How to remove a custom domain
If you no longer wish to use a custom domain for your beehiiv publication, you can remove it from its assigned roles. This includes its use as a web domain or redirect domain, where your publication is hosted, or as an email domain used for sending newsletters.
What happens when you remove a custom domain
Removing a domain is permanent and cannot be undone.
When you disconnect a custom domain from beehiiv:
- Your site will no longer be accessible via that domain.
- All existing links to the domain will stop working.
- Any active redirect domains will stop redirecting.
- You’ll revert to using your beehiiv subdomain (e.g., yourpublication.beehiiv.com).
- If you want to reuse the domain later, you’ll need to go through the custom domain setup process again.
If you plan to delete your workspace, you must first disconnect any custom domains in beehiiv. After that, be sure to also remove the associated DNS records from your domain provider. Until both steps are completed, your domain will not be fully disconnected.
How to remove your custom domain
Click on the steps in the interactive image to explore them, or follow the written instructions below.
beehiiv is actively improving the custom domain setup experience. Some steps or screens may appear slightly different in your account as updates roll out.
- Click on Settings in the bottom left corner of your dashboard.
- Your publication settings will open. If you have access to multiple publications, select the one you want to remove from the dropdown in the top left corner. Click on Domains in the left panel.
- Under Verified Web Domain, find the domain you want to remove. Click the 3 dots menu next to it and select Disconnect Domain.
You can also view and copy your DNS records here before removal. - A confirmation popup will appear explaining what happens when the domain is disconnected.
You’ll need to remove all associated DNS records separately from your DNS provider, so if you haven’t done it already, click See records to copy and paste these records into a secure place. -
Once ready, click Disconnect Domain.
This action is irreversible and cannot be undone. Be sure that you’ve viewed and copied your DNS records, as well as reviewed what happens when you disconnect your domain.
Troubleshooting disconnecting domain issues
If the Disconnect Domain button appears grayed out, one of the following is likely the cause:
You have more than one verified email domain
If you have multiple verified email domains on your publication and the one you're trying to disconnect is set as the default, the button will be inactive. To fix this, update your default email username to point to a different verified domain first. Once that's saved, the Disconnect button will become active.
You're on a dedicated IP
Publications on a dedicated IP can't remove an email domain without help from the beehiiv team. Contact your success manager or visit the Help page in your account to get this updated.
You downgraded your plan
If you recently downgraded and can no longer access domain settings, contact support and we can restore temporary access so you can disconnect the domain yourself.
After you disconnect your domain
Final steps as needed:
- Delete DNS records: Go to your domain provider and remove all related DNS records for the custom domain.
- Repeat if needed: If you’ve connected multiple domains (web, redirect, or email), repeat the process for each.
- Update your web URL and email username: Read our guide to updating your name, web URL, and email username for users on the beehiiv subdomain.