What MX records do

MX (Mail Exchange) records are DNS records that specify which mail servers are responsible for receiving email for a domain hosted with 1st Domains. When an email is sent to an address on your domain, the sending mail server checks the MX records to determine where the message should be delivered.

MX records also include a priority value, which defines the order in which mail servers are used. A lower number indicates a higher priority. If the primary mail server is unavailable, email will be routed to the next available server based on priority. 

MX records are configured in the DNS settings for the domain, either within the 1st Domains control panel or with an external DNS provider if the domain is using third-party name servers.

Incorrect or missing MX records can prevent email from being delivered.

If you have moved away from 1st domains for your email hosting and wanting to move back you will have to update the email record (MX) to point back to us. The below record is what needs to be added to our DNS. You can also follow the instructions here on how to add, edit or remove DNS records from our servers.

1. Login to the Account Manager and select 'Manage Domains & Services'
2. Select the domain name you wish to manage from the list
3. Click on "Manage DNS Zone Records"
   1. If you don't see that link, your NS are with another provider. If that is the case you will have to park your name servers with 1st domains to use our services.
4. If an existing MX record is present, you can edit it by clicking on the hostname. This will make all fields for that record editable.
   1. If no MX record is visible, then click on "Add Record"
5. In the hostname should be your root domain name. From the "Record type" select MX 0 from the drop down. The 0 represents the priority and the lower the number the higher priority the record has.
6. Under Value, either edit the existing record value or enter in the new MX record. 
   1. mta.1stdomains.net.nz
7. Click on "Update".

If your TTL is set to 5 minutes, your changes will take effect very quickly. Otherwise, DNS changes can take up to one hour to fully propagate globally. Once the record has fully propagated, your emails will begin flowing to us.