Skip to main content
MailSprout
All tutorialsRegistrar setup · IONOS

Set up email on an IONOS domain

IONOS (formerly 1&1) hides DNS behind a gear icon in the Domains & SSL panel, which is the step most people get stuck on. This guide walks you to the right screen, links to IONOS's own help articles for the registrar-side clicks, and gives you the exact values to paste.

Last verified: May 30, 2026

Before you start

  • You own the domain on IONOS and can sign in at ionos.com.
  • The domain is using IONOS nameservers (the default when you registered it with IONOS).
  • You've already added the domain inside MailSprout (do that first if you haven't).
  • About 10 minutes of uninterrupted time.
1

Open the DNS panel

Sign in at login.ionos.com (opens in a new tab). From the menu, open Domains & SSL.

Find the domain you're setting up. Under the Actions column, click the gear icon and choose DNS. You'll land on the list of DNS records for that domain.

Managing DNS Settings in the Control Center · IONOS Help (opens in a new tab)
Opens IONOS's official help article. They keep this up to date with their current UI, so if the steps on their site look different from what we describe, follow their version.
2

Delete existing email records

Scroll through the records and delete any of:

  • Any MX records pointing at a previous provider
  • Any TXT record starting with v=spf1
  • Any CNAME named autoconfig or autodiscover
  • Any TXT named _dmarc
If you're currently receiving email on this domain (IONOS Mail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.), removing these records stops that mail flow. Migrate first using our migration guides.
3

Add the MailSprout DNS records

Click Add Record and choose the type for each row below. For the MX rows, IONOS puts the server in a Points to field and the number in a separate Priority field.

MXTTL 3600
Host / Name
@
Value
fusion.mxrouting.net (priority 10)
Primary mail server. Put fusion.mxrouting.net in "Points to" and 10 in "Priority".
MXTTL 3600
Host / Name
@
Value
fusion-relay.mxrouting.net (priority 20)
Backup mail server. Priority 20 means receivers only use this if the priority 10 host is unreachable.
TXTTTL 3600
Host / Name
@
Value
v=spf1 include:mxroute.com -all
SPF. Tells the world which servers can send mail as your domain.
TXTTTL 3600
Host / Name
(copy from dashboard)
Value
(copy from dashboard)
DKIM key. Both the host name and the value are unique to your domain. Copy them from your MailSprout dashboard exactly as shown.
TXTTTL 3600
Host / Name
_dmarc
Value
v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:postmaster@yourdomain.com
Replace yourdomain.com in the rua= line with your actual domain.

Leave TTL at the default (typically 3600 / 1 hour) on every row.

Editing MX Records for Another Provider · IONOS Help (opens in a new tab)
Opens IONOS's official help article. They keep this up to date with their current UI, so if the steps on their site look different from what we describe, follow their version.
Host-field tip: IONOS uses @ for the apex of your domain. For the DKIM record, copy the host exactly as your MailSprout dashboard shows it (it ends in ._domainkey). If IONOS appends your domain and you see a doubled name, you typed too much; use just the short form.
4

Verify in MailSprout

IONOS applies the change on its side right away, but external DNS can take up to an hour to catch up. Wait a few minutes, then go to your MailSprout dashboard, click into the domain, and press Verify DNS. If it doesn't pass the first time, give it another 15 to 30 minutes and try again.

5

Add your first email account

Once the domain shows Ready, click Add account, type a name (e.g. hello), and scan the QR code on your iPhone for instant Apple Mail setup.

Troubleshooting

I can't find the DNS option for my domain.
In Domains & SSL, the DNS option lives behind the gear icon in the Actions column, not on the main domain page. Click the gear, then choose DNS. If you only see “Adjust Destination,” you're in the simplified view; look for the “DNS” entry in the same menu.
IONOS wants me to pick "A record" or "Subdomain" and I only see a wizard.
Switch to the full record list. On the DNS screen, choose Add Record and select the type (MX or TXT) from the dropdown rather than using the guided wizard. The wizard only covers common website records.
Verification fails after I added the records.
Usually slow propagation. IONOS can take up to an hour externally even though the panel shows the record immediately. Use MXToolbox's MX lookup (opens in a new tab) to confirm fusion.mxrouting.net is showing before re-verifying.
My domain uses third-party nameservers (not IONOS).
Then DNS lives wherever those nameservers point, not in IONOS. Add the records at that service instead. Our generic guide covers how to tell where your DNS is actually hosted.

On a different registrar?

GoDaddy→

The #1 registrar by market share. Most small businesses start here.

Namecheap→

Popular among indie founders and developers.

Cloudflare→

Power-user favorite. DNS panel is the cleanest in the business.

Porkbun→

Indie-hacker darling. Fast, cheap, fair pricing.

Squarespace Domains→

Includes former Google Domains customers who got migrated here.

Hover→

Long-time favorite of founders and writers.

Stuck on a step?

Email support@mailsprout.io with the step number and a screenshot. We reply same day.