Ever wondered how alias email addresses work? Creating email aliases gives you the ability to coordinate several different channels' worth of mail in one central mailbox. Regardless of whether you are a small business owner, work as a freelancer or are just looking to manage different projects, GMX gives you the option of creating multiple inbound alias addresses as well as alternative sender addresses for unbridled flexibility.

What is an alias email address and how does it work?

There are many reasons and a multitude of different scenarios – both personal and professional – why you might not want to display your main sender address in outbound email communications or receive inbound emails through different email channels. Having a number of alias addresses gives you the option of using the same inbox as your main mail address. This can be extremely useful and save immense amounts of time, offering an alternative to handling entirely separate email accounts and inboxes. With GMX, you can save valuable time both at home and at work by managing multiple email aliases from one main email account, rather than constantly having to log in to different profiles.

GMX accounts come with the option of creating and using up to 10 different alias addresses. This also includes the ability to select other email domains for your alias mail, as well as changing the prefix to whatever you like. For example, if your primary email address is example@gmx.co.uk, you can create another alias with a different prefix – example-main@gmx.co.uk or example-support@gmx.co.uk. You also have the option of changing the domain name to any of the ones on offer from GMX - such as gmx.com or gmx.ca - for the purposes of targeting either more specific geographic regions or to encompass a more global area. This means you only have to deal with one inbox on the backend while being able to control and distribute emails through several different alias email addresses.

Why are alias addresses useful?

So what is the use of an email alias in the first place? There are a number of different reasons. Firstly, you might want to retain privacy and remain anonymous in certain email exchanges. For companies, email addresses help to provide clear communication by supporting a professional identity and demonstrating a business to be well-organised. A clear, well-structured and to-the-point email address instils confidence in potential clients and customers.

An alias email address also provides a cleaner and more efficient solution to creating another email account with a separate inbox. With GMX, it is possible to use and create up to 10 different sender email addresses signed to one mailbox. This elegant solution removes the hassle of creating a new account each time you wish to have another email address, saving time and ensuring that you don't have to remember excessive amounts of passwords. It is easy to access, too; simply sign in with any of your email aliases and you will have access to your entire account.

Once an account has been set up, it is not possible to change the name of the email address. Should you wish to make a change, you are advised to create a new alias email to use instead of, or in conjunction with the original. In this scenario, it is prudent to wait until you are certain that all of your contacts have started to use your new email alias exclusively before deleting an email address.

How do I add another email address?

Creating an email alias in your GMX account is effortless and can be done in only a few steps. Follow the instructions below and you will be ready in no time:

• Sign in to your gmx.co.uk account.
• Go to 'Settings' > 'Alias Addresses'.
• Enter your desired username, choose the email domain you prefer, and click 'Create alias address'.
• If you want to use this alias address as default, hover with your cursor over the address in question under 'Created E-mail Addresses' and click on the wrench icon.
• Set your alias address as default and click 'OK'.

What else should you know?

It is important to think carefully about deleting an existing email address prior to doing so. Before deleting an unwanted alias email address, triple-check that you are absolutely certain that you no longer have any use for it and won't be receiving any emails through that address. Once an email account is deleted, it will be blocked and become unusable for a full year. The only exception to this rule is if you both generate and delete an email address on the exact same day, then the email address is liable for unblocking after only one month.