Google will soon release a tool to help protect your inbox
It will make email privacy much more convenient.
Google has been ramping up efforts to improve email security. Given how often email breaches make headlines, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
First, it changed how we log into Gmail – ditching SMS authentication, which has its fair share of security issues, in favour of QR codes for a more secure login process. I’ve even lost count of how many times I’ve gotten my mum’s verification code by mistake. 😄
But the tech giant isn’t stopping there. A bigger update is on the way—Shielded Email, a tool designed to protect your inbox from spam and unwanted exposure. With it, users can generate temporary email addresses when signing up for newsletters, free trials, or new services, ensuring their primary inbox stays private.
For years, Android users who wanted this kind of protection had to turn to third-party services like Firefox Relay, DuckDuckGo’s Email Protection, or even burner email tools like 10-Minute Mail. While these options work, they come with the hassle of managing multiple accounts and setups. Google integrating this directly into its ecosystem will make email privacy much more convenient.
Shielded Email was first uncovered months ago in an APK teardown of Google Play Services. It was initially expected to be part of Google’s Autofill system, and now, recent updates confirm it will appear alongside regular email suggestions, making it even easier to use.
When signing up for a new service, users will likely see the option to use a Shielded Email address alongside their usual choices. Emails sent to these aliases will be forwarded to the main inbox, and users can disable forwarding anytime to cut off unwanted messages.
Apple’s Hide My Email has offered a similar feature for iCloud+ subscribers, but Google’s version will be built directly into Android and Gmail, ensuring a seamless experience for millions of users.
With spam and data breaches on the rise, having a built-in way to shield your email is a game-changer. While there’s no official release date yet, updates suggest that Shielded Email could soon become an essential tool for anyone looking to take control of their inbox.
