> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.9pic.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Custom Domain

> Connect a platform subdomain or your own apex domain on Pro

## Why This Matters

Custom domains are one of the headline reasons people upgrade to Pro. The moment your gallery lives at `yourbrand.9pic.ai` or `photos.yourbrand.com`, your shareable links, email signatures, and event pages all reinforce *your* brand instead of the platform's.

For exhaustive field-level reference (every status, every error case), see the dashboard guide: **[Domain & Region](/dashboard-guide/settings/domain)**. This page is the **Pro operator's checklist**.

## Before You Begin

* You're on **Pro** (or **Enterprise**). Trial and Pay As You Go cannot manage domains.
* You've decided which domain type you want:
  * **Platform subdomain** (`yourname.9pic.ai`) — fastest, no DNS setup, ready in minutes.
  * **Custom domain** (`photos.yourbrand.com`) — full brand parity, requires a CNAME at your DNS provider, SSL takes up to **48 hours**.
* (Custom domain only) You have access to your DNS provider (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Route 53, etc.) or someone on your team who does.

<Tip>
  If you're unsure, start with a **platform subdomain**. You can switch to a custom domain later — they're not mutually exclusive in spirit, but only one is active at a time.
</Tip>

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings → Domain & Region">
    Click **Settings** in the sidebar, then click **Domain & Region**. The tab shows your current domain, the domain type, and any available actions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="(Optional) Set or update your region">
    In the **Region** card, click the pencil icon next to the current country to change it. Region is used for billing and helps 9Pic pick the closest website edge. After choosing a country, click **Save Domain Changes**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add Custom Domain (or Change Domain)">
    In the **Domain** card, click **Add Custom Domain** if you don't have a custom domain yet. If one is already configured and you want to switch types, click **Change Domain** instead.

    <Warning>
      **Change Domain can break existing event links.** If anyone is sharing the current domain via email, social, or QR codes, plan the change for a low-traffic window and update communications afterwards. The dashboard makes you tick an acknowledgement before the **Update Domain** button enables.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick your domain option">
    The wizard asks **I have a domain** or **I don't have a domain**.

    * **I don't have a domain** → enter a slug like `your-company`. The dashboard appends `.9pic.ai`. Click **Check** to confirm availability, then **Configure Domain**. Usually active within a few minutes.
    * **I have a domain** → enter the full address like `photos.yourcompany.com`. Click **Check**, then **Configure Domain**. The dashboard returns a **CNAME Target** value.
  </Step>

  <Step title="(Custom domain only) Add the CNAME record at your DNS provider">
    1. Open your DNS provider's dashboard (Cloudflare / GoDaddy / Route 53 / etc.).
    2. Add a **CNAME** record:
       * **Host / Name**: the subdomain part (`photos`).
       * **Target / Value**: the exact CNAME Target shown by 9Pic.
       * **TTL**: leave default (auto / 3600s).
    3. Save. DNS propagation and SSL provisioning take up to **48 hours** but usually finish within 1–4 hours.
    4. Return to **Settings → Domain & Region** and click **Verify DNS** if the domain is still showing **Pending Verification**.

    <Warning>
      Editing DNS can affect any other service on the same domain. If you're not sure which record to change, ask the person who manages your DNS first.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the domain is Active">
    A successfully configured domain shows a green **Active** badge. Until then, statuses you may see:

    * **Initializing** — 9Pic is preparing the domain.
    * **Pending Verification** — DNS / SSL is still being checked.
    * **Failed** — verification didn't complete; re-check the CNAME target and click **Verify DNS** again.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Domain Types at a Glance

| Domain type            | Example                | Setup time | DNS work                   | Best for                                    |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------- | ---------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Default**            | `app.9pic.ai`          | None       | None                       | You're fine running on the platform domain. |
| **Platform subdomain** | `yourname.9pic.ai`     | Minutes    | None                       | Branded subdomain without touching DNS.     |
| **Custom domain**      | `photos.yourbrand.com` | Up to 48h  | CNAME at your DNS provider | Full brand parity.                          |

## Recommended Settings

| Decision              | Recommended for most Pro users                                                                                             |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Domain type           | **Custom domain** (`photos.yourbrand.com`) if you have a brand website; **Platform subdomain** otherwise.                  |
| Region                | Set to your organisation's country. Leave blank only if you genuinely don't know — 9Pic will auto-detect the nearest edge. |
| When to change domain | Only when absolutely necessary. Existing event links break on change.                                                      |
| When to remove domain | Almost never — you'd return to the default `app.9pic.ai`. Treat it as a recovery step, not a routine action.               |

## Common Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My custom domain is stuck on Pending Verification.">
    Re-check the CNAME record at your DNS provider matches the **CNAME Target** shown in 9Pic exactly (no extra dots, no typos). Then click **Verify DNS** in the Domain card. If it's still pending after 48 hours, email [support@9pic.ai](mailto:support@9pic.ai) with your domain and the CNAME target.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I have multiple custom domains for one organisation?">
    No. One organisation has one active domain at a time. If you need separate brand domains, run each brand as a separate organisation (each on Pro), or [talk to us about Enterprise](/pro-guide/talk-to-us).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will changing my domain break event links I already shared?">
    Yes. Existing links pointing at the old domain will not redirect automatically. Plan the change carefully and update any QR codes, emails, or marketing collateral. The dashboard makes you tick an acknowledgement before the change can complete.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need a paid domain registrar to use a custom domain?">
    Yes — for a custom domain like `photos.yourbrand.com`, you must own the parent domain through a registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.) and have access to add a CNAME record. If you don't, use a platform subdomain instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will my custom domain stay if I downgrade?">
    If you downgrade off Pro to Pay As You Go, custom domains are not supported on that plan. Don't downgrade without first emailing [support@9pic.ai](mailto:support@9pic.ai) — we'll talk through the implications.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Branding & Theme" icon="palette" href="/pro-guide/branding">
    Match your gallery's colors and logo to the new domain.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Footer & Contact" icon="address-card" href="/pro-guide/footer-contact">
    Add footer copy and a contact form to the branded site.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Domain Reference" icon="book" href="/dashboard-guide/settings/domain">
    The full Dashboard Guide reference for every status and action.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Advanced Settings" icon="sliders" href="/pro-guide/advanced-settings">
    Configure your own analytics if needed.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>