Local, Backup, and Remote Mail Exchanger

On cPanel servers, you have a few choices with how the server will handle incoming mail.

Note

This does not make any DNS changes, it only modifies how the server accepts mail for the domain.

1. Log in to cPanel.

2. Head to the ‘Email’ section and click on ‘Email Routing’.
   

3. If you have only one domain on the account, it will auto select. However if you have multiple, select the one you wish to edit from the dropdown.

   

4. Select your Routing Option:

   Type
   Local Mail Exchanger	The server will accept mail directed to the server for the domain, both remote and local.
   Backup Mail Exchanger	If you have this server set as a backup MX record (a higher value than another in DNS, but not the lowest), this server will accept mail.
   Remote Mail Exchanger	Will always check external DNS, and wont accept any mail, forcing local mail to go externally.

5. Click ‘Change’.

When to Use?

Using the server your domain is on for mail?

Local Exchanger

Using a remote/different server than your domain is on for mail?

Remote Exchanger

Note

If you use an external provider such as gmail/microsoft etc, the automatic or local options will still let your mail work. However, in the case of an email being sent from the same server, it will use local mail sending and skip checking externally. If you are intended to use remote mail providers, you should always be selecting Remote Mail Exchanger.

Also Note

Automatic detection of MX configuration is not possible if MX entries do not resolve (ie: you mistype a domain name or enter one that does not exist). If your MX configuration is set to auto and you add or edit an MX record that does not resolve you will see a warning and the MX configuration will default back to the last known setting.