What is iCloud+ Custom Email Domain and what does it do?

When you activate iCloud+ subscription, you gain access to a feature called Custom Email Domain, which allows you to create email addresses using your own personal or business domain. For example, instead of using an address like [email protected] or [email protected], you can use something like [email protected]. This feature is especially useful for branding or personalization. In this article, we introduce this useful feature and explain how to use it.

What does Custom Email Domain do?

With the Custom Email Domain in iCloud+, you can:

• Use your own domain to send and receive emails via iCloud Mail.
• Add up to 5 separate domains, with up to 3 email addresses per domain.
• Use these email addresses in the Mail app on devices where you're signed in with the same Apple ID and have iCloud Mail enabled, as well as on the web at icloud.com/mail.
• Use your personalized email addresses to sign in to services like Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, and more.
• Share your domain with other people or family members (although we don't generally recommend it).

How to Buy a Domain to Use for Custom Email Domain?

To use a custom domain with iCloud Mail, you must:

• Have Two-Factor Authentication enabled on your Apple ID.
• Own an @icloud.com email address (as your primary iCloud email).
• Buy a domain either through your iPhone/iPad or via the iCloud website.

Buying a Domain on iPhone or iPad

On iOS 16 and later:

1. Go to Settings > tap your name.
2. Tap iCloud > enter the iCloud Mail.
3. Select Custom Email Domain > tap Continue > then tap Buy a Domain.
4. Enter the desired domain and tap the Search icon.
5. If it was available, a price list would appear.
6. Choose your domain and follow the on-screen payment instructions.

Payment options: Apple Pay, virtual Visa/MasterCard, iTunes gift cards, and Apple ID credit.

Buying a Domain via the iCloud Web

1. Visit icloud.com/icloudplus and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Click Custom Email Domain.
3. If the button doesn’t appear, open the menu bar and select it manually.
4. Click Buy a new domain, search for your domain, and proceed with the purchase steps.
5. After purchase, you’ll be prompted to decide who can use the domain:
6. Only You – The domain is exclusive to your Apple ID.
7. You and Other People – Share access with family or colleagues.

Creating and Managing Email Addresses with Your Domain

Once you've purchased a domain, you can create up to 3 different email addresses. To create or manage custom emails on iPhone/iPad:

1. Go to Settings > tap your name.
2. Tap iCloud > log in to iCloud Mail.
3. Make sure “Use on this iPhone” is enabled.
4. Tap Custom Email Domain > select Use a Domain You Own.
5. Choose your domain > tap Manage Email Addresses.

From here, you can:

1. Add a new address: Tap Create Email Address, enter the name, then tap Continue.
2. Delete an address: Swipe left, tap Delete, then confirm with Remove.
3. Share with others: Tap Add People to allow family members access.
4. Forward all mail: Enable Allow All Incoming Messages to receive domain mail in your inbox.

How to Delete a Custom Domain

If you no longer wish to use a custom domain:

1. Go to Settings > tap your name.
2. Tap iCloud > log in to iCloud Mail.
3. Tap Custom Email Domain > tap Edit next to your domain.
4. Tap the delete icon > confirm by selecting Delete.

Note: If you're transferring to another domain, you’ll need to update your DNS records accordingly.

Conclusion

The iCloud+ Custom Email Domain is a powerful feature that offers branding flexibility and control over your email identity. Instead of being stuck with generic iCloud addresses, you can now send professional-looking emails using your own domain—all powered by Apple’s secure infrastructure.

Although there are various ways to subscribe to iCloud+, the most affordable and comprehensive option is to buy Apple One subscription. With Apple One, you get 2TB of iCloud+ storage along with access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and Apple News+—all at a much lower bundled price.