Private Relay emails bounced as 'Unauthorized Sender'

Private relay emails are not being delivered, even though we've followed the guidance here, https://developer.apple.com/help/account/capabilities/configure-private-email-relay-service/ iCloud, gmail etc. get delivered fine but as soon as its a private relay email address they get bounced as unauthorized sender.

We've tried a couple of domains but here I'll document test.x.domain.com

We have registered domains (test.x.domain.com), also the sender communication emails just to be safe (noreply at test.x.domain.com).

Passed SPF Authentication, DKIM Authentication. ESP account shows as all green checks in mailgun.

Is there any way to track down what the actual rejection reason is?

{
	"@timestamp": "2025-08-20T14:30:59.801Z",
	"account": {
		"id": "6425b45fb2fd1e28f4e0110a"
	},
	"delivery-status": {
		"attempt-no": 1,
		"bounce-type": "soft",
		"certificate-verified": true,
		"code": 550,
		"enhanced-code": "5.1.1",
		"first-delivery-attempt-seconds": 0.014,
		"message": "5.1.1 <bounce+b53c9e.27949-6qj4xaisn4k=privaterelay.appleid.com@test.x.domain.com>: unauthorized sender",
		"mx-host": "smtp3.privaterelay.appleid.com",
		"session-seconds": 1.7229999999999999,
		"tls": true
	},
	"domain": {
		"name": "test.x.domain.com"
	},
	"envelope": {
		"sender": "noreply@test.x.domain.com",
		"sending-ip": "111.22.101.215",
		"targets": "6qj4xaisn4k@privaterelay.appleid.com",
		"transport": "smtp"
	},
	"event": "failed",
	"flags": {
		"is-authenticated": true,
		"is-delayed-bounce": false,
		"is-routed": false,
		"is-system-test": false,
		"is-test-mode": false
	},
	"id": "1gtVBeZYQ0yO1SzipVP99Q",
	"log-level": "error",
	"message": {
		"headers": {
			"from": "\"Test Mail\" <noreply@test.x.domain.com>",
			"message-id": "20250820143058.7cac292cf03993f2@test.x.domain.com",
			"subject": "Test Mail",
			"to": "6qj4xaisn4k@privaterelay.appleid.com"
		},
		"size": 22854
	},
	"primary-dkim": "s1._domainkey.test.x.domain.com",
	"reason": "generic",
	"recipient": "6qj4xaisn4k@privaterelay.appleid.com",
	"recipient-domain": "privaterelay.appleid.com",
	"recipient-provider": "Apple",
	"severity": "permanent",
	"storage": {
		"env": "production",
		"key": "BAABAgFDX5nmZ7fqxxxxxxZNzEVxPmZ8_YQ",
		"region": "europe-west1",
		"url": [
			"https://storage-europe-west1.api.mailgun.net/v3/domains/test.x.domain.com/messages/BAABAgFDXxxxxxxxxxxxxxNzEVxPmZ8_YQ"
		]
	},
	"user-variables": {}
}
Answered by DTS Engineer in 866894022

Hi @anatt, @GeorgeGuan,

Please see the following post to learn more about troubleshooting email delivery issues with Sign in with Apple:

Gathering required information for troubleshooting Private Email Relay with Sign in with Apple

https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/794191

If you're unable to resolve the issue, please complete the steps outlined within and submit a report via Feedback Assistant. Once submitted, please reply here with the Feedback ID so I can begin my investigation.

Cheers,

Paris X Pinkney |  WWDR | DTS Engineer

We’re experiencing the same issue. Our ESP account also shows all green checks (SPF, DKIM, etc.), but after sending, users with private relay addresses still don’t receive the emails.

Hi @anatt, @GeorgeGuan,

Please see the following post to learn more about troubleshooting email delivery issues with Sign in with Apple:

Gathering required information for troubleshooting Private Email Relay with Sign in with Apple

https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/794191

If you're unable to resolve the issue, please complete the steps outlined within and submit a report via Feedback Assistant. Once submitted, please reply here with the Feedback ID so I can begin my investigation.

Cheers,

Paris X Pinkney |  WWDR | DTS Engineer

Private Relay emails bounced as 'Unauthorized Sender'
 
 
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