How do I set up and use custom email domains with iCloud, and what are common issues with it?

Summary

Setting up a custom email domain with iCloud involves an iCloud+ subscription, pointing your domain to Apple's MX records (via DNS settings with your registrar which must support MX, TXT and CNAME records), and deciding whether to migrate existing email. You log in with your iCloud credentials and can manage family sharing. For optimal deliverability, SPF and DKIM records should also be configured. Common issues include problems with very short domains, domain verification during initial setup, email delivery inconsistencies, changing Apple ID primary email, and lack of support for subdomains and catch-all addresses. It operates as a full IMAP service, not just forwarding, meaning your email resides within your iCloud account.

Key findings

  • iCloud+ Subscription: Required to use custom email domains with iCloud.
  • MX Record Configuration: Essential for routing email correctly to Apple's servers.
  • IMAP Functionality: iCloud provides a full IMAP service for custom domain emails.
  • Family Sharing: Custom domain can be shared with family members via Family Sharing.
  • DNS Support: Your Domain registrar must support the relevant DNS records.

Key considerations

  • Email Migration: If you are migrating from another email provider, you may need to migrate existing emails
  • Short Domains: Very short domains (2-3 characters) may experience setup or validation problems.
  • Initial Setup Issues: Domain verification and email delivery may be inconsistent during the initial setup.
  • Apple ID Change: Changing your Apple ID's primary email to the custom domain email can cause account access issues.
  • Subdomain Incompatibility: Subdomains are not officially supported with iCloud custom email domains; use the root domain.
  • Catch-All Limitations: Catch-all email addresses may have inconsistent behavior and limited support.
  • Ensure Registrar Compatability: Make sure that the registar supports MX, TXT and CNAME records.

What email marketers say
15Marketer opinions

Setting up a custom email domain with iCloud involves subscribing to iCloud+, pointing your domain to Apple's MX records, and potentially migrating existing email. Users log in with their iCloud credentials, and can manage family sharing. Common issues include problems with short domains, domain verification, email delivery inconsistencies, changing Apple ID primary email, and lack of support for subdomains and catch-all addresses. Ensuring correct MX, SPF, and DKIM record configuration is crucial for optimal deliverability. It's a full IMAP service, not just forwarding, meaning your email resides in your iCloud account.

Key opinions

  • Setup Process: Requires an iCloud+ subscription and pointing your domain's MX records to Apple.
  • Login: Uses existing iCloud credentials.
  • Email Migration: Existing email needs to be migrated to iCloud to keep it.
  • IMAP Service: Functions as a full IMAP service, not just email forwarding.
  • Deliverability: Correct MX, SPF, and DKIM records are critical.

Key considerations

  • Domain Length: Very short domains (2-3 characters) may have validation issues.
  • Beta Issues: Early adopters reported problems with domain verification and email delivery.
  • Account Changes: Be cautious when changing your Apple ID's primary email to the custom domain.
  • Subdomain Support: Subdomains are not officially supported.
  • Catch-All: Catch-all email addresses may exhibit inconsistent behavior.
  • Security: Ensure your domain registrar supports the necessary DNS record types (MX, TXT, CNAME) required by iCloud for proper setup.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user shares they had issues setting up very short domains (2-3 characters) due to validation problems. They recommended contacting Apple Support if you encounter this.

August 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks answers that you use your iCloud credentials to login and you can add users via Family Sharing.

August 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange explains for optimal deliverability, ensure you also set up SPF and DKIM records for your domain, in addition to the MX records. Apple provides information on how to configure these.

January 2025 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Macworld explains some users have reported issues with domain verification and email delivery during the initial setup phase.

April 2022 - Macworld
Marketer view

Email marketers from Email Geeks highlight some issues with the beta. Dennis Dayman explains it seems you can’t use first-last@ as it doesn't accept the -. Faisal Misle suggests reporting via Apple feedback. Dennis also ran into a security issue where his login was changed without permission to iCloud.

February 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that you point the domain to Apple's MX record when setting up custom email domains with iCloud.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from podfeet.com answers if you are using your own domain already for email with another provider, you’ll have to decide whether you want to migrate your email to iCloud. If you want to keep the old mail, you'll need to migrate to iCloud.

May 2021 - podfeet.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that you get to decide which is the default email to send from, either iCloud or the domain/email you added.

October 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user raised a question about whether using a custom domain with iCloud gives Apple access to metadata about emails sent and received. No clear answer provided.

November 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user explains it's not just forwarding. It's a full IMAP service, so email resides in your iCloud account.

October 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Apple Support Communities reports issues with consistent email delivery for a small number of senders, even after correct configuration of MX, SPF and DKIM records. Suggests contacting Apple Support directly to troubleshoot.

July 2022 - Apple Support Communities
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains subdomains are not officially supported by iCloud custom domain. You need to use the root domain.

July 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from How-To Geek shares the process involves signing into iCloud+ settings, selecting 'Custom Email Domain', and following the prompts to either buy a domain or transfer an existing one. It highlights Apple guides you through updating MX records.

July 2024 - How-To Geek
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora notes issues with using catch-all email addresses (e.g. * @yourdomain.com) with iCloud Custom Domain. Some users have reported inconsistent behavior.

January 2022 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user warns to be careful when changing your Apple ID primary email to your new custom domain email. Some users have experienced issues with account access if the transition isn't smooth.

September 2024 - Reddit

What the experts say
1Expert opinion

Setting up custom email domains with iCloud requires ensuring your domain registrar supports the necessary DNS record types (MX, TXT, CNAME) for proper setup.

Key opinions

  • DNS Requirements: Domain registrar must support MX, TXT, and CNAME records.

Key considerations

  • Registrar Compatibility: Verify your registrar's DNS support before attempting iCloud custom domain setup.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that you need to ensure your domain registrar supports the necessary DNS record types (MX, TXT, CNAME) required by iCloud for proper setup.

January 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Setting up a custom email domain with iCloud requires an iCloud+ subscription. Users can buy a new domain or use an existing one through iCloud Mail settings on iCloud.com. If using a third-party registrar, MX records must be updated to point to Apple's servers. iCloud+ supports up to five custom email domains and three email addresses per domain.

Key findings

  • iCloud+ Requirement: An iCloud+ subscription is mandatory to use a custom email domain.
  • Domain Options: Users can either purchase a new domain or use an existing one.
  • MX Record Update: Domains from third-party registrars require MX record updates to point to Apple's servers.
  • Domain and Address Limits: iCloud+ allows up to five custom email domains and three email addresses per domain.

Key considerations

  • Subscription Cost: Factor in the cost of an iCloud+ subscription.
  • DNS Changes: Be prepared to modify DNS settings for your domain if using a third-party registrar.
  • Address Limits: Understand the limits on the number of domains and addresses per domain.
Technical article

Documentation from Apple Support explains you need an iCloud+ subscription to use a custom email domain. You can buy a new domain or use one you already own. Setup involves going to iCloud Mail settings on iCloud.com.

August 2022 - Apple Support
Technical article

Documentation from Apple Support shares you can set up to five custom email domains with iCloud+ and create up to three email addresses per domain.

April 2023 - Apple Support
Technical article

Documentation from Apple Support details that iCloud+ allows you to customize your iCloud Mail address with a custom domain and invite family members to use the same domain with their own iCloud Mail addresses.

December 2024 - Apple Support
Technical article

Documentation from Namecheap Support shares if you're using a domain from a third-party registrar, you'll need to update your domain's MX records to point to Apple's servers. They provide specific MX records to add.

December 2021 - Namecheap