Bypass Internet Censorship: How to Change DNS on iPhone, iPad & Mac

Changing your Domain Name System (DNS) server is a simple yet powerful method to bypass certain forms of internet censorship and access blocked websites. This guide provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorials for beginners on how to change the DNS settings on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

The DNS acts as the internet's phonebook, translating human-readable domain names (like www.google.com) into machine-readable IP addresses. By switching from your internet service provider's (ISP) default DNS, which may be used to block certain websites, to a public DNS server, you can often circumvent these restrictions.

How to Change DNS on iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Note: These instructions are for Wi-Fi connections only, as iOS does not allow for changing DNS on cellular networks without a third-party app. The settings are network-specific, meaning you'll need to configure them for each new Wi-Fi network you use.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on your device's home screen.
  2. Go to Wi-Fi: Select Wi-Fi from the menu.
  3. Select Your Network: Tap the blue "i" icon next to the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to.
  4. Configure DNS: Scroll down and tap on Configure DNS.
  5. Switch to Manual: Select Manual instead of "Automatic."
  6. Remove Existing Servers: Tap the red minus icon next to any existing DNS servers to remove them.
  7. Add New Servers: Tap Add Server and enter the addresses of a public DNS provider. Here are two popular and reliable options:
    • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
    • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
  8. Save Your Settings: Tap Save in the top right corner.

How to Change DNS on a Mac (macOS)

The process for changing your DNS on a Mac is also straightforward. The following steps may vary slightly depending on your version of macOS.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open System Settings: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (on newer macOS versions) or System Preferences (on older versions).
  2. Go to Network: Click on the Network icon.
  3. Select Your Connection: Choose your active internet connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the list on the left.
  4. Open Advanced Settings: Click the Details... or Advanced... button.
  5. Navigate to the DNS Tab: Select the DNS tab.
  6. Add New DNS Servers: Click the "+" button under the "DNS Servers" list to add a new server. Enter the desired public DNS addresses.
    • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
    • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
  7. Remove Old Servers (Optional): You can select any existing DNS servers and click the "-" button to remove them.
  8. Confirm and Apply: Click OK and then Apply to save your changes.