# How do I set up Apple Branded Mail?

> Apple Branded Mail displays your logo as an avatar in Apple Mail on recent iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It needs no certificate, accepts more image formats than BIMI, and requires a strict DMARC policy plus an Apple Business Connect account.

**Apple Branded Mail** is a proprietary Apple format that displays your logo as an avatar in the inbox of Apple Mail. A recognizable logo can increase brand recognition and trust and improve engagement.

## What is Apple Branded Mail?

It is Apple's own mechanism for attaching a brand logo to your mail in Apple Mail. Compared with [BIMI](https://www.mailblastr.com/docs/domains/bimi), it has two advantages:

- Because it's an Apple format, it does **not** require a certificate the way BIMI does.
- Image support is broader — it accepts `.png`, `.heif`, and `.jpg` logos.

> **Warning:** Apple Branded Mail works **only** with Apple Mail on recent iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions. Your logo will not show in other mail clients or older Apple Mail. For the widest coverage, combine it with the per-provider steps in [How do I send with an avatar?](https://www.mailblastr.com/docs/kb/send-with-avatar) and with [BIMI](https://www.mailblastr.com/docs/domains/bimi) where it fits.

## Prerequisites

- [An Apple Business Connect account](https://www.apple.com/business/connect/).
- [DMARC](https://www.mailblastr.com/docs/domains/dmarc) configured on your domain.
- A company identification number Apple can use to verify your company.

## Implementing Apple Branded Mail

### 1. Configure DMARC

For your logo to appear, set your DMARC policy to either `p=quarantine;` or `p=reject;`. A strict policy guarantees your mail is authenticated and stops others from spoofing your domain and sending mail with your logo.

**Required DMARC parameters**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `p` | policy | Yes | Must be p=quarantine; or p=reject; |
| `pct` | percentage | Yes | pct=100; |

**Example DMARC record**

```text
"v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; pct=100; rua=mailto:dmarcreports@example.com"
```

> **Warning:** Test your mail to confirm it is passing DMARC **before** moving the policy to `p=quarantine;` or `p=reject;` — tightening the policy on mail that doesn't yet align can cause legitimate messages to be quarantined or rejected. See the [DMARC setup guide](https://www.mailblastr.com/docs/domains/dmarc).

### 2. Create an Apple Business Connect account

Apple displays the logo you set in your Business Connect account. [Create an account](https://www.apple.com/business/connect/) if your company doesn't already have one, using your company details.

### 3. Add your company details

Apple will prompt you for details such as your company address and name.

### 4. Add your brand details

In Apple Business Connect, select **Branded Mail** in the left sidebar and provide your brand details — brand name, brand website, and similar.

### 5. Add your logo

Upload your logo. Apple requires it to be at least **1024 x 1024 px** in `.png`, `.heif`, or `.jpeg` format.

### 6. Add your domain

Confirm the domains or email addresses where you want your logo to appear. You can register a logo for your root domain or a subdomain; if you don't set a specific logo for a subdomain, the root-domain logo is used automatically for mail sent from subdomains.

### 7. Verify your company

Apple requires details to confirm your company identity. In the United States, provide a Federal Taxpayer Identification Number; other countries use a local equivalent. Apple also asks you to add a DNS record to verify DNS access.

### 8. Verify with Apple

After you submit everything, Apple verifies your details — this can take **up to seven business days**. Once verified, Apple sends an email notification, marks the status as verified in Branded Mail, and your logo begins displaying in compatible Apple Mail versions.

> **Note:** See Apple's documentation on [Apple Branded Mail](https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/apple-business-connect/abcb761b19d2/web) for detailed questions about adding your logo.