Sending from an email alias in Gmail

You can configure Gmail to send messages using an email alias hosted on mybox. This allows you to manage your professional correspondence directly from the Gmail interface while maintaining your custom domain identity.

Context

An alias is a secondary email address that forwards messages to your primary mailbox. By following this process, you authorize Gmail to use the mail.mybox.com SMTP servers to send mail “as” that alias, ensuring your messages are delivered securely and do not appear as spam.

Configuration Steps

1. Access Gmail Settings: Log in to your Gmail account, click the gear icon (Settings), and select See all settings.
2. Add Address: Navigate to the Accounts and Import tab and click Add another email address.
3. Enter Alias Details: In the pop-up window, enter your name and the alias email address you wish to use.
4. Configure SMTP Server: Enter the following connection details:
   • SMTP Server: mail.mybox.com
   • Username: Your full primary mailbox address (where the alias is located).
   • Password: The password for your primary mailbox.
   • Port: Keep the default (usually 587 with TLS).
5. Verify Ownership: Gmail will send a verification code to your alias. Retrieve the code from your inbox, enter it into the setup window, and click Verify.

Distinction: “Treat as an alias”

In the Gmail Accounts settings, you will see a checkbox labeled “Treat as an alias.” Understanding this setting is important for how your inbox behaves:

• Checked (Default): Gmail treats the address as a direct extension of your primary account. Replies to your alias may occasionally show your primary Gmail address to the recipient, and sent messages may appear in your own inbox as unread.
• Unchecked (Recommended): Gmail treats the address as a completely separate account. This ensures that when you reply to a message sent to your alias, the “From” field is correctly populated and your inbox remains organized.

Practical Implications

• Deliverability: Using the mail.mybox.com SMTP server (Step 5) is critical. If you use Gmail’s internal servers instead, your emails may be flagged as “Sent on behalf of” or blocked by the recipient’s spam filters.
• Changing Identities: Once configured, a dropdown menu will appear in the “From” field whenever you compose a new message, allowing you to select your alias.
• Default Sending: You can set your alias as the “Default” sending address in the same Gmail Accounts tab if you use it more frequently than your @gmail.com address.

Summary

Integrating your mybox alias with Gmail combines the familiar Google interface with the professional appearance of your custom domain. By using our dedicated SMTP servers, you ensure that your outgoing mail remains professional and technically sound.