There are plenty of reasons you might need to send a Gmail message on your computer or Android smartphone. Gmail has a feature called Confidential mode that allows you to send an email that can't be forwarded, copied, printed, or downloaded. Even better, you can set an expiration date that revokes access to the email when you decide, and you can revoke access at any time from your phone or computer.

The steps to activate confidential mode aren't complicated on a computer or smartphone. Whether you recently set up your new Gmail account or are a seasoned veteran, here's how to send a secure message using Confidential mode.

While Confidential mode prevents readers from forwarding, copying, printing, or downloading your email, it doesn't stop them from taking screenshots or photos of the email.

How to send a secure Gmail message with Confidential mode on your Mac or PC

For whatever reason, sending emails on a computer feels more secure than doing so on a smartphone. However, that's only the case if you follow the steps below to send an email in Confidential mode. Here's how to do it:

1. Open your preferred browser and go to Gmail.com.

2. Click the Compose icon in the upper-left corner.

3. Tap the Toggle Confidential mode icon at the bottom of the email window.

4. Set an expiration date in the pop-up menu.

5. Toggle the SMS passcode option if you wish to use one.

6. A message is displayed indicating when the email will expire.

How to send a secure message with Confidential mode in the Gmail mobile app

Sometimes, you need to send a secure email on the go. The Gmail app on Android and iOS keeps your attachments and information as secure as possible with the same access to Confidential mode. Follow the steps below, and you'll be on your way to a more secure email:

1. On your Android or iPhone, open the Gmail app.

2. Click the Compose button in the lower-right corner.

3. Tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner.

4. Select Confidential mode from the drop-down menu.

5. Toggle Confidential mode on.

6. Set your expiration date in the menu.

7. Select Standard or SMS passcode from the drop-down menu.

8. Tap Save at the top.

9. A message showing the expiration date shows in the email.

How to remove access to a Gmail message sent via Confidential mode before the expiration date

If you decide that the recipient of your secure email is no longer worthy of viewing it before the expiration date, edit the expiration date and revoke access to the secure email. You have complete control over your secure email. Here are the steps to take.

1. Open the Gmail app or the Gmail website.

2. Tap the Sent tab.

3. Find the secure email you sent and open it.

3. Click the Remove Access button.

How Gmail's Confidential mode works for recipients

Recipients of Gmail messages sent in Confidential mode can't forward, copy, print, or download it or its attachments. However, beyond those restrictions, the Confidential mode email acts as any other email, popping up in your inbox and allowing you to access it from your account.

Send an encrypted Gmail message when security is of the utmost importance

Gmail offers two ways to send a secure email on the platform. We covered Confidential mode, which limits how long the email sticks around and makes sure that no one forwards, copies, prints, or downloads your email. Still, if you're more worried about hackers reading your email than the recipient's friends and family, Confidential mode won't cut it. There's a more secure way to send emails on Gmail, but you need a paid Google Workspace account to do it.

If you have this kind of account, your outgoing emails are encrypted by default with S/MIME-enhanced encryption. The best way to check if this is the case for your account is to compose an email and check the recipient in the "To" field. If your email is fully encrypted with S/MIME, you'll see a little green padlock icon next to their name.

However, this isn't always the case. If your recipient uses an email service that has TLS encryption, you'll see a gray padlock icon next to their name. On top of that, if your recipient uses an unencrypted service, you'll see a red padlock icon, meaning the email is not encrypted.

Keep your emails private and secure

Email might seem more secure than texting or social media messaging. Still, the reality is that in the modern era, few channels are entirely safe from hackers looking to score your personal data. Tools like password managers can help, but your best bet is to take these encrypted and Confidential mode emails to heart, so you can keep all that private information as secure as possible.