Email Setup

After purchasing a domain name, you can use it with an email provider such as Apple iCloud+, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Yahoo Mail or a forwarding service.

Apple iCloud+ Custom Email Domain

Apple iCloud+ allows you to use your own domain name with iCloud Mail. This is a good option if you already use Apple Mail on iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Typical setup steps

1. Make sure you have an active iCloud+ subscription.
2. Open your Apple iCloud settings and choose the custom email domain option.
3. Enter the domain name you wish to use.
4. Choose whether the domain is for personal use or for family members.
5. Apple will provide DNS records for the domain.
6. Add those DNS records to the domain's DNS settings.
7. Wait for Apple to verify the records.
8. Create the email addresses you want to use.

Once configured, you can send and receive email using Apple Mail and iCloud.com.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace allows you to use Gmail with your own domain name. This is suitable for business users who want Gmail, Google Calendar, Contacts, Drive and related services.

Typical setup steps

1. Create a Google Workspace account.
2. Add your domain name to Google Workspace.
3. Verify ownership of the domain.
4. Google will provide DNS records, including MX records.
5. Add the Google DNS records to your domain.
6. Create users and mailboxes.
7. Wait for DNS to update.
8. Test sending and receiving email.

Google Workspace is a paid service. It provides full sending and receiving using your domain name.

Microsoft 365 / Outlook

Microsoft 365 can also be used with your own domain name. This is suitable if you prefer Outlook, Exchange, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and Microsoft Office integration.

Typical setup steps

1. Create or log in to your Microsoft 365 account.
2. Add your domain name in the Microsoft 365 admin area.
3. Verify ownership of the domain.
4. Add Microsoft's required DNS records.
5. Create users and assign licences.
6. Confirm that Outlook can send and receive mail.

Microsoft 365 is a paid service and provides full email hosting, including both receiving and sending.

Yahoo Mail

Yahoo Mail may be used to collect or manage email from another mailbox, depending on the account type and features available to you.

Yahoo is usually not the primary choice for hosting a business domain mailbox directly. In most cases, you would use another email provider for the domain and then connect that mailbox to Yahoo if supported.

Typical approach

1. Set up the domain email with a provider that supports your domain.
2. Check whether Yahoo Mail allows you to add or collect that mailbox.
3. Enter the incoming and outgoing mail server details supplied by your email provider.
4. Confirm whether Yahoo can send as the domain address.

Cloudflare Email Routing

We can offer email forwarding using Cloudflare Email Routing.

This allows email sent to your domain to be forwarded to an existing mailbox, such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo or iCloud.

Example

Email sent to [email protected] can be forwarded to your existing address, such as [email protected].

What Cloudflare Email Routing can do

• Forward email from your domain to an existing mailbox.
• Create individual forwarding addresses.
• Create catch-all forwarding if required.
• Receive email without needing a full mailbox service.

Important limitation

If you need to send email as [email protected], you will need an email provider or sending service that supports outbound email for your domain.

Common DNS Records

Most email providers will ask you to add DNS records. These records tell the internet where your email should be delivered and which servers are allowed to send email for your domain.

Which option should you choose?

For personal Apple users

Apple iCloud+ is usually the simplest option if you already use Apple Mail and iCloud.

For Gmail users

Google Workspace is usually the best option if you want Gmail with your own domain.

For Microsoft users

Microsoft 365 is usually the best option if you use Outlook, Office and Microsoft services.

For simple forwarding

Cloudflare Email Routing is useful if you only need to receive email and forward it to an existing mailbox.