An email forwarder automatically redirects messages from one email address to another without storing them on the server. You can create an email forwarder in cPanel by accessing the Forwarders tool, entering the address you want to forward from, and specifying the destination address where emails should be sent.
Email forwarders are ideal when you want to consolidate multiple email addresses into one inbox or create professional aliases without setting up full mailboxes. This guide walks you through the simple process of setting up email forwarding through your OBHost cPanel account.
Step-by-Step Guide to Create an Email Forwarder
Follow these steps to set up an email forwarder in cPanel:
- Log in to your cPanel account
- Navigate to the Email section and click Forwarders
- Click the Add Forwarder button
- In the Address to Forward field, enter only the username portion of the email address (for example, type info instead of info@yourdomain.com)
- Select your domain from the drop-down menu if you manage multiple domains
- Select the Forward to email address option
- Enter the complete destination email address where you want messages forwarded (such as yourpersonal@gmail.com)
- Click Add Forwarder to save your configuration
Your email forwarder is now active and will immediately begin redirecting messages from the forwarding address to your specified destination.
Understanding Email Forwarders vs Email Accounts
Email forwarders differ from regular email accounts in several important ways. A forwarder simply redirects messages to another address without storing copies on your hosting server, while a full email account creates a mailbox that stores messages and can be accessed through email clients or webmail.
Forwarders do not require passwords and cannot be used to send email. They are one-directional routing tools that make email management more efficient. If you need to send and receive email from an address, create a full email account instead of a forwarder.
Common Uses for Email Forwarders
Email forwarders serve multiple practical purposes for website owners and businesses. You can create department aliases like sales@yourdomain.com or support@yourdomain.com that forward to your main inbox, maintaining a professional appearance without managing multiple mailboxes.
Forwarders also help when transitioning between email providers, allowing you to gradually migrate while ensuring no messages are lost. You can forward your old business email to a new address while updating your contacts. Additionally, forwarders enable you to create disposable addresses for online registrations that route to your main email.
Managing and Deleting Email Forwarders
You can view all active forwarders from the main Forwarders page in cPanel. Each forwarder displays the source address and destination, along with options to modify or delete the forwarding rule.
To remove a forwarder, simply click the Delete option next to the forwarding rule you want to remove. Deletion is immediate, and the forwarding address will stop working right away. You can recreate deleted forwarders at any time by following the creation steps again.
Troubleshooting Email Forwarder Issues
If your email forwarder is not working correctly, verify that you entered the destination address without typos. Check that the destination mailbox is not full and can receive new messages. Some email providers may block or mark forwarded emails as spam, especially if you forward large volumes of messages.
Make sure the domain you are forwarding from has valid DNS records and is properly configured with OBHost. Email forwarding relies on your domain's MX records being correctly pointed to your hosting server. If problems persist, check your cPanel error logs or contact support for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I forward one email address to multiple destinations?
Yes, when creating a forwarder in cPanel, you can choose the option to forward to multiple email addresses. Simply select Forward to multiple email addresses instead of a single address, then enter each destination email on a separate line. All specified addresses will receive copies of forwarded messages.
Do email forwarders count against my email account limit?
No, email forwarders do not count as email accounts because they do not create mailboxes or store messages on the server. You can typically create unlimited forwarders regardless of your hosting plan's email account limits, though excessive forwarding may impact server resources.
Will the sender know their email was forwarded?
In most cases, the sender will not know their message was forwarded. The email appears to come from the original sender when it arrives at the destination address. However, technical email headers contain forwarding information that recipients can view if they examine the full message source.
Can I use a forwarder to forward to an address on the same domain?
Yes, you can forward emails to another address on the same domain. For example, you could forward info@yourdomain.com to admin@yourdomain.com. This is useful for routing different department addresses to specific mailboxes without creating separate accounts for each alias.
Our support team is available 24/7 to help you with email forwarders and any other hosting questions. Visit our contact page or email support@obhost.org for assistance.
