Why is my Google Forms approval email not sending?

The common causes are a failed Preflight check, wrong reviewer address, missing linked response sheet, Google account authorization issue, spam filtering, or a Workspace mail restriction.

What should I test first?

Use one internal test form, one linked response sheet, one internal approver, run Preflight, submit one response, and check the reviewer inbox and Sheet status.

When should I leave a review?

Leave a Marketplace review only after the approval email arrives, the approve or reject link works, and the linked Sheet status updates.

Why Google Forms approval email is not sending

Quick answer

If a Google Forms approval email is not sending, first confirm that FormFlow has the correct linked response spreadsheet, one valid internal approver, a passing Preflight check, and a real test submission in the form connected to that sheet.

Check this in order

Open the Google Form that owns the approval workflow.
Confirm the form is linked to a Google Sheets response spreadsheet.
Open FormFlow and re-select that exact linked response spreadsheet.
Add one internal approver email address that you can check immediately.
Save the configuration.
Run Preflight and fix any warning before submitting another test.
Submit one new internal test response from the public form preview.
Check inbox, spam, promotions, quarantine, and Workspace mail rules for the approver account.
After the email arrives, click approve or reject and confirm the linked Sheet status updates.

Common causes

Sheet

Wrong response spreadsheet

A copied form or duplicated test sheet can make FormFlow write to the wrong place. Re-select the spreadsheet linked to the exact form you are testing.

Approver

Reviewer address typo

Use one internal approver first. Avoid group aliases and external addresses until the simple inbox test works.

Preflight

Preflight was skipped

Preflight is the fastest way to catch missing sheet access, configuration issues, and send-mail readiness before a real respondent uses the form.

Mail

Google or Workspace filtering

Check spam, promotions, security alerts, admin mail restrictions, and whether the approver account can receive mail from the form owner's Google account.

What to send support

Send the smallest useful evidence so the failing step is clear.

Whether Preflight passed, failed, or showed a warning.
The exact step that failed: no email, decision link error, or Sheet status not updated.
A screenshot of the FormFlow sidebar, Preflight result, approval email inbox search, decision page, or linked Sheet status.
Whether the approver is internal, external, a group alias, or a different Google account.

After it works

If Preflight passes, the approval email arrives, the approve/reject link works, and the linked Sheet status updates, the first-run approval path is healthy. That is the right time to leave an honest Marketplace review.

Review after first successUse this only after one real approval test works end to end.
Approve or reject by emailReview the email decision path and linked Sheet status behavior.
Approval workflow guideBuild the full request-to-review path with conservative boundaries.

What FormFlow does not replace

FormFlow is for lightweight Google Forms approval workflows. It is not a procurement platform, expense system, ticketing queue, CRM, legal workflow suite, or compliance approval system. Keep the first workflow small and easy to audit.

FAQ

Can Google Forms send approval emails by itself?

Google Forms can collect responses, but it does not provide a full approval email and approve/reject status workflow by itself.

Should I test with a real requester first?

No. Use one copied or internal form, one internal approver, and one obvious test response before routing production requests.

What if the email arrives but the Sheet status does not update?

Re-check that FormFlow selected the response spreadsheet linked to the exact form submission, then send the decision page and Sheet status screenshot to support.