Gmail's confidential mode allows users to send messages and attachments with an added layer of security to help protect sensitive information from unauthorised access. Confidential mode also provides the option to set an expiration date for messages or revoke access at any time. When a message is sent in confidential mode, the recipient's options to forward, copy, print, and download are disabled.
How to set password on an email in Gmail
- Open Gmail and click "Compose."
- In the bottom right of the window, click "Turn on confidential mode."
- If you've already turned on confidential mode for an email, go to the bottom of the email and click "Edit."
- Set an expiration date and passcode. These settings will 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, while recipients who don't use Gmail will receive a passcode via email.
- If you choose "SMS passcode," recipients will receive a passcode via text message. Make sure to enter the recipient's phone number, not your own.
- Click "Save."
Users can also restrict recipients from viewing the email before the expiration date. To do so-
- On your computer, open Gmail.
- On the left side of the screen, click "Sent."
- Open the confidential email that you want to remove access to.
- Click "Remove access."
If the sender used confidential mode to send the email, you will be able to 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 may need to enter a passcode to open the email.
