Adding a custom domain to a Bubble app requires entering the domain in Bubble's Settings, configuring DNS records at your registrar (CNAME for subdomains or A records for root domains), waiting for DNS propagation, and verifying SSL certificate provisioning. This replaces the default yourapp.bubbleapps.io URL with your own branded domain. Custom domains require a paid Bubble plan.
Overview: Custom Domains in Bubble
This tutorial walks you through connecting your own domain name to your Bubble app, replacing the default bubbleapps.io URL with a professional branded domain.
Prerequisites
- A Bubble app on a paid plan (Starter or higher)
- A registered domain name
- Access to your domain registrar's DNS management
- Your Bubble app deployed to development or live
Step-by-step guide
Add your domain in Bubble Settings
Add your domain in Bubble Settings
Go to Settings → Domain / email in your Bubble editor. In the Domain section, enter your custom domain (www.yoursite.com or app.yoursite.com). Click 'Add domain'. Bubble displays the DNS records you need to configure. Copy these values — for subdomains you get a CNAME target, for root domains you get A record IP addresses.
Expected result: Your domain is registered in Bubble settings with DNS configuration values displayed.
Configure DNS records at your registrar
Configure DNS records at your registrar
Log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.). Navigate to DNS settings. For a subdomain (www.yoursite.com): add a CNAME record with Host = 'www' and Value = the CNAME target Bubble provided. For a root domain (yoursite.com): add A records pointing to Bubble's IP addresses. Set TTL to the lowest available value (300 seconds) for faster propagation.
Expected result: DNS records point your domain to Bubble's servers.
Wait for DNS propagation and verify
Wait for DNS propagation and verify
DNS changes typically propagate within 1-2 hours but can take up to 48 hours. Check propagation at dnschecker.org. Return to Bubble Settings → Domain and click to verify. Bubble confirms when it can see your DNS records. If verification fails, double-check the record type, host, and value match exactly.
Expected result: Bubble confirms DNS records are correctly configured.
Verify SSL certificate provisioning
Verify SSL certificate provisioning
Bubble automatically provisions a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate. This can take minutes to hours after DNS verification. Visit your domain in a browser — you should see the padlock icon. If you see SSL errors, wait 30 minutes and retry. If using Cloudflare, set the DNS record to 'DNS only' (grey cloud) — Cloudflare's proxy mode conflicts with Bubble's SSL.
Pro tip: If SSL issues persist after 2 hours, remove and re-add the domain in Bubble settings to trigger a fresh certificate request.
Expected result: Your custom domain loads with HTTPS and a valid SSL certificate.
Set up redirects between www and non-www
Set up redirects between www and non-www
Bubble serves your app on the domain you configured. If you want both yoursite.com and www.yoursite.com to work, set up the primary domain in Bubble and a redirect for the alternate. Most registrars offer URL forwarding: redirect yoursite.com to www.yoursite.com (or vice versa) with a 301 permanent redirect. If using Cloudflare, create a Page Rule for the redirect.
Expected result: Both www and non-www versions of your domain work, with one redirecting to the other.
Complete working example
1CUSTOM DOMAIN — SETUP SUMMARY2================================34BUBBLE SETTINGS:5 Settings → Domain / email → Add domain6 Enter: www.yoursite.com78DNS — SUBDOMAIN (www):9 Type: CNAME10 Host: www11 Value: [Bubble CNAME target]12 TTL: 3001314DNS — ROOT DOMAIN:15 Type: A16 Host: @ (or blank)17 Value: [Bubble IP 1]18 Type: A19 Host: @20 Value: [Bubble IP 2]21 TTL: 3002223SSL CERTIFICATE:24 Automatic via Let's Encrypt25 Time: minutes to hours26 Cloudflare: use DNS only (grey cloud)2728REDIRECT:29 Primary: www.yoursite.com (in Bubble)30 Redirect: yoursite.com → www.yoursite.com (301)31 Configure at registrar or Cloudflare Page RuleCommon mistakes when adding a Custom Domain to a Bubble App
Why it's a problem: Using Cloudflare proxy mode (orange cloud) with Bubble
How to avoid: Set DNS records to DNS only (grey cloud) in Cloudflare for your Bubble domain
Why it's a problem: Checking too early before DNS has propagated
How to avoid: Wait 1-2 hours before troubleshooting, and use dnschecker.org to monitor propagation
Why it's a problem: Configuring the root domain in Bubble but only setting up a CNAME record
How to avoid: Use A records for root domains and CNAME records for subdomains (www, app, etc.)
Best practices
- Use a subdomain (www or app) for simpler DNS setup with CNAME records
- Set TTL to 300 seconds before making changes for faster propagation
- Use Cloudflare DNS only mode to avoid SSL conflicts
- Set up 301 redirects between www and non-www for SEO
- Test your domain from multiple networks/devices to verify global propagation
- Keep your old bubbleapps.io URL working as a fallback during transition
- Document your DNS records in case you need to reconfigure
Still stuck?
Copy one of these prompts to get a personalized, step-by-step explanation.
I want to connect my custom domain (purchased on Namecheap) to my Bubble.io app. What DNS records do I need and how do I set up SSL?
Help me connect www.myapp.com to my Bubble app. Walk me through the Settings configuration, DNS records I need at my registrar, and SSL verification. Also set up a redirect from myapp.com to www.myapp.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a custom domain on Bubble's free plan?
No. Custom domains require a paid plan (Starter or higher). Free plan apps are only accessible at yourapp.bubbleapps.io.
How long does SSL certificate setup take?
SSL certificates are provisioned automatically after DNS verification. It typically takes 5-30 minutes but can take up to a few hours.
Can I use multiple domains with one Bubble app?
Bubble supports one primary domain per app. For additional domains, set up 301 redirects from the extra domains to your primary domain at the DNS level.
Will changing my domain affect my SEO?
If you are changing from one custom domain to another, set up 301 redirects from the old domain to preserve SEO value. The transition from bubbleapps.io to a custom domain only helps SEO.
Can RapidDev help with domain configuration for my Bubble app?
Yes. RapidDev handles complete domain setup including DNS configuration, SSL verification, email preservation, and redirect setup for Bubble apps.
Talk to an Expert
Our team has built 600+ apps. Get personalized help with your project.
Book a free consultation