Setting Up Custom Email with Cloudflare and Gmail

This documentation provides a step-by-step guide to configuring email reception and sending for a custom domain using Cloudflare Email Routing and Gmail. This setup allows you to receive emails sent to your custom domain (e.g.,

) in your Gmail inbox and send emails from that custom address via Gmail.

Prerequisites:

• A registered domain name (e.g., via a registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap).
• A Gmail account (preferably a business one for professionalism).
• Access to your domain registrar's DNS settings to update nameservers.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled on your Google account (required for App Passwords).

Important Notes:

• This setup is free for basic use with Cloudflare (up to 200 custom addresses) and Gmail.
• Always verify changes in a test environment to avoid email disruptions.
• If you encounter errors, check Cloudflare's status page or Gmail's help center.
• For editing configurations later, refer to the "Editing and Managing Configurations" sections under each main topic.

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1. Receiving Emails (Using Cloudflare Email Routing)

Cloudflare Email Routing forwards emails from your custom domain to your Gmail inbox without needing a full email hosting service. This is ideal for simple setups like contact forms or business inquiries.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create a Cloudflare Account:

   • Go to cloudflare.com and sign up using your business Gmail address.
   • Verify your email by clicking the confirmation link sent to your Gmail inbox.
   • Complete the account setup by providing basic information (no payment required for this feature).
2. Connect Your Domain and Update Nameservers:

   • In your Cloudflare dashboard, click "Add a Site" and enter your domain name (e.g.,
     yourdomain.com
     ).
   • Cloudflare will scan your existing DNS records. Review and confirm them.
   • Copy the provided Cloudflare nameservers (e.g.,
     ns1.cloudflare.com
     and
     ns2.cloudflare.com
     ).
   • Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy) and update the nameservers to point to Cloudflare's. This change may take 24-48 hours to propagate (use tools like
     whatsmydns.net
     to check).
   • Once propagated, return to Cloudflare and verify the domain is active.
3. Navigate to Email Routing:

   • From the Cloudflare dashboard sidebar, select your domain.
   • Go to Email > Email Routing.
   • If prompted, enable Email Routing for your domain.
4. Add Custom Email Addresses:

   • In the Email Routing section, click "Add Custom Address."
   • Enter your desired custom email (e.g.,
     info@yourdomain.com
     ). You can add up to 200 addresses.
   • Repeat for additional addresses if needed (e.g.,
     support@yourdomain.com
     ).
5. Add Destination Email Address:

   • For each custom address, specify the destination (your Gmail address, e.g.,
     yourbusiness@gmail.com
     ).
   • Cloudflare will send a verification email to your Gmail. Check your inbox (including spam) and confirm the link.
6. Confirm and View Dashboard:

   • Follow on-screen prompts to confirm each step.
   • Once set up, you'll see the Email Routing dashboard showing active routes, status, and metrics (e.g., emails forwarded).
7. Enable Catch-All Routing:

   • In the Email Routing section, go to Routing Rules.
   • Enable the "Catch-all" rule. This forwards any email sent to undefined addresses on your domain (e.g.,
     random@yourdomain.com
     ) to your specified destination (Gmail).
   • Test by sending an email to a non-configured address on your domain; it should arrive in Gmail.

Testing Reception

• Send a test email from another account to your custom address.
• It should forward to your Gmail inbox within minutes.
• If not, check Cloudflare's email logs in the dashboard for errors (e.g., DNS issues).

Editing and Managing Configurations

• Edit Custom Addresses: In Email Routing, select an address and update the destination or delete it. Changes take effect immediately.
• Add/Remove Destinations: You can route to multiple destinations (e.g., multiple Gmails) by adding them in the rules.
• Disable Catch-All: Toggle it off in Routing Rules if you want strict address matching.
• Monitor and Troubleshoot: Use the dashboard's audit logs to view forwarded emails. If propagation issues persist, flush DNS cache on your device (
  ipconfig /flushdns
  on Windows).
• Delete Setup: If needed, remove the domain from Cloudflare and revert nameservers in your registrar.

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2. Sending Emails (Using Gmail as SMTP Relay)

This configures Gmail to send emails from your custom domain, making your outgoing messages appear professional (e.g., from

instead of ).

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create a Google App Password:

   • Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in.
   • Navigate to Security > Signing in to Google > App passwords (requires 2FA enabled).
   • Select "Mail" as the app and "Other" as the device; name it (e.g., "Custom Domain SMTP").
   • Generate and copy the 16-character password (it won't be shown again—store securely).
2. Access Gmail Settings:

   • Open Gmail in a web browser.
   • Click the gear icon (> Settings) > See all settings.
3. Add Another Email Address:

   • Go to the Accounts and Import tab.
   • Under "Send mail as," click Add another email address.
   • In the popup:
     • Enter a display name (e.g., "Your Business Name").
     • Enter your custom email address (e.g.,
       info@yourdomain.com
       ).
     • Uncheck "Treat as an alias" (this ensures replies go to the custom address, not your Gmail).
4. Configure SMTP Settings:

   • Click "Next Step."
   • Set:
     • SMTP Server:
       smtp.gmail.com
     • Port:
       587
     • Username: Your Gmail address without
       @gmail.com
       (e.g.,
       yourbusiness
       ).
     • Password: Paste the App Password from Step 1.
     • Select "Secured connection using TLS (recommended)."
   • Click "Add Account."
5. Verify the Setup:

   • Gmail will send a verification email to your custom address (which forwards to your Gmail inbox via the reception setup).
   • Open the verification email in your Gmail inbox.
   • Click the verification link (or copy the code if provided).
   • In the confirmation popup, click "Confirm."
   • Refresh your Gmail tab to apply changes.
6. Send a Test Email:

   • Compose a new email in Gmail.
   • In the "From" dropdown, select your custom address.
   • Send to a test recipient and verify the sender appears as your custom email.

Editing and Managing Configurations

• Edit Sender Details: In Gmail Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as, click "edit info" next to the custom address. Update name, SMTP details, or toggle alias treatment.
• Regenerate App Password: If compromised, revoke the old one in Google Security and create a new one, then update in Gmail settings.
• Remove Custom Address: In the same section, click "delete" next to the address. This won't affect reception.
• Troubleshoot Sending: If emails fail, check for SMTP errors in Gmail (e.g., wrong port). Ensure your domain's SPF records include Gmail (add
  include:_spf.google.com
  in Cloudflare DNS).
• Add Multiple Customs: Repeat the process for additional addresses (e.g.,
  support@yourdomain.com
  ).

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Advanced Tips and Best Practices

• Security: Use strong passwords and monitor for spam. Enable DMARC/DKIM in Cloudflare DNS for better deliverability (go to DNS > Add Record: TXT with
  _dmarc.yourdomain.com
  and value
  v=DMARC1; p=none
  ).
• Limitations: Cloudflare routing is forward-only (no storage). For full email hosting, consider upgrading to paid services like Google Workspace.
• Backup: Export Gmail settings periodically. Test setups monthly.
• Compliance: Ensure this aligns with email laws (e.g., CAN-SPAM for marketing).
• Alternatives: If Gmail limits are an issue (e.g., sending quotas), explore SMTP providers like SendGrid.

This setup provides a cost-effective, professional email solution. If you need customizations or troubleshooting, refer to official docs: Cloudflare Email Routing or Gmail Help.