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How do I use 1&1 mail servers with an external domain but use external DNS?


To use 1&1 mail servers with an external domain but keep the same external DNS settings
please follow these instructions:

Step 1 In the 1&1 Control Panel (http://admin.1and1.co.uk) go to the 'Domains' section and add a Domain by clicking on 'New'.
Step 2 Enter the domain name you wish to have as the external domain and click on 'Next'.
Step 3 The following screen will be displayed:


Please select the option ''point your domain to 1&1 name servers and keep your current registrar" to register the domain as
an 'external' domain
Step 4 You will then be asked to choose to use 1&1 mail servers or external servers. Please select the
1&1 mail server option.
Step 5 Now please wait 12 hours for our system to update.
Step 6 Log into the 1&1 Control Panel and create any email addresses you may have elsewhere that you do not
wish to lose.
Step 7 Now you will need to retrieve the MX record hostname from us, to do this please just contact our support
department and ask for the MX record for your external domain. The MX record should look something like
mx79.1and1.co.uk
Step 8 Once the MX record has been retrieved please contact your current registrar for the domain and request the
change of the current MX record to that which we have supplied you with.
Step 9 Wait 24-48 hours
Step 10 You now need to change the DNS in the 1&1 Control Panel (http://admin.1and1.co.uk) for the external
domain so the correct DNS are shown.

To see how to do this please go to the article "How do I modify the DNS of a domain?"

Please ensure the DNS you enter are the current DNS for the domain NOT 1&1 DNS
Step 11 Wait 24-48 hours



You have now setup the external domain to use our MX record and therefore our Mail system.

Please note
Our system will compare the DNS we have in the Control Panel with the current whois record
(check whois by going to http://www.whois-search.com ) if the two do not match the external will be
deleted from our system. This will mean any mail held for that domain name will also be deleted and will
no longer be retrievable.


If the external domain name is deleted, this process will need to be completed again to add the external
domain to the system before normal service can be resumed.


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