Google Workspace: Split delivery setup

Google Workspace supports split delivery, allowing email for a single domain to be routed between two mail servers. With Google Workspace as the primary server, some users can have their mailboxes hosted on Google while others receive email through a secondary mail server. This Google Workspace split delivery configuration enables both email systems to operate under the same domain while directing messages to the appropriate server.

Before configuring Google Workspace split delivery, ensure the following:

1. Your domain's MX record points to Google.
2. All incoming email is initially delivered to Gmail.
3. Each user has an email address in either Gmail or the non-Gmail email system, but not both.
4. You have access to the Google Admin console with the Gmail settings administrator privilege.

In this article, we will discuss:

• Step 1: Add your non-Gmail email server
• Step 2: Create the split delivery routing rule
• Step 3: Route specific messages (Optional)
• How split delivery works
• Review

Step 1: Add your non-Gmail email server

Add your other email system as a mail route in Google Workspace.

1. Sign in to the Google Admin console.
2. Go to the Gmail email routing settings.
3. Add a mail route for your non-Gmail email server using Add Route.
4. Enter the required server information.
5. Save the mail route.

For detailed steps to add a mail route for your domain, visit Add mail servers for Gmail email routing.

Step 2: Create the split delivery routing rule

After adding the mail route, create a rule that tells Gmail which messages to forward.

1. In the Google Admin console, go to Menu → Apps → Google Workspace → Gmail → Routing.
2. Scroll to Routing and click Configure or Add Another Rule.
3. Enter a descriptive name for the rule.
   Note: A rule name is required before you can save the setting.
4. Under Select when this action is applied, choose the messages you want the rule to process:
   • Inbound messages: Messages received from external senders.
   • Internal outbound messages: Messages received from internal senders.
   You can select one or both options.
5. Under Action, select Modify message.
6. Select Change route and choose the non-Gmail email server you added in Step 1.
7. Click Show more options.
8. Under Select all account types this action applies to, select:
   • All inactive and unrecognized accounts
   • Archive accounts with assigned delegate
9. Leave these options unchecked:
   • Active user account
   • Group account

This configuration forwards messages sent to undefined or unrecognized email addresses to your non-Gmail email server.

Step 3: Route specific messages (Optional)

If needed, you can also route specific messages based on the sender or recipient.

Under Envelope filter:

1. Select the sender and/or recipient option.
2. Choose how the address should be matched.
3. Enter the email address, pattern, or group.
4. Add additional filters as needed.

When you're finished, scroll to the bottom of the Add setting window and click Save.

How split delivery works

Once configured, incoming email follows this flow:

Incoming email → Gmail → Routing rule → Non-Gmail email server

Gmail receives and processes incoming messages first. The routing rule then determines whether a message stays in Gmail or is forwarded to your non-Gmail email system.

Review

Google Workspace split delivery is a useful option for businesses that need to manage email through Google Workspace and another mail server under the same domain. The setup allows Gmail to receive incoming messages first and route them to the correct email system based on simple rules. Setting it up requires adding the other mail server and creating a routing rule in the Google Admin console. While the process needs careful configuration, it gives businesses more flexibility when managing users across different email platforms. Overall, Google Workspace split delivery is a practical way to keep two email systems working together under one domain.