Knowledge Base

• On your iPhone or iPad, open the Gmail application  .
  
• Tap Compose  Icon.
  

• In the top right, tap More   Confidential mode.
  

• Note: If you've already turned on confidential mode for the email, go to the bottom of the email, then tap Edit.
  
• Turn on Confidential mode. 
  
• Set an expiration date, passcode and other controls. These settings impact both the message text and any attachments. 
  
• If you choose "No SMS passcode," recipients using the Gmail app will be able to open it directly. Recipients who don't use Gmail will get emailed a passcode.
  
• If you choose "SMS passcode," recipients will get a passcode by text message. Make sure you enter the recipient's phone number, not your own.
  

• Tap  .
  

You can stop your recipient from opening the email before the expiration date.

• On your iPhone or iPad, open the Gmail app .
  
• Tap Menu   Sent.
  
• Open the confidential email.
  
• On the bottom of the screen, tap Remove access. 
  

If the sender used confidential mode to send the email:

• You can view the message and attachments until the expiration date or until the sender removes access.
  
• Options to copy, paste, download, print, and forward the message text and attachments will be disabled.
  
• You might need to enter a pass-code to open the email.
  

You can stop your recipient from opening the email before the expiration date.

• On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app .
  
• Tap Menu   Sent.
  

• Open the confidential email.
  
• On the bottom of the screen, tap Remove access. 
  

If the sender used confidential mode to send the email:

• You can view the message and attachments until the expiration date or until the sender removes access.
  
• Options to copy, paste, download, print, and forward the message text and attachments will be disabled.
  
• You might need to enter a pass-code to open the email.
  

• On your computer, go to Gmail.
  
• Click Compose. 
  

• In the bottom right of the window, click Turn on confidential mode .
  

• Tip: If you've already turned on confidential mode for an email, go to the bottom of the email, then click Edit.
  
• Set an expiration date and passcode. These settings impact both the message text and any attachments. 
  
  • If you choose "No SMS passcode," recipients using the Gmail app will be able to open it directly. Recipients who don't use Gmail will get emailed a passcode.
    
  • If you choose "SMS passcode," recipients will get a passcode by text message. Make sure you enter the recipient's phone number, not your own.
    

• Click Save. You will see the details of the content expiration. You can click edit if you enter wrong details about the expiration of access.
  

You can stop your recipient from opening the email before the expiration date.

• On your computer, open the Gmail app .
  
• On the left, click Sent.
  

• Open the confidential email.
  
• Click Remove access. 
  

If the sender used confidential mode to send the email:

• You can view the message and attachments until the expiration date or until the sender removes access. You can see the expiration details below the email.
  

• Options to copy, paste, download, print, and forward the message text and attachments will be disabled.
  
• You might need to enter a pass-code to open the email.