How to Set Up a Catch-All Email Address in cPanel

A catch-all (default address) receives any email sent to your domain that does not match an existing mailbox. For example, if someone writes to typo@yourdomain.com and that mailbox does not exist, the catch-all handles it.

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Configure the catch-all address

1. Log in at https://tpc-hosting.com/login and open cPanel.
2. Under Email , click Default Address.
3. Select your domain from the dropdown.
4. Choose one of the following actions:

• • Forward to email address — sends unmatched emails to the address you specify. Enter the destination address in the field.
  • Discard and send an error to the sender — rejects unmatched emails with a "User does not exist" bounce message. This is the recommended default for most domains.
  • Pipe to a program — passes the email to a custom script (advanced).

5. Click Change.

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Which option should I choose?

• Discard (recommended) — prevents your inbox from filling with spam directed at random addresses on your domain. Spammers often send to common guesses like admin@, info@, sales@.
• Forward — useful if your domain receives legitimate email at unpredictable addresses, or if you are migrating addresses and do not want to miss email during the transition.

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Note on spam

Enabling a catch-all that forwards to a real inbox often results in a significant increase in spam, because spammers send to hundreds of guessed addresses. Use the Discard option unless you have a specific reason to collect all mail.

Updated on: 28/04/2026