How to Send Email on Gmail from PC and Phone

This guide walks you through sending an email with Gmail on both a computer and a smartphone or tablet. You’ll learn the exact steps for composing, addressing, and sending a message, plus how to handle attachments and common issues. No prior experience is needed—just a Gmail account and access to the Gmail website or app.

What You’ll Need

• A Gmail account (free to create at gmail.com)
• Your Gmail login credentials (email address and password)
• For PC: a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.)
• For phone: the official Gmail app (download from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android) or a mobile web browser
• An internet connection

Step-by-Step

On a PC (Web Browser)

1. Open Gmail: Go to gmail.com in your browser. If you’re not already signed in, enter your email and password.
2. Click “Compose”: In the top-left corner of the Gmail inbox, click the red “Compose” button (pencil icon). A new message window will open in the bottom-right corner.
3. Enter the recipient’s email address: In the “To” field, type the recipient’s full email address (e.g., name@example.com). To send to multiple people, separate addresses with commas. You can also click “To” to choose contacts from your address book.
4. Add a subject (optional but recommended): Click the “Subject” field and type a brief, clear summary of your email.
5. Write your message: Click the large text area below the subject and type your email content. Use the formatting toolbar (bold, italic, bullet lists, etc.) if needed.
6. Attach files (optional): Click the paperclip icon at the bottom of the compose window, select a file from your computer, and click “Open.” The file will upload and appear as a link in your email.
7. Send the email: Click the blue “Send” button at the bottom-left of the compose window. Your email will be sent, and a confirmation message will appear briefly.

On a Phone (Gmail App)

1. Open the Gmail app: Tap the Gmail icon on your home screen or app drawer. If you have multiple accounts, make sure the correct account is selected (tap your profile picture to switch).
2. Tap the “Compose” button: It’s the round, red “+” (or pencil) icon at the bottom-right of the screen.
3. Enter the recipient: Tap the “To” field and type the email address. As you type, Gmail may suggest contacts—tap one to add it. For multiple recipients, tap “Add” or type a comma after each address.
4. Add a subject: Tap the “Subject” field and type a concise subject line.
5. Write your message: Tap the “Compose email” area and type your message. You can use the formatting tools (the “A” icon) to change font, add lists, or insert links.
6. Attach files (optional): Tap the paperclip icon at the top-right, then choose a file from your device (e.g., from Google Drive, Photos, or Downloads).
7. Send: Tap the paper plane icon (send) at the top-right. Your email will be sent.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting the subject: While optional, a blank subject can make your email look spammy or unprofessional. Always add a brief subject.
• Wrong recipient: Double-check the email address before sending. Autocomplete can fill in the wrong contact, especially on mobile.
• Clicking “Send” too early: Once sent, you can’t unsend unless you enable “Undo Send” (see Tips). Review your message for typos and missing attachments.
• Using “Reply All” when you meant “Reply”: This sends your response to everyone on the original email, which can be embarrassing or cause privacy issues.
• Attaching a file that’s too large: Gmail limits attachments to 25 MB. For larger files, use Google Drive (see Tips).

Tips

• Enable “Undo Send”: In Gmail settings (gear icon > See all settings > General), check “Enable Undo Send” and set a send cancellation period (5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds). This gives you a brief window to retract a message after clicking “Send.”
• Use keyboard shortcuts (PC): Press C to compose a new email, Ctrl+Enter to send, and Tab to move between fields. Enable shortcuts in Settings > General > Keyboard shortcuts.
• Send large files via Google Drive: Instead of attaching a file over 25 MB, click the Google Drive icon in the compose window, upload your file, and insert it as a Drive link. Recipients can view or download it without clogging their inbox.
• Use the “Cc” and “Bcc” fields: Click “Cc” or “Bcc” next to the “To” field to send copies. Use “Bcc” to hide recipients’ email addresses from each other.
• Save drafts: If you’re not ready to send, click the “X” on the compose window (PC) or tap the back arrow (phone) and choose “Save draft.” You can find drafts in the left sidebar (PC) or the hamburger menu (phone).

Troubleshooting

• Email won’t send: Check your internet connection. If you’re on a PC, try refreshing the page. On the phone, toggle airplane mode on/off or restart the app. If the problem persists, check Gmail’s server status (status.google.com) for outages.
• “Recipient not found” error: Double-check the email address for typos. If you’re using a contact from your address book, ensure their email is correct.
• Attachment upload stuck: Large files may take time. Try compressing the file or using a different file format. If it still fails, upload to Google Drive and insert a link.
• Email goes to spam: If your sent emails land in the recipient’s spam folder, ask them to mark your address as “Not spam” and add you to their contacts. Avoid using spammy words (e.g., “free,” “urgent”) in the subject.
• Can’t log in: Ensure you’re using the correct password. If you’ve forgotten it, use the “Forgot email?” or “Forgot password?” link on the login page. If you have two-factor authentication, have your phone ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send an email to someone who doesn’t have a Gmail account?

Yes. You can send to any valid email address (Outlook, Yahoo, etc.). The recipient will receive your email in their own inbox.

What is the maximum attachment size in Gmail?

Gmail allows attachments up to 25 MB. For larger files, use Google Drive to send a link instead of a direct attachment.

How do I recall an email I already sent?

Gmail’s “Undo Send” feature lets you cancel sending within a short window (5–30 seconds) if you enable it in settings. After that, you cannot recall the email.

Why is my email going to the recipient’s spam folder?

Common causes include a subject that looks like spam, too many links, or the recipient’s email provider filtering. Ask the recipient to mark your email as “Not spam” to improve future delivery.

Can I schedule an email to send later?

Yes. On the PC, click the arrow next to the “Send” button and choose “Schedule send.” On the phone, tap the three-dot menu in the compose window and select “Schedule send.”

How do I send an email to multiple people without them seeing each other’s addresses?

Use the “Bcc” (blind carbon copy) field. Enter all recipients’ addresses there, and each person will only see their own email address.

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