This article is for administrators. If you're using a personal Gmail account, see Automatically forward Gmail messages to another account.
You can forward messages to other Google Workspace email accounts in three ways. Some options are controlled by the administrator and others are set by users.
Forward mail to another account
The ability to forward mail to another account allows a Gmail user to automatically forward incoming mail to another email address. For details, see Automatically forward Gmail messages to another account.
Advantages
- Easy for users to set up after they follow the instructions and get the forwarding account confirmed with Google.
- Users have control and can change where their messages are forwarded to.
Limitations
- Users can set up only one forwarding address.
- Administrators have no visibility or control over this feature on a per-user basis. However, administrators can disable the ability to forward messages for all users in the Google Admin console.
Use a filter
By using a filter, a Gmail user can manage the flow of incoming messages by automatically taking actions on messages (archiving, deleting, forwarding messages) based on rules. For details, see Create rules to filter your emails.
Advantages
Instead of forwarding all incoming messages, Gmail filters can forward messages based on certain rules. For example, you can forward messages from certain addresses or that have a particular subject.
Limitations
- Users can create up to 20 filters that forward to other addresses.
- Administrators have no visibility or control over this feature on a per-user basis. However, administrators can disable the ability to forward messages for all users in the Google Admin console.
Set user-level routing
As an administrator, you can set user-level routing to create additional destinations where messages are delivered for specific user accounts. For details, see Route users' email to another address.
Advantages
- Administrators have control and visibility over where user mail is forwarded.
- This feature can be managed from the Google Admin console.
Limitations
Administrators can't forward mail to any email address hosted by Google Workspace, which includes other addresses in your domain. To forward a user's email to a Google Workspace address, have the user set up a forwarding address from their Gmail account.
