---
layout: integration
title: Email with SMTP
description: Send customized emails to your users through any SMTP server
date: 2026-11-06
featured: false
isPartner: true
isNew: true
cover: /images/integrations/email-smtp/cover.avif
category: messaging
product:
    vendor: SMTP
    description: "SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol for sending email, supported by email services and self-hosted mail servers."
platform:
    - 'Self-hosted'
    - 'Cloud'
---

The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is the standard protocol for sending email between servers. Almost every email service accepts mail over SMTP, from transactional email providers to workplace email, and you can also run your own mail server.

# How does the integration work?

You can use the SMTP provider in Appwrite Messaging to send customized emails to your users through an email service that Appwrite doesn't have a dedicated provider for, or through a mail server you host yourself. Emails can be sent immediately or scheduled, to [topics](/docs/products/messaging/topics), users, or individual [targets](/docs/products/messaging/targets).

Appwrite connects to the host and port you set, signs in with your username and password, and encrypts the connection with SSL or TLS.

**Messaging providers and Auth emails**

A Messaging provider sends the messages you create in Appwrite Messaging. To send authentication emails, such as email verification and password recovery, through your own server instead, set up a [custom SMTP server](/docs/products/auth/message-templates#smtp) for your project.

# How to implement

To implement the SMTP provider in Appwrite Messaging, there are several steps you must complete:

## Step 1: Get your SMTP settings

First, collect the SMTP settings from your email service or mail server: the host, the port, a username and password, and the encryption the server expects. Most services use port `587` with TLS or port `465` with SSL. Make sure the server allows sending from the address you plan to use as the sender.

## Step 2: Add the SMTP provider to your Appwrite project

For this step, you must [create an account on Appwrite Cloud](/sign-up) or [self-host Appwrite](/docs/advanced/self-hosting) if you haven't already. In your Appwrite project, head to **Messaging** > **Providers**, click **Add provider**, and choose **Email**. Give your provider a name, choose **SMTP**, and click **Save and continue**.

In the **Configure** step, fill in the following fields:

| Field name | |
| --- | --- |
| Host | The server address of your SMTP provider, such as `smtp.example.com`. |
| Port | The port used for SMTP connections. Defaults to `587`. |
| Username | Your SMTP account username. |
| Password | Your SMTP account password. |
| Encryption | The encryption used for the connection, SSL or TLS. |
| Auto TLS | Automatically uses TLS encryption when the server supports it. |
| Mailer | Optional. The value Appwrite sets in the `X-Mailer` header of the emails. |
| Sender email | The address emails are sent from. Your SMTP server must allow sending from it. |
| Sender name | The sender name that appears in the emails sent from this provider. |
| Reply-to email | The reply-to email that appears in the emails sent from this provider. |
| Reply-to name | The reply-to name that appears in the emails sent from this provider. |

Click **Save and continue** to enable the provider.

## Step 3: Test the SMTP provider

Before you proceed, you must already have at least one [topic](/docs/products/messaging/topics) or [target](/docs/products/messaging/targets) set up.

Go to **Messaging** > **Messages**, click **Create message**, and choose **Email**. Write a test message, select one of your test targets, set the schedule to **Now**, and click **Send**. Check that the email arrives in your inbox. If it doesn't, check the logs in the Appwrite Console and on your SMTP server.

To send emails from your backend instead, follow the [Send email messages](/docs/products/messaging/send-email-messages) guide with an [Appwrite Server SDK](/docs/sdks#server).

# Read more about SMTP and Appwrite Messaging

If you would like to learn more about SMTP and Appwrite Messaging, we have some resources that you should visit:

- [Set up an SMTP provider in Appwrite Messaging](/docs/products/messaging/smtp)
- [Send email messages through Appwrite Messaging](/docs/products/messaging/send-email-messages)
- [Custom SMTP server for Appwrite Auth emails](/docs/products/auth/message-templates#smtp)
- [Appwrite Messaging API reference](/docs/references/cloud/server-nodejs/messaging)