How to Use a Gmail Alias With iOS Mail

Aliases are governed both by Gmail and by iOS Mail

Businessman using smartphone
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by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated May 29, 2019

Although most heavy Gmail users rely on the Gmail app, the native iOS Mail application also supports Gmail. In fact, Mail even supports the sending of messages using an alias.

These instructions were tested using iOS 12. To maximize image quality, we're sharing screenshots from the iPad, but the procedure is identical for the iPhone.

Prerequisites

You must have enrolled your Gmail account into iOS Mail as an IMAP account, not as a "real" Google account. When you use the Gmail IMAP server settings, you'll lose some of the special functionality of a Google account, including calendars and contact lists. However, you'll gain access to send-as aliases, which Gmail prohibits on the iOS Mail app.

Also, when you add Gmail for the first time, or delete it and add your account as IMAP, you must set an application-specific password if you've configured two-factor authentication for your account.

How to Configure a Gmail Alias in iOS Mail

Here's how to add an alias to your Gmail:

  1. Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts and tap your IMAP-enabled Gmail account.

    IMAP-enabled email account in iOS Settings

  2. Tap the email address at the top of the screen to open its settings. Tap the arrow next to the email address to open the Email window.

    Arrow next to Email account in iOS Settings

  3. Tap Add Another Email to enter a new email address.

    Add Another Email in iOS Settings

    Use an enrolled Gmail account alias here. Although iOS allows any email address in this field, most spam checkers will discard as spam messages with an address not authenticated to the sending domain.

  4. Add as many addresses as you need. When you're finished, simply tap Account to return to the previous screen, and then select Done.

    Account back button in iOS Email Settings

  5. Your new address is now ready to use.

How to Use a Gmail Account Alias

Multiple addresses in New Message on iOS

When you compose a new email after you've added the alias, tap the From address in the message window to create separate lines for the Cc, Bcc, and From addresses. Tap the default From address again to reveal a selector with all enrolled email addresses listed. Pick your preferred address so that Mail will send the message with that address, using the account credentials associated with it.