What DNS records do I need to set up for a third-party domain?

Configuring DNS records correctly is vital for your domain’s functionality. In this guide, you’ll find the Spacemail DNS records you need and what each one does.

Spacemail DNS records

Hostname

Record type

Priority

Value

@

MX

0

mx1.spacemail.com

@

MX

0

mx2.spacemail.com

@

TXT

v=spf1 include:spf.spacemail.com ~all

spacemail._domainkey

TXT

the unique value should be copied from Advanced DNS in your Spaceship account

_dmarc

TXT

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto@yourdomain.com (or the one generated using an online DMARC generator tool, e.g. MXToolbox DMARC Record Generator)

_autodiscover._tcp

SRV

0

Weight: 0

Port: 443

Target: autoconfig.spacemail.com

Note: @ represents your root domain (for example, yourdomain.com)
spacemail._domainkey represents spacemail._domainkey.yourdomain.com

How to find the DKIM TXT record

  1. Go to Advanced DNS and find your domain for Spacemail

  2. Tap the arrow next to it and scroll to Inactive records

  3. Expand the section and find Spacemail DNS records

  4. Copy the record that starts with v=DKIM1; k=rsa; …

  5. Add this record to your domain using the hostname spacemail._domainkey

Make sure the record is added at your DNS provider (the company that manages your domain’s nameservers).

Note: After adding the records, DNS changes usually take effect within a few hours, depending on the domain’s TTL settings. However, if the nameservers were changed as well, propagation may take up to 48 hours.

Why the DMARC TXT record is important

Modern email providers (including Microsoft Outlook, Hotmail, Gmail, and Yahoo) increasingly rely on DMARC as part of their sender reputation and anti-spam validation systems. Domains without a properly configured DMARC record are more likely to experience deliverability issues, spam folder placement, or reputation-based restrictions.

To configure DMARC, you will first need to generate a DMARC record using an online DMARC generator tool (for example, MXToolbox DMARC Record Generator) and then add it as a TXT record to your domain’s DNS zone.

NOTE: The DMARC policy can later be adjusted to quarantine or reject depending on your email setup and monitoring preferences.

What are these records needed for?

MX records direct incoming emails for your domain to Spacemail servers. So that all emails are delivered to Spacemail.

SPF (TXT record) tells other mail providers which servers are allowed to send email for your domain. This helps prevent spam and fake emails.

DKIM (TXT record) adds a digital signature to your outgoing emails. This helps confirm that messages were sent from your domain and haven’t been altered in transit, improving email delivery.

DMARC (TXT record) helps protect your domain from email spoofing and phishing by defining how unauthorized emails should be handled.

SRV record helps email clients automatically find the correct mail server and connection settings when setting up an email account, reducing the need for manual configuration.

Note: If you’re using a third-party domain, make sure to add the TXT verification record first. This record confirms that you own the domain before you activate Spacemail or any other Spaceship service. If your domain isn’t verified, your Spacemail subscription won’t function properly because it won’t be actively connected to the domain. As a result, you won’t be able to log in to your mailbox or send emails. Additionally, the subscription may be disconnected later if the domain remains unverified.

A valid email is required