Where to find DNS settings on your iPhone
Your iPhone's DNS settings live inside the Wi-Fi network configuration, not in a separate settings menu. You cannot change DNS for cellular data (4G, 5G) — only for Wi-Fi networks. To change the DNS for a specific Wi-Fi network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name you want to modify, then scroll down and tap Configure DNS.
When you tap Configure DNS, you will see four options: Automatic (the default), Manual, Encrypted (DoH), and Encrypted (DoT). Most people use either Manual for a straightforward DNS change or Encrypted (DoH) if they want privacy. The method you choose depends on what you are trying to accomplish — blocking ads, speeding up browsing, or adding privacy protection.
Key Takeaways
- DNS settings on iPhone are per-network, not device-wide, so you must configure each Wi-Fi network separately.
- Tap Settings > Wi-Fi, select your network, scroll to Configure DNS, and choose Manual to enter custom DNS server addresses.
- Common public DNS services include Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8), and Quad9 (9.9.9.9), each with different features like ad-blocking or malware protection.
- Encrypted DNS options (DoH and DoT) hide your DNS queries from your internet provider but may slow browsing slightly on slower connections.
- If a DNS change causes problems, return to Automatic to restore your provider's default settings.
Using Manual DNS with standard addresses
To enter a custom DNS server address manually, select Manual from the Configure DNS menu. You will see fields for IPv4 Address and IPv6 Address. You only need to fill in IPv4 unless you specifically want to set IPv6 as well — most home networks use IPv4 only.
Enter the primary DNS server address in the first field. Common choices are Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8), or Quad9 (9.9.9.9). If you want a backup in case the primary server is unreachable, add a secondary address — Cloudflare's secondary is 1.0.0.1, Google's is 8.8.4.4, and Quad9's is 149.112.112.112. Tap Save when you are done.
Your iPhone will test the connection when ready. If the test fails, you will see a warning but the settings will still save — this usually means the server address is wrong or your network is blocking it. Go back and double-check the numbers, or try a different DNS service.
Choosing between standard and encrypted DNS
Manual DNS is straightforward but not private — your internet provider can see which websites you visit because they see your DNS queries. Encrypted (DoH) and Encrypted (DoT) hide those queries from your provider, but they require you to trust a different organization instead.
DoH (DNS over HTTPS) and DoT (DNS over TLS) both encrypt your queries, but they work differently. DoH is faster on most networks because it uses the same protocol as regular web traffic. DoT is slightly more private but can be blocked by some networks. If you are on a school or work network, DoH is more likely to work.
If you choose encrypted DNS, you will need to enter a server address in a different format — usually a URL or hostname rather than a straightforward IP address. Cloudflare's DoH address is https://1.1.1.1/dns-query, and Google's is https://dns.google/dns-query. Your iPhone will handle the encryption automatically once you enter the address.
Common DNS services and what they do
Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) is fast and does not log your activity, but it does not block ads or malware by default. If you want ad-blocking, use Cloudflare's 1.1.1.2 address instead, which filters known ad domains. For malware protection, use 1.1.1.3.
Google (8.8.8.8) is reliable and widely used, but Google does collect some data about your queries for analytics. Quad9 (9.9.9.9) blocks known malware and phishing sites automatically and does not log your activity, making it a good choice if security is your main concern.
If you are trying to block adult content on a family device, OpenDNS (208.67.222.123) offers parental controls, though you may need to set up an account on their website first. Test any new DNS service for a few hours before deciding — some services are slower on certain networks, and you will notice when ready if web pages load noticeably slower.
What to do if DNS changes cause problems
If you change DNS and suddenly cannot reach certain websites, or if pages load very slowly, the DNS service may be down, blocked by your network, or incompatible with your setup. The fastest fix is to go back to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap your network, scroll to Configure DNS, and select Automatic. This restores your internet provider's default DNS when ready.
If you want to keep the custom DNS but fix the problem, try a different service. Cloudflare and Google are rarely blocked, so if one does not work, the other usually will. If you are on a school or work network, ask your IT department whether custom DNS is allowed — some networks block it entirely or require specific addresses.
If a specific website does not work with your new DNS but works with Automatic, that website may have a problem with how it responds to that particular DNS service. In that case, you can either switch back to Automatic or try a different DNS provider.
DNS settings for different Wi-Fi networks
Each Wi-Fi network on your iPhone stores its own DNS settings separately. If you connect to your home Wi-Fi, a coffee shop network, and your workplace network, you can set different DNS for each one. This is useful if your workplace requires a specific DNS server or if you want ad-blocking at home but not at work.
To change DNS for a different network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap that network's name, and repeat the Configure DNS steps. Your iPhone remembers the settings for each network, so you do not have to reconfigure every time you connect.
If you forget which DNS you set for a particular network, tap the network name in the Wi-Fi list and scroll down to Configure DNS — it will show your current setting.
When to call your internet provider or network administrator
If you change DNS and lose internet access entirely, or if you are on a corporate or school network and want to change DNS, contact your network administrator or internet provider before making changes. Some networks require specific DNS servers for security or filtering reasons, and changing them can break access to internal resources or violate network policy.
If you are renting your home and your internet is provided by the landlord or building, check your lease or contact them before changing DNS — they may have restrictions. If you own your network and DNS changes cause widespread problems across all your devices, your router may have its own DNS settings that are overriding your iPhone settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change DNS for cellular data on my iPhone?
No. DNS settings on iPhone only work for Wi-Fi networks. Your cellular provider controls DNS for 4G and 5G data, and you cannot override it from your phone settings. If you need to change DNS on cellular, you would need to use a VPN app instead, though that is a different tool with different trade-offs.
Will changing DNS make my internet faster?
Possibly, but usually not noticeably. Some DNS services are faster than others depending on where you live and which servers are closest to you. The difference is usually a few milliseconds. If you change DNS and pages load slower, switch back to Automatic — that particular service is probably not optimized for your location.
Is it safe to use a public DNS service instead of my provider's?
Yes, as long as you use a reputable service like Cloudflare, Google, or Quad9. These companies have no reason to harm your device and are more transparent about privacy than many internet providers. Avoid unknown or free DNS services from unfamiliar sources, as they may log your activity or inject ads.
What happens if the DNS server I enter goes down?
Your iPhone will try to reach it, fail, and then you will not be able to browse the web until you switch to a different DNS or go back to Automatic. This is why it is good to test a new DNS service for a few hours before relying on it. Major services like Cloudflare and Google have very high uptime, so outages are rare.
Do I need to restart my iPhone after changing DNS?
No. DNS changes take effect when ready on that Wi-Fi network. If you want to be thorough, you can disconnect from the network and reconnect, but it is not necessary.