How to buy CloudFlare email domains in settings in iOS 16

You don’t need to be a developer to set up your own domain email in iCloud in iOS 16

Apple introduced support for custom email domains in iCloud last year, but takes this one step further in 2022, introducing a built in service that lets you purchase your own domain directly from CloudFlare from within Settings.

Coming soon to iOS 16

Apple made mention of the new feature on the iOS 16 preview page, where it writes: “Share your custom domain with people outside your Family Sharing group, purchase a new domain, or enable catch‑all aliases right from iCloud Mail settings.”

Developers are already able to test this new facility.

What it should mean as that many more iCloud+ users are likely to choose to use a unique domain along with iCloud mail. An SME might create a domain that reflects their business, while families may choose a family name of some kind, though most of these will already be sold. Emails will still be carried across the iCloud network, but using the new domain.

You can purchase email domains from Settings in iOS 16

How to buy CloudFlare email domains in settings

Purchasing a domain is a simple process on an iOS 16 device.

• It involves opening Settings>Apple ID>iCloud and then tapping iCloud Mail.
• On the page that appears you’ll see the new Custom Email Domain
• Tap this to reach a page that tells you that it is possible to use iCloud Mail to send and receive email with up to five custom domains.
• These can be shared with your family or anyone with an iCloud+ subscription.
• You can either use a domain you already own, or purchase a domain from Cloudflare. (Apple says its system means you can use up to five custom domains, with up to three personalised email addresses per domain.
• To buy an email domain from Cloudflare, just tap the Buy Domain button and search for a domain you’d like to use.
• You’ll be given a list of options based on your search.
• Once you choose one of these, you’ll be directed to Cloudflare to set up the transaction, and then returned to iCloud Mail to set the domain up with your email.

After you’ve done this you can happily receive emails via iCloud sent to you using your domain.

Additional improvements

Apple is making several other improvements to email on its platforms.

Hide My Email is integrated directly into QuickType keyboard suggestions, so you can keep your personal email address private in third‑party apps. Search will be much improved, and it will be possible to schedule emails, schedule reminders concerning emails, and withdraw sent emails using its Mail apps.

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