DNS or Domain Name System is a server that translates domain names like apple.com into IP addresses, a numerical sequence of numbers that can be used to find servers on the Internet. Your ISP has its own DNS server, which is the default on all your iOS devices, but you can also point it to a different DNS server.
Why do you want to change the default DNS server? The DNS servers of most ISPs are not fast enough, and because DNS lookups are very frequent, this can greatly impact your browsing experience. Many ISPs also sometimes redirect you to unwanted sites for commercial purposes. If you've ever encountered a situation where a site opens through other connections, but not through your connections, changing the DNS may solve the problem.
So, here's how you change your DNS settings:
- Open the Settings app on your device and tap the Wi-Fi menu.
- Find your Wi-Fi connection in the list of available networks and click the buttoni on right.
- Scroll down until you see the DNS section and click on the numbers on the right.
- A keyboard should appear and you can now enter your new DNS server address. Click on Wi-Fi to return when you're done.
Which DNS server to use
Of course, you need to know which DNS server you want to use, so here are the options:
- Google DNS A: Google operates a free DNS service that promises speed, performance, and security. To use Google DNS, use any of these addresses in the DNS field:
- 8.8.8.8
- 8.8.4.4
- OpenDNS A: Open DNS is another free DNS service that promises speed, reliability, and security. You can enter any of these addresses to use OpenDNS:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.222.220
