Setting up the Mailing Service

To send email notifications from Amelia (e.g., booking confirmations, cancellations, reminders), you must configure a Mail Service in Settings → Notifications. This defines how emails are delivered — whether using your server, an external email provider, or a mailing API.

Amelia supports the following mail services:

PHP Mail (Default, Not Recommended)

This is the default option for new Amelia installations.

• It uses your server's built-in mail() function.

• Drawbacks:

  • High chance of emails being marked as spam

  • No authentication or security

  • Often delayed or unreliable

We strongly recommend switching to SMTP, Mailgun, or Outlook Mailer for better deliverability.

WP Mail

WP Mail uses the wp_mail() function provided by WordPress. It's best used when:

• You're using a third-party plugin like WP Mail SMTP

• Your WordPress setup is already configured to handle outgoing mail securely

In this case, Amelia "hands off" the email to your configured mail plugin.

SMTP (Recommended for Gmail and custom domains)

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a secure and widely used method for sending email from web applications.

When you choose SMTP in Amelia, you'll need to fill out the following fields:

• SMTP Host – e.g., smtp.gmail.com

• SMTP Port – usually 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS)

• SMTP Secure – SSL or TLS

• SMTP Username – your email address

• SMTP Password – usually an App Password (not your main login password)

Gmail SMTP Setup Example

Important notes for Gmail users:

As of May 30, 2022, Google disabled "less secure app" access — you must now use App Passwords with 2-Step Verification enabled.

In March 2025, Google began recommending OAuth authentication for developers, but App Passwords still work and are currently supported.

Microsoft SMTP No Longer Supported

Due to Microsoft’s updated security policies, SMTP is no longer a reliable option for sending emails from Outlook, Hotmail, Live, or Office365 accounts. Even with 2FA and app passwords, connections are often blocked or fail to authenticate.

To send emails using a Microsoft account, use the Outlook Mailer integration.

This provides secure, OAuth-based sending and is the recommended replacement.

Mailgun (Advanced, API-Based)

Mailgun is a third-party email delivery service ideal for high-volume or transactional emails.

To configure Mailgun in Amelia:

1. Go to your Mailgun Dashboard

2. Copy your Domain Name (e.g., mg.yourwebsite.com) and paste it into the Mailgun Domain field in Amelia.

3. Go to API Keys, copy the Private API Key, and paste it into the Mailgun API Key field in Amelia

Notes:

Free Mailgun accounts are not supported in Amelia.
If you’re based in the EU, use this endpoint: https://api.eu.mailgun.net/

Outlook Mailer (OAuth-Based, Recommended for Microsoft 365 Users)

If you're using Outlook or Office365 for business email, the Outlook Mailer is the best way to send notifications securely and reliably from Amelia.

How to set it up:

1. Go to Settings → Integrations → Outlook Calendar
   How to set up Outlook Calendar Integration →

2. Connect your Microsoft account and authorize the integration.

3. Back in the Outlook Calendar integration settings:

   • Enable the Outlook Mailer toggle

   • Click Sign in with Outlook and approve access

4. Now go to Settings → Notifications:

   • Choose Outlook Mailer as your Mail Service

   • Set the Sender Name, Sender Email, and Reply-to Email

Once this is complete, Amelia will use your authenticated Microsoft account to send all emails — no app passwords or SMTP credentials needed.

Best Practices

• After setup, test your configuration by sending a test notification.

• Use App Passwords for Gmail SMTP — never your main email password.

• Use Mailgun or Outlook Mailer for maximum reliability and deliverability.

• Avoid PHP Mail unless you’re running tests in a local or staging environment.