Google Just Fixed Gmail’s Biggest Flaw: How to Set Up Mobile Email Delegation

For years, Google Workspace had a glaring issue that forced small business owners into a security corner.

You wanted an assistant or team member to manage an inbox, but Gmail’s email delegation feature only worked on a desktop computer.

The moment your staff left the office, they couldn’t see that inbox on their phones.

The workaround? Sharing account passwords and playing pass-the-parcel with 2FA verification codes—a total nightmare for security and sanity.

Thankfully, Google has finally fixed this by bringing delegated email access directly into the Gmail mobile app. Here is how to get it sorted for your business in less than three minutes.

Step 1: Turn on Delegation in Your Admin Console

Before your team can use this feature, you need to switch it on at the business level. You’ll need administrator rights for this bit.

1. Head over to the Google Admin Console at admin.google.com.
2. Click on Apps, select Google Workspace, and then click on Gmail.
3. Scroll down and click on User settings.
4. Find the Mail delegation section and check the box that allows users to delegate access to their mailboxes.
5. Leave the other settings at their defaults and click Save at the bottom of the page.

Step 2: Grant Access to Your Team Member

Now that the feature is live for your business, the primary account owner (you or the specific mailbox owner) needs to give individual permission to the team member.

1. Open Gmail on your computer.
2. Click the Settings (cog icon) in the top right corner and select See all settings.
3. Click on the Accounts tab and look for the section marked Grant access to your account.
4. Click Add another account.
5. Type in your team member’s email address and send the invite.

Important Note: Your team member will receive an automated system email with a confirmation link. They must open this email and click the link within 7 days, or the invitation expires and you’ll have to start over.

Step 3: Access the Inbox on Mobile

Once the invite is accepted, your team member can access the delegated inbox right from their iPhone or Android device.

1. Open the Gmail app on the phone.
2. Tap the profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Scroll down past the main email accounts, and you will see a new section marked Delegated.
4. Tap the delegated account, and they can now read, organise, and reply to emails exactly as they would on a desktop.

Can’t see the “Delegated” section yet? Don’t panic. Google is rolling this out gradually across July 2026. Android users should have access from today (8th of July), while iOS users will see it land in their apps by the 29th of July.

The “So What?”

By enabling mobile delegation, you completely eliminate the security risk of shared passwords. More importantly, it stops the constant interruptions to your day.

You will no longer get text messages from staff asking for a 2FA code while you’re face-to-face with a client or on a job site.

Your team gets the flexibility to manage info@ or admin@ accounts on the go, and you get your peace of mind back.

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