How to Add a Custom Domain to Your Microsoft 365 Tenant

How to Add a Custom Domain to Your Microsoft 365 Tenant

Using a custom domain (e.g., yourcompany.com) for your emails and services is a key step in professionalizing your Microsoft 365 environment. This process involves verifying ownership and updating DNS records with your domain registrar or hosting provider.

This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of connecting a custom domain to your Microsoft 365 tenant, covering both the simple connection method and the manual DNS configuration.

Step 1: Initiate the Domain Addition Process

You can start the process directly from the Microsoft 365 Admin Center:

1. Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (admin.microsoft.com).
2. Navigate to Settings > Domains (or use the shortcut under the dashboard) [00:34].
3. Click “Add domain” [00:54].
4. Enter your custom domain name (e.g., techwithr.org) and click “Use this domain”.

Step 2: Choose Your Domain Verification Method

Microsoft offers multiple ways to verify that you own the domain. The method you choose depends on where your domain is registered.

Option A: Direct Sign-In (Simplest Method)

If your domain is registered with a major provider that partners with Microsoft (like GoDaddy), you can often sign in directly:

• When prompted, click “Verify” or “Connect” and sign into your registrar account.
• Microsoft will automatically verify ownership and configure the required DNS records for you [01:10].
• Click “Connect” to finalize the process. This is the fastest way to add a domain [01:52].

Option B: Manual DNS Record Verification

If the direct sign-in option is not available (e.g., if you are using a different hosting provider or registrar, or if the domain is already in use on another platform), you will need to add DNS records manually.

1. Microsoft will prompt you to add a TXT record. This record is unique and used to prove ownership. Click “Continue” [03:01].
2. Access Your DNS Settings: Log in to your domain registrar or hosting provider (e.g., Hostinger, in the video example) and find the DNS management or External domains section [03:27].
3. Add the TXT Record: Create a new TXT record using the details provided by Microsoft (e.g., MS=ms...). Save the record [03:54].
4. Confirm Verification: Return to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and click “Continue” [04:00].

Step 3: Configure Required Service Records (MX, CNAME, SPF)

After verification, Microsoft needs you to add additional DNS records so that services like email (Exchange Online) and auto-discovery work correctly.

Crucially, before proceeding with the following steps, you must remove any conflicting DNS records, especially those for existing email services (MX and SPF records) from your old hosting provider. [07:29]. Keeping them will prevent Microsoft 365 from working correctly.

1. MX Record (Mail Exchange)

• Purpose: Directs all incoming email for your domain to Microsoft’s servers.
• Action: Copy the MX record provided by Microsoft and add it to your DNS management console. Set the Priority to 0 [04:19].

2. CNAME Record (Autodiscover)

• Purpose: Allows client applications (like Outlook) to automatically find the correct settings for users in your organization.
• Action: Add the CNAME record for autodiscover. You may need to edit an existing record if your host already uses one [04:51].

3. TXT Record (SPF)

• Purpose: The Sender Policy Framework (SPF) record helps prevent email spoofing by authorizing Microsoft’s servers to send email on your domain’s behalf.
• Action: Add the new TXT record for SPF (e.g., v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all) [05:08].

Step 4: Finalize Connection and Propagation

1. Wait for Propagation: DNS changes take time to update across the internet, typically from a few minutes up to 48 hours [06:17].
2. Final Check: Once you believe the records have updated, click “Continue” in the Admin Center. Microsoft will check all required records. If successful, your domain will be marked as Healthy [07:55].
3. Set as Default (Optional): You can choose to set your new custom domain as the default domain for all new users and services in your tenant [08:38].

Your custom domain is now fully connected, and you can begin assigning it to your user accounts for email addresses and services.

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