Enter DNS and search domain settings on Mac (2024)

macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Ventura 13

macOS Monterey 12

Modifying this control will update this page automatically

Table of Contents

macOS User Guide

  • Welcome
    • What’s in the menu bar?
    • Work on the desktop
    • Search with Spotlight
    • Quickly change settings
    • Use Siri
    • Get notifications
    • Open apps from the Dock
    • Organize your files in the Finder
    • Connect to the internet
    • Browse the web
    • Preview a file
    • Take a screenshot
    • Change your display’s brightness
    • Adjust the volume
    • Use trackpad and mouse gestures
    • Use Touch ID
    • Print documents
    • Keyboard shortcuts
    • Apps on your Mac
    • Open apps
    • Work with app windows
    • Use apps in full screen
    • Use apps in Split View
    • Use Stage Manager
    • Get apps from the App Store
    • Install and reinstall apps from the App Store
    • Install and uninstall other apps
    • Create and work with documents
    • Open documents
    • Mark up files
    • Combine files into a PDF
    • Organize files on your desktop
    • Organize files with folders
    • Tag files and folders
    • Back up files
    • Restore files
    • Change System Settings
    • Choose your desktop wallpaper
    • Add and customize widgets
    • Use a screen saver
    • Add a user or group
    • Add your email and other accounts
    • Automate tasks with Shortcuts
    • Create Memoji
    • Change your login picture
    • Change the system language
    • Make text and other items on the screen bigger
    • Set up a Focus to stay on task
    • Set up Screen Time for yourself
    • Use Dictation
    • Send emails
    • Send text messages
    • Make a FaceTime video call
    • Edit photos and videos
    • Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo
    • Start a Quick Note
    • Get directions
    • Work across devices using Continuity
    • Use iPhone as a webcam
    • Use iPhone with Desk View
    • Stream audio and video with AirPlay
    • Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
    • Hand off between devices
    • Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
    • Make and receive phone calls on your Mac
    • Sync music, books, and more between devices
    • Manage Apple ID settings
    • Set your Apple ID picture
    • What is iCloud?
    • What is iCloud+?
    • Store files in iCloud Drive
    • Share and collaborate on files and folders
    • Manage iCloud storage
    • Use iCloud Photos
    • What is Family Sharing?
    • Set up Family Sharing
    • Set up Screen Time for a child
    • Share purchases with your family
    • Watch and listen together with SharePlay
    • Share a Photo Library
    • Collaborate on projects
    • Find content shared with you
    • Find your family and friends
    • Play games with your friends
    • Play music
    • Listen to podcasts
    • Watch TV shows and movies
    • Read and listen to books
    • Read the news
    • Track stocks and the market
    • Apple Music
    • Apple TV+
    • Apple Arcade
    • Apple News+
    • Podcast shows and channels
    • Manage subscriptions in the App Store
    • View Apple family subscriptions
    • Guard your privacy
    • Use Mail Privacy Protection
    • Control access to your camera
    • Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
    • Set up your Mac to be secure
    • Keep your data safe
    • Create a passkey
    • Understand passwords
    • Keep your Apple ID secure
    • Find a missing device
    • Get started with accessibility features
    • Vision
    • Hearing
    • Mobility
    • Speech
    • General
    • Connect an external display
    • Use the built-in camera
    • Connect a Bluetooth device
    • Use AirPods with your Mac
    • Optimize your Mac battery life
    • Optimize storage space
    • Burn CDs and DVDs
    • Control accessories in your home
    • Use Windows on your Mac
  • Resources for your Mac
  • Resources for your Apple devices
  • Copyright
Enter DNS and search domain settings on Mac (1)

Domain Name System (DNS) servers map domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. When used in conjunction with search domains, they allow you to go quickly to websites and servers you visit frequently without typing the complete address.

For example, if you specify the search domain apple.com, typing “store” in your web browser takes you to store.apple.com. Or, if you use campus.university.edu as a search domain, you can type “server1” in the Connect To Server dialog in the Finder to connect to server1.campus.university.edu.

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu Enter DNS and search domain settings on Mac (2)>System Settings, then click Network Enter DNS and search domain settings on Mac (3) in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

    Open Network settings for me

  2. Click the network service you want to use (such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet) on the right, then click Details.

  3. Click DNS, click the Add button Enter DNS and search domain settings on Mac (4) at the bottom of the DNS Servers list, then enter the IPv4 or IPv6 address for the DNS server.

  4. Click the Add button Enter DNS and search domain settings on Mac (5) at the bottom of the Search Domain list, then enter the search domain.

  5. When you’re finished, click OK.

Domains are searched in the order you list them; the search stops when a valid name is found.

To search a name hierarchy, use search domains of varying scope. For example: building.campus.university.edu, campus.university.edu, and university.edu.

See alsoChange DNS settings on Mac

Helpful?

Thanks for your feedback.

Enter DNS and search domain settings on Mac (2024)

FAQs

Enter DNS and search domain settings on Mac? ›

On Mac OS X, if you go to System Preferences -> Network -> Advanced -> DNS on the left is an area where DHCP DNS resolvers show up, or you can enter in your own to override any that your router is dishing out. On the right is a large field for "Search Domains:".

How do I find DNS search domains on Mac? ›

On Mac OS X, if you go to System Preferences -> Network -> Advanced -> DNS on the left is an area where DHCP DNS resolvers show up, or you can enter in your own to override any that your router is dishing out. On the right is a large field for "Search Domains:".

How to solve DNS issues on Mac? ›

There are eight 8 effective ways to go about it:
  1. Switch Web Browsers.
  2. Restart Router.
  3. Restart Computer in Safe Mode.
  4. Flush DNS Cache.
  5. Reconfigure DNS Server.
  6. Reconfigure Firewall or Security Software.
  7. Disable IPV6.
  8. Contact ISP.
Feb 22, 2024

How do I reset my DNS settings on a Mac? ›

macOS
  1. Go to System Preferences .
  2. Click on Network .
  3. Select the first connection in your list and click Advanced .
  4. Select the DNS tab.
  5. Select any addresses in the list and attempt to remove them using the - button. ...
  6. Click OK and exit all the windows.

Should my DNS be on or off? ›

When in doubt, leave the setting as Auto, and the system will use the default, generally that of your Internet provider. Changing the DNS setting is also a popular way to “hack” a system. In this case, the bad guys capture your DNS requests to send you to phony destinations or services.

What is the best DNS server to use for Mac? ›

Top 8 Leading Free DNS Providers
  • Google.
  • Cloudflare.
  • CleanBrowsing.
  • Control D.
  • Quad9.
  • OpenDNS.
  • Alternate DNS.
  • AdGuard DNS.
Mar 19, 2024

How do I know what DNS I am using Mac? ›

Check DNS Settings in macOS
  1. Open System Preferences, either from the Dock or the Apple menu > System Preferences.
  2. Click Show All.
  3. Click Network. ...
  4. In the left-hand pane, choose the network connection you want to check.
  5. Select the Advanced button and the DNS tab.

What does DNS search domain mean? ›

Domain Name System (DNS) servers map domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. When used in conjunction with search domains, they allow you to go quickly to websites and servers you visit frequently without typing the complete address.

How do I fix DNS cache on Mac? ›

Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities. Type “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder” and press Enter. Enter your admin password when prompted and press Enter again. As this information is stored on a local level in your operating system (OS), the lookup will be completed faster.

How do I connect my Mac to DNS? ›

macOS
  1. Go to System Settings. ...
  2. Go to Network.
  3. Select a network service.
  4. Select Details.
  5. Go to DNS.
  6. Under DNS Servers, select Add.
  7. Depending on what you want to configure, choose one of the following DNS addresses for IPv4: ...
  8. Depending on what you want to configure, choose one of the following DNS addresses for IPv6:

Where is DNS setting on Mac? ›

In the System Preferences window, click on Network. Select the first Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection in the list, the one you are connected to. Next, click on the Advanced button. In the Advanced window, select the DNS tab.

How do I fix my DNS settings? ›

How to fix the “DNS server is not responding” error
  1. Troubleshoot your network connection. ...
  2. Restart your router. ...
  3. Flush DNS cache. ...
  4. Try using a different device or web browser. ...
  5. Change your DNS server address. ...
  6. Update your computer's network adapter driver. ...
  7. Disable IPv6 on your computer.
Jun 11, 2024

What happens if I reset my DNS settings? ›

The DNS connects this number to the name that you type into your address bar, to ensure that you are directed to the correct website. Resetting the Domain Name System (DNS) can be a useful troubleshooting step as it can fix issues that would prevent you from being able to view web pages through your internet browser.

How do I know what my DNS settings should be? ›

Open the Command Prompt. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter. Look for the DNS Servers entry to check your DNS settings and verify that they are correct. If you don't see the correct DNS servers, double check your DNS settings in the Network and Sharing Center.

What is the best setting for DNS? ›

What are the best DNS servers to use?
  1. Cloudflare. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 1.1.1.1. ...
  2. Google Public DNS. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 8.8.8.8. ...
  3. Quad9. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 208.67.222.222. ...
  4. NextDNS. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 45.90.28.190. ...
  5. NordVPN. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 103.86.96.100.
Jan 15, 2024

What should my DNS mode be on? ›

That's where Private DNS Mode comes into play. Once you enable this feature, all of your DNS queries are encrypted, so any bad actors won't be able to view them (even if they capture those packets). In other words, Private DNS Mode should be an absolute must for anyone who values their privacy and security.

How do I find the fastest DNS server on my Mac? ›

Using Namebench to Find the Best DNS Servers

To find the fastest DNS servers for your Mac, iPad, or AirPort Extreme, try using Namebench. It's an open source DNS benchmark utility that can quickly and accurately find the fastest DNS servers for your location.

Top Articles
How To Include Crypto in Your Estate Plan
Top 10 Fastest Cars Available in India
AMC Theatre - Rent A Private Theatre (Up to 20 Guests) From $99+ (Select Theaters)
Promotional Code For Spades Royale
Jennifer Hart Facebook
CLI Book 3: Cisco Secure Firewall ASA VPN CLI Configuration Guide, 9.22 - General VPN Parameters [Cisco Secure Firewall ASA]
Craigslist Cars And Trucks For Sale By Owner Indianapolis
Ross Dress For Less Hiring Near Me
Jesus Calling December 1 2022
Craigslist Free Stuff Appleton Wisconsin
The Realcaca Girl Leaked
When is streaming illegal? What you need to know about pirated content
Acts 16 Nkjv
What happens if I deposit a bounced check?
The Best English Movie Theaters In Germany [Ultimate Guide]
Nesb Routing Number
Over70Dating Login
Craigslist Apartments In Philly
Find Such That The Following Matrix Is Singular.
Wicked Local Plymouth Police Log 2022
Troy Bilt Mower Carburetor Diagram
All Obituaries | Buie's Funeral Home | Raeford NC funeral home and cremation
Effingham Bookings Florence Sc
Jeffers Funeral Home Obituaries Greeneville Tennessee
Baldur's Gate 3: Should You Obey Vlaakith?
The Creator Showtimes Near R/C Gateway Theater 8
Delta Township Bsa
Nearest Ups Ground Drop Off
The Creator Showtimes Near Baxter Avenue Theatres
Darknet Opsec Bible 2022
Housing Intranet Unt
How often should you visit your Barber?
Jeep Cherokee For Sale By Owner Craigslist
Cheap Motorcycles Craigslist
Chris Provost Daughter Addie
Flashscore.com Live Football Scores Livescore
The Boogeyman Showtimes Near Surf Cinemas
Priscilla 2023 Showtimes Near Consolidated Theatres Ward With Titan Luxe
Crazy Balls 3D Racing . Online Games . BrightestGames.com
Who Is Responsible for Writing Obituaries After Death? | Pottstown Funeral Home & Crematory
Tunica Inmate Roster Release
Alston – Travel guide at Wikivoyage
Mathews Vertix Mod Chart
Sam's Club Gas Price Sioux City
Strange World Showtimes Near Marcus La Crosse Cinema
Legs Gifs
Craigslist Anc Ak
Grandma's Portuguese Sweet Bread Recipe Made from Scratch
Osrs Vorkath Combat Achievements
Land of Samurai: One Piece’s Wano Kuni Arc Explained
Worlds Hardest Game Tyrone
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 6614

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.