Changing a Domain's IPv4/IPv6 Address (A/AAAA Record)
While using the IONOS name servers, you can connect your domain with a static IP address. This is possible by configuring an Address Resource Record or A record. The configuration of an A or AAAA record is necessary, for example, in order to use a IONOS domain with a Cloud Server, a Managed Cloud Hosting project, or with a server that is located with a third-party provider.
You can specify several A records for a subdomain. For certain applications, such as Squarespace, this function is important.
Using a Domain with Squarespace
In other circumstances, however, this can also lead to problems. Your applications will then normally use the first IP address returned by the DNS resolver. For A records with multiple IP addresses, the IP addresses are returned in random order. We therefore recommend that you delete or edit existing A/AAAA records to avoid conflicts.
- Deleting A/AAAA Records: You can use the Actions column in your domain's DNS settings to delete existing A/AAAA records at any time by clicking on thegear symbol and selecting Delete Record.
- Editing A/AAAA Records: See the steps below.
Checking Your DNS Settings for Existing Entries
In the Domains section of the Control Panel, click on the Gear SYMBOL for the desired domain under Actions and then on DNS.
Check whether an A record already exists.
If an A record has already been added to the DNS settings, check the host name and the entered value. Make sure that only one A record is listed in the DNS settings. If the A record belongs to a service, it must be deactivated.
Editing A Records
You can adjust existing A records in the Control Panel. To do this, simply follow these steps:
In the Domains > DNS section of the Control Panel next to the desired A record, click on the Gear SYMBOL under Actions and select Edit Record.
Specify the desired IP address in the Points To field.
Optional: Select the desired TTL.
By default, your changes will become active immediately.
Click SAVE.
Adding an A Record
To add a new A record, follow these steps:
In the Domains section of the Control Panel, next to your desired domain, click on thegear symbol under Actions and selectDNS.
Click Add Record and select the A type.
In the Host Name field, specify the desired host. To create the A record for your domain, enter the * character. The * character is used as a placeholder and ensures that the domain is connected with www and all subdomains. If you want to create the A record for a specific subdomain, enter the desired subdomain, such as www.
In the Points to field, enter the desired IPv4 address.
Optional: Select the desired TTL. By default, your changes will become active immediately.
Below the Preview for www row, you can select whether or not you would like to also add this record to the www subdomain.
Click Save.
Adding an AAAA Record
Optionally, you can also create an AAAA record to connect your domain to an IPv6 address.
In the Domains section of the Control Panel, next to your desired domain, click on thegear symbol under Actions and selectDNS.
Click Add Record and select the AAAA type.
In the Host Name field, specify the desired host. To create the A record for your domain, enter the * character. The * character is used as a placeholder and ensures that the domain is connected with www and all subdomains. If you want to create the AAAA record for a specific subdomain, enter the desired subdomain, such as www.
In the Points to field, enter the desired IPv6 address.
Optional: Select the desired TTL. By default, your changes will become active immediately.
Below the Preview for www row, you can select whether or not you would like to also add this record to the www subdomain.
Click Save.
Checking Your Changes
Your changes are effective at IONOS immediately. However, it can take up to 1 hour for the change to take effect externally due to the decentralized structure of the Domain Name System. You can check the status of the A/AAAA record via the DNS Checker website.