How to Configure DNS over HTTPS on iOS

This guide will help you set up and configure DNS over HTTPS (DoH) on your iOS devices such as iPhone and iPad, providing comprehensive configuration instructions and best practices.

Prerequisites

  • iOS 14.0 or higher
  • iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
  • Stable internet connection
  • Basic knowledge of network settings

Basic Configuration

Step 1: Access DNS Settings

  1. Open the “Settings” app
  2. Tap “General”
  3. Select “VPN & Device Management” or “VPN, DNS & Device Management”
  4. Tap “DNS”

Step 2: Configure Encrypted DNS

  1. Choose between “Automatic” or “Manual” configuration:

    • Automatic: Use system default settings
    • Manual: Configure custom DNS servers

  2. Select “Configure DNS”:

    • Tap “Add Server”
    • Enter the DoH provider’s server address

Step 3: Add DoH Provider

Common DoH provider configurations:

# Cloudflare
https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query
1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1

# Google
https://dns.google/dns-query
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4

# Quad9
https://dns.quad9.net/dns-query
9.9.9.9
149.112.112.112

Using Configuration Profiles

Step 1: Create Configuration Profile

Create a .mobileconfig file using the following template:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>PayloadContent</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>DNSSettings</key>
            <dict>
                <key>DNSProtocol</key>
                <string>HTTPS</string>
                <key>ServerURL</key>
                <string>https://dns.example.com/dns-query</string>
            </dict>
            <key>PayloadDescription</key>
            <string>Configure DNS over HTTPS</string>
            <key>PayloadDisplayName</key>
            <string>DNS Settings</string>
            <key>PayloadIdentifier</key>
            <string>com.example.dns</string>
            <key>PayloadType</key>
            <string>com.apple.dnsSettings.managed</string>
            <key>PayloadUUID</key>
            <string>A1B2C3D4-E5F6-G7H8-I9J0-K1L2M3N4O5P6</string>
            <key>PayloadVersion</key>
            <integer>1</integer>
        </dict>
    </array>
    <key>PayloadDescription</key>
    <string>DNS over HTTPS Configuration</string>
    <key>PayloadDisplayName</key>
    <string>DoH Configuration</string>
    <key>PayloadIdentifier</key>
    <string>com.example.doh</string>
    <key>PayloadRemovalDisallowed</key>
    <false/>
    <key>PayloadType</key>
    <string>Configuration</string>
    <key>PayloadUUID</key>
    <string>Q1R2S3T4-U5V6-W7X8-Y9Z0-A1B2C3D4E5F6</string>
    <key>PayloadVersion</key>
    <integer>1</integer>
</dict>
</plist>

Step 2: Install Configuration Profile

  1. Send the configuration file to your device
  2. Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
  3. Install the configuration profile
  4. Follow the prompts to complete installation

App-Specific Configuration

Safari Browser

  1. Settings > Safari
  2. Enable “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking”
  3. Verify DNS settings are active

Third-Party Browsers

  1. Firefox

    • Enable HTTPS-Only mode
    • Configure DNS over HTTPS

  2. Chrome

    • Enable secure DNS
    • Select DoH provider

Verify Configuration

Method 1: System Settings Verification

  1. Return to DNS settings page
  2. Confirm configuration status
  3. Check connection status

Method 2: Online Testing

  1. Visit DNS leak test website
  2. Run standard test
  3. Verify DNS request routing

Method 3: Using Apps

  1. Install DNS testing app
  2. Execute DNS query test
  3. Check resolution results

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  1. Cannot Connect to DNS Server

    • Check network connection
    • Verify server address
    • Restart device
    • Reset network settings

  2. Performance Issues

    • Choose nearest server
    • Check network quality
    • Monitor response time
    • Try alternative providers

  3. Configuration Profile Issues

    • Verify file format
    • Check signature status
    • Reinstall configuration
    • Update system version

Advanced Troubleshooting

  1. Network Diagnostics

    • Use network analysis tools
    • Check DNS responses
    • Monitor network traffic
    • Analyze error logs

  2. System Log Analysis

    • Export system logs
    • Find DNS-related entries
    • Analyze error messages
    • Document issue patterns

Best Practices

  1. Provider Selection

    • Evaluate privacy policies
    • Check service availability
    • Consider geographical location
    • Test connection speed

  2. Security Recommendations

    • Use trusted providers
    • Regular system updates
    • Monitor for unusual activity
    • Enable additional protection

  3. Performance Optimization

    • Choose nearest servers
    • Regular cache clearing
    • Monitor performance metrics
    • Keep system updated

Enterprise Deployment

MDM Configuration

  1. Create Configuration Profile

    • Set DNS parameters
    • Configure security options
    • Define deployment scope

  2. Deployment Strategy

    • Push configuration profile
    • Monitor deployment status
    • Handle error reports

  3. Maintenance Management

    • Update configurations
    • Monitor usage
    • Handle issue reports

Next Steps