Set custom DNS servers on macOS

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Set custom DNS servers on macOS

Today I’ll show you how to set custom DNS servers on macOS, which can improve network performance, increase security, and even thwart some websites using Geo-blocking.

Contents

I can highly recommend these books to help you learn more about Apple macOS.

Free DNS Providers

Before changing DNS servers you’ll need to find a third-party DNS provider, there are plenty of good (and free) services available too. I recommend Google DNS which is what I use and have never had an issue. I will list here the most popular DNS providers:

GOOGLE

  • Primary IPv4: 8.8.8.8
  • Secondary IPv4: 8.8.4.4
  • Preferred IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888
  • Alternate IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8844

OPENDNS

  • Primary: 208.67.222.222
  • Secondary: 208.67.220.220
  • Preferred IPv6: 2620:0:ccc::2
  • Alternate IPv6: 2620:0:ccd::2

DNS.WATCH

  • Primary: 84.200.69.80
  • Secondary: 84.200.70.40

LEVEL3

  • Primary: 209.244.0.3
  • Secondary: 209.244.0.4

NORTON

  • Primary: 199.85.126.10
  • Secondary: 199.85.127.10

COMMODO

  • Primary: 8.26.56.26
  • Secondary: 8.20.247.20

VERISIGN

  • Primary: 64.6.64.6
  • Secondary: 64.6.65.6

MORE SERVERS

Set Custom DNS Servers on macOS

  1. Click System Preferences, then Network
    Click System Preferences, then Network
  2. Select your connection (wired or wireless) then click the Advanced… button
    Click Ethernet, then Advanced
  3. Click the DNS tab, then click the plus icon + to add a DNS server, enter the Primary DNS IP address, then Secondary DNS IP address, then click OK to close, then click Apply
    Click DNS, then the Plus button to add DNS server IP addresses
  4. Open Finder and click Applications, then Utilities
    Open Finder, then click Utilities
  5. Click the Terminal application icon
    Open Terminal application
  6. Enter the following code, one line at a time:
    sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;
    sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say Success

    Enter the code
  7. Close the Terminal application and you’re all done.

Video: Set custom DNS servers on macOS

Conclusion

I hope everything went smoothly for you and you now have custom DNS servers on your Mac. If you did have any trouble, hit me up in the comments or socials/email.

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Categories macOS, Miscellaneous

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