Scenario

  • I have a Gmail address (e.g.: free@gmail.com)
  • I have a domain (e.g.: example.com)
  • I want to make a custom email address with own domain (e.g.: hello@example.com)
  • I want to receive all the emails sent to custom email address in my Gmail (e.g.: hello@example.com -> free@gmail.com)
  • I want to send email from custom email address while sending emails from my Gmail (e.g.: select hello@example.com as sender from free@gmail.com)

Custom email address

Solution

Set up email forwarding

The first step is to set up email forwarding in the domain management dashboard. I am using Dynadot as my domain name provider. The following process should be similar to other domain providers too.

  • Go to My Domains > Manage Domains

  • Click on the DNS Settings

  • If you are using Dynadot DNS switched on - Keep Dynadot DNS - Add a record in Domain Record with the following information: - Record Type: Email Forwarding - Alias: hello - Email: free@gmail.com - Click Save DNS

  • If you are using custom DNS switched on - Select My Domains from the left-side menu bar and click Manage Domains in the drop-down. - Check the box next to your domain name(s) and click on the Bulk Action button - Choose Email Forwarding from the Bulk Action list - On the Email Settings page, select the Forwarding Email setting from the top drop-down menu - Enter in the email address you want for your domain email in the Username column (you do not need to enter the full email address such as email@yourdomain.com, only the email part should be entered from this example) - Enter an existing email address that you want your email forwarded to in the Existing Email Address column (e.g.: free@gmail.com) - If you would like to create additional aliases, click on the Add Email button - Press the Save Email Settings button to save your changes

Send an email from your alias in Gmail

  • Step 1: Generate your app password
    • On your computer, go to your Google Account.
    • At the left, click Security.
    • Under Signing in to Google click App passwords and sign in, if required.
    • If you don’t find App passwords, click 2-Step Verification and follow the steps to turn on 2-step verification for your account. You may have to sign in again.
    • Under App passwords, click Select app and then Mail.
    • Click Select device and then Other.
    • Enter the name of your domain and click Generate.
    • From the app password box, copy the 16 character password generated. You’ll need this address when you add your new send-as (forwarded) account (in Step 2 below).
  • Step 2: Add an email alias
    • On your computer, go to Gmail.
    • At the top right, click Settings.
    • Select the Accounts and import or Accounts tab.
    • In the Send mail as, click Add another email address (e.g.: hello@example.com).
    • In the window that opens, enter the name you want recipients to view.
    • Enter the email address alias you’ve set up for email forwarding.
    • Confirm that Treat as an alias is marked, and click Next step.
    • In the SMTP Server field, enter: smtp.gmail.com.
    • From the Port menu, choose 587.
    • In the Username field, enter the username you’re signed in with. (e.g.: free@gmail.com)
    • In the Password field, enter the 16-character generated app password that you copied in Step 1.
    • Confirm that the Secured connection using TLS box is marked.
    • Click Add account.
  • Step 3: Confirm the address
    • On your computer, go to Gmail.
    • Open the confirmation message you received from Gmail.
    • Click the link.

Update (May 2026)

Gmail aliases no longer work with Google’s Advanced Protection Program

Google disables App Passwords for accounts enrolled in the Advanced Protection Program (APP).
Once APP is enabled, previously generated App Passwords are revoked, which prevents Gmail SMTP authentication from working for custom “Send mail as” aliases.

As a result:

  • Receiving forwarded emails (hello@example.com → free@gmail.com) still works normally.
  • Sending emails from the custom address through Gmail (hello@example.com via smtp.gmail.com) no longer works.

This limitation is caused by Google’s security restrictions on legacy SMTP authentication methods used by the alias setup process described above.

Current workaround

At the moment, there is no direct workaround while keeping Advanced Protection Program enabled.

Possible options are:

  • Disable Advanced Protection Program and generate a new App Password.
  • Use a dedicated email hosting provider instead of Gmail alias forwarding.
  • Configure a custom SMTP server provided by your domain email host.

For users who only need email forwarding and receiving capability, the forwarding setup described above still functions correctly.

Reference

Advertisement

Citation

Click to select citation style

Shovon, A. R. (2020, October 14). Create custom email address and attach with Gmail. Ahmedur Rahman Shovon. Retrieved May 28, 2026, from https://arshovon.com/blog/custom-email-with-gmail/

Shovon, Ahmedur Rahman. “Create custom email address and attach with Gmail.” Ahmedur Rahman Shovon, 14 Oct. 2020. Web. 28 May. 2026. https://arshovon.com/blog/custom-email-with-gmail/.

@misc{shovon_2020_create,
    author = "Shovon, Ahmedur Rahman",
    title = "Create custom email address and attach with Gmail",
    year = "2020",
    url = "https://arshovon.com/blog/custom-email-with-gmail/",
    note = "[Online]"
}
Create custom email address and attach with Gmail
Previous post

Install Docker on Raspberry Pi

Create custom email address and attach with Gmail
Next post

Install Avro Phonetic in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

Ahmedur Rahman Shovon
Ahmedur Rahman Shovon
Postdoctoral Appointee at Argonne National Laboratory