How to Change the DNS Servers on an iPhone or iPad

When you connect your iPhone or iPad to a Wi-Fi network, your device automatically uses the Domain Name System (DNS) servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). A DNS server acts as the internet’s phonebook, translating human-readable website names (like digitash.com) into IP addresses that computers understand.

Unfortunately, the default DNS servers provided by many ISPs are often slow, unreliable, or lack privacy protections. By manually changing your iPhone’s DNS servers to a faster, more secure public provider like Cloudflare or Google, you can noticeably improve your web browsing speed and reliability.

Recommended Public DNS Servers

Before changing your settings, you will need the IP addresses of a reliable public DNS provider. Here are two of the best and most privacy-focused options:

• Cloudflare (Fastest & Privacy-Focused): 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
• Google Public DNS (Highly Reliable): 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

How to Change DNS Settings on Your iPhone

Note that DNS settings in iOS are network-specific. This means you must change the DNS settings individually for every Wi-Fi network you connect to. You cannot currently change the DNS servers for your cellular (4G/5G) connection without using a third-party app.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
3. Ensure you are connected to the network you want to configure, then tap the blue “i” (Information) icon next to the network name.
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap Configure DNS.
5. By default, this will be set to “Automatic”. Tap Manual.
6. Under the “DNS Servers” section, you will see your current ISP-provided servers. Tap the red minus (–) button next to each one, then tap Delete to remove them.
7. Tap Add Server and type in the primary IP address of your chosen provider (e.g., 1.1.1.1 for Cloudflare).
8. Tap Add Server again and enter the secondary IP address (e.g., 1.0.0.1).
9. Tap Save in the top-right corner of the screen.

How to Revert to Default ISP DNS Settings

If you experience any connectivity issues after changing your DNS servers (such as failing to load a hotel or airport login portal), it is very easy to revert to your default settings.

1. Go back to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the blue “i” icon next to your network.
2. Tap Configure DNS.
3. Change the setting from “Manual” back to Automatic.
4. Tap Save.

Your iPhone will immediately discard the manual DNS addresses and request the default servers from your router again.