Email Setup Wizard

Migadu + IONOS

Set up Migadu email on IONOS

The records Migadu needs, written with the field names IONOS uses (Host name, Points to, Value, Alias), in the order to add them.

  • 5 steps
  • 8 DNS records
  • Sources checked October 21, 2026

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 IONOS: Sign in at login.ionos.com, select Menu, then Domains and SSL. Under Actions for your domain, select the gear icon, then DNS.
  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 name 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 name @ Value aspmx1.migadu.com Priority 10 TTL Default
MX records Where incoming email goes Type MX Host name @ Value aspmx2.migadu.com Priority 20 TTL Default
SPF record Which servers may send as you Type TXT Host name Leave empty Value v=spf1 include:spf.migadu.com -all Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host name key1._domainkey Value key1.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host name key2._domainkey Value key2.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com Priority n/a TTL Default
DKIM A signature on every message Type CNAME Host name 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 name _dmarc Value v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; Priority n/a TTL Default

Step by step in IONOS

Verify your domain

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

Type
TXT
Host name
Leave this field empty
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 IONOS

  1. Select Add record, then the TXT section.
  2. Leave Host name empty for your bare domain, paste the Value, and choose a TTL.
  3. Select Save.

Point your MX records

MX records tell every other mail server where to deliver email for your domain. They must point to your provider and nowhere else.

Type
MX
Host name
@
Priority
10
Points to
aspmx1.migadu.com
Type
MX
Host name
@
Priority
20
Points to
aspmx2.migadu.com

In IONOS

  1. Select Add record, then the MX section.
  2. Enter @ as Host name, the mail server in Points to, and the Priority. Choose 1 hour for TTL.
  3. Select Save.
  4. If other MX records are listed, delete each one with the Delete record (trash can) icon.
  5. Repeat for each MX record above.

Add the SPF record

SPF is a TXT record that lists the services allowed to send email from your domain, so receivers can spot forgeries.

Type
TXT
Host name
Leave this field empty
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 IONOS

  1. Select Add record, then the TXT section.
  2. Leave Host name empty for your bare domain, paste the Value, and choose a TTL.
  3. Select Save.

Set up DKIM

DKIM publishes a public key so receivers can confirm your messages really came from you and were not changed on the way.

Type
CNAME
Host name
key1._domainkey
Alias
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 name
key2._domainkey
Alias
key2.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com
Type
CNAME
Host name
key3._domainkey
Alias
key3.yourdomain.com._domainkey.migadu.com

In IONOS

  1. Select Subdomains, then Add subdomain, and enter the record's name (for example autodiscover).
  2. Under Actions for the new subdomain, select the gear icon, then DNS.
  3. Select Add record, then the CNAME section.
  4. Enter the target in the Alias box, tick the I am aware disclaimer if it appears, and select Save.
  5. Repeat for each CNAME record above.

Add the DMARC record (recommended)

DMARC tells receivers what to do with mail that fails SPF and DKIM, and where to send reports about it.

Type
TXT
Host name
_dmarc
Value
v=DMARC1; p=quarantine;
  • This is the value Migadu suggests. It asks receivers to treat failing mail as suspicious (usually spam), so make sure SPF and DKIM pass first.

In IONOS

  1. Select Add record, then the TXT section.
  2. Leave Host name empty for your bare domain, paste the Value, and choose a TTL.
  3. Select 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 IONOS’s words.

We only read public DNS records. Nothing is stored.

Common mistakes with Migadu on IONOS

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.

Adding a second SPF record

A domain must have only one SPF record. If you already have one, add include:spf.migadu.com to it.

IONOS: CNAME records go on their own subdomain

IONOS supports only one top-level CNAME record, so each CNAME is created by first adding a subdomain and then giving it an Alias.

IONOS: MX and a top-level Autodiscover CNAME can't coexist

IONOS doesn't allow a domain to have both an MX record and a top-level Autodiscover CNAME. Microsoft's guide uses the subdomain method above for Autodiscover.

Rather have someone do it for you?

Tell us your domain and we will add and verify every record for Migadu on IONOS, then send you the check results.

Request done-for-you setup

Migadu on IONOS: questions

Where do I add Migadu DNS records in IONOS?

Sign in at login.ionos.com, select Menu, then Domains and SSL. Under Actions for your domain, select the gear icon, then DNS. Add each record there, one at a time.

What goes in the Host name field at IONOS?

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. IONOS adds your domain automatically.

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

Yes. Mail servers deliver to every MX record you publish, so keep only the Migadu MX records and delete the rest.

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.