Title: Support for setting the Return-Path
Last modified: August 3, 2026

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# Support for setting the Return-Path

 *  Resolved [michaelbruch](https://wordpress.org/support/users/michaelbruch/)
 * (@michaelbruch)
 * [2 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/support-for-setting-the-return-path/)
 * Hello,
 * I am using MEOW SMTP on a WordPress installation and would like to continue using
   it.
 * A custom plugin on the same website dynamically sets a dedicated bounce address
   as the **Return-Path / Envelope-From** for outgoing emails. The bounce address
   itself does not need to be configured in MEOW SMTP.
 * Other SMTP plugins provide an option called **“Set Return Path”**, described 
   as follows:
 * > `The Return-Path determines where non-delivery reports and bounce emails are
   > sent. If this option is not enabled, bounce messages may be lost.`
 * I could not find a similar option in MEOW SMTP.
 * Does MEOW SMTP support a Return-Path set by another plugin, for example through
   PHPMailer’s `Sender` property or the `phpmailer_init` hook? Is there a setting,
   filter, or hook that ensures MEOW SMTP preserves and uses this value instead 
   of overriding or removing it?
 * The visible From address should remain unchanged. Only the Return-Path / Envelope-
   From is set dynamically by my custom plugin.
 * Thank you for your help.

Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)

 *  Plugin Author [Jordy Meow](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tigroumeow/)
 * (@tigroumeow)
 * [2 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/support-for-setting-the-return-path/#post-18983011)
 * Hello,
 * You were right that it was missing, and I have just added it. **It will be in
   0.2.0.**
 * First, why your current approach could not have worked, so you do not go on debugging
   it. Once a provider is selected, Meow Mailer takes over from _wp\_mail_ before
   WordPress builds its own PHPMailer object, so _phpmailer\_init_ never fires at
   all. Nothing was overriding the Sender your plugin sets. The hook it listens 
   on simply never ran.
 * In 0.2.0 there are three ways to set the envelope sender, and none of them touch
   the visible From:
 * There is a Return Path field in Settings, under Sender, for a fixed bounce mailbox.
   Leave it empty and bounces follow the From address exactly as they do today.
 * A Return-Path header passed to _wp\_mail_ is now taken as the envelope sender
   for that message, instead of being carried along as a header that the receiving
   server rewrites anyway.
 * For your case, a filter called _mwmail\_return\_path_ receives the address and
   the message it belongs to, so you can return a different bounce address per email.
   That is the one to use for a dynamic address, and it replaces your _phpmailer\
   _init_ hook entirely.
 * One caveat worth knowing. This is the SMTP envelope sender, so it applies to 
   Generic SMTP. The API providers, Mailgun, SendGrid, Brevo and the rest, wrap 
   your message in their own envelope and handle bounces on their side, so the field
   is inert there rather than wrong. If you are on Generic SMTP you are covered.
 * Cheers,
   Jordy.

Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)

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 * 1 reply
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Jordy Meow](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tigroumeow/)
 * Last activity: [2 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/support-for-setting-the-return-path/#post-18983011)
 * Status: resolved