How to use an OVHcloud domain name with iCloud Mail

Objective

This guide explains how to use an OVHcloud-registered domain name with the Apple iCloud Mail service. You can then create custom email addresses (firstname@mydomain.com), which are fully managed and hosted by Apple.

Requirements

• A domain name registered with OVHcloud.
• An Apple ID with an iCloud+ subscription.

OVHcloud Control Panel Access

• Direct link: Domain names
• Navigation path: Web Cloud > Domain names > Select your domain name

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the domain name in iCloud

To activate your domain name in iCloud, follow the instructions from the “Add a domain you own to iCloud Mail on iCloud.com” page in Apple's official documentation. Focus on the “Step 3: Update the records with your domain registrar” section, to find the DNS records to add to your OVHcloud DNS zone.

At the end of this step, Apple will send you a list of DNS records (MX, CNAME, TXT) to configure in your OVHcloud DNS zone. Save them for the next step.

Step 2: Configure the DNS records in your OVHcloud Control Panel

1. Log in to your OVHcloud Control Panel.
2. Go to the Web Cloud section.
3. Click DNS zones, then choose the domain name concerned.
4. Add or edit the records mentioned below.

To find out how to add, modify or delete each type of DNS record (MX, CNAME, TXT, etc.), read our guide Everything you need to know about DNS records.

Using the DNS records you previously retrieved (Step 1), create or update the corresponding fields in your OVHcloud DNS zone:

• MX : for receiving emails.
• CNAME: for DKIM keys (sig1._domainkey..., sig2._domainkey...).
• TXT: for SPF (merge if an SPF record already exists).
• TXT DMARC: Optional but recommended (Step 3).

Step 3: Add a DMARC record (optional)

To improve the deliverability of your emails and prevent them from being delivered as SPAM, add a DMARC record.

To find out how to create a DMARC record in the OVHcloud Control Panel, please refer to our guide on Enhancing email security via a DMARC record.

Step 4: Verify and activate the domain in iCloud

Once the DNS records (MX, CNAME, TXT, DMARC) have been correctly added to your OVHcloud DNS zone, go back to iCloud.com.

Follow the instructions from the “Add a domain you own to iCloud Mail on iCloud.com” page in Apple's official documentation. Focus on the “Step 4: Finish setting up the domain” section.

Once this step is complete, your custom domain name is fully activated and you can create up to 3 addresses per person within your family.

Common troubleshooting

Check where the DNS zone is managed

If your domain name is associated with DNS servers external to OVHcloud (Wix, Squarespace, Cloudflare, etc. ), the configuration must be carried out in the management interface for these DNS servers, outside of the OVHcloud Control Panel.

CNAME already exists

• A CNAME record cannot coexist with a A, AAAA, or TXT record configured on the same domain or subdomain.
• Delete the old record before creating the CNAME requested by Apple.

Duplicate SPF

• There can only be one SPF record per domain name. If an OVHcloud SPF record already exists (e.g.: v=spf1 include:mx.ovh.com ~all), merge it with the one provided by Apple (e.g.: v=spf1 include:mx.ovh.com include:icloud.com ~all).

Incomplete DKIM

• Apple invites you to save several DKIM keys (sig1, sig2, etc.) in your DNS zone.

Propagation time

• DNS changes can take several hours (up to 24 hours) to be recognized by Apple.

Go further

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