How to install Postfix and Dovecot for email

Updated 7/20/2026

Postfix handles sending and receiving email (SMTP), and Dovecot handles access to mailboxes (IMAP). Together they form the base of a classic mail server.

1. Install Postfix

apt-get update -y
apt-get install -y postfix

Choose "Internet Site" and enter your domain name during configuration.

2. Install Dovecot

apt-get install -y dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3d

3. Configure storage (Maildir)

In /etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-mail.conf:

mail_location = maildir:~/Maildir

4. Enable TLS

Email must be encrypted. Use a Let's Encrypt certificate, see free SSL certificate, and point Postfix and Dovecot to it.

5. Open the ports

ufw allow 25/tcp
ufw allow 587/tcp
ufw allow 993/tcp

Important

Manual setup is educational but laborious. For production, a solution like Mailcow is easier to maintain. Either way, configure SPF, DKIM and DMARC.

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