How to Change DNS Settings on Your Mac: A Comprehensive Guide
Changing your DNS (Domain Name System) settings on your Mac can significantly improve your internet browsing experience. DNS servers translate domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses (like 172.217.160.142), which computers use to connect to websites. The default DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP) might not always be the fastest or most reliable. Switching to public DNS servers like Google Public DNS, Cloudflare, or OpenDNS can lead to faster page loading times, increased security, and better overall performance. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to change your DNS settings on your macOS device.
Why Change Your DNS Settings?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s understand why you might want to change your DNS settings in the first place:
* **Speed Improvement:** Your ISP’s DNS servers might be geographically distant or overloaded, leading to slower resolution times. Public DNS servers often have a global network and optimized infrastructure, resulting in faster response times.
* **Increased Security:** Some public DNS servers offer built-in security features like phishing protection and malware filtering, which can help protect you from malicious websites.
* **Reliability:** ISP DNS servers can sometimes experience outages, preventing you from accessing websites. Public DNS servers are typically more reliable due to their robust infrastructure.
* **Bypassing Censorship:** In some regions, ISPs might block access to certain websites by manipulating DNS records. Using public DNS servers can help bypass these restrictions.
* **Parental Control:** Some DNS providers, like OpenDNS FamilyShield, offer parental control features that block access to inappropriate content.
Methods to Change DNS Settings on Mac
There are several ways to change your DNS settings on a Mac. We’ll cover the most common and effective methods:
1. **Using System Preferences (GUI Method)**
2. **Using the Terminal (Command Line Method)**
3. **Changing DNS Settings for a Specific Wi-Fi Network**
1. Using System Preferences (GUI Method)
This is the most straightforward and user-friendly method for changing your DNS settings on a Mac.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
* **Step 1: Access System Preferences:**
* Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
* Select “System Preferences…”
* **Step 2: Open the Network Preferences:**
* In System Preferences, click on the “Network” icon. It usually resembles a globe or a Wi-Fi symbol.
* **Step 3: Select Your Active Network Connection:**
* In the left-hand sidebar, you’ll see a list of network connections, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thunderbolt Bridge. Select the active network connection you’re currently using to connect to the internet. This is typically your Wi-Fi network or your Ethernet connection if you’re directly connected to your router.
* **Step 4: Click on the “Advanced…” Button:**
* Once you’ve selected your active network connection, click the “Advanced…” button located in the lower-right corner of the Network window.
* **Step 5: Navigate to the “DNS” Tab:**
* In the Advanced window, you’ll see several tabs at the top. Click on the “DNS” tab.
* **Step 6: Add DNS Servers:**
* In the “DNS Servers” section, you’ll see a list of existing DNS servers (if any). To add new DNS servers, click on the “+” (plus) button below the list.
* Enter the IP addresses of the DNS servers you want to use. You’ll typically enter at least two DNS server addresses – a primary and a secondary. Common public DNS servers include:
* **Google Public DNS:**
* Primary DNS Server: `8.8.8.8`
* Secondary DNS Server: `8.8.4.4`
* **Cloudflare:**
* Primary DNS Server: `1.1.1.1`
* Secondary DNS Server: `1.0.0.1`
* **OpenDNS:**
* Primary DNS Server: `208.67.222.222`
* Secondary DNS Server: `208.67.220.220`
* **Quad9:**
* Primary DNS Server: `9.9.9.9`
* Secondary DNS Server: `149.112.112.112`
* **Step 7: Remove Existing DNS Servers (Optional but Recommended):**
* To ensure your Mac uses the new DNS servers, it’s best to remove the existing DNS servers from the list. Select each DNS server you want to remove and click the “-” (minus) button below the list. Be careful not to remove any essential DNS servers if you’re unsure about their purpose. Usually, these are the ones automatically assigned by your ISP.
* **Step 8: Apply the Changes:**
* Once you’ve added the new DNS servers and removed the old ones (if desired), click the “OK” button in the Advanced window.
* Then, click the “Apply” button in the Network window to save the changes. Your Mac will automatically flush its DNS cache and start using the new DNS servers.
* **Step 9: Verify the Changes:**
* Open a web browser and try accessing a website. If the website loads quickly and without any issues, the DNS changes were successful.
* You can also verify the changes by using a DNS lookup tool. Open Terminal (located in `/Applications/Utilities/`) and type the following command:
bash
dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
nslookup google.com
* The output will show the IP address of `google.com` and the DNS server that was used to resolve it. Confirm that the DNS server listed is one of the ones you added.
2. Using the Terminal (Command Line Method)
For more advanced users, the Terminal provides a powerful way to change DNS settings. This method is particularly useful for scripting or automating the process.
**Important Note:** This method requires administrator privileges, so you’ll need to enter your password when prompted.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
* **Step 1: Open Terminal:**
* Open the Terminal application. You can find it in `/Applications/Utilities/` or by searching for “Terminal” in Spotlight (Command + Space).
* **Step 2: Identify Your Network Interface:**
* To change DNS settings using the Terminal, you need to know the name of your network interface. You can find this by using the `networksetup` command with the `-listallnetworkservices` option:
bash
networksetup -listallnetworkservices
* This command will list all network services available on your Mac. The active network interface is usually named something like “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”. Note the exact name of your active network interface – you’ll need it in the next steps.
* **Step 3: Set DNS Servers:**
* Use the `networksetup` command with the `-setdnsservers` option to set the DNS servers for your active network interface. Replace `
* **Example using Google Public DNS:**
bash
sudo networksetup -setdnsservers “Wi-Fi” 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4
* **Example using Cloudflare:**
bash
sudo networksetup -setdnsservers “Wi-Fi” 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1
* You’ll be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type your password and press Enter.
* **Step 4: Clear Existing DNS Servers (Optional but Recommended):**
* To clear any existing DNS servers before setting the new ones, use the `networksetup` command with the `-setdnsservers` option and the value `empty`:
bash
sudo networksetup -setdnsservers “Wi-Fi” empty
* This will remove all existing DNS servers from the specified network interface before adding the new ones.
* **Step 5: Verify the Changes:**
* You can verify the DNS settings using the `networksetup` command with the `-getdnsservers` option:
bash
networksetup -getdnsservers “Wi-Fi”
* This command will display the DNS servers currently configured for the specified network interface. Confirm that the output shows the DNS servers you set.
* You can also verify by flushing the DNS cache and performing a DNS lookup as described in Step 9 of the GUI method:
bash
dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
nslookup google.com
3. Changing DNS Settings for a Specific Wi-Fi Network
macOS allows you to configure DNS settings for individual Wi-Fi networks. This is useful if you want to use different DNS servers for different networks (e.g., a public DNS server at home and your ISP’s DNS server at work).
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
* **Step 1: Access System Preferences and Network:**
* Follow Steps 1 and 2 from the “Using System Preferences (GUI Method)” section to open the Network preferences in System Preferences.
* **Step 2: Select Wi-Fi and Click Advanced:**
* Select “Wi-Fi” in the left sidebar and click the “Advanced…” button.
* **Step 3: Choose the Wi-Fi Network:**
* In the Advanced window, click on the “Wi-Fi” tab. You will see a list of preferred Wi-Fi networks.
* **Step 4: Select the Network and Remove It (Important):**
* Select the specific Wi-Fi network you want to configure. **This is crucial: you need to remove the network from the preferred networks list first.** Select the network and click the “-” (minus) button. Click “OK” to confirm.
* **Why is this necessary?** macOS prioritizes the DNS settings associated with the *first* time it connects to a Wi-Fi network. Even if you change the global DNS settings, it will often revert to the original DNS settings when connecting to a familiar network. Removing and re-adding the network forces macOS to re-evaluate the DNS settings.
* **Step 5: Reconnect to the Wi-Fi Network:**
* Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar (top right of your screen) and reconnect to the Wi-Fi network you just removed. You may need to enter the password again.
* **Step 6: Configure DNS Settings:**
* Go back to the Network preferences (System Preferences -> Network -> Wi-Fi -> Advanced… -> DNS tab).
* The Wi-Fi network you just reconnected to should be selected. Now, follow Steps 6-8 from the “Using System Preferences (GUI Method)” section to add the desired DNS servers and remove any existing ones.
* **Step 7: Apply and Verify:**
* Click “OK” and then “Apply” to save the changes. Verify the changes using the DNS lookup method described earlier.
Troubleshooting DNS Issues
If you encounter problems after changing your DNS settings, here are some troubleshooting steps:
* **Flush the DNS Cache:** Your Mac stores cached DNS information to speed up website access. Sometimes, this cached information can become outdated or corrupted, causing problems. To flush the DNS cache, open Terminal and run the following command:
bash
dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
You’ll need to enter your administrator password.
* **Restart Your Mac:** A simple restart can often resolve temporary network issues.
* **Check Your Router Settings:** Your router can also override DNS settings. Make sure your router is not configured to use specific DNS servers that conflict with your Mac’s settings. You can usually access your router’s settings by typing its IP address (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into your web browser. Refer to your router’s manual for specific instructions.
* **Disable VPN or Proxy:** If you’re using a VPN or proxy server, it might be interfering with your DNS resolution. Try disabling your VPN or proxy temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
* **Revert to Default DNS Settings:** If you’re still having problems, revert to your ISP’s default DNS settings. This is often the most reliable option. You can usually do this by removing the DNS servers you added and leaving the DNS server list blank. Your Mac will then automatically obtain DNS server addresses from your DHCP server (usually your router).
* **Check Your Firewall:** Ensure your firewall isn’t blocking DNS traffic (port 53).
* **Test with Different Browsers:** Sometimes, the issue might be specific to a particular web browser. Try accessing websites using a different browser to see if the problem persists.
* **Use a DNS Leak Test:** Even if you’ve configured custom DNS servers, your DNS requests might still be leaking to your ISP’s DNS servers. You can use a DNS leak test tool (search online for “DNS leak test”) to verify that your DNS requests are being routed through the correct servers.
Choosing the Right DNS Server
Selecting the right DNS server depends on your specific needs and priorities. Here are some factors to consider:
* **Speed:** Use a DNS benchmark tool (like Namebench, which is designed for macOS) to test the speed of different DNS servers from your location. This will help you identify the fastest DNS servers for your network.
* **Security:** If security is a priority, choose a DNS server that offers built-in security features like phishing protection and malware filtering (e.g., Cloudflare, OpenDNS).
* **Reliability:** Opt for a DNS server with a proven track record of reliability and uptime (e.g., Google Public DNS, Cloudflare).
* **Privacy:** Some DNS servers log your DNS requests, which can be a privacy concern. Choose a DNS server with a clear privacy policy and a commitment to protecting your data (e.g., Cloudflare).
* **Parental Control:** If you need parental control features, choose a DNS server that offers content filtering (e.g., OpenDNS FamilyShield).
Conclusion
Changing your DNS settings on your Mac is a simple yet powerful way to improve your internet browsing experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can switch to faster, more secure, and more reliable DNS servers. Whether you prefer the ease of the GUI method or the power of the command line, you now have the knowledge to customize your DNS settings and optimize your Mac’s network performance. Remember to troubleshoot any issues that arise and choose the DNS server that best suits your needs. Enjoy faster browsing and a more secure online experience!
Additional Tips and Considerations
* **DHCP Client ID:** In some cases, particularly with certain VPN configurations, you might need to set a DHCP Client ID to ensure your DNS settings are correctly applied. This involves adding a line to a configuration file. Consult your VPN provider’s documentation for specific instructions.
* **Multiple Network Interfaces:** If you have multiple active network interfaces (e.g., Wi-Fi and Ethernet connected simultaneously), ensure you configure the DNS settings for *each* interface individually.
* **Monitor Performance:** After changing your DNS settings, monitor your internet performance for a few days to ensure that the changes have had the desired effect. If you experience any issues, try switching to a different DNS server.
* **Dynamic DNS (DDNS):** Dynamic DNS is a different concept, used primarily for hosting servers from a home network with a dynamic IP address. It’s not directly related to the DNS settings discussed in this article.
* **macOS Updates:** Occasionally, macOS updates can reset your DNS settings. Be sure to check your DNS configuration after installing a major macOS update.
By carefully following these steps and considering these additional tips, you can effectively manage your DNS settings on your Mac and enjoy a smoother and more secure online experience.