How to Set Up a Catch-All Email Address in cPanel

What is a catch-all address

A catch-all (the "default address" in cPanel) receives every email sent to an address at your domain that does not exist. For example, if someone writes to sales@yourdomain.com and no such mailbox exists, the message goes to the catch-all mailbox instead of bouncing.

Benefits

1. No missed emails. Messages with a misspelled address still reach you.
2. Professional image. Customers never get a bounce message.

Drawbacks

1. More spam. Spammers guess names, and you receive all of it.
2. A crowded inbox. The mailbox can fill with unwanted mail.

Set up the catch-all in cPanel

Step 1: Log in to cPanel

Step 2: Open Default Address

In the Email section click Default Address.

Choose the domain from the drop-down list.

Choose what to do with the unknown addresses:

• Forward to email address. Enter the mailbox that receives everything.
• Discard with error to sender (at SMTP time). Reject the mail and keep the default behavior.
• Forward to system account / Pipe to a program are for advanced use.

Enter your address and click Change.

Step 3: Test

Send an email to an address that does not exist, such as anything@yourdomain.com. It should arrive in the catch-all mailbox.

Best practices

• Check the catch-all mailbox often and delete spam.
• Use the cPanel spam filters (Apache SpamAssassin and Email Filters) to control junk.
• Use a real mailbox as the catch-all so it does not fill up. Set a quota if you can.
• Consider creating the real addresses you need (info@, sales@) instead.

Quick recap

• Email > Default Address, choose the domain, forward to a mailbox, click Change.