Verify with Microsoft 365

Here we cover the steps to add the DNS records needed to verify with Microsoft 365 in order to begin using Microsoft 365 to host email services.

Email is a critical component of many businesses, and as such, having reliable mail service is often a must. While you can utilize the email services included with cPanel to run your own mail server, this has become increasingly more difficult in recent years and often requires an experienced system administrator to maintain it.

With this in mind, the use of an established email service provider, such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, is highly recommended in cases where email service is vital. Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) is a line of subscription services offered by Microsoft including Outlook, Microsoft Office, and much more.

Before you start using these services with your domain, you'll need to make some DNS changes. While you can opt to use Microsoft's nameservers to simplify the process, you may wish to continue managing your domain's DNS from your InMotion Hosting account instead.

Related Article

Set Up Microsoft 365 DNS Records

Verify Domain with TXT record

CAUTION: The steps below require that the domain is using InMotion Hosting nameservers.  If you're using an external nameserver, any DNS updates will need to be made on the external nameserver.

1. In the Microsoft 365 admin center, go to the Settings > Domains page
2. On the Domains page, select your domain, then select Start setup; you'll go back to the domains setup wizard to see the specific value you need to add
3. On the Domain Verification page, select Add a TXT record to the domain's DNS records, then select Continue
4. Copy the TXT value shown.
   TIP: It looks like this: MS=msXXXXXXXX.
5. Log into cPanel
6. Navigate to Zone Editor, located under the Domains section
   
7. Click the Manage button next to the applicable domain
   
8. Click the down arrow next to the +Add Record button, then click Add "TXT" Record
   
9. Add the following values:
   1. Name: Enter your domain
   2. TTL: Leave this set to 900
   3. Record: Paste the record you copied from your Microsoft admin center
      
10. Click the Save Record button
11. Return to your Microsoft admin center to complete the domain verification
    NOTE: DNS modifications may take up to 4-24 hours to fully propagate.