I often forget steps when setting up tech tools. Later, when I need to do the same thing again, I end up searching and piecing everything together all over. To save myself that trouble, I’ve started writing blog posts like this one, so next time I can just check my own site and save time. Hopefully, it helps you too!

Receiving Emails on Your Custom Domain with Cloudflare

Setting up email receiving for your custom domain with Cloudflare is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:

1. 1. Add your domain to Cloudflare.
      Once your domain is added, click on Email from the left-hand menu.

   2. Add the DNS records.
      Cloudflare will prompt you to add a few DNS records. Just click Next and let it add them to your Cloudflare DNS automatically.

   3. Set your destination email.
      Go to Destination address and enter your Gmail address. This is where all emails sent to your custom domain will land.

   4. Verify your Gmail.
      Check your Gmail inbox for a verification email from Cloudflare. Once verified, go back to Cloudflare.

   5. Create a routing rule.

      In Cloudflare, open Routing Rules → Create Address.

      • Enter the custom email you want, e.g., [email protected].

      • For Action, select Send to an email.

      • Choose your Gmail address as the destination.

That’s it — now any email sent to your custom domain will land in your Gmail inbox. 🎉

Sending Emails from Gmail Using Your Custom Domain

Receiving emails is great, but it looks even more professional when you can also send from your custom domain. Here’s how to set that up:

1. Enable 2-Step Verification.
   Log into your Google account → go to Security → turn on 2-Step Verification.

2. Generate an App Password.
   In your Google account, search for App Passwords.

   • Create a new app password (name it anything you like).

   • Copy the password Google gives you — we’ll need it soon.

3. Go to Gmail Settings.

   • Open Gmail, click the cog wheel (⚙️) → See all settings.

   • Go to the Accounts and Import tab.

   • In the Send mail as section, click Add another email address.

4. Enter your custom domain email.

   • In the popup, type your name and your custom email (e.g., [email protected]).

   • Click Next Step.

5. Configure SMTP.

   • SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com

   • Port: 587

   • Username: Your Gmail address (the same one where you receive mail).

   • Password: Paste the app password you generated earlier.

6. Confirm.
   Gmail will send a confirmation email to your custom email (which will land in your Gmail since it’s routed through Cloudflare). Click the link to confirm.

Now you can send and receive emails with your custom domain , all directly from Gmail