Default (PHP Mail) uses PHP’s built-in mail() function to send email. It requires no configuration and is available on every WordPress installation.
How to Select It
Navigate to WP Admin → NimblyMail → Settings → Connection and select Default (PHP) from the mailer list. There are no fields to fill in — click Save Settings and you are done.
Why It Is Not Recommended for Production
PHP mail() hands email off to the local mail transfer agent (MTA) configured on the server. On most shared hosting and cloud environments this means:
- Poor deliverability. Email sent through the server’s local MTA has no DKIM or SPF authentication tied to your domain. Receiving servers treat it as suspicious, and a large proportion ends up in spam folders or is silently rejected.
- No authentication. There is no way to sign outgoing messages with DKIM using PHP Mail alone.
- Often blocked entirely. Many hosting providers disable the
mail()function or restrict it to prevent abuse. Email may silently fail without any error. - No delivery visibility. PHP Mail provides no bounce handling, open tracking, or delivery receipts.
Warning: Do not use Default (PHP Mail) on a production site where reliable email delivery matters — for example, password resets, WooCommerce order confirmations, or membership notifications. Use any of the other providers instead.
When to Use It
Default (PHP Mail) is appropriate in two situations:
- Local development. When running WordPress locally (e.g., LocalWP, XAMPP, MAMP) you may want to confirm that a plugin is triggering email without configuring a real mail service. Pair it with a local email capture tool like Mailpit or MailHog to intercept outgoing mail instead of delivering it.
- Quick smoke tests. If you need to verify that NimblyMail itself is installed and active before configuring a real provider, selecting Default (PHP Mail) lets you run a test send immediately.
Tip: If you are on a local environment and emails are not being captured, check whether your local server’s MTA is running. With LocalWP you can install the Mailpit add-on to intercept all outgoing email.