Using Gmail SMTP with Cloudflare Email Routing: A Step-by-Step Guide

outbound-email-with-cloudflare.md

Using Gmail SMTP with Cloudflare Email Routing: Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to send emails through Gmail SMTP with Cloudflare Email Routing in this comprehensive guide.

Step 1: Enable 2-Factor Authentication

To proceed with this method, ensure that you have enabled two-factor authentication for your Google account. If you haven't done so already, you can follow the link to set it up → Enable 2FA in your Google account.

Step 2: Create an App Password for Mail

In your Google account settings, create an App Password specifically for Mail. Follow this link to create the App Password → Create an App Password (You will need to copy and use this password later along with your Gmail address in the Google SMTP server settings in the "Add another email address" form).

When creating the App Password, select "Mail" as the app and choose your computer as the device. Click on "Generate" and make sure to copy the generated password. You will need it later in the process.

Step 3: Add Your Cloudflare-Routed Email Address to Gmail

Open Gmail and navigate to Settings → Accounts → Send mail as. In this section, click on "Add another email address" and fill out the form with your name and your Cloudflare-routed email address. Untick the "Treat as an alias" option and click on "Next Step."

Step 4: Fill Out the Next Form

SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com
Port: 587
Username: Your Gmail address (including @gmail.com)
Password: The App Password you generated in Step 2
Leave TLS enabled
Click on Add Account

You will receive an email from Gmail asking you to confirm ownership by providing a code. Enter the code in the dialog box or click the link provided in the confirmation email to complete the process.

Step 5: Setup SPF Records & DMARC Policy in Cloudflare DNS

SPF Record

• Type: TXT
• Name: @
• TTL: auto
• Content:

v=spf1 include:_spf.mx.cloudflare.net include:_spf.google.com ~all

DMARC Policy

If you wish to set up a DMARC Policy or already have one, ensure that the policy's p parameter is set to none. Otherwise, your outbound emails may fail to authenticate and get blocked.

You can use Cloudflare's DMARC Management to set up a policy for monitoring outbound emails.

Example TXT Record:

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:<your-email-to-report>

That's it!

You have successfully configured Gmail SMTP with Cloudflare Email Routing. Now, when composing a new message in Gmail, you can select your new email address from the list. Additionally, when replying to an email received at your new address, the new address should automatically populate in the From: field.

Credits

This guide is based on the following published resources below.

• Cloudflare Community Forum - How to Use Gmail SMTP to Send from an Email Address which Uses Cloudflare Email Routing
• ImprovMX - Send Emails Using Gmail

@cizordj my workaround is to utilize SMTP relay. So the DKIM signing process is offloaded on them. In my case using the free tier setup in Mailjet is sufficient

By the way, I wrote down this alternative in my blog post below.

https://franzramadhan.dev/blog/01-free-own-domain-email-using-cloudflare-mailjet/

@franzramadhan I just read your article and it seems promising, I will try that when I have the chance.

Nice one, @cizordj

Google is phasing out the app password. This will not work on the newly created google account

Hello, Have you found the solution to prevent emails from ending up in spam?
Did you also find a way to put the photo on the emails?

Amazing, I've been trying different ways and this is the only one that works, thank you!