Email forwarding is the automatic redirection of messages from one address to another. When mail arrives at the forwarding address, the server immediately re-sends it to a designated destination address, usually your real inbox.
How forwarding works
At the simplest level, a forwarding rule at the mail server says: "anything delivered to alias@example.com — re-send it to real@gmail.com." The original message headers are usually preserved, but the envelope sender changes to the forwarding server's address. This matters for spam filtering: a forwarding chain can cause SPF and DKIM failures at the receiving end, occasionally landing legitimate mail in spam.
Types of forwarding
- Server-side forwarding — configured in your hosting control panel or DNS. Works for entire domains or individual mailboxes.
- Alias services — dedicated services (SimpleLogin, AnonAddy, Apple's Hide My Email) provide managed aliases with per-alias on/off controls and sometimes send-from capability.
- Client-side rules — your mail client moves or copies messages after delivery. Not true forwarding — the original address still receives it first.
Forwarding versus temporary email
Forwarding keeps you in the loop for future mail; temporary email does not. If you need to receive a single verification email and never hear from the sender again, temporary email is simpler. If you need an ongoing inbox at a custom address that routes into your existing mail setup, forwarding or aliasing is the right choice.