DigitalOcean DNS Setup For ImprovMX

1. View and copy your MX & SPF records

Before you begin, you'll need to retrieve your DNS records from ImprovMX. Follow our Viewing MX & SPF records guide to find and copy them. You will be required to copy them into DigitalOcean.

2. Set MX Records in DigitalOcean

Navigate to your DigitalOcean dashboard, go to Networking → Domains, then select your domain.

First, remove any existing MX records for your domain to avoid conflicts. Then add the following MX records:

First MX Record:

Type: MX
Hostname: @
Mail Server: mx1.improvmx.com
Priority: 10
TTL: 14400

Click Create Record.

Second MX Record:

Type: MX
Hostname: @
Mail Server: mx2.improvmx.com
Priority: 20
TTL: 14400

Click Create Record.

3. Add SPF Record

In your ImprovMX dashboard, locate the SPF Records section and copy the Recommended Value.

Return to DigitalOcean and add a new TXT record with the following values:

Type: TXT
Hostname: @
Value: v=spf1 include:spf.improvmx.com ~all (or your recommended value)
TTL: 3600

Click Create Record.

4. Verification

DNS changes can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate, but usually happen sooner.

We'll notify you once the records are detected. You can also click Check Again in the ImprovMX dashboard to see if the changes are already active.

Once propagated, your domain will display "Email forwarding active" in the dashboard.