Change DNS Servers on Mac to Google or OpenDNS Follow the steps below to change the DNS servers on your Mac. Click on the Apple Logo from the top menu-bar on your Mac and then click on the System Preferences option in the drop-down menu. Thanks for choosing OpenDNS! To get started, you’ll need to set up one or more of your devices to use OpenDNS’s DNS nameservers. For instructions on how to do this, choose your device type from one of the categories below. Mac uses Domain Name System (DNS) to access websites on its browser. Many people are not aware of this fact and completely ignore Mac DNS server settings. But if the DNS servers of your Mac are not functioning properly, then the websites may slowly or not load at all. On your Mac, open the Network Utility app, located in the /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications folder. Click Lookup, then enter an internet address to look up. Type a domain name address (for example, www.apple.com) or a numerical IP address, then click the Lookup button. On your Mac, choose Apple menu System Preferences, then click Network. Select the service you use to connect to the internet (such as Ethernet) in the list at the left. Make sure the IP address for the DNS server you want to use is entered correctly in the DNS Server field.
By Adela D. Louie, Last updated: December 18, 2019
Ever wonder what DNS servers on your Mac are? Would you want to know on when or how are this DNS servers work? Well, in this article, we are going to know more about the DNS server on your Mac and on how you can find them. So if you are one of those people who are actually curious about it, then this is for you.
Part 1: What is A DNS Server?
If a certain device such as your Mac does not have a DNS server, then you will not be able to access the internet on your device. This is because a DNS server is one of the most crucial parts of the DNS infrastructure. DNS stands for Domain Name System.
This is where you will be able to find the IP addresses and as well as the hostnames and the data that is used for you to fix any problems that the user might encounter on a certain website, a device or some other network system that is using an IP address. Truly, DNS is very handy.
Part 2: When Do We Use DNS Servers?
Once that a user types in a certain host or website or a URL on the address bar on one of their browsers, the DNS resolver will then immediately contact the DNS server for it to be able to find the IP address that is somewhat connected to the website that you are trying to access. And, once that the DNS server is not able to locate any information that it needs, then it will move along to the DNS server in the DNS hierarchy until such time that it was able to locate the data that it needs.
Part 3: How to Find DNS Server on Mac
Now, for you to be able to check on the DNS server that you have on your Mac, here are the steps that you should follow.
- Go ahead and launch System Preferences. You can see this from the Dock of your Mac or you can also go to the Apple menu and then choose “System Preferences”.
- And then, once that the System Preferences appears on your screen, go ahead and choose the “Network” icon. Then the network configuration will be shown on your screen. This will show you the status of the active ports.
- Then, in the left-hand area, go ahead and select the network that you would want to see.
- After that, go ahead and click on the “Advanced” button and as well as the DNS tab.
NOTE: If you were able to enter the setting manually, then the MIT DNS servers will be listed on your screen in black font. If you have this, you can go ahead and click on the minus (-) sign for you to remove it. However, once that the DNS server appears grey on your screen, then that means that they were assigned automatically. And once that you have left the MIT campus, then the DNS settings will be updated on your local network provider.
That is how easy to find the DNS server on your Mac if you are wondering about where you can check on it.
Part 4: How to Flush DNS Cache on Mac – FoneDog PowerMyMac
In this part, we are going to show you the easiest and quickest way for you to be able to clear out the DNS cache on your Mac. All you need to have is the FoneDog PowerMyMac and rest assured that you will be able to do this task as quick and easy as possible.
The Flash DNS feature of the FoneDog PowerMyMac will be able to help you in solving any network problems that you are having on your Mac. There are actually three possible situations that you might encounter and that you will be needing to flash your DNS cache from your Mac.
- First one is that if you are actually having the inability to connect to some of the websites on your Mac.
- Another thing is that if you are experiencing that your network is slowing down randomly
- And if it used in any of the related issues.
The good thing about the FoneDog PowerMyMac is that, aside from the fact that you will be able to fix the problem with regards to your DNS server, you will also be able to make your Mac as good as new. Meaning, if you are going to have the FoneDog PowerMyMac, you will be able to do a lot of things with it. It will all depend on what you need. Here are some of the best features of the FoneDog PowerMyMac program.
- It can become a Mac Cleaner that will allow you to free up more of your storage space and make the performance of your Mac better.
- It can become a Duplicate Finder, which means that it can help you locate and remove all those duplicate files that you have on your Mac.
- It can become an App uninstaller as it can do the job better.
- You can also use the PowerMyMac for you to be able to secure the privacy of the files that you have on your Mac because you can set up a password so that no one will be able to access it.
- It can become a performance monitory wherein you will be able to use it for you to check up on the system status of your Mac.
- It can be a file unarchive, and a lot more.
With all the said features, there are still a lot more than the FoneDog PowerMyMac can do and you can find it all out once that you have the program installed on your Mac. Because of this, the FoneDog PowerMyMac is considered to be as an all-in-one Mac application and so far the best one ever.
Now, if you would want to start flushing your DNS cache from your Mac, all you have to do is to follow the steps below.
Step 1: Download and Install
First is that you will be needing to download the PowerMyMac from our official website. And once that you are done, you can go ahead and install it on your Mac.
Step 2: Open the PowerMyMac
Once that you are done with the installation process of the program, go ahead and simply launch it on your Mac.
Step 3: Check on Your Mac Status
If you would want to check up on the status of your Mac, all you have to do is to click on the “Status” option at the top of your screen. And then the PowerMyMac will show you the status of your Mac such as CPU, Memory, and your Disk.
Step 4: Choose Toolkit
After checking up on the status of your Mac, go ahead and click on the “Toolkit” option from the top of your screen.
Step 5: Choose Maintenance
From the list under Toolkit, go ahead and click on the “Maintenance” option.
If necessary, please press the little 'Scan' button on the right side of 'View' to rescan your Mac.
If necessary, please press the little 'Scan' button on the right side of 'View' to rescan your Mac.
Step 6: Choose Flush DNS and Clean
Then, under the Maintenance option, go ahead and choose “Flush DNS”. From here, you will be able to clean up the DNS cache on your Mac. All you have to do is to click on the “Clean” button and the process will then start.
So that is how easy and quick to flush your DNS cache from your Mac using the most powerful tool today – the FoneDog PowerMyMac.
Part 5: Cleaning DNS Cache Manually on Mac
Before we go ahead and proceed with the cleaning of your DNS cache on your Mac, we have to warn you that doing this will interrupt any active web. That is why it is better for you to close any browsers first before doing this.
The methods that we are going to show you will depend on what type of Mac you are using. So, just go through the methods and look for the one that has the type of the Mac you are using.
Method #1: Flushing DNS Cache on macOS High Sierra
- Go ahead and launch Finder on your Mac.
- And then, choose Applications, then click on Utilities and then Terminal.
- After that, go ahead and enter these commands: sudo killall -HUP mDNSRespoder; sleep 2; echo macOS DNS Cache Reset | say
- After entering the command, go ahead and press on the Return button and then enter your password. And once again, press the Return button.
- Then, you will be able to see a message on your screen that says “macOS DNS cache reset”.
- Then once you are done, go ahead and exit Terminal.
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Method #2: Flushing DNS Cache on macOS Sierra
This method is actually a little similar on flushing DNS on a High Sierra Mac. However, only the syntax for this one is different. Here is what you need to do.
- Go ahead and launch the Finder on your Mac.
- And then, go ahead and choose Applications and then choose Utilities and then choose Terminal.
- After that, go ahead and this command: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say DNS cache has been flushed
- After entering the command, go ahead and press the Return button and then key in your password. Once done with the password, press the Enter command again.
- And then lastly, listen to the audio alert. Once that you hear that alert, then that means that the DNS cache was successfully removed from your Mac.
NOTE: If the command that we have provided above does not work for you, then you can go ahead and use this alternative syntax.
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;sudo killall mDNSResponderHelper;sudo dscacheutil -flushedcache;say Mac DNS cache has been cleared
Method #3: Flushing DNS Cache on Mac OS El Capitan and Yosemite
This method can be both applied on the El Capitan and Yosemite version of Mac. So here is how to do this.
- Go ahead and launch Finder on your Mac.
- After that, go ahead and click on the Applications and then choose Utilities and then click Terminal.
- Once that you are in Terminal, go ahead and enter the following command:
- sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say cache flushed
- And then, go ahead and press on the Return button and then key in your password. Once done, press on the Return button again.
- After that, wait for the alert tone which means that the process is successful.
- Then once that you are done, go ahead and exit Terminal.
TIP: If you are using the OS X Yosemite version 10.10, 10.1, 10.10.2 and the 10.10.3, then the process of these are a bit different. For you to be able to completely flush your DNS cache, you have to clear out the Multicast DNS and as well as the Unicast DNS.
- For you to clear the MDNS cache, all you have to do is to enter these command in the Terminal:
sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
- And then, for you to be able to clear the UDNS cache, just do the same process above but enter this syntax on Terminal:
sudo discoveryutil ednsfushcaches
- And then, for you to be able to clear both the MDNS and UDNS cache at once, go ahead and do the same steps but enter these command line:
sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache;sudo discoveryutiludnsflushcaches;say flushed
Part 6: Conclusion
Now, you already know how you can find the DNS server on your Mac both manually and the easiest way. Now, if you are actually facing some problems about the websites that you are trying to visit, then it is a great idea that you clear out your DNS cache on your Mac. This way, your problem will be resolved quickly.
And in doing this, we highly recommend that you use the most powerful program for your Mac. And that is the FoneDog PowerMyMac. Every task will be as quick as possible.
>Tricks >A Quick Guide on How to Find DNS Server on Mac
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Change DNS Server – Learn what is DNS server? Why you should change DNS Server address? How to change DNS server on Windows, Mac, and Android with the best public DNS servers?
Have you noticed that lately your computer has been taking longer to open files as well as to load new tabs?
Or, have you been trying to enable parental control over a selected list of websites and web content? If yes, then it is probably high time for you to change DNS server.
Before we begin today’s discuss on how to change DNS servers, let us take a closer peek at what exactly a DNS server address does and how to change DNS server on Windows, Mac and Android operating systems:
What is DNS Server?
DNS server address or DNS stands for Domain Name Server and it is a primary encoding system which basically translates all the domain names from their general alphabetical form to its IP Address. For instance, Google.com is converted into its IP Address (say 216.58.196.110) by the Domain Name Server.
So what exactly is the use of having an IP Address for each and every website on the internet? The answer is simple! We, human beings, find it very easy to remember the names of websites in their alphabetical forms, such as Google.com and Facebook.com.
On the other hand, machines are only capable of understanding the IP Addresses. In a way, we can say that the actual use of DNS is for the purpose of resolving the domain names into their IP Addresses. DNS can be seen as a huge digital address book which consists of all the websites names that exist on the internet and its equivalent IP Addresses.
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Why You Should Change Your DNS Server?
There are several reasons of changing DNS Server. Sometimes you may not be able to open few websites using your current network and websites may also take extra time for loading. In other cases, you may want to change DNS Server when putting parental controls on certain websites. Changing DNS Server has several other perks which are listed below:
- Speedy Performance: IP Address is a must for all websites to get loaded and depending on your network, it may take several seconds for resolving the DNS. The faster your DNS Server is, the quicker your websites will get loaded. Also, the larger the database of your DNS server is, the name will be found easily without the need of searching across other DNS servers.
- Greater Safety: Different DNS severs have different vulnerabilities and there are many DNS servers which do not operate under DNSSEC. DNA servers also enable the filtering of web addresses against any kind of malicious content.
- Increased Reliability: Most of the DNS servers are available to users for 100 percent of the time. If yours is not, it is a clear indication that it is time for you to change DNS server on Windows, Mac and Android devices.
How to Change DNS Servers?
If you are wondering how to change DNS server on Mac, Windows and Android, follow the step by step guide explained below and speed up your browsing experience, improve your security, and get the results you expect with absolutely no redirection:
(1) Change DNS Server on Windows
Change Dns For Mac
Step (1): Go to the Start Menu and type “Network and Sharing Center” and hit Enter.
Step (2): This will open a new window with lots of network options.
Step (3): Go to the Connection you use by clicking on Change adapter settings.
![Change dns for mac Change dns for mac](/uploads/1/1/8/8/118894728/327495188.jpg)
Step (4): Click on your Connection Name → Properties → Internet Version Protocol (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.
Step (5): After this, select “Use the following DNS server”. Type in the Primary and Secondary IP Address and click on OK button to save the changes made. You can get fastest DNS servers from here.
If you are planning to switch between DNS frequently, make sure to use the DNS Jumper software. To see the effects of changing DNS, you will have to flush previously- made settings. Open CMD → Type “ipconfig/flushdns” and press Enter.
(2) Change DNS Server on Mac
Step (1): Launch the Spotlight using the shortcut (cmd+spacebar) and Type in Network.
Dns Settings For Mac High Sierra
Step (2): There will be a green dot next to the connection that you are currently using. Click on “Advanced Settings” here and select “DNS” in the properties of the connection. Click on the Plus (+) sign.
Step (3): Add DNS1 and DNS2.
Original Dns Settings For Mac
Step (4): That’s it! Now, click the Ok button to save the changes.
(3) Change DNS Server on Android
Step (1): Go to the Wi-Fi settings.
Step (2): Long press the Wi-Fi network whose DNS you want to change. Select “Modify Network”.
Dns Server Mac
Step (3): Tick on “Show hidden options” and select “Static IP Address”.
Step (4): Type the name of the server that you want to add under DNS1 and DNS2.
Fastest Dns Settings For Mac
Step (5): Apply to save the changes!
Conclusion
Change Dns On Mac
Thus, you can imagine how simple is to change DNS server address on Windows PC, Mac OS X, and Android devices. So, the next time whenever you feel that your computer is slowing down, check this list of fastest DNS server in the world to grab the best public DNS servers and follow above mentioned easy step by step guide and change DNS server for Android, Windows and Mac.
Please, feel free to share with us if you know other simple methods to change DNS Server on Windows, Mac, and Android smartphone or tablet.