What is a mail exchanger?
A mail exchanger is a server that receives email for a domain. The MX record in your DNS names it. DNS is the internet phone book. The MX record is the sign that says "deliver mail here". The Email Routing option in cPanel tells your own server how to treat mail for the domain.
The choices
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Automatically Detect Configuration | cPanel reads your MX records and picks the right option for you. |
| Local Mail Exchanger | This server is the main mail server. All mail for the domain is kept here. |
| Backup Mail Exchanger | This server is a spare. It holds mail when the main server is down, then passes it on later. |
| Remote Mail Exchanger | Mail is kept on another server, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. This server does not keep it. |
When to use each one
- Choose Local when your mailboxes live on this hosting account.
- Choose Remote when your mail is hosted by another company. Without it, a contact form on your site may send mail to a mailbox that does not exist here.
- Choose Backup only when this server is a spare for another one.
Steps to change it
Warning: A wrong choice can make mail go missing. Note down your current setting first.
- Log in to cPanel from your client area.
- In the Email section, click Email Routing.
- Choose your domain at the top, if there is more than one.
- Select the option you need.
- Click Change.
- Send a test email to check the result.
Remember that MX records must also point to the right place. The Email Routing choice does not change the MX records. It only tells this server how to act.
Quick recap
- Local keeps mail on this server.
- Remote sends mail on to another provider.
- Backup is a spare that holds mail temporarily.
- Find it under Email, then Email Routing.