How do I forward Inbox messages to my email address?

If you prefer to receive direct messages from others in your Canvas course sites via email, you may opt out of Canvas Inbox messages. Incoming Canvas Inbox messages will be forwarded to your email inbox.

You can also enable an "out of office" automatic response for Canvas Inbox messages. Using this feature, you can ask a sender to email you directly going forward.

Tip: Instructors can create an email address to communicate with all participants in a course or section by following the steps in How do I create an email address for a course or section? (opens new window).

Go to Account, then Settings.

Screenshot of example of the Global Navigation Menu outlining the steps desribed below.
  1. Select Account from your Global Navigation Menu.
  2. Select the Settings link.

Opt out of the Inbox and forward messages.

Screenshot of the Conversations Inbox Opt-out checkbox.
  1. Scroll down on the Settings page to Conversations Inbox Opt-out.
  2. Select Disable the Conversation's Inbox unread messages badge and send all conversation messages and notification via email, ASAP.

Verify your email address.

Screenshot example of the Account Settings page with the Ways to Contact section outlined.
  1. On your Account Settings page, check your associated email address(es) listed under Ways to Contact.
  2. An email address that has not been confirmed will display an orange exclamation mark beside the address.

Warning: An email address that has not been confirmed will not receive any messages forwarded from the Canvas Inbox. To verify an existing email address or add a new one to your Canvas account, see How do I add an additional email address as a contact method in Canvas? (opens new window).

Set an auto-reply message for your Inbox. (Optional)

Go to Inbox.

Screenshot of link in menu.

Select Inbox from your Global Navigation Menu.

Select Settings.

Screenshot of the Canvas Inbox with the Inbox settings button outlined.

Select the Settings button.

Enable and create the auto-response.

Screenshot example of an Out of Office automatic reply.
  1. Select Response On to enable automatic replies to incoming messages.
  2. Enter the desired Start Date and End Date for the automatic reply.
  3. Enter a Subject line and Message to inform recipients to email you instead of using the Inbox.
  4. Select the Save button.