Migadu + DreamHost

Set up Migadu email on DreamHost

The records Migadu needs, written with the field names DreamHost uses (Host, Custom MX Records, TXT Value, Points to), in the order to add them.

  • 5 steps
  • 8 DNS records

Before you start

  1. Have your Migadu account ready. Some values are unique to your account and come from the Migadu admin .
  2. Open DNS at DreamHost: In the DreamHost panel, go to Manage Websites. Select the three-dot button under your domain, then DNS Settings.
  3. Keep both tabs open and add the records below one at a time.

Records to add

Copy each value with the button next to it. Rows marked “Copy from Migadu admin” are unique to your account.

Domain verification Proves you own the domain Type TXT Host Leave empty Value Copy from Migadu admin Not yet confirmed by us Priority n/a TTL Default
MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Host Leave empty Value 10 aspmx1.migadu.com Priority in the value TTL Default
MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Host Leave empty Value 20 aspmx2.migadu.com Priority in the value TTL Default
SPF record Which servers may send as you Type TXT Host Leave empty Value v=spf1 include:spf.migadu.com -all Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host key1._domainkey Value key1.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host key2._domainkey Value key2.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host key3._domainkey Value key3.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com Priority n/a TTL Default
DMARC record What to do with fakes · recommended Type TXT Host _dmarc Value v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com Priority n/a TTL Default

Step by step in DreamHost

Verify your domain

Your email provider needs proof that you control this domain before it accepts email for it.

Type
TXT
Host
Leave this field empty
TXT Value
Copy it from Migadu admin (see below)

Where to find your value

Copy the verification record shown for your domain in the Migadu admin (admin.migadu.com).

We haven’t been able to confirm this value from Migadu's public docs yet, so we don’t show one.

In DreamHost

  1. On the DNS Settings page, click Add Record.
  2. Hover over the TXT section and click ADD.
  3. Fill in Host (leave it blank for your bare domain) and TXT Value.
  4. Click Add Record to save.

Point your MX records

MX records tell other mail servers where to deliver your email. How MX works

Type
MX
Host
Leave this field empty
Custom MX Records
10 aspmx1.migadu.com
Type
MX
Host
Leave this field empty
Custom MX Records
20 aspmx2.migadu.com

In DreamHost

  1. Open the Custom MX page in the panel and click Edit to the right of your domain.
  2. In Custom MX Records, enter each record as the priority, a space, then the server (for example 1 ASPMX.GOOGLE.COM). Don't add @ or a final dot.
  3. Click Change this domain to use custom MX records now!
  4. Repeat for each MX record above.

Add the SPF record

SPF lists the services allowed to send email as you. How SPF works

Type
TXT
Host
Leave this field empty
TXT Value
v=spf1 include:spf.migadu.com -all
  • A domain must have only one SPF record. If you already have one, add include:spf.migadu.com to it instead of creating a second.

In DreamHost

  1. On the DNS Settings page, click Add Record.
  2. Hover over the TXT section and click ADD.
  3. Fill in Host (leave it blank for your bare domain) and TXT Value.
  4. Click Add Record to save.

Set up DKIM

DKIM signs your mail so receivers can trust it. How DKIM works

Type
CNAME
Host
key1._domainkey
Points to
key1.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com
  • The target includes your own domain name, so each domain's DKIM target is different.
  • Migadu's example ends the target with a period. Add it only if your DNS host asks for fully qualified names.
Type
CNAME
Host
key2._domainkey
Points to
key2.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com
Type
CNAME
Host
key3._domainkey
Points to
key3.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com

In DreamHost

  1. On the DNS Settings page, click Add Record.
  2. Hover over the CNAME section and click ADD.
  3. Fill in Host (a subdomain, never the root) and Points to.
  4. Click Add Record to save.
  5. Repeat for each CNAME record above.

Add the DMARC record (recommended)

DMARC tells receivers what to do with mail that fakes your domain. How DMARC works

Type
TXT
Host
_dmarc
TXT Value
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com
  • Start with p=none (no action) and read the reports for a while. Replace the report address with a mailbox you actually read.
  • Migadu suggests v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; which asks receivers to treat failing mail as suspicious (usually spam). Move to it once SPF and DKIM pass.

In DreamHost

  1. On the DNS Settings page, click Add Record.
  2. Hover over the TXT section and click ADD.
  3. Fill in Host (leave it blank for your bare domain) and TXT Value.
  4. Click Add Record to save.

Check your setup

Once the records are saved, run a live check. We look up your domain in public DNS and tell you what is right, missing or wrong, with the fix in DreamHost’s words.

We only read public DNS records. Nothing is stored.

Common mistakes with Migadu on DreamHost

Using a DKIM target without your domain

Each DKIM CNAME points to a target that contains your own domain, like key1.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com. Copy the full target for your domain.

Adding only one DKIM record

Migadu uses three DKIM CNAME records: key1, key2 and key3. Add all three.

DreamHost: Custom MX turns off DreamHost email

Once custom MX records are added, email is no longer delivered to DreamHost and the domain's DreamHost mailboxes are deactivated.

1 more Migadu mistake to avoid

Visit Migadu Visit DreamHost

Migadu on DreamHost: questions

Where do I add Migadu DNS records in DreamHost?

In the DreamHost panel, go to Manage Websites. Select the three-dot button under your domain, then DNS Settings. Add each record there, one at a time.

What goes in the Host field at DreamHost?

Leave it empty for records on your bare domain, such as MX and SPF. For the others, enter only the part before your domain, for example key1._domainkey. DreamHost adds your domain automatically.

Do I need to delete my existing MX records at DreamHost?

Yes. Sending servers pick an MX record by its priority (lowest number first) and fall back to the others, so a leftover MX record can receive some or all of your mail. Keep only the Migadu MX records and delete the rest. Once custom MX records are added, email is no longer delivered to DreamHost and the domain's DreamHost mailboxes are deactivated.

Where do I get my Migadu DKIM record?

Migadu DKIM records are CNAME records whose value includes your domain, for example key1.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com. Copy the exact values for your domain from the table on this page.

Sources

Every value and step on this page comes from these official pages. Dashboards change, so if something doesn’t match what you see, tell us.

Migadu on other hosts

Other email providers on DreamHost