A Simple Guide to Updating DNS Settings on macOS
The Domain Name System (DNS) helps your Mac connect to websites faster by translating website names into IP addresses. Switching to a faster DNS provider can improve browsing speed, reliability, and security.
Note: Apple may update menu layouts or features in future macOS versions. At the time of writing, the latest version is macOS 14 Sonoma.
Step 1: Open Network Settings
- Click the Apple Menu in the top-left corner.
- Select System Settings.
- In the sidebar, click Network.
You may need to scroll down to locate the Network option.
Step 2: Select Your Network Connection
- Choose the network service you are currently using:
- Wi-Fi
- Ethernet
- Click Details beside the selected connection.
Step 3: Open DNS Settings
- In the settings window, click DNS.
- Under DNS Servers, click the ”+” (Add) button.
- Enter the DNS server addresses you want to use.
You can add:
- IPv4 addresses
- IPv6 addresses
Recommended DNS Providers
Google Public DNS
| Type | DNS Addresses |
|---|---|
| IPv4 | 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 |
| IPv6 | 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844 |
Cloudflare DNS
| Type | DNS Addresses |
|---|---|
| IPv4 | 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 |
| IPv6 | 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001 |
OpenDNS
| Type | DNS Addresses |
|---|---|
| IPv4 | 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 |
| IPv6 | 2620:119:35::35 and 2620:119:53::53 |
Example Configuration
In this example, Google DNS servers were added to the DNS Servers list.
During this process, macOS may prompt you for:
- Administrator username
- Administrator password
This is required to authorize system-level network changes.
Final Step
- After entering the DNS addresses, click OK.
- Close the settings window.
Your Mac will now use the new DNS servers.
Benefits of Faster DNS Servers
- ✅ Faster website loading
- ✅ Improved browsing reliability
- ✅ Better security and privacy
- ✅ Reduced connection delays
Quick Recommendation
| Best For | Recommended DNS |
|---|---|
| Speed & Privacy | Cloudflare DNS |
| Reliability | Google Public DNS |
| Content Filtering | OpenDNS |