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This article explains how to create, use and, if necessary, deactivate a catch-all email address for your domain at IONOS.
A catch-all email address collects all emails that do not belong to a specific email address within an email domain.
If the sender makes a mistake before the @ symbol or enters a name that does not exist, the email ends up in this account. This ensures that no important emails are lost.
For example: if your email address is michael@example.com, but someone sends an email to mike@example.com or michel@example.com, the email cannot normally be delivered. However, if there is a catch-all address for your domain, the email will still be delivered.
Create a catch-all email address
A catch-all email address is set up in the IONOS account in the same way as a normal email address. However, instead of a name or label, you enter an asterisk (*) in the Name field of the address.
For example, to set up a catch-all address for the domain example.com, create the address *@example.com.
For further information on setting up an email address in the IONOS account, please see the following article: Creating an IONOS email address.
Retrieve the catch-all email address
Emails received at the catch-all address will be delivered to the inbox for that address as usual. To view your inbox, set up a corresponding account in your email program or log in to IONOS Webmail.
For further information on setting up an email client for a IONOS email address, please see the following article: Setting up an email client for your IONOS email address.
Delete / deactivate catch-all email address
If you no longer need a catch-all address, you can delete it. Don’t forget to back up any emails that may still be in the mailbox, as the mailbox will also be deleted. For more information on deleting email addresses, see the following article: Deleting an email address.
If you only want to deactivate the catch-all address temporarily, you can rename it. The address will then function as a normal address again. If you need it again later, simply rename it. For more information on renaming email addresses, see the following article: Changing an Email Address.