Gmail is heading for a re-design both through its appearance and software with one of the new updates being a ‘self-destructing’ email, according to reports.

These ‘self-destructing’ emails are called confidential emails, which can be set to expire over a time period whether it be a couple of days, weeks, months or years.

Gmail sent an email to its G Suite customers informing them of the changes.

According to TechCrunch, the confidential emails are unable to be forwarded, copy and pasted, downloaded or printed.

To create a confidential email, click compose and an icon on the bottom row of the new email you’ll see a lock and clock icon click on that and edit how long you would like the email to last.

Source: TechCrunch

When the recipient receives the email they will get a plain text email saying ‘this message was sent with Gmail’s confidential mode. You can open it by clicking on this link’.

Other new features that will be introduced include smart replies and a column on the right side for Google widgets such as calendar or a to-do list.

The re-design will be released in the upcoming weeks.