How to set up Smart DNS on macOS

In this tutorial we will show you how to set up Smart DNS on macOS but first let’s see what are our requirements and recommendations.

Requirements

In order to set up the Smart DNS you will need:

A CactusVPN account. If you don’t have one you can try our services for free.
Your DNS addresses. You can find them in Settings -> DNS Servers in Your Account our website.

Recommendations

To skip the manual setup and for more features we recommend to use the CactusVPN App for macOS.

If you still want to set up Smart DNS manually, go step-by-step through following instructions:

Part I. Validate Your IP Address

If you have already validated your IP address go straight to the “Part II. Change your DNS addresses” of this tutorial.

Sign in to your account on our website and go to Settings -> Validate Your IP Address.
Click on Validate IP button.

If you see the “Validated” green label near your IP address, go straight to the “Part II. Change your Windows DNS addresses” of this tutorial

Remember! You have to validate your IP address each time it changes. If your Smart DNS service is not working, just try to validate your IP address again.

You also have other two options to validate an IP address:

Validate a specific IP address

Use this option when you need to validate an IP address different to your current IP address. For example, enter your home IP while you are at work.

Validate IP using a web address

Using this method you do not have to sign in to your account each time you need to validate the IP. Add this link to your browser favorites/bookmarks and your IP address will be validated every time you load this URL into your browser.

Important! Do not share this link! It is unique for every CactusVPN user. If you share it, other people will have access to your Smart DNS service and you will not be able to use it.

Part II. Change your Mac DNS addresses

This has to be done only once.

It is important to save your original DNS settings before making any changes. You might need them in case you will want to switch back to your original settings.

Go to “System Preferences” (3).
Click on “Network” (4) from the “Internet and Wireless” group (5).
Select your current internet connection and click “Advanced” (6).
Go to “DNS” tab (7).
Under the “DNS Servers” area (8) click on the “+” (9) and enter our DNS addresses. You can find them in Settings -> DNS Servers in Your Account on our website. It is important that no other DNS servers should be listed. Click “OK”.
Click “Apply” (10).
Test if the Smart DNS is set up correctly.