---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/platform-administration

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Activate Email Retention

# Activate Email Retention {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
The Email Retention plugin provides archive and destruction rules for email messages.
It is active by default for new instances, but must be activated for upgrades.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin

## About this task

The Email Retention plugin requires these plugins:  
* [Data
  archiving](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/XGBitdVNdjRuBmAjtXEH1w "System Archive enables you to manage table growth by moving inactive records out of primary tables into dedicated archive tables within the same instance.")
* System Mailboxes
{#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__ul_z2t_w3y_k5}

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllSystem ApplicationsAll Available ApplicationsAll. {#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__find-plugins-cmd}
{#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__navigate-application}
2. Find the plugin using the filter criteria and search bar.  
   You can search for the plugin by its name or ID. If you cannot find a plugin,
   you might have to request it from ServiceNow
   personnel.{#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__p_cb1_nfg_h1c}
   {#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__find-plugin-cmd}
{#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__find-plugin}
3. Select Install to start the installation process.  
   Note:  
   When domain separation and delegated admin are enabled in an instance, the administrative user must be in the global domain. Otherwise, the following error appears: Application installation is unavailable because another operation is running: Plugin Activation for \<plugin name\>.
   You will see a message after installation is completed. For information about the components installed with a plugin, see [Find components installed with an application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/6fmn80M1kcy1ptnIcGReFw "Activating a plugin installs an application on your instance. Each application consists of components such as tables, user roles, and scheduled jobs. To view all components that are installed with an application, see the Application Files table."). {#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__activate-plugin}
{#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__activate-plugin}{#t_ActivateTheEmailRetentionPlugin__steps_nzb_dzn_cv}

*[\>]: and then