Problems with SS + iCloud Settings for Email Using Custom Domain

I have a client with a Squarespace-hosted domain who wants to use custom email with iCloud+. I've entered the supplied DNS records, following the instructions from Apple to first try the records as provided and, if those don't work, to make some adjustments. 

These included removing the period at the end of MX records and the quotes from the SPF record. Both adjustments were required. (See attached screen grab of Apple's instructions.)

The DKIM record, which also has a terminal period, was accepted by the SS DNS as provided, so I did not remove it.

After 72 hours, the email doesn't work.

After an hour on a support call with AppleCare, the email doesn't work.

After removing the incomplete email setup on iCloud and going through the process of adding the custom email again, it still doesn't work.

After publishing the site, which was set to private ahead of launching in a few days, it still doesn't work.

Discrepancy: While troubleshooting, I found that in Apple's instructions, the DKIM settings specify the Type as a CNAME record. But, in Squarespace help pages for SPF and DKIM records, SS says it should be entered as a TXT record. I have done both, and neither work.

AppleCare was stumped and suggested contacting Squarespace.

So, what now? Anyone?

Following. Having the same issue. It's super frustrating.

43 minutes ago, NadineS said:

Having the same issue.

@NadineS Please provide some more information, including the domain name and the issue you are experiencing. Also, what have you tried so far to resolve this? What is or isn’t working?

texalot, I'm having this exact same problem. Were you ever able to get this working?

Having the same issue, what is the fix finally? thanks!

On 6/11/2023 at 11:44 AM, paul2009 said:

@texalot As the Apple DKIM record is ‘pointer’ (ending in “.com”), you need to create a CNAME record. If the DKIM record had been a ‘key’ (starting with “v=DKIM”) you’d have created a TXT record instead.

If you are still experiencing issues, please provide your domain name and confirm the symptoms you are seeing now. 

I am still experiencing these issues. please help!

On 6/11/2023 at 2:44 PM, paul2009 said:

@texalot As the Apple DKIM record is ‘pointer’ (ending in “.com”), you need to create a CNAME record. If the DKIM record had been a ‘key’ (starting with “v=DKIM”) you’d have created a TXT record instead.

If you are still experiencing issues, please provide your domain name and confirm the symptoms you are seeing now. 

Is the above really the whole solution to this problem?

On 6/11/2023 at 11:46 AM, paul2009 said:

@NadineS Please provide some more information, including the domain name and the issue you are experiencing. Also, what have you tried so far to resolve this? What is or isn’t working?

the domain name is "watchtowerinspections.ca" 

I have inputted all of the DNS information that apple gave me, and nothing seems to be happening. Apple wants me to input all my "existing" emails with my domain, but I dont have any existing ones. I just want to use Iclouds service where I dont have to pay SS 6$ a month just for a custom email as I am already paying apple. When ever I put my desired email in that section, I am unable to verify that email becase I dont have one through square apce yet. I have tried many times to verify both my icloud and @watchtowerinspections email and the furthest I will get is apple saying it may take up to 72 hours for the changes to take affect. Then nothing happens. Super frustrated. 

I am having the same issue and reporting the “Check your SPF record’. But all the setting match 

Remove the quotes from the SPF value and you’ll be good to go.

On 9/2/2023 at 3:24 AM, Edwin11423 said:

Remove the quotes from the SPF value and you’ll be good to go.

Thank you so much! It works! 

On 9/2/2023 at 3:24 AM, Edwin11423 said:

Remove the quotes from the SPF value and you’ll be good to go.

Thank you! This worked! 

Here is how I updated my info following the instructions here. Will wait 72 hours for records to update and check if email works with Apple or not.

On 6/11/2023 at 1:44 PM, paul2009 said:

@texalot As the Apple DKIM record is ‘pointer’ (ending in “.com”), you need to create a CNAME record. If the DKIM record had been a ‘key’ (starting with “v=DKIM”) you’d have created a TXT record instead.

If you are still experiencing issues, please provide your domain name and confirm the symptoms you are seeing now. 

I'm still getting an error message 

Thanks to all of you for posting on this topic - I have followed the hints and instructions but am not able to make the email work with iCloud.

If you have succeeded integrating SS DNS with iCloud email, appreciate your advice!

Very interesting, I am trying to do the same but have had no success. Has anyone succeeded in using apple icloud+ custom email with a squarespace hosted domain?

Thanks

On 9/1/2023 at 11:24 AM, Edwin11423 said:

Remove the quotes from the SPF value and you’ll be good to go.

I keep removing the quotes from the SPF value but when I save it, the quotes come back.  Any idea why?

On 6/11/2023 at 11:46 AM, paul2009 said:

@NadineS Please provide some more information, including the domain name and the issue you are experiencing. Also, what have you tried so far to resolve this? What is or isn’t working?

Happy New Year.  Thank you for all your help.  I enter in all of the records as Apple provided.  However, when I try to verify the that it works, it fails.  Here are my settings.

I'm available to guide you through the process of configuring Squarespace to work with iCloud+ , send an email with the subject "iCloud Squarespace Help" to: consulting@elicottle.com

I am trying to create a custom domain but it will not let me add a full stop at the end of the mx data as shown in the apple instruction i am guessing that is the problem but i do not know.

I am also having this issue. I'm afraid that the answer selected as solving the problem isn't clear to me. Can someone please help?

So no solve from Squarespace on this?

For me, it seems Squarespace does not like the "." punctuation at the end of an email server value for the MX records.

This is also reported on Apple's forums (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254973529?sortBy=best) and another Squarespace forum thread:

I also had to configure another custom iCloud to a domain registered through  Gandi and they accept the "." punctuation at the end – setup took less than a minute.

Maybe the true solve is to transfer my domain to another service...

Squarespace already sets the end punctuation for the MX records. If you run the following command (dig) in a terminal, you'll be able to see your records:

dig [example.com] MX

;; ANSWER SECTION:
example.com.		14400	IN	MX	10 mx01.mail.icloud.com.
example.com.		14400	IN	MX	10 mx02.mail.icloud.com.

Just replace [example.com] for your domain. In my case: dig timrodz.dev MX

The same can be done for any other records regarding your website. I've checked all of my records and they're properly set (the dig command has helped me confirm this), but iCloud is still saying I need to check my DKIM record.

I'm now going to try the following:

Host: sig1._domainkey

Type: TXT

Data: v=DKIM sig1.dkim.timrodz.dev.at.icloudmailadmin.com.

Will report back shortly.

Hey everyone I was able to solve this issue! Here's how I did it:

1. From the iCloud+ panel: Add your website WITHOUT www. In my case, I had www.timrodz.dev, and changed it to timrodz.dev

2. From the iCloud prompt you get after adding your site, add the records to your Squarespace domain. Here's how mine look:

3. Wait for propagation to finish by using the `dig [website.com] [record-name]` command I wrote about in my previous comment. In my case:

dig timrodz.dev MX

dig sig1._domainkey.timrodz.dev CNAME

If you get an ANSWER SECTION in both, verify the values match your Squarespace Domain's values, and you should be set.

4. Check again inside your iCloud setup, and hopefully you're sorted! From this point, if all is good, all you have to do is add the email domains on the iCloud website.

Good luck!