Gmail "Send Mail As" Setup

Send emails from your custom domain using Gmail

What This Does

Gmail's "Send mail as" feature lets you send emails from a custom email address (like you@yourdomain.com) while managing everything in Gmail's interface.

Example: You have yourname@gmail.com but want emails to show you@yourdomain.com as the sender.

Before You Start

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Backend Setup Required First

Your IT administrator must complete these steps BEFORE you can proceed:

  • Configure email forwarding (e.g., Cloudflare Email Routing)
  • Verify your Gmail address as a forwarding destination
  • Update DNS records (SPF, DKIM, MX)
  • Set up SMTP2Go account and provide you credentials
  • Test that forwarding works

Ask your admin to confirm these are done before continuing!

What You Need

Setup Steps

1Get SMTP2Go Credentials

Your IT admin should provide these. If you need to get them yourself:

  1. Log into SMTP2Go
  2. Go to Settings → SMTP Users (or Sending Settings)
  3. View or create SMTP user credentials
  4. Note down:
    • SMTP Username (e.g., user-12345)
    • SMTP Password
⚠️ Important: Keep these credentials safe. You'll need them in Step 3.

2Open Gmail Settings

  1. Go to Gmail
  2. Click the gear icon ⚙️ in the top right
  3. Click "See all settings"
  4. Go to the "Accounts and Import" tab
  5. Find the section "Send mail as:"
  6. Click "Add another email address"

3Add Your Custom Email Address

A popup window will appear:

  1. Enter:
    • Name: How you want your name to appear (e.g., "John Smith")
    • Email address: Your custom email (e.g., you@yourdomain.com)
  2. Uncheck "Treat as an alias" if you want replies to go to your custom address
  3. Click "Next Step"

4Configure SMTP Settings

Gmail will ask how to send mail. Use these settings:

  • SMTP Server: mail.smtp2go.com
  • Port: 2525 (or use 587, 8025, 80)
  • Username: Your SMTP2Go username from Step 1
  • Password: Your SMTP2Go password from Step 1
  • Secured connection using TLS: Make sure this is selected
💡 Why SMTP2Go instead of Gmail's servers?
  • Uses your domain's DKIM signature (better authentication)
  • Proper SPF alignment with your domain
  • Better deliverability and domain reputation
  • Professional email authentication
⚠️ Common mistake: Make sure you're using SMTP2Go credentials, not your Gmail password. Server should be mail.smtp2go.com, not smtp.gmail.com.

Click "Add Account"

5Verify Your Email Address

Gmail will send a verification email to your custom address.

  1. Check your Gmail inbox (email forwarding will send it there)
  2. Look for email from mail-noreply@google.com
  3. Subject: "Gmail Confirmation - Send Mail as [your custom email]"
  4. Either:
    • Click the verification link in the email, OR
    • Copy the confirmation code and paste it into Gmail's popup
  5. Click Verify
💡 Tip: If you have email forwarding set up (which you should), the verification email arrives in your main Gmail inbox within 1-2 minutes.

6Start Sending from Your Custom Address

Once verified, you can send emails from your custom address:

  1. Compose a new email in Gmail
  2. Look at the top of the compose window — you'll see: From: [your email ▼]
  3. Click the dropdown to select which address to send from
  4. Choose your custom email address
  5. Send as normal!
💡 Optional: To make your custom address the default, go back to Settings → Accounts and Import → Send mail as, and click "make default" next to your custom address.

Troubleshooting

"Authentication error. Check your username and password."

"From dropdown doesn't appear"

Verification email not arriving

Emails landing in recipient's spam

How It Works

When you send an email using your custom address:

Result: Professional custom email with proper authentication and Gmail's powerful features!

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