How to set up iCloud custom email aliases for the email app

Starting with iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS 12 Mail users can configure ICloud Custom Mail Aliases. You only need a domain name that you already own. Configure it to send and receive messages in the stock Mail app on an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

How to set up custom email aliases for iCloud email

1. Add a custom mail domain

• Open Safari and navigate to beta.icloud.com (‘beta’ because iOS 15 is currently in beta testing. Once the new operating system goes live for the general public, just use icloud.com)
• Go for iCloud Account settings.
• Press on Use custom email aliases.
• Go for Add a domain you own.
• Select the permissions for the new domain alias. There are two options: Only you, You and your family.
• Type it domain name you want to use and alias with iCloud Mail. Hit To continue.

Advice: You must own the domain name. It must be active and you must have access to the registrar assigned to it. If you don’t own the domain, you can register it within minutes (if available), using popular domain registrars like Nomcheap, Hostgator etc.

2. Add an existing email address

Then you need to enter an existing email address. Be aware that you need to be able to access the email address you add to verify it. Apple will send a verification email.

Made: If you have just registered the domain, you need to create an email address from the cPanel interface or other similar software provided by the domain registrar.

Faucet To confirm. A test email will be sent to the address you plan to use as an alias. You can access it in the webmail section of the cPanel.

Advice: You will be able to create other email addresses once the domain name configuration is complete!

3. Update domain settings with the registrar

After verifying the email address you want to use as an alias, it’s time to update your domain registrar’s settings, including MX, TXT and CNAME records.

To complete this step, you need to log in with your domain registrar and access the DNS Zone Editor section. For example, in cPanel you can search for the domain name and use the Edit zones option. In other cases, you can find it in Mail settings or DNS management.

First, filter the existing MX records and wipe off them.

Then use the Add a record possibility of adding the following zones:
Important: To replace ‘[example.com]‘ with your domain name!
MX:
host: [example.com].
points to: mx01.mail.icloud.com.
priority: 10
TTL: 3600

host: [example.com].
points to: mx02.mail.icloud.com.
priority: 10
TTL: 3600

TXT:
host: [example.com].
points to: "v=spf1 redirect=icloud.com"
TTL: 3600

CNAME:
host: sig1._domainkey
points to: sig1.dkim.[example.com].at.icloudmailadmin.com.
TTL: 3600

Advice: For more details, see Apple support document to configure an existing domain with iCloud mail!

4. Complete the domain configuration

Go back to your icloud.com account and check the new settings by pressing Complete the setup.

How to use custom email aliases in Mail

You can currently use iCloud Mail to send and receive emails with up to 5 custom domains.
If you opt for Family Sharing, each member can have 3 email addresses per domain.

• Open the purse Mail app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
• Press dial new email, available in the lower right corner of the screen.
• Long press the Of: field and select from the ICloud Custom Domain Aliases.

Did you manage to set up a custom domain name to use as the iCloud email alias? Are you having issues with this feature? Use the comments section if you need more help.

Related: Learn how to use the new iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey features Hide My Email! It allows you to keep your main email accounts private, by generating unique and random addresses that forward them to a predefined address.

You might also be interested in the new private relay feature to hide your IP address and prevent trackers from profiling your web browsing activity.