---
title: "Local, Backup, and Remote Mail Exchanger"
slug: "local-backup-and-remote-mail-exchanger"
updated: 2026-07-01T00:33:59Z
published: 2026-07-01T00:33:59Z
canonical: "docs.serversaustralia.com.au/local-backup-and-remote-mail-exchanger"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.serversaustralia.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Local, Backup, and Remote Mail Exchanger

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

> [!NOTE]
> 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**’. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/d809f158-d4f4-47ff-83d4-18d9c9f7a04d/Images/Documentation/Screen Shot 2024-06-27 at 3.28.40 pm.png)
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.

![Email routing configuration options for the domain testing.com.au with highlighted settings.](https://cdn.document360.io/d809f158-d4f4-47ff-83d4-18d9c9f7a04d/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-02-27 at 2.15.14 PM(1).png)
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

> [!CAUTION]
> **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**.

> [!WARNING]
> **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.