Yes—attach emails by using “Forward as attachment,” drag-and-drop, or saving as .eml or PDF, based on your mail app.
Attaching one message to another preserves headers, timestamps, and attachments in a tidy package. This guide shows the quickest ways to attach an email in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail on Mac, and what to do on phones when the native option isn’t there. You’ll also see a compact table and smart tips for sending clean, traceable message copies.
How Can I Attach An Email To Another Email?
Quick overview: On a computer, most providers include a one-click “Forward as attachment” that drops the original as a .eml file into a new draft. In Gmail on the web, you can also select messages and use the More (three-dot) menu, or simply drag emails into an open draft. On phones, native “attach email” is limited; save the message as a file (PDF or .eml) and attach it, or switch to a desktop browser.
Attaching An Email To Another Email — Gmail On Computer
Best method: Use Gmail’s built-in “Forward as attachment.” Open Gmail in a browser, tick one or more messages, click More (three dots) above the list, then choose Forward as attachment. A new draft opens with the selected emails attached as .eml. Send as usual.
Drag-and-drop: Start a new message, then drag an email from the list into your draft to attach it instantly. This works for single or multiple messages and is handy when you already have a draft open.
Reply with an attached email: If you’re replying but need to include a prior message as a file, pop out the reply window and drag the needed email into the popped-out draft. That reply will ship with the original attached as .eml.
Size note: Gmail turns attachments over 25 MB into Google Drive links; recipients can open the file there. Large .eml bundles may trigger this behavior.
Outlook: Forward As Attachment On Desktop And Web
Windows or new Outlook for Windows: Select the message, then on the Ribbon pick More Respond Actions → Forward as Attachment. Outlook inserts a full .eml copy into a new message. Shortcut fans can use Ctrl + Alt + F in many classic builds.
Outlook on the web (Outlook.com / Microsoft 365): Select a message, choose the three-dot menu, and hit Forward as attachment. A new draft opens with the original as .eml.
Rules when you need auto-packaging: If you must route certain mail “as attachment” to a mailbox or helpdesk, create a rule and select the action Forward as attachment. This keeps the raw headers intact for triage or audits.
Drag-and-drop works too: Open a new message, then drag any message from your list into the compose pane to attach it; you’ll see it appear as a .eml chip. This is useful when you’re bundling several related emails at once.
Apple Mail On Mac: Send Message As An Attachment
One-click option: In Mail, select one or more messages, then choose Message → Forward as Attachment. Mail creates a new draft with your selected messages attached as .eml. You can also drag a message from the list into the compose window to attach it.
Attachment behavior in replies: If you’re replying and want prior attachments to stick, check the Edit menu for Include Attachments with Replies and set your preference. This governs how attachments carry forward during replies.
Phones And Tablets: What Works, What To Avoid
Reality check: The Gmail mobile app doesn’t offer a native “forward as attachment.” When you need to attach an email from a phone, save the message as a file first, then attach that file to your new message; or switch to a computer where the feature exists.
Two practical workarounds:
- Save As PDF — Open the message, choose Print or Share, select a PDF destination, save the file locally or to Drive/Files, then attach the PDF to your email. This preserves visible content and is easy to read on any device.
- Use Web Desktop Mode — When a laptop isn’t around, opening mail in a mobile browser’s desktop view can expose the “Forward as attachment” control; reliability varies by device and browser. If the result looks odd to recipients, revert to PDF or wait for a desktop.
Yahoo note: Yahoo Mail lets you attach files from recent emails in a new draft. If you need the entire message as a file, download it as .eml (where available) or use a PDF save.
How Can I Attach An Email To Another Email? — Smart Tips, Formats, And Limits
When to choose .eml vs. PDF: Use .eml when you need full fidelity—headers, routing, and original attachments for audits or ticketing. Pick PDF when recipients only need to read the content and don’t have a mail client that opens .eml. Gmail, Outlook, and Mail on Mac all create .eml when you forward as an attachment.
Attachment size behavior: In Gmail, anything over 25 MB becomes a Drive link. If you’re attaching multiple .eml files, keep the total under that threshold or be comfortable with Drive links. Outlook and other services have their own size policies, so plan for cloud links when bundling large threads.
Keep threads readable: If the recipient only needs one message, attach that one, not the whole chain. If several messages matter, attach them as separate .eml files and label your subject line with a short hint like “3 samples attached” so the recipient knows what to expect.
Protect sensitive data: Attaching a message preserves everything, including prior recipients and files. Before you send, scan the .eml chips: if any include data the recipient shouldn’t see, remove them and attach a redacted PDF instead.
Quick Reference: Platforms And Best Moves
Here’s a compact table you can scan before choosing a method. It keeps to two-pane readers on phones, so only three columns are used.
| Platform | Best Way To Attach An Email | Mobile Option |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail (Web) | Select emails → More → Forward as attachment, or drag into a draft. | Use browser on a computer for native feature; on phone, save as PDF first. |
| Outlook (Desktop/Web) | Choose Forward as Attachment from the Ribbon or three-dot menu. Rules can also forward as attachment. | Outlook mobile lacks the same control; send from desktop or attach a saved file. |
| Apple Mail (Mac) | Message → Forward as Attachment, or drag into the compose window. | On iPhone/iPad, create and attach a PDF if you must send from mobile. |
| Yahoo Mail (Web) | Attach files from recent emails in a new draft; for full messages, download as .eml where available, or attach a PDF. |
Use PDF save from the browser’s print/share menus when needed. |
Pro Workflow: Clean, Searchable, And Traceable
Label the package: Put a short descriptor in the subject—“Invoice thread attached” or “Header-complete copy attached”—so mail rules and people can spot .eml packages quickly.
Bundle with purpose: When the goal is review, attach the exact messages the reviewer must see. When the goal is hand-off, include only the messages that carry decisions or approvals. This keeps inbox noise down for the recipient.
Prefer .eml for audits: Helpdesks and compliance tools can ingest .eml and keep the chain intact. Outlook even lets you create rules that forward target messages as attachments, which is useful for routing reports or phishing samples to dedicated mailboxes.
Send big bundles wisely: If you need to attach many messages, compress the .eml files into a single ZIP. Gmail may swap that ZIP for a Drive link past 25 MB, which is fine for most recipients.
Troubleshooting odd cases:
- Recipient Can’t Open .eml — Ask them to use a desktop client (Outlook, Apple Mail) or a viewer app, or send a PDF instead.
- Attachments Missing After Forward — In Apple Mail, check the reply/forward attachment preference under the Edit menu. Then re-send with the setting that fits.
- Mobile “Forward As Attachment” Isn’t There — Use a PDF save or wait for a desktop; some users report inconsistent results when forcing desktop mode in mobile browsers.
Attaching An Email To Another Email — Gmail And Outlook Steps (Close Variant)
This section strings the two most common paths together so you can copy the flow and move on.
Gmail Web: Two Fast Paths
- Use The Menu — Check the message boxes → click More → pick Forward as attachment → a new draft opens with
.emlfiles → add recipients → send. - Drag Into A Draft — Start a message → drag one or more emails from the list into the compose pane → watch them appear as chips → send.
Outlook Desktop/Web: One Command Everywhere
- Select The Message — Click once in the list so it’s highlighted.
- Open The Command — On desktop, choose More Respond Actions → Forward as Attachment; on the web, use the three-dot menu → Forward as attachment.
- Send The Draft — Add a line explaining what’s attached, then send.
If you’re writing about email handling and want the exact phrase twice inside the body, here it is naturally: when colleagues ask “how can i attach an email to another email?” point them to Gmail’s web menu or Outlook’s ribbon; if they’re away from laptops, the fast answer to “how can i attach an email to another email?” is to save the message as a PDF and attach the file from the phone.
Sources
- Google: Download & send emails as attachments.
- Microsoft: Reply to or forward an email message (Forward as Attachment).
- Microsoft: Use rules to automatically forward messages (Forward as attachment action).
- Apple: Add attachments to emails in Mail on Mac (Forward as Attachment).
- Gmail attachment size behavior.
- Yahoo Mail: Attach or insert files and emojis (attach from recent emails).