How to configure your domain for iCloud hosted email

If you wish to use Apple iCloud as the email provider for your domain, that's no problem at Porkbun. First, you'll need to set up your Porkbun domain in iCloud, then update your domain's DNS records to route mail to iCloud's mail servers. 

Setting up your Porkbun domain in iCloud

1

According tothis article from Apple, you will need an Apple ID with two-factor authentication turned on. You will also need to set up iCloud mail on one of your Apple devices, as explained in this article.

2

Next, in a new tab, log into your iCloud.com account. Select 'Account Settings' above the iCloud apps.

3

On your iCloud Account Settings page, scroll down till you see the Custom Email Domain section. Select the grey "Manage" button. 

4

On the Custom Email Domain popup, select the "Only You" option for who will use the domain you want to add.

Enter in the domain you will be adding and select the blue "Continue" button.

5

In the "Step 2: Add existing email addresses" section click the Skip button. You can add email addresses to the domain after you have verified it with Apple.

Adding iCloud's DNS records

1

Next you are going to want to add the iCloud email DNS records. Select the blue "View" button to reveal the DNS records you will want to add. This will take you to the Update your Domain's records window. Keep this window open. You will be referring to it in the next steps.

2

In a new tab, log into your Porkbun account. You should arrive at the Domain Management screen. If you're already logged in, click on ACCOUNT in the top-right corner and select Domain Management.

3

Locate the domain you are connecting your iCloud email to. Click the Details button to the far right of your domain, which will then display the domain Details area. Go to the section labeled "DNS Records" and select "Edit". 

4

Scroll down to see your existing DNS records. If there are any existing MX records (look for "MX" in the leftmost column) and our SPF record for Porkbun email hosting, delete all of them using the trash can icon. 

5

To add the MX records specified, return to the "DNS Records" tab and scroll up the "configure custom DNS records" area near the top. Here's how to add an MX record:

• Change the Type field to "MX - Mail exchange record".
• Leave the Host field blank.
• Under Answer, specify the entry from the "MX" section of the Update your domain's records tab. 
• TTL should stay the same.
• Priority should be 1. 

A sample entry would look like this:

Click "Add" to add an MX record. Repeat the above step to add the second MX record.

6

Next, we are going to want to add the CNAME record. Scroll back up to the top where you added the MX record in the "configure custom DNS records" area. Here's how to add the CNAME record:

Change the Type field to "CNAME - Canonical name record".

Host: sig1._domainkey

Under Answer, specify the entry from the "CNAME" section of the Update your domain's records tab. 

TTL should stay the same.

A sample entry would look like this:

Click "Add" to add the CNAME record.

7

Finally, we are going to want to add the TXT record. Scroll back up to the top where you added the MX and CNAME records in the "configure custom DNS records" area. Here's how to add the TXT record:

Change the Type field to "TXT - Text record".

Leave the Host field blank.

Under Answer, specify the entry from the "TXT" section of the Update your domain's records tab. 

TTL should stay the same.

A sample entry would look like this: Click "Add" to add a TXT record. Repeat the above step to add the second TXT record with the value of v=spf1 redirect=icloud.com.

Finish setting up your iCloud hosted email address

1

Now that you are done with the DNS records portion, you can go back into your iCloud account and select the blue "Done" button to move to the final step.

2

Back on the Custom Email Domain popup, select the blue "Finish set up" button.

3

You'll be asked to confirm you've updated your DNS records. Select "Confirm". If everything is set up correctly, you should see the pop-up window load to this success message:

4

Select the blue "Continue" button. Choose the hosted email as your default address, so you can send and receive emails from it.  Select the blue "Continue" button again to finalize this change. You can now send and receive emails from your iCloud email address.