Connecting with SMTP lets you send and receive emails in Dubsado from an email address that isn't a Google or Microsoft account, such as an iCloud, Yahoo, AOL, or custom-domain address from a host like GoDaddy.
SMTP is for any email account that isn't a Google or Microsoft address. If you sign in with Google, use Continue with Google instead; if you have a Microsoft or Outlook account, use Continue with Microsoft. Your workspace can have only one connected email account at a time, so you'll need to disconnect your current account before connecting a different one.
If you run into an error while connecting, see our guide on troubleshooting your SMTP connection.
Step 1: Connect your email for outgoing emails
The first step is to connect your outgoing (SMTP) server so Dubsado can send emails from your address.
Navigate to Settings ➔ Emails, or open Messages ➔ Settings (Admin and Owner roles only). Both take you to the same Emails page.
Under the connection options, click Connect with SMTP, the text link under "Don't see your email provider?" This reveals the SMTP form in place.
In the Select an email provider dropdown, choose your provider: GoDaddy, iCloud, Yahoo, or AOL. If your provider isn't listed, choose Other.
Enter your Username (your email address) and Password/ App password.
If you chose Other, the form also asks for a Server name, a Port (26, 465, or 587), and a Use SSL toggle. A link to a list of common server names and ports is available if you need help finding your server name and port numbers.
Click Connect.
A success or error pop-up message lets you know whether your credentials were accepted. Once connected, the page shows your connected account.
Some providers, including iCloud, Yahoo, and AOL, require an app-specific password rather than your normal login password. Check your provider's documentation to see if you need to generate one.
Step 2: See client replies in Dubsado
After connecting your account for outgoing email, set up forwarding so your clients' replies show up inside Dubsado.
On the Emails settings page, find the Incoming emails section and copy the Brand email address.
In your email provider's own settings, locate the forwarding settings and paste in the Brand email address as the forwarding address.
Save the change in your provider's settings.
Most providers don't require any further verification. If your provider (Zoho, for example) sends a verification code to confirm forwarding, follow these steps to capture it in Dubsado:
Go to Contacts and add the provider's verification sender as a test contact. Common addresses include:
Yahoo: no-reply@cc.yahoo-inc.com
Cloudflare: noreply@notify.cloudflare.com
Mail.com: system@corp.mail.com
Titan: no-reply@titan.email
One.com: support@one.com
Hostinger: notifications@hostinger.com
Go back to your email provider and re-send the verification email.
Return to the Emails settings page. Once the code arrives, it appears in the Forwarding verification code (Zoho only) field.
Only complete the verification-code steps if your provider actually sends one. Most don't.
Step 3: Set up SPF and DKIM
Once your account is connected, an Email Deliverability card appears on the Emails settings page. This is where you verify your SPF record and generate your DKIM record.
Whether you need to do anything depends on the type of address you connected. If you use an email that isn't on a custom domain (like an @yahoo.com, @aol.com, or @icloud.com address), SPF and DKIM are handled automatically by your provider, so there's nothing more to do. If you use a custom-domain email (like @yourbusiness.com), set up both SPF and DKIM to keep your emails out of spam: add an SPF record using our guide, then configure and enable DKIM to finish the job.
DKIM setup is available for SMTP connections only. SPF verification is available for any connected account.
Step 4: Test that your email is connected
The pop-up message in Step 1 only confirms that your credentials were accepted. It doesn't confirm that a real email actually reaches your inbox, so run a quick end-to-end test to be sure.
Go to Contacts and add a test contact using your own email address.
Open that contact and go to the Messages tab.
Compose a test email and click Send.
Check that the email arrives in your regular inbox outside of Dubsado.
FAQ
Which providers can I connect with SMTP?
Any email that isn't a Google or Microsoft account. The provider dropdown lists GoDaddy, iCloud, Yahoo, and AOL directly. Choose Other for anything else and enter your server name and port yourself.
Do I need an app password?
Some providers require an app-specific password instead of your normal login password. Check your provider's documentation to see whether you need to generate one before connecting.
Why aren't my client's replies showing up in Dubsado?
Forwarding has to be set up in your email provider's own settings using the Brand email address. Some providers, like Zoho, also require entering a verification code that appears in the Forwarding verification code field. Without forwarding set up, only outgoing email will work.
Do I need to set up SPF and DKIM?
Only if you use a custom-domain email address. Non-custom-domain addresses (Yahoo, AOL, iCloud, and similar) are handled automatically by your provider. If you use a custom domain, set up both through the Email Deliverability card.