# Forward to Gmail or Outlook > Receive company mail in an inbox you already use and reply through a protected relay. ## Enable forwarding Open the mailbox in **Settings → Inboxes**, add the Gmail, Outlook, or other destination, and request verification. Startup Mail sends a six-digit code to that address. Enter the code to prove you control the destination. Forwarding starts only after verification succeeds. ## The delivery route ```text customer@example.com ↓ hello@yourcompany.com (stored in Startup Mail) ↓ your-current-inbox@gmail.com (forwarded copy) ``` The original remains available in Startup Mail. Forwarding adds another copy; it does not move or delete the source message. ## Reply from the forwarded copy Forwarded messages use a signed, expiring Reply-To relay. When you choose Reply in Gmail or Outlook, that route maps the response back to the original Startup Mail mailbox and conversation. > **Do not save the relay address** > > Relay addresses are single-purpose, time-limited routes for a specific conversation. They are not > alternate mailbox addresses and should not be reused or shared. ## What does not synchronize Forwarding is not IMAP or Exchange sync. Read state, stars, labels, folders, archives, sent folders, and deletions do not synchronize between Startup Mail and the destination inbox. ## Automatic disablement Startup Mail turns forwarding off after a hard bounce to the destination. Fix or replace the address, then verify it again. You can also disable forwarding manually from the mailbox settings at any time.