Proton Mail + DreamHost

Set up Proton Mail on DreamHost

The records Proton Mail 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 Proton Mail account ready. Some values are unique to your account and come from the Proton Mail settings (Domain names) .
  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 Proton Mail settings (Domain names)” are unique to your account.

Domain verification Proves you own the domain Type TXT Host Leave empty Value Copy from Proton Mail settings (Domain names) Looks like: protonmail-verification= followed by a code Priority n/a TTL Default
MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Host Leave empty Value 10 mail.protonmail.ch Priority in the value TTL Default
MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Host Leave empty Value 20 mailsec.protonmail.ch Priority in the value TTL Default
SPF record Which servers may send as you Type TXT Host Leave empty Value v=spf1 include:_spf.protonmail.ch ~all Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host protonmail._domainkey Value Copy from Proton Mail settings (Domain names) Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host protonmail2._domainkey Value Copy from Proton Mail settings (Domain names) Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host protonmail3._domainkey Value Copy from Proton Mail settings (Domain names) 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 Proton Mail settings (Domain names) (see below)

Where to find your value

In Proton Mail open Settings → Domain names, add your domain and copy the verification value.

It looks like: protonmail-verification= followed by a code

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 mail.protonmail.ch
  • Delete any other MX records, or make sure Proton's have the lowest priority number.
Type
MX
Host
Leave this field empty
Custom MX Records
20 mailsec.protonmail.ch

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.protonmail.ch ~all
  • Keep one SPF record. To keep an existing one, add include:_spf.protonmail.ch right after v=spf1.

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
protonmail._domainkey
Points to
Copy it from Proton Mail settings (Domain names) (see below)

Where to find your value

Copy the exact target from the DKIM tab of your domain in Proton Mail settings.

  • Add all three DKIM records; Proton rotates keys between them.
  • Some hosts reject a trailing period on CNAME values. If yours does, remove the final dot.
Type
CNAME
Host
protonmail2._domainkey
Points to
Copy it from Proton Mail settings (Domain names) (see below)

Where to find your value

Copy the exact target from the DKIM tab of your domain in Proton Mail settings.

Type
CNAME
Host
protonmail3._domainkey
Points to
Copy it from Proton Mail settings (Domain names) (see below)

Where to find your value

Copy the exact target from the DKIM tab of your domain in Proton Mail settings.

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.
  • Proton recommends p=quarantine for most domains. 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 Proton Mail on DreamHost

Adding only one DKIM record

Proton uses three DKIM CNAMEs (protonmail, protonmail2, protonmail3). Add all three, matching the values in your setup wizard exactly.

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.

Visit Proton Mail Visit DreamHost

Proton Mail on DreamHost: questions

Where do I add Proton Mail 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 protonmail._domainkey. DreamHost adds your domain automatically.

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

Delete any other MX records, or make sure Proton's have the lowest priority number. Once custom MX records are added, email is no longer delivered to DreamHost and the domain's DreamHost mailboxes are deactivated.

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.

Proton Mail on other hosts

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