You don't need to purchase a new domain through Mailforge to use it for your email infrastructure. You can connect a domain you already own by updating its nameservers at your current domain registrar.
This guide explains how to connect an existing domain, what happens to your DNS records, which domains are supported, and what to check if your domain isn't becoming active.
Connecting an existing domain means delegating its DNS management to Mailforge by changing its nameservers at your current domain registrar.
Your domain remains registered with your original provider, where you continue to manage its ownership and renewal. However, Mailforge takes over DNS management and automatically configures the records required for your mailboxes.
Important: Connecting a domain replaces its existing DNS configuration.
When you connect a domain:
Existing DNS records are removed and replaced with the records managed by Mailforge.
Existing MX records are replaced with Mailforge's mail infrastructure records.
Existing email services using the domain may stop working.
Only mailboxes created through Mailforge will work with the connected domain.
If you currently use another email provider, such as Zoho or MXroute, connecting the domain will disrupt your existing email service.
Make sure you back up any DNS records you need and migrate your existing email service before proceeding.
Before connecting your domain, review the following requirements.
Mailforge supports connecting root domains, such as:
example.com
mycompany.net
brandmail.co
Subdomains cannot be connected independently.
For example, connecting mail.example.com as a separate domain is not supported. You must connect the root domain instead.
Domains registered through Cloudflare cannot be connected to Mailforge.
Cloudflare does not allow you to change the registrar-assigned nameservers required for this connection process.
If your domain is registered with Cloudflare, you will need to use another eligible domain.
You can connect your Cloudflare domain to Primeforge!
Not every top-level domain (TLD) is supported across our infrastructure products.
Some extensions may be restricted for purchasing, transferring, or connecting existing domains.
Before purchasing or transferring a domain, verify that its extension is supported by the relevant product.
If your domain extension is not available or the platform displays a restriction, contact our support team for clarification.
Connecting a domain transfers DNS management to Mailforge.
This means existing DNS records, including MX records, are replaced.
In particular:
Existing inbound email services may stop receiving messages.
Existing Zoho, MXroute, or other third-party mailboxes may stop working.
Existing domain-level forwarding configurations may be removed.
Any custom DNS integrations may need to be configured again.
If you rely on existing email services or custom DNS configurations, contact support before connecting your domain.
Follow these steps to connect your domain to Mailforge.
Log in to your Mailforge account.
Click Domains in the left-hand navigation menu.
Select Connect Domains to open the connection window.
Review the information displayed before proceeding, particularly the warnings about existing DNS records and email services.
Enter the root domain you want to connect.
Remember that subdomains are not supported.
Click Initiate Connect to start the process.
Once initiated, your domain will appear on the Domains page with the Needs nameservers status.
Open the domain details or hover over its status to view the nameservers assigned to your domain.
These are the nameservers you must configure at your current domain registrar.
Make sure you copy all the nameservers provided for your domain.
Log in to the account where your domain is registered.
Navigate to your domain's DNS or nameserver settings.
Replace the existing nameservers with all the nameservers assigned by Mailforge.
Do not simply add the new nameservers alongside the existing ones. Replace the existing delegation entirely.
Save your changes.
Once you have updated the nameservers, Mailforge will detect the new DNS delegation.
The domain will move through the connection process and eventually become Active once the required configuration is detected.
DNS propagation can take some time, depending on your registrar and DNS caching.
Once the domain is Active, you can start creating mailboxes.
You can monitor your domain's connection progress directly from the Domains page.
Needs nameservers
Mailforge is waiting for you to update the nameservers at your domain registrar.
Check that:
You used the nameservers assigned specifically to your domain.
All required nameservers were entered.
You replaced the old nameservers instead of adding the new ones alongside them.
The changes were saved successfully at your registrar.
Propagating
The nameserver changes have been detected, but the domain is still going through the connection and configuration process.
Allow time for propagation and avoid repeatedly changing the nameservers.
Active
Your domain has successfully connected to Mailforge, and its DNS configuration is ready.
You can now proceed with mailbox creation.
Mailforge uses its own DNS infrastructure to manage the records required by your email setup.
The nameservers assigned to your domain are specific to its DNS configuration.
You must configure every nameserver displayed in Mailforge at your registrar.
Some registrars display or handle nameserver entries differently, and the number of nameservers shown may vary depending on the connection flow.
If your registrar only accepts a limited number of nameservers or displays a different number than Mailforge provides, do not remove or substitute any entries yourself. Contact support for assistance.
You can only create mailboxes once your domain has reached Active status.
Domains that are still waiting for nameserver changes or undergoing propagation are not eligible for mailbox creation.
Once your domain is Active:
Open the Mailboxes page.
Select the option to create mailboxes.
Choose your connected domain.
Enter the mailbox details.
Complete the mailbox creation process.
Mailforge will automatically configure the necessary email DNS records, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Connecting a domain does not transfer its ownership to Mailforge.
Your original registrar remains responsible for:
Domain registration.
Domain ownership.
Domain renewal.
Registrar account management.
You must keep your domain renewed with its original registrar.
However, as long as the nameservers remain pointed to Mailforge, we manage the DNS records required for your mailboxes.
If you change the nameservers back to your registrar or another DNS provider, Mailforge will no longer be able to manage your domain's DNS configuration.
Can I connect a domain without changing its nameservers?
No. Mailforge requires nameserver delegation to manage the DNS records needed for your mailboxes. Adding individual DNS records while keeping your existing nameservers is not supported.
Will connecting my domain affect my existing email accounts?
Yes. Connecting a domain replaces its existing DNS configuration, including MX records. Existing mailboxes hosted by providers such as Zoho or MXroute may stop receiving email. Only mailboxes created through Mailforge will work after the connection.
Can I connect a subdomain instead of my root domain?
No. Mailforge supports root domains only. Independent subdomain connections are not supported.
Can I connect a domain registered through Cloudflare?
No. Cloudflare-registered domains cannot be connected to Mailforge because their nameservers cannot be changed as required by the connection process. Do it in Primeforge.
Why does my domain still show Needs nameservers?
This means Mailforge hasn't detected the required nameserver delegation yet.
Verify that you replaced the existing nameservers at your registrar with all the nameservers assigned by Mailforge. Also make sure the changes were saved correctly.
Can I create mailboxes while my domain is propagating?
No. Your domain must reach Active status before you can create mailboxes.
Does Mailforge charge for connecting an existing domain?
Connecting an existing domain is free. Your domain registration and renewal fees remain payable to your original registrar.
Can I keep my existing DNS records?
The connection process replaces your existing DNS configuration. If you need specific custom DNS records preserved, contact support before initiating the connection.
What happens if I change my nameservers after connecting?
Mailforge will lose control of your domain's DNS configuration. This can cause your mailbox-related DNS records to stop working and affect email functionality.
