How to Change DNS Settings on Your iPhone

Where to find DNS settings on iPhone

DNS settings on iPhone live inside the Wi-Fi network configuration, not in a standalone menu. You cannot change DNS for cellular data — only for the Wi-Fi networks you connect to. This means you set DNS per network, so your home Wi-Fi can use different DNS than your work network.

To reach the DNS settings, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap the information icon (a circle with an "i") next to the network name you want to change. Scroll down to the DNS section. If you see "Configure DNS" with "Automatic" selected, that is your current state — your iPhone is using whatever DNS your router or internet provider assigned.

Key Takeaways

DNS settings on iPhone are configured per Wi-Fi network, not globally, so you change them inside the network details screen.
You must choose between "Automatic" (your router's DNS) or "Manual" (you enter the DNS server addresses yourself).
Common DNS servers include Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8), and Quad9 (9.9.9.9), each with different privacy and filtering features.
Changing DNS does not speed up your internet, but it can change which ads you see, which sites load, or how much data your provider sees.
If a website stops loading after you change DNS, switch back to Automatic to rule out DNS as the cause.

Switching from Automatic to Manual DNS

Tap Configure DNS and select Manual. Your iPhone will show an empty field for DNS servers. You now enter the address of the DNS server you want to use — usually two addresses, a primary and a secondary (backup).

Tap Add Server and type the first DNS address. For example, if you choose Cloudflare, you would enter 1.1.1.1. Tap Add Server again and enter the secondary address — for Cloudflare, that is 1.0.0.1. Once both are entered, tap Save at the top right of the screen.

Your iPhone will when ready start using the new DNS servers for that Wi-Fi network. You do not need to restart your phone or reconnect to Wi-Fi — the change takes effect right away.

Common DNS servers and what they do

Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) is designed for speed and privacy. Cloudflare says it does not log your browsing history or sell your data to advertisers. It is a good default choice if you want a change from your internet provider's DNS without extra filtering.

Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) is fast and widely used, but Google does collect data about your browsing for its own purposes. If you use Google services already, the privacy difference is small. If you want to avoid Google, choose something else.

Quad9 (9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112) blocks known malicious websites automatically — if you try to visit a site flagged as hosting malware or phishing, Quad9 will refuse to resolve it. This adds a layer of protection but can occasionally block legitimate sites by mistake.

OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) offers similar malware blocking and also lets you set up parental controls through their website. You create an account and configure filtering rules, then point your DNS to OpenDNS.

Why you might change DNS

The most common reason is privacy. Your internet provider can see which websites you visit by watching your DNS requests — even if the connection is encrypted. Switching to a third-party DNS server means your provider sees less of your browsing.

Some people change DNS to block ads or malware. Services like Quad9 and OpenDNS refuse to resolve addresses known to host ads or malicious code. This happens at the DNS level, so it works across all apps and browsers on your phone.

A few people change DNS to bypass content filters — for example, if your workplace or school blocks certain sites. However, this only works if the filter is DNS-based. Many modern filters block at the network level or inside the app, so changing DNS will not bypass them.

Changing DNS does not make your internet faster. A common misconception is that a "better" DNS server will speed up your connection. DNS lookup is usually fast enough that it is not the bottleneck. If your internet feels slow, the problem is almost always your connection speed, not your DNS.

Switching back to Automatic DNS

If a website stops working, videos will not load, or something else breaks after you change DNS, switch back to Automatic to test whether DNS is the cause. Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, tap the information icon next to your network, tap Configure DNS, and select Automatic. Tap Save.

Wait a few seconds for the change to take effect. If the problem goes away, the DNS server you chose either does not support that service or is blocking it. Try a different DNS server, or stay on Automatic.

DNS for cellular data

iPhone does not let you change DNS for cellular connections (4G, 5G, LTE). You can only change DNS for Wi-Fi. If you want to use custom DNS on cellular, you would need to use a VPN app instead — the VPN can route your DNS through a server of your choice. However, this adds complexity and uses more battery.

For most people, changing DNS on your home Wi-Fi is enough. Your cellular provider's DNS is used only when you are away from Wi-Fi, and the privacy benefit of changing it is smaller than the benefit of changing your home network's DNS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS hide my browsing from my internet provider?

Partially. Your provider can still see that you are connecting to a website's server, but they cannot see which specific pages you visit or what you do on the site. Changing DNS prevents them from seeing the domain name you are looking up. For full privacy, you would need a VPN, which encrypts all your traffic.

Can I use different DNS servers for different apps?

No. DNS is set at the network level, so all apps on your iPhone use the same DNS server when connected to a given Wi-Fi network. If you need different DNS for different apps, you would need to use a VPN app, which can route traffic differently per app.

What happens if the DNS server I choose goes down?

If your primary DNS server is unreachable, your iPhone will try the secondary server. If both are down, you will not be able to load any websites because domain names cannot be resolved to IP addresses. Switch back to Automatic to restore service when ready.

Do I need to change DNS on every Wi-Fi network?

No. Each Wi-Fi network has its own DNS setting. You only need to change it on networks where you want custom DNS — usually your home network. Public Wi-Fi networks typically use the venue's DNS, and changing it there usually does not persist after you disconnect.

Is there a way to change DNS for all networks at once?

Not on iPhone. You must configure DNS individually for each Wi-Fi network. If you want the same DNS across all your devices, you can change the DNS setting on your router instead, which affects all devices that connect to it.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.