google Admin Console with super admin credentials
Detailed Steps:
- Navigate to admin.google.com
- Sign in with your super admin account
- Ensure you have full administrative privileges
Navigate to Gmail Settings
Find Gmail settings in the Apps section
Detailed Steps:
- Click on 'Apps' in the left sidebar
- Select 'Google Workspace'
- Click on 'Gmail' to access email settings
Access Routing Settings
Open the email routing configuration panel
Detailed Steps:
- Scroll down to find 'Routing' section
- Click on 'Routing' to expand options
- Look for 'Add another rule' or similar option
Create Catchall Rule
Set up a comprehensive email routing rule for unmatched addresses
Detailed Steps:
- Click 'Add another rule' or 'Configure'
- Name your rule (e.g., 'Catchall for all unmatched emails')
- Set conditions to catch emails sent to non-existent addresses
Configure Rule Conditions
Define when the catchall rule should trigger
Detailed Steps:
- Select 'For the following recipient' condition
- Choose 'Single recipient' option
- Set pattern matching for your domain (e.g., @yourdomain.com)
- Ensure it catches unmatched recipients only
Set Destination and Test
Choose where catchall emails should be delivered and test the setup
Detailed Steps:
- Select destination user or group for catchall emails
- Choose delivery options (deliver, forward, etc.)
- Save the rule and test with a non-existent email address
- Monitor for 24-48 hours to ensure proper functionality
Advanced Catchall Configuration Options
Fine-tune your catchall setup with these advanced configuration options for better email management.
- • Test thoroughly with non-existent addresses before going live
- • Monitor spam levels closely after implementation
- • Consider using a dedicated catchall user account rather than personal mailbox
Common Issues & Solutions
Troubleshoot common problems when adding secondary domains to Google Workspace.
Catchall Not Working
Solution:
Check rule priority and ensure it's set to trigger after other routing rules
Prevention:
Verify rule syntax and test with multiple non-existent addresses
Excessive Spam Volume
Solution:
Enable spam filtering or create a more specific catchall pattern
Prevention:
Monitor email volume closely in first few days after setup
Legitimate Emails Being Caught
Solution:
Review and adjust rule conditions to be more specific
Prevention:
Test extensively with various email patterns before deployment
Rule Not Taking Effect
Solution:
Wait up to 24 hours for Google Workspace routing changes to propagate
Prevention:
Plan catchall setup during low email volume periods
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.
What exactly does a catchall email address do?
A catchall email captures all emails sent to your domain that don't match existing user accounts or aliases. For example, if someone emails typo@yourdomain.com and that address doesn't exist, the catchall will capture it and deliver it to a designated mailbox.
Will catchall increase my spam significantly?
Yes, catchall addresses typically receive more spam because spammers often send emails to randomly generated addresses. However, Google Workspace's spam filtering still applies, and you can implement additional filtering rules to manage this.
Can I set up multiple catchall addresses for different purposes?
While you can only have one true catchall per domain, you can create multiple routing rules with different patterns and destinations. For example, support-*@domain.com could go to one inbox while sales-*@domain.com goes to another.
Does catchall work with domain aliases?
Yes, if you have domain aliases configured, you can set up catchall rules for each alias domain separately. Each domain (primary and aliases) can have its own catchall configuration.
How do I know if an email came through catchall?
You can configure the catchall rule to add custom headers (like X-Catchall: true) to identify emails that came through the catchall system. This helps with filtering and organization in the receiving mailbox.
Can I disable catchall temporarily without deleting the rule?
Yes, you can disable routing rules in Google Workspace without deleting them. Simply edit the rule and set it to 'inactive' or modify the conditions to make it non-matching temporarily.
What happens to catchall emails if the destination user is deleted?
If the destination user account is deleted, emails caught by the catchall rule will bounce back to the sender. Make sure to update catchall destinations before deleting user accounts.
Is there a limit to how many emails catchall can handle?
There's no specific limit on catchall emails, but the destination mailbox is subject to Google Workspace storage limits. High-volume catchall setups may require regular mailbox maintenance or automated forwarding to external systems.