How to Forward Multiple Emails in Gmail at Once?

Forwarding one email takes seconds. Forwarding ten related emails can take forever, especially when you need to share context with a teammate, send proofs to a client, or hand off a project.

Gmail offers a few reliable ways to forward multiple emails, but each method serves a different purpose. This guide shows the exact options Gmail supports, when each works best, and how to avoid the common mistakes that can confuse recipients.

Quick look

• Gmail supports two reliable ways to forward multiple emails: Forward as attachment (best for separate emails) and Forward all (best for one thread).

• Gmail does not natively bulk forward emails as separate forwards (one forwarded email per original message).

• Use Forward as an attachment for clean handoffs because it preserves each email as a separate .eml file.

• Use Forward all for a single long conversation when the recipient needs the full timeline in a single read.

• Add a short “top note” with context, your ask, and a deadline so the recipient does not miss the point.

Three ways to forward multiple emails in Gmail 

“Forward multiple emails in Gmail” can mean three different things. Gmail supports two of them well, and it does not support one of them natively. The fastest way to avoid wasted clicks is to match the method to your goal before you start.

Option 1: Forward as attachment (best overall for multiple separate emails)

If you have several individual emails you want to forward at once, Forward as attachment is the cleanest Gmail-native option. Gmail creates one new email draft and attaches each selected message as an .eml file, so your recipient can open each message exactly as it was received, including headers and original attachments.

How it works

• You select multiple emails in your inbox.

• Gmail bundles them into a single draft as .eml attachments.

• The recipient can open each .eml to view the full original email.

How to do it on desktop

1. Open Gmail in your browser.

2. Select the checkboxes next to the emails you want to forward.

3. Click More (three dots).

4. Click Forward as attachment.

5. Add recipients, write a short note explaining what you need, then send.

Use this method when

• You are sharing a set of related emails with a manager, teammate, client, or vendor

• You want to preserve each email as a separate item instead of pasting everything into a long forward

• You want the recipient to see messages exactly as received (useful for audits, proofs, and handoffs)

Small but important note

Some recipients find .eml attachments harder to open on mobile. If the recipient is phone-only, either forward the thread (if it’s one conversation) or paste the key context into the body and attach only the most important emails.

Also read: Too Much Email? Automate Email Management with Rules That Work

Option 2: Forward all (best for one conversation thread)

If your emails are part of a single Gmail conversation, you do not need to forward messages one by one. You can forward the entire thread using Forward all, which sends a single message containing the full conversation history. Gmail Community guidance describes this approach.

How it works

• You open the conversation.

• You use Forward all from the More menu.

• Gmail packages the thread into one forward so the recipient can read the sequence in order.

Use this method when

• Everything you need sits inside one thread

• You want the recipient to read the story without opening attachments

• You want a single forwarded message instead of multiple files

Best practice

Add a short “top note” at the start of your forward: what happened, what decision is needed, and what the deadline is. Forwarding a full thread without direction usually creates delays.

Option 3: Bulk forward as separate emails (what Gmail does not support natively)

A common request is: “I want to select 20 emails and forward them as 20 separate forwarded messages to one address.” Gmail does not provide a built-in feature that does this automatically inside the core product. People often recommend extensions or add-ons for this use case, especially when doing it on mobile.

What to do instead

• If the goal is simply to share all the emails with someone, use Forward as an attachment so they receive everything in one send.

• If the emails must be separate forwards (for tracking, ticketing, or routing), do it manually in smaller batches and keep a consistent subject pattern so the recipient can process them reliably.

When separate forwards are truly necessary

This is usually required when a downstream system treats each forwarded email as a new item, such as in certain ticketing workflows or intake processes. If that is your case, you either accept manual forwarding effort or use dedicated tooling designed for bulk actions.

Quick match table: pick the right method

Also read: Top Email Label Automation Tips for a Smarter Gmail Experience in 2026

Common issues when forwarding multiple emails and how to avoid them

Forwarding multiple emails often fails for one reason: the recipient gets a pile of context with no clear direction. The fixes below help you avoid confusion, broken attachments, and unnecessary back-and-forth.

1) The recipient cannot open .eml attachments easily

When you use Forward as attachment, Gmail bundles emails as .eml files. Some recipients struggle to open these on mobile or in certain email clients.

How to avoid it:

• Add one line in your message: “These emails are attached as .eml files. Open on desktop for the cleanest view.”

• If the recipient needs everything readable on phone, forward the thread instead (Forward all), when the emails live in one conversation.

• If only a few lines matter, paste the key excerpt in the message body and attach only the most important emails.

2) The forward is too long, so the recipient ignores it

A bulk forward with no framing creates friction. The recipient has to guess what to read first and what decision to make.

How to avoid it:

• Start with a short “top note” that answers:

  • What is this about?

  • What do you need from me?

  • When do you need it?

  • Which email or attachment matters most?

• Use a simple structure like:

  • Context: 1 line

  • Ask: 1 line

  • Deadline: 1 line

  • Priority items: 2 bullets

3) Attachments or details get lost inside the chain

When you forward a conversation, attachments and key facts can be scattered across replies. People miss the right file or open the wrong version.

How to avoid it:

• Call out the exact item: “Use attachment from the email dated X” or “See the second attachment in Email 3.”

• If the file matters more than the email text, attach the file directly (or share a Drive link) and treat the forwarded emails as supporting context.

• Rename files before sending if versions look identical (e.g., Contract_v3_signed.pdf).

4) You hit size limits or your email bounces

Forwarding multiple emails can add up fast, especially if the original emails contain large attachments.

How to avoid it:

• Split the send into two parts (e.g., “Part 1 of 2” and “Part 2 of 2” in the subject).

• Remove unnecessary attachments before forwarding if you only need the email text.

• Upload large files to Drive and share a link instead of forwarding heavy attachments.

5) You forward sensitive information by mistake

Forwarding multiple emails increases the risk of sharing more than you intended, such as internal notes, phone numbers, addresses, or unrelated threads.

How to avoid it:

• Scan the selection before you forward. Do a quick check on:

  • recipients

  • subject lines

  • last message content

• If you only need a subset, forward only those emails, not the entire set.

• Consider redacting or summarizing instead of forwarding verbatim when the recipient only needs a decision.

6) The recipient loses the context because the subject lines don’t match

If you forward multiple emails, the recipient may not realize they belong together, especially when the subject lines vary.

How to avoid it:

• Write a clear subject line like: “Project X: Context bundle (5 emails attached)”

• In the body, list the emails in order with a one-line reason each, so the recipient knows how to read them.

Also read: CC vs BCC Explained: Stop Making This Common Email Mistake

How NewMail Makes Email Handoffs Faster and Clearer?

Forwarding multiple emails usually happens during handoffs: client updates, internal escalations, approvals, and project transitions. The real pain is not clicking “Forward.” The pain is writing a clean summary and ensuring the recipient understands what matters.

NewMail helps by turning messy inbox context into a clear action-oriented handoff:

• It helps you draft a short, structured summary that explains what matters before you attach emails.

• It reduces the time you spend scanning threads for the one detail you must include.

• It supports faster replies with consistent context, which reduces back and forth.

If you forward emails often because your work depends on approvals, coordination, or client updates, NewMail helps you package context more quickly and reduce confusion for recipients. 

Conclusion

Forwarding multiple emails in Gmail doesn’t have to be confusing or time-consuming. By choosing the right method, Forward as attachment for separate emails or Forward all for a single conversation thread, you can share messages efficiently while keeping context intact. Following best practices, like adding a brief top note, calling out key attachments, and checking recipients, ensures your communication stays clear and actionable.

For frequent email handoffs, using a tool like NewMail can speed up forwarding, reduce mistakes, and create structured, easy-to-follow summaries for recipients. With the right approach, forwarding multiple emails in Gmail becomes a smooth, controlled process instead of a source of frustration.

Book a demo to know more! 

FAQs

1) Do attachments inside the original emails get included when I forward multiple emails?

It depends on how the attachments were shared. With .eml forwarding, the recipient typically sees the original email as it was received, including any original attachments referenced in that message. If the “attachment” was actually a cloud link (E.g., Drive or Dropbox), you may need to confirm access permissions separately.

2) Will forwarding multiple emails expose hidden email addresses or internal routing details?

Forwarded messages can carry metadata like sender details and timestamps. If you are forwarding outside your organization, scan for internal-only recipients, internal signatures, and sensitive headers or reference IDs that should not leave your domain.

3) Can I forward multiple emails to a group without revealing everyone’s addresses?

Yes. Put recipients in BCC when appropriate, especially if the group members do not already know each other. Use this carefully if the content includes sensitive information and your policy restricts who can see it.

4) Why does the forwarded bundle sometimes look messy for the recipient?

Email clients display forwarded content differently. What looks tidy in Gmail may look stacked or collapsed in Outlook or mobile clients. The best fix is to add a short summary at the top and call out exactly what you want the recipient to review.

5) Can I forward multiple emails while keeping the original formatting intact?

The most reliable way to preserve formatting is to forward the messages as .eml attachments because the recipient opens the original email instead of a pasted version. If the recipient’s client struggles with .eml, paste only essential excerpts and attach the most important emails.