Need to send a sensitive email that shouldn’t stick around or be shared? Gmail’s Confidential Mode lets your message self-destruct after a set time, blocks forwarding, copying, downloading and printing, and adds optional passcode protection.
How to:
– In Gmail, click Compose.
– Tap the lock with a clock icon at the bottom of the compose window.
– Choose an expiry date (from 1 day up to 5 years).
– Select SMS passcode if you want to add verification.
– Click Save, then write and send your email.
What it’s for:
Use this when emailing things like passwords, financial details, legal documents or quotes — anything that shouldn’t be saved or shared. The expiry ensures your message won’t linger indefinitely, and the recipient can’t easily forward or download it.
Pro-Tip: Add an expiry reminder in the subject line (e.g. “Expires in 7 days”) — and remember recipients can still screenshot the content, so it’s best for lower-sensitivity communications.
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