Custom Domains

Use your own domain name for professional, branded project URLs. Custom domains are managed through Vercel integration and available to Pro subscribers.

Written By Nick Gatzoulis

Last updated 4 months ago

What are custom domains?

Custom domains replace your default App2 preview URL with your own branded domain name.

Default domain examples:

  • my-app-abc123.vercel.app

Custom domain examples:

  • app.yourdomain.com

  • demo.yourcompany.io

Why use custom domains:

  • Professional branding: Share polished URLs with clients

  • Trust and credibility: Own domain looks more official

  • Easy to remember: Branded URLs are simpler to share

  • SEO benefits: Better search engine presence

  • Multiple domains: Support different audiences with different URLs

Note: Custom domains are configured through Vercel. App2 displays domain status but management happens in your Vercel dashboard.

Prerequisites

Before adding a custom domain, ensure you have:

  1. Pro subscription: Custom domains require Pro or Lifetime tier ($25/month minimum)

  2. Vercel account: Free or paid Vercel account (sign up)

  3. Domain name: Purchased from any registrar (Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.)

  4. Vercel integration: Connected to your App2 workspace

  5. Linked project: App2 project linked to Vercel deployment

Setup steps

Step 1: Connect Vercel integration

First, connect your Vercel account to App2.

  1. Go to Workspace Settings → Integrations → Vercel

  2. Click "Add Vercel Team"

  3. Enter your Vercel team details:

    • Team ID (find in Vercel dashboard under team settings)

    • API token (create in Vercel dashboard under tokens)

  4. Click "Validate and Save"

Vercel integration is now available to all projects in your workspace.

Tip: Create a scoped Vercel API token for better security. Limit access to only the teams and projects you need.

Step 2: Link project to Vercel

Connect your App2 project to Vercel deployment.

  1. Open your App2 project

  2. Go to Project Settings → General

  3. Find Vercel Deployment section

  4. Click "Link Vercel Project"

  5. Select your Vercel team from the dropdown

  6. Click "Link"

App2 creates a Vercel project and deploys your code automatically.

What happens:

  • Vercel project created under your team

  • GitHub repository connected to Vercel

  • Automatic deployment triggered

  • Default domain assigned (your-project.vercel.app)

Step 3: Add custom domain in Vercel

Configure your custom domain in the Vercel dashboard.

  1. Go to Vercel Dashboard

  2. Select your team

  3. Find your App2 project

  4. Click Settings → Domains

  5. Click "Add Domain"

  6. Enter your domain name (e.g., app.yourdomain.com)

  7. Click "Add"

Vercel provides DNS configuration instructions.

Step 4: Configure DNS records

Add DNS records at your domain registrar.

For subdomain (e.g., app.yourdomain.com):

  1. Log into your domain registrar (Namecheap, GoDaddy, etc.)

  2. Go to DNS settings

  3. Add a CNAME record:

    • Name/Host: app (or your subdomain)

    • Value/Points to: cname.vercel-dns.com

    • TTL: Automatic or 3600

  4. Save DNS changes

For root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com):

  1. Add an A record:

    • Name/Host: @ or blank

    • Value: 76.76.21.21

  2. Save DNS changes

Note: DNS propagation can take 5 minutes to 48 hours. Most domains verify within 10-30 minutes.

Step 5: Verify domain

Vercel automatically verifies your domain once DNS propagates.

Check verification status:

  1. In Vercel dashboard, go to project Settings → Domains

  2. Look for verification badge

  3. If pending, wait for DNS propagation

  4. Refresh page to check status

In App2:

  1. Go to Project Settings → Custom Domains

  2. Click refresh icon to update status

  3. View verification badge (Verified or Pending)

Once verified, your custom domain is live!

Managing domains

View domain status in App2

Check your custom domain configuration in App2 project settings.

What you'll see:

  • Primary domain: The main URL for your project

  • Domain type: Custom, App2-managed, or Vercel default

  • Verification status: Verified or Pending

  • All configured domains: List of all domains for this project

Domain badges:

  • Custom Domain (green): Your own domain configured

  • Default Domain (gray): Standard App2/Vercel URL

  • Primary (green): Main domain for the project

  • Verified (green): DNS verified and SSL active

  • Pending (yellow): Awaiting DNS verification

Manage in Vercel dashboard

All domain management happens in Vercel:

From App2:

  1. Project Settings → Custom Domains

  2. Click "Manage on Vercel"

  3. Opens Vercel dashboard for your project

In Vercel you can:

  • Add new domains

  • Remove domains

  • Set primary domain

  • View SSL certificates

  • Configure redirects

  • See DNS configuration

Domain verification

Vercel automatically:

  • Verifies DNS configuration

  • Issues SSL certificates

  • Enables HTTPS

  • Updates verification status

Verification typically takes:

  • Subdomain (CNAME): 5-30 minutes

  • Root domain (A record): 10-60 minutes

If verification fails:

  • Check DNS records are correct

  • Wait longer for DNS propagation

  • Verify domain isn't used elsewhere

  • Check registrar DNS settings

Primary domain selection

When you have multiple domains, Vercel automatically selects a primary domain.

Priority order:

  1. Custom domains (your own domains)

  2. Vercel default domains (*.vercel.app)

App2 shows: The highest-priority verified domain as your project's main URL.

Domain types

Default domains

Vercel default (.vercel.app):

  • Vercel's standard domain

  • Used during initial deployment

  • Replaced by App2 domain

  • Still accessible as fallback

Example: my-app-xyz123.vercel.app

Custom domains

Your own registered domain names configured through Vercel.

Supported formats:

  • Subdomains: app.yourdomain.com, demo.yoursite.io

  • Root domains: yourdomain.com

  • Multiple subdomains: app.site.com, beta.site.com

SSL certificates:

  • Automatically issued by Vercel

  • Free with Let's Encrypt

  • Auto-renewal handled

  • HTTPS enforced

Tip: Use subdomains for App2 projects (e.g., app.yourdomain.com) and keep your root domain for marketing sites.

Troubleshooting

Domain not verifying

Issue: Domain stuck in "Pending" status after 30+ minutes.

Solutions:

  1. Verify DNS records are correct (CNAME for subdomain, A for root)

  2. Check DNS has propagated: Use whatsmydns.net

  3. Ensure domain isn't already used on another Vercel project

  4. Try removing and re-adding the domain

  5. Wait up to 48 hours for full propagation

"Domain already in use" error

Issue: Can't add domain because it's used elsewhere.

Solutions:

  1. Remove domain from other Vercel projects

  2. Check domain isn't pointed to other services

  3. Verify you own the domain

  4. Use a different subdomain

Custom domain not showing in App2

Issue: Domain verified in Vercel but not showing in App2.

Solutions:

  1. Click refresh icon in App2 Custom Domains settings

  2. Wait a few minutes and refresh page

  3. Verify Vercel project is properly linked

  4. Check project settings show Vercel integration

SSL certificate errors

Issue: HTTPS not working or certificate warnings.

Solutions:

  1. Wait for Vercel to issue certificate (usually 5-10 minutes)

  2. Verify domain is verified in Vercel

  3. Check DNS points to correct Vercel servers

  4. Contact Vercel support if persists after 24 hours

Can't change to custom domain (locked)

Issue: App2 shows "slug updates not permitted" when trying to change project slug.

Solution: Projects with custom domains cannot change slugs. Custom domains are tied to the Vercel project name. To rename, you'll need to set up a new custom domain or reconfigure in Vercel.

Common questions

Do custom domains cost extra?

No. Custom domains don't have additional fees beyond:

  • App2 Pro subscription ($25/month minimum)

  • Your domain registration fee (from your registrar)

  • Optional: Vercel Pro for additional features

Can I use multiple custom domains?

Yes. Add multiple domains in Vercel dashboard. Vercel automatically selects a primary domain, but all domains work and redirect to your app.

How do I set a specific domain as primary?

Configure this in Vercel dashboard under project Settings → Domains. Vercel prioritizes custom domains over default domains automatically.

Will my default domain still work?

Yes. Your Vercel default domain continue to work alongside your custom domain. All URLs point to the same deployed app.

Can I use a root domain without www?

Yes. Use an A record pointing to Vercel's IP address. Most users prefer subdomains (app.yourdomain.com) to keep root domains for marketing sites.

Do I need SSL certificates?

No. Vercel automatically provisions and renews SSL certificates for all domains (custom and default) using Let's Encrypt. HTTPS is enforced automatically.

Can I use domains from any registrar?

Yes. Custom domains work with any domain registrar (Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Google Domains, etc.). You just need to update DNS records.

What if I remove Vercel integration?

Your custom domain stops working. The app becomes inaccessible until you reconnect Vercel or use a different deployment method.

Can Free tier users use custom domains?

No. Custom domains require Pro or Lifetime subscription. Free tier users can use default App2-managed domains.

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