---
title: "Get SMTP Settings Ability: Read Email Configuration in WordPress"
url: https://nexterwp.com/docs/nexter-get-smtp-settings/
date: 2026-05-29
modified: 2026-08-19
author: "sandip patel"
description: "The nexter/get-smtp-settings ability reads the current SMTP email configuration from Nexter Extension, returning connection type, server details, and sender info with sensitive values masked."
word_count: 214
---

# Get SMTP Settings Ability: Read Email Configuration in WordPress

## Key Takeaways

- nexter/get-smtp-settings returns the current SMTP email configuration from Nexter Extension, including connection type, server host and port, encryption method, and sender details.
- Passwords and authentication credentials are masked in the returned data, and the ability is read-only, so it never changes any email settings.
- The ability returns Gmail or custom SMTP configuration data and includes fields such as enabled, type, from_name, from_email, host, port 25, 465, or 587, encryption tls, ssl, or none, auto_tls, auth, username, and password.

The **nexter/get-smtp-settings** ability reads the current SMTP email configuration from Nexter Extension. It returns the connection type, server host and port, encryption method, and sender details. Sensitive values such as passwords are masked in the response. Use this ability to audit or display current email delivery settings without exposing credentials.

## Key Takeaways

This ability takes no input parameters.

Passwords and authentication credentials are masked in the returned data.

It returns both Gmail and custom SMTP configuration data depending on the type setting.

This ability is read-only. It never changes any email settings.

Use nexter/update-smtp-settings to modify SMTP configuration.

## Required Setup

This ability ships with Nexter Extension (Free). If you do not have it installed, follow the guide on how to install and activate Nexter Extension first.

## What It Returns

The ability returns an SMTP settings object. Fields include: **enabled** (boolean), **type** (gmail or custom), **from_name**, **from_email**, **host**, **port** (25, 465, or 587), **encryption** (tls, ssl, or none), **auto_tls** (boolean), **auth** (boolean), **username**, and **password** (masked).

## When to Use This Ability

Verify current SMTP configuration before updating settings via nexter/update-smtp-settings.

Check whether SMTP is enabled and which type is active on a site.

Display current email sender info in an admin dashboard without revealing the password.

## Related Documentation

Update SMTP Settings Ability: nexter/update-smtp-settings

Get Security Settings Ability: nexter/get-security-settings

Get Performance Settings Ability: nexter/get-performance-settings

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Why is my SMTP password not showing in the response?**
A: The password is masked by design in the nexter/get-smtp-settings ability. Nexter Extension returns the current SMTP configuration, but sensitive credentials are hidden so you can inspect delivery settings without exposing secrets. That makes it safer for admin dashboards and audit views, especially when multiple people can see the output.

**Q: Can I use this to display email sender settings in an admin dashboard?**
A: This ability is built for that kind of read-only display. It returns sender details like from_name and from_email, plus connection data such as host, port, and encryption, while keeping the password masked. That means you can show current email delivery settings in a dashboard without leaking credentials.

**Q: Does this change SMTP settings or only read them?**
A: It only reads the current configuration. The ability is read-only and never changes any email settings, so it is safe to use for inspection or reporting. If you need to modify SMTP configuration, Nexter Extension points to nexter/update-smtp-settings for that separate job.

**Q: What SMTP details does nexter/get-smtp-settings return?**
A: It returns an SMTP settings object with enabled, type, from_name, from_email, host, port, encryption, auto_tls, auth, username, and a masked password. The port value is one of 25, 465, or 587, and encryption can be tls, ssl, or none. That gives you enough detail to audit how mail is currently configured without exposing secrets.

**Q: Do I need Nexter Extension installed before using this ability?**
A: Nexter Extension (Free) is required because this ability ships with it. Without that extension installed and activated, the SMTP settings readout will not be available. In practice, this matters if you are trying to verify mail delivery settings on a site that has not added the extension yet.

**Q: Should I use this before updating SMTP settings?**
A: Using it first is the cleanest way to avoid overwriting an existing setup by accident. It lets you verify whether SMTP is enabled and which type is active before calling nexter/update-smtp-settings. That is especially useful when a site may already be using Gmail or custom SMTP and you need to confirm the current state before changing anything.