Setting custom DNS servers on MAC OS X can improve network performance, increase security and even thwart some websites using Geo-blocking, and I’ll show you how to do it in this guide. It’s pretty easy too.
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 personally recommend Google DNS which is what I use and have never had an issue. I will list here the most popular DNS providers:
- 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…
- See: Free and Public DNS Servers
- See: Public DNS Server List (extensive)
Watch the video above or follow the text guide below.
Set custom DNS servers on MAC OS X
- Click System Preferences, then click Network
- Select your connection (can be wired or wireless) then click on Advanced… button
- Click the DNS tab, then click the plus icon + to add a DNS server, enter the Primary DNS server IP address, repeat and enter the Secondary DNS server IP address, then click OK to close
- Click Apply button
- Click on Launchpad, then click Other
- Click on Terminal to open the Terminal app
- Now type the following code in Terminal app:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say Success
- If you here Siri say "Success" and you’re all done 😉
- Close the Terminal application
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