How do I change the MX records for my domain name?

This article will show you how to point your domain name to a different email account.

Before you get started, you’ll first need to ensure your domain is pointed to the 123 Reg nameservers. Otherwise, any configurations you’ve made to the DNS through our Control Panel will not take effect.

You will need to set your DNS at your nameserver provider. For more information on how to do this, please view the following article: How do I change the nameservers for my domain name?

Please note: this article was originally created for our legacy Control Panel. As such, the steps outlined below may not be relevant for domain names purchased after August 2023.

In addition to this, it will take between 24-48 hours for any new nameserver (DNS) records to become active.

 

Step 1 of 8

Start by logging in to your legacy Control Panel. For details on how to do this, please read the following article: How do I access and manage my products?

Step 2 of 8

From there, select Domain Names within the ‘Manage active products’ section. Next, choose your domain name from the provided list and then select Manage.

Manage Domain Names

 

Step 3 of 8

You will now be taken to the management page for your chosen domain. Scroll down to the Advanced Domain Settings section and click Manage DNS.

Click Manage DNS

 

Step 4 of 8

On the next page, select Change within the Email Settings (MX Records) section.

Select Change

 

Step 5 of 8

If you have a 123 Mail or forwarder account, choose Generation 1 mailbox or Generation 2 mailbox from the drop-down list. From there, select Point to service.

If you’re not sure whether you have a Generation 1 or Generation 2 mailbox, please read the following article: How can I tell whether I have a Generation 1 or Generation 2 mailbox?

Choose MX Record type

 

Step 6 of 8

If you have an email account with a third-party provider, choose an external email service from the drop-down menu instead. Once done, enter your MX record into the Location of service field.

If you don’t know what your MX record is, get in touch with your email provider.

Choose external email service

 

Step 7 of 8

Once you’ve entered these details, click Point to service.

Select Point to service

 

Step 8 of 8

A pop-up window will appear, asking if you wish to confirm your changes. Click Confirm to complete the process.

Confirm Changes

Please note: it will take between 4-8 hours for any DNS records to become active, provided you didn’t also change the nameservers.

Alternatively, you can point your domain name to your MX record via the Advanced DNS tab. However, this is a more intricate process that is recommended for advanced users only. For more information on how to do this, please read the following article: How do I set up an MX record on my domain name?