Shopify “Email forwarding is not allowed for this domain”: how to fix it

This error means Shopify can’t set up email forwarding for your domain with its current DNS setup.

It often appears when you try to add MX records after buying or connecting a domain to Shopify.

Review these common causes to find out why your email forwarding is blocked and how to fix it:

Shopify only supports email forwarding for domains it manages (domains bought through Shopify or fully transferred to it).

If your domain is only connected, DNS is controlled by another provider, so Shopify can’t enable forwarding.

To set it up:

• Set up email forwarding or email hosting in your domain registrar’s DNS, or
• Transfer the domain to Shopify so Shopify can manage DNS and forwarding

In some cases, a domain may appear as managed by Shopify, but email forwarding is not enabled.

To request activation:

1. In your Shopify account, go to the Settings page
2. Open Domains and confirm the domain is Managed by Shopify
3. If you still see the message “Email forwarding is not allowed for this domain,” contact Shopify Support and request activation

If your domain is not fully connected, Shopify may block DNS changes and email configuration.

To complete the setup:

1. In your Shopify account, go to the Settings page
2. Open Domains and check the domain status (for example, Connected or Verified)
3. Resolve any warnings shown
4. Wait up to 24–48 hours for DNS changes to propagate, then try again

Can I use Shopify email forwarding with a third-party domain?

Not through Shopify. If the domain is only connected and DNS is managed by another provider, email forwarding must be set up with that provider, not in Shopify.

Shopify can only forward email for domains it manages.

Do I need a paid Shopify plan (not a development store) to use email hosting?

In some cases, development stores have restrictions on domain and email features.

If you are on a developer store and cannot add MX records even for a Shopify-managed domain, you may need to move to a paid plan or contact Shopify Support to confirm what is allowed on your store type.

How can I use Zoho or Google Workspace if email forwarding is blocked?

If Shopify email forwarding is blocked, you can still use Zoho or Google Workspace by:

• Asking Shopify Support to re-enable email hosting/forwarding on your Shopify-managed domain (if applicable), or
• Moving DNS to another provider and adding the Zoho or Google Workspace MX records there, bypassing Shopify’s email-forwarding layer.