How to configure local smtp mail

Configuring a local SMTP mail server allows you to send emails from your local machine without relying on external services. Here's a step-by-step guide to configure a local SMTP mail server on Windows, macOS, and Linux:

Windows:

1. Install a local SMTP server:
   • For Windows 10/8/7, you can use the built-in smtp4dev tool. Download and install it from here.
   • For older Windows versions, you can use wsmtp (Windows SMTP Server). Download and install it from here.
2. Configure smtp4dev:
   • Open the smtp4dev configuration file (smtp4dev.config) in a text editor.
   • Set the Listen option to localhost:2525 (or any other port you prefer).
   • Set the MailServer option to localhost.
   • Save the changes.
3. Configure your email client:
   • Set your email client to use the local SMTP server. For example, in Microsoft Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account > More Settings > Advanced and set the Outgoing mail (SMTP) server to localhost:2525.

macOS:

1. Install a local SMTP server:
   • You can use msmtp (Multi-Service Mail Transfer Protocol). Install it using Homebrew: brew install msmtp.
   • Alternatively, you can use smtpd (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Daemon). Install it using Homebrew: brew install smtpd.
2. Configure msmtp:
   • Create a configuration file (~/.msmtprc) with the following content:

     defaults
     auth on
     tls on
     tls_certcheck off
     host localhost:2525
     port 2525

   • Save the changes.
3. Configure your email client:
   • Set your email client to use the local SMTP server. For example, in Apple Mail, go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > Outgoing Mail Server and set the SMTP Server to localhost:2525.

Linux:

1. Install a local SMTP server:
   • You can use msmtp (Multi-Service Mail Transfer Protocol). Install it using your package manager (e.g., apt-get or yum).
   • Alternatively, you can use postfix (Postfix Mail Transfer Agent). Install it using your package manager.
2. Configure msmtp:
   • Create a configuration file (~/.msmtprc) with the following content:

     defaults
     auth on
     tls on
     tls_certcheck off
     host localhost:2525
     port 2525

   • Save the changes.
3. Configure your email client:
   • Set your email client to use the local SMTP server. For example, in Mozilla Thunderbird, go to Edit > Account Settings > Outgoing Server and set the SMTP Server to localhost:2525.

Common configuration steps:

1. Make sure your local SMTP server is running. You can check the status by running the command netstat -tlnp | grep 2525 (or the port you configured).
2. Configure your email client to use the local SMTP server.
3. Test your email client by sending an email to a valid email address.

Remember to replace localhost:2525 with the actual IP address and port number you configured for your local SMTP server.