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You are here: Home / Networking / Firewalls & Security / Set custom DNS servers on MAC OS X

Set custom DNS servers on MAC OS X

March 22, 2017 By Richie Leave a Comment

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 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…
  • 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

  1. Click System Preferences, then click NetworkSet Custom DNS - Click System Preferences, Network
  2. Select your connection ( wired or wireless) then click on Advanced… buttonSet Custom DNS - Select your connection, then click Advanced...
  3. 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 closeSet Custom DNS - Click DNS tab, then plus icon to add a DNS server IP address, repeat for secondary DNS
  4. Click Apply buttonSet Custom DNS - Click Apply
  5. Click on Launchpad, then click OtherSet Custom DNS - Click Launchpad, then Other
  6. Click on Terminal to open the Terminal appSet Custom DNS - Click Terminal
  7. Now type the following code in Terminal app:
    1
    sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say Success

    Set Custom DNS - Type in the code as shown
  8. If you here Siri say “Success” and you’re all done 😉
  9. Close the Terminal application

  • Apple MAC (official)
  • Apple Support for DNS
  • Search Google for Set custom DNS MAC OS X

Filed Under: Firewalls & Security, MAC OS X, Miscellaneous, Networking, Other OS Tagged With: DNS, Domain Name Server, IP address, MAC, MAC OS X, Networking, Privacy, security

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