Summary
Apple requires domain registration for services like Sign in with Apple and iCloud Mail, involving verification of domain ownership. Essential email authentication methods such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for ensuring deliverability, sender reputation, and compliance with Apple's requirements. While Apple Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) doesn't introduce new authentication mandates, it reinforces the importance of adhering to established authentication practices.
Key findings
- Domain Registration: Domain registration is necessary for using services like Sign in with Apple and iCloud Mail.
- Authentication Methods: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for authenticating emails and ensuring deliverability to Apple users.
- Full DMARC Alignment: Full DMARC alignment, where both SPF and DKIM align with the From domain, is often required.
- MPP Impact: Apple Mail Privacy Protection doesn't introduce new authentication mandates but underscores the importance of good sending practices.
- DNS Records: Adding A, MX, TXT, and SPF records in your domain's DNS settings is required for domain verification.
Key considerations
- Domain Verification Process: Follow Apple's guidelines for verifying domains to ensure the setup is correct.
- Proper DNS Configuration: Ensure DNS records are correctly configured to verify domain ownership and enable email services.
- Implement Authentication Correctly: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC correctly to authenticate emails effectively.
- Monitor Deliverability Rates: Monitor deliverability rates to ensure emails reach Apple users and address any issues promptly.
- Comply with Standards: Adhere to standard authentication practices even with the introduction of MPP to maintain optimal deliverability.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
Apple requires domain registration for services like Sign in with Apple and iCloud Mail. Authentication, primarily through SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, is crucial for ensuring email deliverability and sender reputation when sending to Apple users. While Apple Mail Privacy Protection doesn't directly mandate new authentication, it indirectly emphasizes the importance of authenticated sending practices for optimal deliverability.
Key opinions
- Domain Registration: Apple requires registration of domains for services like Sign in with Apple and iCloud Mail.
- Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential for authenticating domains and ensuring email deliverability to Apple users.
- DMARC Alignment: Full DMARC alignment is often necessary, ensuring that SPF and DKIM align with the From domain.
- Mail Privacy Protection: Apple Mail Privacy Protection indirectly emphasizes authenticated sending practices.
Key considerations
- Domain Verification: Ensure your domains are properly verified by adding the necessary DNS records (MX, TXT, SPF).
- SPF/DKIM Setup: Implement SPF and DKIM correctly to authenticate your sending domains.
- DMARC Policy: Configure a DMARC policy to instruct receiving mail servers on how to handle unauthenticated emails from your domain.
- Deliverability Impact: Monitor your sender reputation and deliverability rates to ensure your emails reach Apple users.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Sendgrid explains that to configure Sign-In with Apple, you need to add an A record to your sending domain for successful integration. This helps verify your domain and ensures proper email delivery.
5 Jun 2023 - Sendgrid
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackOverflow user answers that for the Apple relay service, both SPF and DKIM must pass. You need to register the domain and ensure that both MAIL FROM and From address domains are properly authenticated before sending emails.
10 Jul 2022 - StackOverflow
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
To send mail to Apple users, domain registration with Apple is necessary, followed by authenticating those domains with full DMARC alignment. While Apple Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) does not introduce new authentication requirements, maintaining standard authentication practices such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC remains crucial for ensuring deliverability.
Key opinions
- Domain Registration: Domains sending mail to Apple users must be registered with Apple.
- Authentication: Domains must be authenticated with full DMARC alignment.
- Standard Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are still essential for deliverability to Apple users despite MPP.
- MPP Impact: Apple Mail Privacy Protection does not change authentication requirements but emphasizes the importance of existing standards.
Key considerations
- Domain Verification: Verify domains with Apple according to their guidelines to ensure proper setup.
- DMARC Alignment: Implement SPF and DKIM configurations that align with DMARC policies for full compliance.
- Deliverability Monitoring: Continuously monitor email deliverability to Apple users to identify and address any issues.
- Authentication Best Practices: Maintain and adhere to email authentication best practices, even with the introduction of MPP.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource notes that Apple Mail Privacy Protection itself does not mandate new authentication methods. Senders should still focus on implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC correctly for optimal deliverability.
12 Apr 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that Apple Mail Privacy Protection changes affect open rates but doesn't directly change authentication requirements. Standard authentication like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC still apply to ensure deliverability to Apple users.
10 Jul 2021 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Apple requires domain registration and verification for services like Sign in with Apple and iCloud Mail. This involves proving domain ownership through DNS records, specifically MX, TXT, and SPF records. Proper email authentication using SPF and DKIM is essential for ensuring emails reach Apple users and avoid being flagged as spam.
Key findings
- Domain Registration Required: Apple requires domain registration for services such as Sign in with Apple and iCloud Mail.
- Domain Verification: Domain verification involves proving ownership by adding specific DNS records.
- DNS Records: MX, TXT, and SPF records are essential DNS entries for verifying domain ownership.
- Email Authentication: SPF and DKIM are required for proper email authentication, ensuring deliverability and avoiding spam filters.
Key considerations
- Correct DNS Setup: Ensure DNS records (MX, TXT, SPF) are correctly configured to verify domain ownership.
- Authentication Implementation: Properly implement SPF and DKIM to authenticate emails and enhance deliverability to Apple users.
- Follow Apple's Guidelines: Adhere to Apple's specific guidelines for domain registration and email authentication to ensure compatibility.
- Monitor Deliverability: Regularly monitor email deliverability to Apple users to identify and address any issues promptly.
Technical article
Documentation from Apple Developer Documentation explains that to use Sign in with Apple, you must register your domains. This involves verifying that you own the domains from which you’ll be sending emails. You configure email domains in your account on the Apple Developer website.
4 Aug 2022 - Apple Developer Documentation
Technical article
Documentation from Apple Support describes that using a custom email domain with iCloud requires verifying the domain. This involves adding specific MX records, TXT records, and SPF records in your domain's DNS settings. Proper setup ensures iCloud Mail can send and receive emails from your custom domain.
12 Apr 2022 - Apple Support
Can I email users who have Apple's private relay email addresses?
How can I contact BT Internet about deliverability issues and what should I expect?
How can I resolve blocks affecting iCloud 2FA notifications and what is the typical response time from Apple support?
How do I resolve email blocking issues with Apple servers and postmasters?
How do I set up Apple Business Connect and what are the requirements?
Why are emails to icloud.com and me.com being blocked after setting up DMARC, SPF, and DKIM?
