Why Does WordPress Send Email Change Confirmations?
WordPress automatically sends confirmation emails to verify changes in email addresses. This feature is part of its security protocol to ensure that unauthorized changes are not made to your account or website.
However, in some scenarios, these emails might feel redundant. For example:
- Frequent email updates: Admins managing client sites or multiple users might need to change email addresses often.
- Test environments: Developers or testers working on staging sites might not want to receive such notifications repeatedly.
Fortunately, WordPress offers ways to disable these emails without compromising overall website security.
Methods to Stop Email Change Confirmation Emails in WordPress
1. Use a Custom Function in Your Theme’s functions.php
File
One of the simplest ways to disable email change confirmation emails is by adding a custom function to your theme’s functions.php
file.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Access the WordPress Dashboard
Navigate to Appearance > Theme File Editor or use an FTP client to access your WordPress files.
- Locate the
functions.php
File
Open your active theme’s functions.php
file.
- Add the Following Code
This code disables the email notification sent when a user or admin changes their email address.
- Save the Changes
Save and upload the modified file if you’re using an FTP client.
Note: Always back up your website before making changes to core files.
2. Install a WordPress Plugin
If you’re not comfortable editing code, plugins offer a hassle-free alternative.
Recommended Plugins:
- Disable Emails
This plugin allows you to disable all types of WordPress email notifications, including email change confirmations.
- WP Mail Logging
While primarily a logging tool, it can help monitor and disable unnecessary email notifications.
Steps to Use:
- Install and activate your preferred plugin from the WordPress Plugin Directory.
- Follow the plugin’s settings to disable email change notifications.
3. Modify Site-Wide Email Settings
For advanced users, you can configure your WordPress installation to control email behavior globally. This can be done via custom SMTP settings or a mail management plugin. However, this approach is typically more technical and may affect other email notifications.
Things to Consider Before Disabling Notifications
While disabling email change confirmations can streamline your workflow, it’s crucial to weigh the potential security risks:
- Unauthorized Changes: Disabling these notifications might leave you unaware of unauthorized email updates.
- Alternative Security Measures: Ensure that you have strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled to mitigate risks.
Disabling email change confirmation emails in WordPress can save time and reduce unnecessary notifications, especially for administrators and developers. Whether you choose to edit your functions.php
file or use a plugin, ensure that your website’s security isn’t compromised. Always test changes on a staging site and maintain regular backups to safeguard your site from unexpected issues.
By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively stop these confirmation emails and focus on managing your WordPress site efficiently.