Configuring custom MX records

 

Overview

This article explains how to update your MX records to point to another email provider, which redirects all new email to the new email hosting company.

Make sure you are aware of the following before proceeding:

  • Only enter custom records if your email service is hosted at a different company and you want your email delivered there.
  • After adding custom MX records, your email will no longer be delivered to DreamHost, and the emails on the domain will be deactivated.
  • Custom MX records only apply to the specific domain or subdomain you edit in the panel.

How to configure custom MX records

Adding custom MX records

To add a custom MX record:

  1. Obtain the MX records from your new email hosting provider.
  2. Navigate to the Custom MX page.

    Google Workspace users

    If you have enabled Google Workspace on your domain in the DreamHost panel, you will see Google Workspace to the right of your domain. This means your MX records are already pointed to Google where it's currently hosted.

    If you have already purchased Google Workspace directly through Google and not DreamHost, you'll need to add custom MX records that point to Google as shown below.

  3. To the right of your domain/subdomain, click the Edit button.
  4. Scroll down to the Custom MX Records section.
    change mx records
  5. Enter your custom MX records into the text fields provided, (e.g. 1 ASPMX.GOOGLE.COM).

    Make sure to enter the priority number before the address.

    • Do not add the @ symbol anywhere.
    • Do not add a dot at the end of the record. This is added automatically.
  6. Click the Change this domain to use custom MX records now! button to save your changes.

Removing custom MX records

The following steps remove custom MX records and points the domain's email service back to DreamHost.

  1. Navigate to the Custom MX page.
  2. To the right of your domain/subdomain, click the Edit button.
  3. Under the Regular DreamHost Email section at the top, click the Make me regular now! button.

Editing custom MX records

To edit a custom MX record:

  1. Navigate to the Custom MX page.
  2. To the right of your domain/subdomain, click the Edit button.
  3. Scroll down to the Custom MX Records section and edit the values as needed.
  4. When finished, click the Update your custom MX records now! button.

FAQs

Can I change the Time To Live (TTL) for my MX records?

The TTL is set to 5 minutes for all DNS records, so there is no need to adjust this value.

How do I locate my new provider's DNS records?

Your new mail provider will give you the MX records you need to enter on this page. They may also give you Custom A or Custom CNAME records to add as well, but those must be added on the Manage Websites page as Custom DNS records. See this article for instructions on how to add those (if necessary).

What happens to my old email?

Existing old emails may not be saved. Make sure you back them up in your panel by running a full account backup. Additionally, the Manage Email page will no longer display or let you configure the old addresses.

See also

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Article last updated PST.

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