# Edit DNS records at IONOS

Open the DNS settings in IONOS (also sold as 1&1) and add the CNAME and TXT records yaya shows. Includes forwarding for a bare domain.

Source: https://yaya.page/support/articles/domains/dns-ionos
Last updated: 2026-10-23

## Before you start
- Any plan. Connecting a domain you own is free on Free, Launch and Grow.
- An IONOS login and a published yaya site. IONOS was also sold as 1&1, and the same Control Panel applies.
- The **DNS steps** from yaya. Open **Website** > **Domain**, type the name in **Hostname** and click **Connect domain**.

The domain must use the IONOS nameservers. If it does not, edit the records at the company that runs the DNS.

## Sign in and find the DNS page
1. Sign in to IONOS and open **Domains & SSL**.
2. Click the gear icon under **Actions** next to the domain.
3. Choose **DNS** to edit a TXT record on the domain.
4. Choose **Manage Subdomains** to edit a CNAME on a subdomain. Then click the gear icon next to the subdomain and choose **DNS**.

## What the screen calls the fields
- **Type**: CNAME or TXT.
- **Hostname** (CNAME) or **Host name** (TXT): type only the part before your domain, like `www` or `shop`. IONOS examples use `@` for the bare domain. After you save, the screen shows the full name, so check it.
- **Point to** (CNAME): the target. Paste it from yaya.
- **Value** (TXT): the text yaya gives you.
- **TTL**: optional.

## Add the CNAME record for a subdomain or www
1. Open the DNS page of the subdomain, as described above.
2. Click **ADD RECORD** and choose **CNAME**.
3. Type `www` in **Hostname**.
4. Paste the target from yaya in **Point to**. Leave out `http://` and `https://`.
5. Click **Save**.

After the CNAME exists, you cannot make other settings for that subdomain. Email for that subdomain stops working.

## Connect the bare domain
For the bare domain, use IONOS domain forwarding to www.

1. Connect `www.example.com` in yaya and add its CNAME.
2. Select the domain in **Domains & SSL**.
3. Click **Adjust Destination** on the **Details** tab, then **Domain Forwarding**.
4. Set **Type** to **Arbitrary URL** and enter `https://www.example.com`.
5. Choose **HTTP Redirect** and click **Save**. IONOS sets up the redirect with DNS entries.

Leave **Domain forwarding for the www. Subdomain** off, because www points to yaya. The domain must not be in use by a webspace or another service.

## Add the TXT ownership record
yaya shows a name that starts with `_cf-custom-hostname`. Type only the part before your domain name.

1. Open the DNS page of the domain.
2. Click **Add Record** and choose **TXT** under **Type**.
3. Type `_cf-custom-hostname.www` in **Host name** for `www.example.com`. For the bare domain, type `_cf-custom-hostname`.
4. Paste the value from yaya in **Value**.
5. Click **Save**.

## Replace a conflicting record
A CNAME cannot share a name with another record. Open the DNS section and edit or delete the old record for the same host. Leave MX and mail TXT records as they are. See [Keep your email working](/support/articles/migrate/keep-your-email-working).

## Check the result in yaya
1. Open **Website** > **Domain**.
2. Click **Check again**.

IONOS applies a change at once, and it can take up to an hour to spread. yaya sets up HTTPS on its own. There is no deploy step.

## Fix common problems
**Nothing changes.** Check that the domain uses the IONOS nameservers.

**The card stays on "Waiting on DNS".** See [Fix a domain that won't verify](/support/articles/domains/fix-a-domain-that-wont-verify).

**I need a different name for the site.** See [Use a subdomain or www](/support/articles/domains/use-a-subdomain-or-www).

Provider's own guide: https://www.ionos.com/help/domains/configuring-cname-records-for-subdomains/configuring-a-cname-record-for-a-subdomain/