What a Gmail delegate can actually do.
By Vamsi Krishna · Updated
A delegate can read, send and delete every message in your account. There is no read-only delegate, and no way to limit one to a label or sender. One switch: the whole mailbox, or nothing.
What they can do
- Read every message, including mail archived years ago.
- Send from your address. Google appends their address, so a careful reader can tell.
- Delete messages.
What they can't do
- Change your password or reach account settings.
- Chat as you, or use Gemini, Smart Compose and Smart Reply.
- Attach from Drive or Photos, or start a Meet call.
Every restriction protects the account. None limits how much mail they can open.
What people do instead
- A second account. Forward what you'll share into it and delegate that one. Works today, and you maintain the rules.
- A shared inbox tool. Built for a team working one mailbox, not for hiding most of it from whoever you invited.
Where allowemail fits
We scope Gmail for AI tools today. Scoped access for a person is planned, not built. If that is what you need now, use the second account. Early access list.
Sources: Google's delegation help page and Gmail API scopes. Checked September 2026.