Knowledgebase

Apexhost discontinued email hosting services on cPanel on 1 July 2026; the general cPanel concepts below may still apply to other hosting providers or legacy environments.

cPanel email allows a hosting account administrator to create mailboxes for a domain, such as info@example.com.au, and manage how those messages are delivered. Depending on the hosting provider and account configuration, cPanel may also provide webmail and tools for forwarding, autoresponders, spam filtering and email authentication.

Email hosting and website hosting are separate functions, even when they are managed from the same cPanel account. A domain can host its website on one server while its email is delivered to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or another dedicated email provider.

Common cPanel email functions include:

* Email Accounts: create, edit, suspend or remove domain mailboxes.

* Webmail: read and send messages through a browser without installing an email application.

* Forwarders: send messages received at one address to another address.

* Autoresponders: send an automatic reply when a message is received.

* Global Email Filters: apply rules to messages at account level.

* Email Filters: apply rules to messages for an individual mailbox.

* Email Deliverability: review recommended SPF and DKIM records where the provider supports them.

* Track Delivery: investigate message delivery attempts and outcomes where the feature is available.

* MX records: control which mail servers receive messages for a domain.

Before changing email settings, confirm the following:

* You have cPanel access with permission to manage email or DNS.

* You know which provider currently hosts the domain's email.

* You have a recent backup or export of any important mailbox data before deleting or migrating an account.

* You know whether the required change affects one mailbox, all mailboxes or the entire domain.

* You understand that DNS changes can affect mail delivery and may take time to propagate.

These steps apply only where the hosting provider actively supports cPanel email hosting.

1. Sign in to cPanel for the domain.

2. Open Email Accounts under the Email section.

3. Select Create.

4. Enter the mailbox name, such as info. The domain is normally selected separately by cPanel.

5. Create a strong, unique password or use the password generator.

6. Select an appropriate mailbox storage limit, if the option is available.

7. Select Create to save the mailbox.

8. Record the webmail address and email server settings shown by the hosting provider.

The new mailbox should appear in the Email Accounts list. Send a test message to and from the address before giving the details to its user.

Webmail provides browser-based access to a cPanel mailbox. The exact address depends on the hosting provider, but it is commonly available through a Webmail button in cPanel or an address using the domain name and a webmail path.

1. Open the provider's webmail address.

2. Enter the complete email address as the username.

3. Enter the mailbox password.

4. Select the webmail application provided by the hosting service.

Use HTTPS where available and avoid signing in on shared or public computers. Always sign out when finished.

An email application normally requires the full email address, mailbox password, incoming server and outgoing server. The incoming server may use IMAP or POP3. IMAP keeps messages synchronised across devices, while POP3 commonly downloads messages to one device and may not preserve the same synchronisation.

SMTP is used for sending messages. Many providers require SMTP authentication and a secure connection. Use the server names, ports and encryption settings supplied by the current hosting provider rather than guessing them.

DNS is the system that connects a domain name with services on the internet. The following records commonly affect email:

* MX: identifies the mail servers responsible for receiving messages for the domain.

* SPF: identifies servers authorised to send messages for the domain.

* DKIM: adds a cryptographic signature that helps receiving servers verify that a message is authorised and has not been altered.

* DMARC: tells receiving servers how to handle messages that fail authentication checks and provides reporting options.

Only publish records supplied by the email provider. Duplicate or conflicting SPF records can cause authentication failures. Changing MX records before the new mail service is ready can interrupt incoming email.

A forwarder redirects messages from one address to another without necessarily creating a separate mailbox. For example, enquiries@example.com.au could forward to a staff mailbox. Forwarding does not replace a mailbox when users need to retain, search or send from the original address.

An autoresponder sends a predefined reply to incoming messages. Include the expected response time and avoid revealing sensitive information. Disable temporary autoresponders when they are no longer required.

Use a unique password for every mailbox and enable multi-factor authentication on the administration account where the provider supports it. Keep email applications and devices updated, and do not open unexpected attachments or links.

Use SPF, DKIM and DMARC where supported. Monitor mailbox storage because a full mailbox can prevent new messages from being received. Review forwarders and filters regularly so that unauthorised rules do not silently redirect or delete messages.

Do not use a cPanel mailbox as a general-purpose backup. Keep independent backups of important business correspondence in accordance with your organisation's retention requirements.

The likely causes include incorrect MX records, a full mailbox, a disabled account, a DNS change that has not propagated or a problem with the sending server.

1. Confirm which service hosts the domain's email.

2. Check that the domain's MX records point to the correct provider.

3. Check the mailbox storage limit and available space.

4. Review spam, quarantine and filtering rules.

5. Use Track Delivery or the provider's delivery logs if available.

6. Send a test message from a different provider and check for a bounce message.

Check the SMTP server, port, encryption and authentication settings. Confirm that the mailbox password is correct and that the sending address is permitted. If the message is rejected, read the full error because it may identify an authentication, reputation or recipient problem.

Check that SPF, DKIM and DMARC records are valid and that there is only one SPF record for the domain. Review the message content, sending reputation and recipient-side filtering. Do not send repeated test messages to recipients who have already rejected or filtered them.

Website-generated mail and user mailbox hosting are separate functions. A form may have been configured to use local server mail, which can fail after an email migration.

1. Check whether the form uses local mail, SMTP authentication or a plugin.

2. Configure the form to use the current provider's authenticated SMTP settings or another supported delivery method.

3. Send a test message and confirm that it reaches the intended recipient.

4. Check spam and quarantine if the message does not appear in the inbox.

Yes, where the hosting provider includes and supports the feature. Check storage limits, security controls, backup arrangements and service availability before relying on cPanel as a primary business email platform.

cPanel is the hosting administration interface. Webmail is the browser-based email application used to access an individual mailbox.

IMAP is generally preferable when the same mailbox is used on multiple devices because messages and folders remain synchronised. POP3 may be suitable for a simple download-only setup, but it can make synchronisation and recovery more difficult.

Often yes, if DNS for the domain is managed there and your account has the required permission. Confirm the correct records with the email provider before making changes.

Redirects (cPanel)

How to Create, Edit and Delete a cPanel Email Account

Reset Webmail (Email Account) Password for cPanel

(New)Creating an Email Account in cPanel

(New)Setting up Email SPF, PTR or Domain Keys (DKIM) Records in cPanel

Microsoft 365

Google Workspace

If you require further assistance, please contact Apexhost Support at support@apexhost.com.au.