> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mermail.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Forward Gmail to Mermail

> Forward selected Gmail messages to a Mermail mailbox with a privacy-first filter.

Use a Gmail filter to forward only the messages you want Mermail AI to process. Gmail can also forward all new non-spam messages, but selective forwarding provides a narrower data boundary.

## Prerequisites

* A Mermail mailbox address.
* Access to Gmail in a desktop browser.
* Permission to configure forwarding if you use Google Workspace.

## Add and verify the Mermail address

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Gmail settings">
    In Gmail, click **Settings** and then **See all settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a forwarding address">
    Open **Forwarding and POP/IMAP** or **Forwarding**, then click **Add a forwarding address**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Mermail address">
    Enter your Mermail mailbox address. Confirm the prompts to send a verification message.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve the request">
    Open the verification message in Mermail and follow its confirmation link.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Refresh Gmail">
    Return to Gmail settings and refresh the page so the verified address becomes available to filters.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Forward selected messages

<Steps>
  <Step title="Keep account-wide forwarding disabled">
    In **Forwarding and POP/IMAP**, select **Disable forwarding**. A filter can still forward matching messages to the verified address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the filter">
    In the Gmail search box, click **Show search options**. Enter criteria such as a recipient address, sender domain, label, or subject.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test the criteria">
    Click **Search** and review the results. Confirm that the search excludes private messages you do not want AI to process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the forwarding action">
    Click **Create filter**, select **Forward it**, choose the Mermail address, and click **Create filter** again.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Prefer a positive rule such as `to:support@example.com` over a broad rule with many exceptions. Positive rules are easier to audit.
</Tip>

## Forward all new messages

To forward all new non-spam messages, open **Forwarding and POP/IMAP**, select **Forward a copy of incoming mail to**, choose the Mermail address, and save your changes.

Google recommends keeping the Gmail copy in the inbox. Account-wide forwarding does not forward spam.

<Warning>
  Account-wide forwarding sends substantially more mailbox content to Mermail. Use it only when you intend the Mermail mailbox and its AI to receive all new non-spam messages.
</Warning>

## Test the setup

Send one new message that matches the filter and one that does not. Confirm that only the matching message appears in Mermail.

## Stop forwarding

* For selective forwarding, open **Settings** → **Filters and Blocked Addresses**, then disable or delete the filter.
* For account-wide forwarding, open **Forwarding and POP/IMAP**, select **Disable forwarding**, and save your changes.

## Human takeover

If you reply to a forwarded thread directly in Gmail, Mermail treats the entire thread as human-managed and permanently stops AI processing for it.

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                               | What to check                                                            |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| The forwarding address is unavailable | Complete the verification link from the message delivered to Mermail     |
| Every message is forwarded            | Disable account-wide forwarding and keep only the selective filter       |
| A filter forwards the wrong mail      | Re-run its search criteria before saving changes                         |
| Settings are unavailable              | Ask your Google Workspace administrator whether forwarding is restricted |

For current provider instructions, see [Automatically forward Gmail messages to another account](https://support.google.com/mail/answer/10957?hl=en).