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Adding e-mail aliases using the '+' character is not allowed

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I am trying to add an alias to my gmail account. Using the normal e-mail account to send and recieve works fine.

I read and tested this post about gmail that explains you can use '+' followed by any string in your e-mail adress for easy filtering: http://gmailblog.blogspot.nl/2008/03/2-hidden-ways-to-get-more-from-your.html

I would now like to also add a variation of my e-mail adress with a '+' character in it as an alias so I can use it as a 'reply to', however thunderbird will not let me because it thinks it is an invalid e-mail adress. As stated in the article it is not an illegal adress, and I can confirm recieving e-mail on it.

I am trying to add an alias to my gmail account. Using the normal e-mail account to send and recieve works fine. I read and tested this post about gmail that explains you can use '+' followed by any string in your e-mail adress for easy filtering: http://gmailblog.blogspot.nl/2008/03/2-hidden-ways-to-get-more-from-your.html I would now like to also add a variation of my e-mail adress with a '+' character in it as an alias so I can use it as a 'reply to', however thunderbird will not let me because it thinks it is an invalid e-mail adress. As stated in the article it is not an illegal adress, and I can confirm recieving e-mail on it.

Chosen solution

Tools menu (alt +T) > account settings Click on the account name and select the manage identities button. Select Add

Insert the email address you want to use, along with name etc. Save it. Select it in the write window. That is all there is to it.

Perhaps you used a comma instead of a period in the address. I do that all the time.

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All Replies (7)

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Are you adding it through Tools menu (alt+T) > account settings > outgoing server (smtp) > add ?

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Hi Matt,

No, I'am adding as alias: Tools menu (alt+T) > account settings > manage identities.

I read that this should work here

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By the way, I tried adding another smtp-server as you suggested, but that would mean i would need to add another complete e-mail account to send from it, which is not what I want.

I would like to be able to recieve on one account, and be able to select a reply to adress whenever i want. Do you think that is possible (even without the '+'-sign?

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Looks like gmail do not support plus addressing outgoing.

I created an outgoing identity and sent a test mail to myself. In the sent folder is clearly says

From: Matt-Dud <unicorn+Dud@gmail.com>

When I got the mail that had been changed to;

 From: Matt-Dud <unicorn@gmail.com>

Common advice is go here https://mail.google.com/mail/#settings/accounts and add the address as one you own to allow use outgoing. I tried it and it tells me the address is invalid.

My conclusion is Gmail only sort of supports plus addressing.

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I still don't know how to add an alias with the + in it to send from like you did. But as long as google will change the alias anyway, there is no longer any need.

thanks for your help!

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Chosen Solution

Tools menu (alt +T) > account settings Click on the account name and select the manage identities button. Select Add

Insert the email address you want to use, along with name etc. Save it. Select it in the write window. That is all there is to it.

Perhaps you used a comma instead of a period in the address. I do that all the time.

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Hi Matt,

I tried again (like you said) and i can now use a reply-to adress with the '+' in it. The from field still lists my originial e-mail adress, but for this application that is not a problem.

Thank you, you've been very helpful