Gmail Confidential Mode

Gmail’s confidential mode gives you more control over who can see the information you send in email.

Send messages and attachments with confidential mode by setting an expiration date for messages or revoking access to the email at any time. Recipients of the confidential message will not be able to forward, copy, print, or download the email or attachments.

When a message is sent using confidential mode, the body of the email and any attachments are replaced by a link. The recipient clicks the link to view the message.

Note: Confidential mode limits users from forwarding, printing, and downloading your email, but it doesn’t prevent recipients from taking screenshots or photos of the message or attachments.

How to Use Confidential Mode

Send Messages Using Confidential Mode

Access Gmail (or BroncoMail) through myBoiseState.
Click Compose.
At the bottom right, click Turn on confidential mode.
(If you’ve already turned on confidential mode, go to the bottom of the email and tap Edit.)
Set an expiration date and passcode. These settings apply to 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.

Remove Access Before the Expiration Date

On the left menu, click Sent.
Open the confidential email.
Click Remove access.

Open an Email Sent Confidentially

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 passcode to open the email.

For additional information about using Gmail’s confidential mode, visit the Gmail Help Center.

Send Messages Using Confidential Mode

Access Gmail (or BroncoMail) through myBoiseState or open the Gmail app.
Tap Compose.
At the top right, tap More > Confidential mode.
(If you’ve already turned on confidential mode, go to the bottom of the email and tap Edit.)
Turn on Confidential mode.
Set an expiration date and passcode. These settings apply to 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 Done.

Remove Access Before the Expiration Date

Tap Menu > Sent.
Open the confidential email.
At the bottom of the screen, tap Remove access.

Open an Email Sent Confidentially

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 passcode to open the email.

For additional information about using Gmail’s confidential mode, visit the Gmail Help Center.

Send Messages Using Confidential Mode

Access Gmail (or BroncoMail) through myBoiseState or open the Gmail app.
Tap Compose.
At the top right, tap More > Confidential mode.
(If you’ve already turned on confidential mode, go to the bottom of the email and tap Edit.)
Turn on Confidential mode.
Set an expiration date and passcode. These settings apply to 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 Done.

Remove Access Before the Expiration Date

Tap Menu > Sent.
Open the confidential email.
At the bottom of the screen, tap Remove access.

Open an Email Sent Confidentially

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 passcode to open the email.

For additional information about using Gmail’s confidential mode, visit the Gmail Help Center.

Need Assistance?

For more information, contact the Help Desk at (208) 426-4357, helpdesk@boisestate.edu, chat, or Help Desk Self Service.

Gmail Confidential Mode

How to Use Confidential Mode

Office of Information Technology