Keep Your Mails Confidential- Here’s How to Send Secret Emails in Gmail

Do you have some secret information to share and don’t want to rely on normal text message or other messaging applications; you can always bet on getting the job done with Gmail’s confidential mode.

Here’s an article to let you know about how to send secret emails in Gmail on your device. It covers the know hows alongside steps-by-step process to send messages and attachments secretly, remove early access and also to open email sent in confidential mode on iPhone, Android device or PC.

So let’s get to learn more….

Sending E-mails via Gmail’s Confidential Mode:

In case you want to keep it a secret, you can surely send messages and attachments with Gmail’s confidential mode. This will help you to keep sensitive information away from illicit or unauthorized access.

Recipients of the confidential message will not be allowed to use any options as to forward, copy, print, and download. In addition to that, you can also set an expiration date for messages send in confidential mode or withdraw the permission to access that mail at any point of time.

Note: Although this feature prevents the person from sharing the email, it won’t restrict the recipient from taking snaps or screenshots of messages or attachments.

How to Send Secret Email in Gmail using Different Devices?

If you are looking for a way to send secret email in Gmail, here’s how you can send messages and attachments confidentially on your iOS or Android device or desktop computer.

How to Send Secret Email in Gmail on iPhone/iPad:

For sending email in confidential mode on Gmail via iPhone/iPad, you are required to perform following steps:

  • Open the Gmail app https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Fsl0wz7NUrYWKZiXeb-dk55qkUjeYUcwRZfvSK5X09a4eYHS-67Pv8PBKCgm3ayRGxF7=w36-h36 on your iPhone or iPad and tap on https://storage.googleapis.com/support-kms-prod/ez5AQYTSwwalQx9hVK7N2sg35g7DL7d63NPa Compose option.
  • Look for the three dots https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cmgP_5Rzfe6okeNapsp8hGQUEq7NArZ9bRphuwRdQqRzgdC1A--ib95ismutCOAxWQ=w36-h36 located at the top right and tap on ‘More’ followed by ‘Confidential mode’.
  • Turn on Confidential mode. (Note: In case confidential mode for the email is turned on previously, just go to the bottom of the email, and then tap Edit.)
  • Now you must set an expiration date, passcode and other controls. The settings will be applicable to both the message text as well as the attachments (if any).
    • If you select “No SMS passcode,” then recipients on the other end will be able to open it directly using the Gmail app. Other recipients who are not using Gmail will get emailed a passcode.
    • If you select “SMS passcode,” then the person will get a passcode (for accessing the email) by text message. Hence, you must ensure to enter the recipient’s valid and active phone number.
  • Finally tap on ‘Done’ Done to complete the process.

How to remove access early?

It is possible for you to prevent the recipient from opening the email before the expiration date. This can be done by removing access early. Following are the steps to remove access:

  • Open the Gmail app https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Fsl0wz7NUrYWKZiXeb-dk55qkUjeYUcwRZfvSK5X09a4eYHS-67Pv8PBKCgm3ayRGxF7=w36-h36 on your iPhone/iPad
  • Tap on the Menu bar Menu and then go to Sent.
  • Now open the confidential email.
  • Tap on ‘Remove access’ option provided on the bottom of your screen. 

How to Open an email sent with confidential mode

When you have received a certain mail in confidential mode, here’s how to open it:

  • You can only view the message and attachments before it expiration date or until the sender revokes the said access.
  • You will be required to enter a passcode (supplied to you on your phone number) to open the email sent in confidential mode.

Note: You won’t be able to use any of the options including download, copy, paste, print and forward the message text and attachments thereto.

How to Send Secret Email in Gmail on Android Phone:

For sending email in confidential mode on Gmail via Android device, you need to undertake these steps:

  • Open the Gmail app on your Android Phone or Tablet and tap on Compose option.
  • Locate the three dots at the top right of the screen and then tap on ‘More’ followed by ‘Confidential mode’.
  • Turn on Confidential mode. (Note: In case confidential mode for the email is turned on previously, just go to the bottom of the email, and then tap Edit.)
  • Now you must set an expiration date, passcode and other controls. The settings will be applicable to both the message text as well as the attachments (if any). 
  • If you select “No SMS passcode,” then recipients on the other end will be able to open it directly using the Gmail app. Other recipients who are not using Gmail will get emailed a passcode.
  • If you select “SMS passcode,” then the person will get a passcode (for accessing the email) by text message. Hence, you must ensure to enter the recipient’s valid and active phone number.
  • Finally tap on ‘Done’ to complete the process.

How to remove access early?

To stop the recipient from opening the email before the expiration date, follow the steps and revoke access before time:

  • Open the Gmail app on your Android device
  • Tap on the Menu bar and then go to Sent.
  • Now open the confidential email.
  • Tap on ‘Remove access’ option provided on the bottom of your screen. 

Open an email sent with confidential mode

When you have received a certain mail in confidential mode, here’s how to open it:

  • You can only view the message and attachments before it expiration date or until the sender remove access.
  • You will be required to enter a passcode (sent on your phone number) to open the email sent in confidential mode.

Note: You won’t be able to use any of the options including download, copy, paste, print and forward the message text and attachments thereto.

How to Send Secret Email in Gmail on Computer

Note: In case where you are using a work or school account on Gmail and want to send an email in confidential mode, please contact your admin and make sure that you can use this feature thereon.

  • Navigate to Gmail on your computer and log into your account.
  • Next click on the pencil icon to compose an email.
  • Thereafter click on ‘Confidential mode’ located at the bottom right and turn it On.

(Note: In case confidential mode for the email is turned on previously, just go to the bottom of the email, and then tap Edit.)

  • Now you must set an expiration date, passcode and other controls. The settings will be applicable to both the message text as well as the attachments (if any). 
  • If you select “No SMS passcode,” then recipients on the other end will be able to open it directly using the Gmail app. Other recipients who are not using Gmail will get emailed a passcode.
    • If you select “SMS passcode,” then the person will get a passcode (for accessing the email) by text message. Hence, you must ensure to enter the recipient’s valid and active phone number.
  • Finally click on Save and continue to send secret email in Gmail using your PC.

How to remove access early?

For stopping the recipient from opening and seeing the email sent in confidential mode before the expiration date, you must follow the instructions given below:

  • Navigate to Gmail on your computer and log into your account.
  • On the left on the window, locate and click Sent.
  • Open the confidential email.
  • Just click on the ‘Remove access’ option and you are done.

Open an email sent with confidential mode

When you have received a certain mail in confidential mode, here’s how to open it:

  • You can only view the message and attachments before it expiration date or until the sender remove access.
  • You will be required to enter a passcode (sent on your phone number) to open the email sent in confidential mode.

Note: You won’t be able to use any of the options including download, copy, paste, print and forward the message text and attachments thereto.

That’s all.. You have now learned about how to send secret email in Gmail on iPhone, Android or Computer.

Read Also:

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