Let’s face it: usernames can be easy to forget, but most people never lose track of their email address. So why force users to log in with a username when their email is just as unique? With the Authentication - Email plugin, you can offer a seamless, hassle-free login experience that keeps your users coming back.
Email
v5.0.1
Joomla! 3/4/5
How It Works
When you activate Authentication - Email alongside the default Authentication - Joomla! plugin, users gain flexibility: they can log in with either their username or their email address (plus their password, of course). Want to go email-only? Simply disable the Authentication - Joomla! plugin, and users will log in using only their email address. It’s that easy.
What’s New in Joomla 5?
As of Joomla 5 (and plugin version 5.0.0), things got even simpler. The system plugin is no longer needed, and since Joomla 5 now requires an email address for account recovery, the plugin fits right in—no extra tweaks required.
Customizing Your Login Page
Heads up: this plugin doesn’t automatically update your login page or module labels. To match the email-friendly experience (like in the screenshot below), you’ll need a quick output override. The language constant to adjust is:
- COM_USERS_LOGIN_USERNAME_LABEL
- MOD_LOGIN_VALUE_USERNAME
That’s it! A small change for a big improvement.
Why It Matters
By offering email-based logins, you’re removing friction and making your site more accessible. Happy users are loyal users—let Authentication - Email help you deliver a modern, frustration-free experience.
Download the Plugin
Authentication - Email 5.0.122323
Report a Bug Documentation
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does the Authentication - Email plugin do?
It allows users to log in to your Joomla site using their email address instead of (or in addition to) their username, making the login process simpler and more intuitive.
Which Joomla versions are supported?
Yes, if you enable both Authentication - Email and the default Authentication - Joomla! plugin, users can log in with either their username or email address. Disable the Joomla plugin to make email the only option.
Do I need any other plugins for this to work?
No extra plugins are required. In Joomla 5 (since version 5.0.0 of this plugin), the system plugin dependency is gone—just enable Authentication - Email and you’re set.
Will this plugin change my login page text automatically?
No, it doesn’t alter the wording of your login page or module. To update labels (e.g., from “Username” to “Email”), you’ll need to override the language constants listed in the article.
How do I set up an output override for the login labels?
Create a template override in your Joomla template. Copy the login module’s language files to your template’s language override folder and edit the constants listed above. Check Joomla’s documentation for step-by-step guidance.
Does this plugin affect password recovery?
No, it only handles authentication. Joomla 5 already requires an email address for lost username/password recovery, so it pairs perfectly with this plugin—no extra changes needed.
Can I use this plugin to force email-only logins?
Yes! Disable the Authentication - Joomla! plugin, and users will only be able to log in with their email address and password.
Is this plugin secure?
Absolutely. It leverages Joomla’s built-in authentication system, ensuring that email-based logins are just as secure as username-based ones.
What happens if a user has multiple accounts with the same email?
Joomla requires email addresses to be unique per user account, so this won’t be an issue—each email corresponds to a single account.
Why should I use email logins instead of usernames?
Email addresses are easier for users to remember, reducing login frustration and support requests. It’s a small tweak that improves user experience significantly.
Where can I get support if I run into issues?
There's a bug report link on this page!
32 Reviews
Retrieved from JED monthly
Complete - Unfiltered
Many thanks to you :)
2011-05-24 - Anastasiya
Thank you for this nice plugin, it's just what I was thinking about :)
Just perfect
2012-03-15 - Adrian Gonzalez Arguelles
What a plugin should be. Easy description, easy functionality. Installs and runs perfectly.
A must have for Social Networks based in Joomla.
Top Quality
2012-04-01 - Seth
Absolutely no hassle addition to Joomla authentication functionality. Installation is a breeze, just enable the plugin and log in with the email address of the account! Couldn't be happier.
Simple and working
2012-09-28 - Ahmad Alfy
To cut it short, this just work fine.
I just wanted to say that you can override the language string as the attached screenshot without modifying the files ... You can just use language overrides.
Superb
2012-10-01 - Marco N
Essential component to any modern website.
Works right out of the box. Great work!
Very Good!
2012-10-03 - baijianpeng
It works! Now user can use his username or email to login my website.
Worked great on Joomla 2.5 site
2013-01-17 - ern1001
It worked just as described. Many thanks!
To do the override, here is what worked for me. Use the Joomla Language Manager, click on "Overrides" and then click to create a new Override.
Fill in the form as follows:
Language Constant: MOD_LOGIN_VALUE_USERNAME
Text: Username or Email Address
Good Free Extensions
2013-04-10 - MU DOT MY PLT
Bravo Developer!
Good free extension while others selling it.
Well, yeah, why not
2013-05-10 - Chad Meyers
Simple, Works, Free. This truly should be part of the Joomla core! I hate the requirement of a unique username, my email IS unique!!!
No brainer
2013-05-17 - Rick Stoffiere
A perfect solution to one of the most irritating Joomla quirks. This NEEDS to be part of the core. Thanks again to this fantastic developer!!
Works great!
2013-07-24 - Zachary
Installed and working in literally seconds. Thanks for a great plugin! I have added it to my list of essential plugins for all Joomla! sites I build. Joomla! needs to consider including this functionality in the core.
Perfect!
2013-08-28 - John Vesey
Does exactly what it should. Nothing to configure, just install and make sure that the plug-in is enabled.
No more "I've forgotten my username" emails for me :-)
As others have said, this plug-in performs a function that should be part of the Joomla! core.
World perfect plugin !
2014-01-01 - Pol Lop
Installed this plugin and did some setup and overrides...it worked very fine and now i can log in using username or email..thanks...this plugin adds to some kind of site security and should be included into joomla core...thanks once more.
Good plugin, recommend for login using email!
2014-01-17 - Ngo Tri Phuc
Recommend this plugin for all people that using email as a login credential!
Also good for Virtuemart,
Should using both of username and email as login credentials, because you will usually login Joomla backend by user administrator!
Thank you very much!
Amazing Service
2014-04-02 - Barbara Lang
I have loved this extension since I found it a few months ago, it was so easy to install and worked flawlessly.
I recently had a small issue and not only did he reply back almost immediately but he worked hard to help me pinpoint the problem in the configuration on my site. He was polite and patient and so supportive to this website newbie.
Thank you for this!
2014-07-17 - juang stella
Thank you for the very useful and easy use extension!
Great
2014-07-24 - Suman G
An extremely useful extension. Thank you so much for creating it.
Works Great but I couldnt override the Registration Form
2014-12-22 - Carlos Crison
- Functionality
- This extension works like a charm. It does exactly what it says, and that is wonderful. Thanks a lot to the developer for his contribution.
- Ease Of Use
- It's very easy to use. Just install it, enable the plugins and you're good to go.
- Documentation
- There is not much documentation for this extension and maybe it's not needed.
i have use in 2 sites
2015-06-22 - TecDiSol.com
- Functionality
- easy
- Ease Of Use
- easy
- Support
- i have not need it
- Documentation
- good
Works great
2015-09-16 - Ian Edwards
- Functionality
- Does what it says, allows users to login using their email address instead of user name, works also on password reset verification.
- Ease Of Use
- Two plugins to enable and three or four "username" language constants to override depending on how your site is set up.
- Support
- Not needed
- Documentation
- It's so simple to install you think there should be more instructions but they're not needed.
Works Great
2016-01-17 - Ike
- Functionality
- It works as said on the can
- Ease Of Use
- Very simple to use. Although you need to modify you login page wordings which has nothing to do with the software
- Support
- Not required
- Documentation
- Not required
Essential plugin for Joomla - if a user based site - this plugin is must!
2016-03-16 - Hozefa Patel
- Functionality
- Perfectly work on the joomla latest version 3.4
- Ease Of Use
- Very simple to use just install and its ready to work , but Yes you need some language setting.
- Support
- Nothing need for support though , Just need better understanding of language overrides in joomla backend.
- Documentation
- A small documentation for language override provided with this, but not much explained
Works beautifully
2016-12-16 - Halare
- Functionality
- User can enter either username or their email to login, which is a great option to provide.
- Ease Of Use
- Simply install, turn on and your off and running. No settings to worry about.
- Support
- Not needed.
- Documentation
- Again not needed. But it is there giving you instructions should you want to only use email and not allow the username.
Good extension
2017-03-19 - Jean-Pierre Govaert
- Functionality
- Good
- Ease Of Use
- It's OK except the installation
- Support
- There is a problem with the installation. I update the zip files to add a en-GB directory and I put the language files into this directory.
I like it
2018-02-04 - Tim
- Functionality
- Simple but it works
- Ease Of Use
- Easy to use if you follow the the documentation. Fast installations!
Simply a must have!
2018-02-13 - Nicola
- Functionality
- This extension is very useful for users enjoying. Thanks a lot Michael! Note that here there is an old version.
- Ease Of Use
- Very easy to use and functional.
- Documentation
- Very comprehensive.
Look no further, this free plugin works perfect and is lightweight
2018-11-13 - Modern Designs
- Functionality
- Worked perfect after installed and activated.
- Ease Of Use
- The only issue I saw that when changing the "Constant" override, the underscores were missing, they should be:
(See Documentation below) - Support
- Not needed.
- Documentation
- COM_USERS_LOGIN_USERNAME_LABEL
COM_USERS_FIELD_RESET_CONFIRM_USERNAME_LABEL
MOD_LOGIN_VALUE_USERNAME
It works as expected but...
2019-09-30 - José María Ferri Azorín
- Functionality
- It works as expected, no more, no less, just perfect!
Just install, enable plugin and ready. - Ease Of Use
- Easy to install and easy of use, simple, clear.
I'm using Joomla 3.9.x - Support
- I got 2 warnings, easy to solve, 1 when installing:
h**ps://imagizer. imageshack. com /img923/1649/DqgwCl. png
2nd one, see below - Documentation
- 2nd warning, when upgrading:
h**ps:// imagizer. imageshack. com /img924/6627/N4AmhD.png
you should add 'method="upgrade"' to manifest file
should be joomla-core functionality
2020-02-19 - Dennis
- Functionality
- Simply does what it says.
Not just that: it re-uses joomla-core code and thus is very well built! - Ease Of Use
- Simply install the package with 2 plugins. Optionally override some language strings and your done.
- Support
- Not needed. You do need to know a bit about language overrides and optionally template overrides, though.
- Documentation
- A short webpage with all needed info. Small improvement could be addition of relevant template overrides: com_users/login and mod_login.
Didn't work
2021-09-01 - Pete
- Functionality
- I'm running 3.9.28 and this simply didn't work. There are no errors in the log files it simply returns a status of 4 in one of the arrays.
- Ease Of Use
- If it doesn't work, it ain't easy! Trying to debug it wasn't either.
- Support
- No answer from the author and the forums are overrun with spam... looks like no one has been there in quite a while.
- Documentation
- Mostly clear but some things about editing the language files were pretty unclear.
Exellent plugin, simple et complet
2021-10-04 - AlainR
- Functionality
- Cela fait exactement ce pour quoi il a été conçu : simple et efficace
- Ease Of Use
- Installer et activer : c'est fonctionnel... Que dire de plus ?!!
- Documentation
- Tout est indiqué dans le descriptif : on ne peut plus clair et plus simple.
Excellent little plugin, but we need a version for Joomla 4
2022-10-15 - Lucas Guitink
- Functionality
- Great foor Joomla 3 and lower, but there is none for Joomla 4 yet. I hope it wil come. I couldn't find other plugins that do the same ......
- Ease Of Use
- Great foor Joomla 3 and lower, but there is none for Joomla 4 yet. I hope it wil come. I couldn't find other plugins that do the same ......
- Support
- Great foor Joomla 3 and lower, but there is none for Joomla 4 yet. I hope it wil come. I couldn't find other plugins that do the same ......
- Documentation
- Great foor Joomla 3 and lower, but there is none for Joomla 4 yet. I hope it wil come. I couldn't find other plugins that do the same ......
