Sending secret messages with a specific timing is already a feature in Gmail. It turns out that Google introduced the confidential mode to Gmail in 2018. This feature allows messages sent by individuals to have an expiration date. This measure prevents recipients from copying, forwarding to other Gmail users, or downloading the content.
How to Use Confidential Mode in Gmail
To utilize
Gmail's confidential mode on either the desktop or mobile app, follow these steps:
1. Begin by composing a new message.
2. After composing the message, locate the padlock icon adjacent to the "Send" button.
3. Tap on the padlock icon to activate the confidential mode.
Once done, a popup will appear allowing you to set parameters for how long you want recipients in Gmail to have access to your message before it expires; It can be up to five years one day.
For passcode requirements, you can use SMS passcode to further enhance the security of your confidential emails.
Google will ask for a passcode each time you open the locked email by sending it to the recipient's phone number. This means that you will now need to have the recipient's phone number to exchange private data.
Once you have completed all the security steps, click on Save, write your email and hit send. If you enable the passcode, Gmail will ask you to enter the recipient's phone number so that they can send the 4-digit passcode.
The primary advantage of employing confidential mode is the enhanced security it offers, preventing recipients from "redirecting, copying, pasting, downloading, or printing content." These restrictions add an extra layer of enjoyment, safeguarding your private information from ending up in the wrong hands, which is a common occurrence in accidental data leaks. The confidential email you receive will have the following appearance:
To find the secret mode in the Gmail mobile app, tap on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the app.
The steps in the Gmail mobile app are basically the same as in the browser on a computer, but some items are in different places. For example, the secret mode is located in the three vertical dots menu in the mobile app, while it is located in the side panel in the browser.