Wi-Fi: Changing DNS details

Enter the Settings app on your iOS device, and select Wi-Fi. Tap the small "i" icon next to the name of the network that needs the DNS server details changed, scroll down, and tap Configure DNS.





At the top, change the setting from Automatic to Manual. In the section below, tap the red minus circle next to the DNS servers followed by Delete to remove them.



Tap Add Server, then in the new empty listing, type in the DNS server IP address you wish to use, and repeat for a second listing if a redundancy option is available. Google's public DNS IP addresses are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.


Once finished, tap Save in the top-right corner.



The same process can be used to change the servers again at a later time, or to revert back to the connection's default. To use the DNS server the Wi-Fi network specifies, change from Manual back to Automatic.

Note that this change will only apply to a specific Wi-Fi network, not for all networks. This setting needs to be changed on all Wi-Fi networks you wish to use a specific DNS server through.

Cellular: Workarounds required

Apple has not included the ability to change the DNS details for cellular connections in iOS. By default, users are stuck connecting to whatever DNS server is set up with their carrier.

It is possible to make changes to the cellular DNS, but only through the use of third-party applications.

One option is DNS Override, a tool for easily changing the DNS details for Wi-Fi connections, but is also capable of working around Apple's restriction. Once unlocked with an in-app purchase, the app effectively creates a dummy Virtual Private Networking (VPN) profile that isn't actively used, but does allow for the app to set the DNS server, including for cellular networks.





Another alternative is to set up a VPN on the iOS device. As this creates a connection with a remote server before accessing the wider Internet, it can be used to bypass your carrier's DNS server completely.

Various VPN servers are available, both in paid and free forms, though if you have a good connection at home, it is also possible to set up your own.