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> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
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# How do I configure the DNS for my Faaaster Email service?

Activating the Email service guides you through several steps and checks your DNS records itself. Seven records are checked: **MX**, **SPF**, **DKIM**, **DMARC** and three configuration records (**Autoconfig**, **Autodiscover** and **Mail**); only the **MX** record is required to move forward.

## Domain at Faaaster or elsewhere

Faaaster automatically recognizes a domain **managed by Faaaster** in the same organization; any other domain is treated as **external**:

- **Faaaster domain** — the **Apply automatically** button sets up the DNS configuration for you;
- **external domain** — you need to create the records yourself at your registrar.

## Checking the configuration

The **Refresh** button re-reads your records and updates the status of each one: the **Status** column shows **OK** or **To configure**, and a record to configure that already has a value in your DNS shows it under **Current value:**, so you can compare it with the expected value. Once the account is created, the **DNS** section of your email account shows the summary ("7 / 7 valid records") and the **All configured** or **Incomplete configuration** badge. **Autoconfig** and **Autodiscover** are marked as optional.

> **DNS propagation takes a few minutes, and up to 48 hours in some cases.** A negative result right after you enter the records doesn't mean that the configuration is wrong: wait, then click **Refresh**.

## Continuing without validating everything

The **Next** button becomes active as soon as the **MX** record is correctly configured; until then, the screen reminds you: "Incomplete configuration: The MX record must be configured correctly to continue." The others can be finalized later, from the **DNS** section of your email account. When the screen displays "DNS configuration validated!", click **Activate domain** to activate the service.

## The three families of records

**MX — receiving messages.** They point to the service's mail server. The wizard displays the exact value and its priority, with a button to copy it.

**SPF — being accepted when sending.** This TXT record declares which servers are allowed to send on behalf of your domain. Without it, your messages end up in your recipients' spam folder.

**DKIM — signing your messages.** The key is **specific to your domain**: it can't be known in advance. The wizard displays it as soon as it's available for your domain, with a button to copy it into your DNS zone.

> ⚠️ **Never copy values found elsewhere.** MX, SPF and especially DKIM are specific to your domain and your subscription. Use the wizard's **Copy** buttons.

## What about DMARC?

DMARC isn't required by the wizard, which does however suggest a value to copy. It's a complementary TXT record that tells receiving servers what to do with a message that fails SPF and DKIM. Add it once SPF and DKIM are in place and verified, not before.

👉 [How do I create a mailbox?](https://help.faaaster.io/en-us/article/create-a-mailbox-19fo523/) · [I'm not receiving my emails](https://help.faaaster.io/en-us/article/not-receiving-emails-1pr764o/)