How to forward an email in Gmail

Forwarding emails is something most of us do without thinking about it. You get a message that needs to reach someone else, hit forward, and move on. But Gmail offers more than just the basic forward button. You can forward multiple emails at once, set up automatic forwarding for specific messages, and troubleshoot issues when emails don't go through as expected.

This guide covers everything you need to know about forwarding emails in Gmail, from the basics to the more advanced skills.

How to forward one email

Forwarding a single email is straightforward. Follow these steps and the email will get forwarded with all original content and attachments included.

Here's how to forward an email in Gmail:

1. Open Gmail and click on the email you want to forward. 
2. At the bottom of the message, you'll see a Forward button. 
3. Click it, and a new compose window opens with the original email content included.
4. Type the recipient's email address in the "To" field. 
5. Add your message to explain why you’re forwarding the email.
6. Click Send.

Tip: Add a note for the recipient before you hit 'Send' so they know what they're looking at. It can also reduce the back-and-forth that comes from unclear messages.

On other devices:

1. Tap the email to open it.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. 
3. Select Forward.
4. Enter the recipient's email address
5. Add your message for context.
6. Click Send.

How to forward multiple emails at once

Sometimes you need to forward lots of emails to the same person. You might be handing over before a vacation or needing to keep your manager up-to-date on a live project. Whatever the reason, Gmail lets you forward multiple emails at once by sending them as attachments.

Here's how to forward multiple emails in Gmail:

1. In your inbox, check the boxes next to the emails you want to forward. 
2. Once you've selected all the messages, click the More menu (the three vertical dots at the top of your inbox) and select Forward as attachment.
3. A new compose window opens with all the selected emails attached as .eml files. 
4. Type the recipient's email address
5. Add a note explaining what you're sending. 
6. Click Send.

The recipient gets all the emails as attachments, which they can open individually. This keeps the original formatting and content intact, making it especially useful when you need to maintain a record of the exact messages sent.

Note: Forwarding emails as attachments is different from forwarding them inline. Attachments preserve the original email structure, including headers and metadata, which can be important for compliance or record-keeping purposes.

Locate the forward button in Gmail

The forward button is easy to find once you know where to look, but Gmail's interface can vary slightly depending on whether you're using desktop or a phone.

On desktop:

Open any email and scroll to the bottom of the message. You'll see three options: Reply, Reply all, and Forward. Click Forward to start composing your forwarded message.

On a phone:

Open the email and tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. A dropdown menu appears with several options, including Forward. Tap it to begin.

Older Gmail layouts:

If you're using an older version of Gmail, the forward button may appear under the More menu instead of being directly visible. Click More to reveal additional options, including Forward.

How to forward all emails automatically (using filters)

If you regularly need to forward certain types of emails to another account, setting up automatic forwarding can save you a lot of manual work. Gmail's filtering system lets you choose which emails get forwarded and where they go. Business Insider notes that this can be especially useful if you need a coworker to monitor your incoming messages while you’re out of the office.

How to set up automatic forwarding in Gmail:

Step 1

Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top-right corner) and click See all settings. Navigate to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab, then click Add a forwarding address.

Step 2

Enter the email address where you want messages forwarded. Gmail sends a verification email to that address. The recipient needs to click the confirmation link before forwarding can begin.

Step 3

Once the address is verified, go back to Settings and click Filters and Blocked Addresses. Click Create a new filter.

Step 4

In the filter creation window, specify which emails you want to forward. You can filter by sender, subject line, keywords, or other criteria. For example, if you want to forward all emails from a specific client, enter their email address in the "From" field.

Step 5

Click Create filter, then check the box next to Forward it to and select the verified forwarding address from the dropdown menu. Click Create filter again to save your settings.

Now, any email that matches your filter criteria will automatically forward to the specified address.

Note: Automatic forwarding can be restricted on corporate Gmail accounts due to security policies. If you're unable to set up forwarding, check with your IT administrator.

How to solve forwarding problems

Sometimes emails don't forward as expected. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.

Forwarding addresses are unverified

Gmail requires verification before forwarding messages to a new address. If you haven't confirmed the forwarding address, emails won't go through. Check the inbox of the forwarding address for the verification email from Gmail and click the confirmation link.

Account restrictions

Some corporate or school Gmail accounts have restrictions that prevent forwarding. If you're unable to add a forwarding address, your organization may have disabled this feature. Contact your IT administrator to find out if forwarding is allowed.

Spam filters

Emails flagged as spam may not forward automatically. Check your spam folder to see if legitimate emails are being filtered incorrectly. If they are, mark them as "Not spam" to ensure they forward properly in the future.

Technical errors

Browser extensions, connectivity issues, or outdated browsers can interfere with Gmail's forwarding functionality. Try disabling browser extensions, clearing your cache, or using a different browser to see if the issue resolves.

If problems continue, Google's official support documentation sets out additional troubleshooting steps for forwarding errors.

Keep your Gmail inbox running smoothly

Forwarding emails in Gmail is simple once you know where to find the right buttons and how to set up filters. Whether you're forwarding a single message or automating the process for recurring emails, these tools help you stay organized and keep communication flowing.

Need a hand staying on top of your inbox? Fyxer automatically categorizes your Gmail and drafts responses for you, saving an average of 6.5 hours every week. You'll spend less time on email admin and more time on work that matters. Try it now.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do I forward an email in Gmail?

Open the email, click Forward at the bottom, type the recipient's email address, add context if needed, and click Send.

How do I forward an email to another email in Gmail?

Open the email, click Forward, enter the recipient's email address, add a note explaining why you're forwarding it, and click Send.

Where is the forward button in Gmail?

On a desktop, it's at the bottom of every email. On other devices, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the email and select Forward.

Where is the “forward all” option in Gmail?

Select multiple emails by checking the boxes next to them, click the More menu (three vertical dots), and choose Forward as attachment.

Why can't I forward emails from Gmail?

Common reasons include unverified forwarding addresses, corporate account restrictions, spam filters blocking messages, or technical issues with your browser or connection.

Can I set Gmail to forward all incoming emails automatically?

Yes. Go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP, add a verified forwarding address, create a filter specifying which emails to forward, and apply the filter. All matching emails will forward automatically.

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