How does mail.forwarding work

Mail forwarding is a process where an email service provider (ESP) or a mail server redirects incoming emails from one email address to another. This is often used when a user wants to keep their primary email address private or wants to forward emails from an old email address to a new one. Here's how it works:

Types of Mail Forwarding:

  1. Simple Forwarding: The ESP or mail server forwards incoming emails from the original email address to the new email address. The original email address remains active, and the new email address receives the forwarded emails.
  2. Catch-All Forwarding: The ESP or mail server forwards all emails received at the original email address to the new email address, including emails that are not addressed to a specific recipient.
  3. Filter-Based Forwarding: The ESP or mail server uses filters to forward specific emails from the original email address to the new email address based on criteria such as sender, subject, or content.

How Mail Forwarding Works:

  1. Setup: The user sets up mail forwarding by configuring their ESP or mail server to forward emails from the original email address to the new email address.
  2. Incoming Email: An email is sent to the original email address.
  3. Mail Server: The mail server receives the email and checks if it needs to be forwarded.
  4. Forwarding: If the email needs to be forwarded, the mail server redirects the email to the new email address.
  5. Delivery: The email is delivered to the new email address.

Benefits of Mail Forwarding:

  1. Privacy: Mail forwarding helps keep the original email address private by redirecting emails to a new address.
  2. Convenience: Mail forwarding allows users to keep their primary email address active while still receiving emails at a new address.
  3. Flexibility: Mail forwarding enables users to forward emails from one email address to another, making it easier to manage multiple email addresses.

Common Mail Forwarding Scenarios:

  1. Changing Email Providers: Users may forward emails from their old email provider to their new email provider when switching providers.
  2. Retiring an Email Address: Users may forward emails from an old email address to a new one when retiring the old address.
  3. Managing Multiple Email Addresses: Users may forward emails from one email address to another to manage multiple email addresses or to keep their primary email address private.

In summary, mail forwarding is a process where an ESP or mail server redirects incoming emails from one email address to another. It's a convenient and flexible way to manage multiple email addresses, keep email addresses private, and ensure that emails are delivered to the correct address.