System-wide

Apple Setup

On Apple devices, the cleanest way to turn on encrypted DNS system-wide is a configuration profile. Easy HNS already points users to a profile install flow, so this page keeps that path front and center.

At a glance

Best for

iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who want the easiest Apple-native setup.

Protocol

DoH via Apple DNS profile

Coverage

System-wide

Setup time

2 to 3 minutes

Download link

/resolve/apple

Apple Setup stays focused on the shortest accurate path for this platform.

Guide summary

iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who want the easiest Apple-native setup.DoH via Apple DNS profileSystem-wideEasy2 to 3 minutes

Important

Apple will usually mark a profile downloaded from the web as not verified unless you sign it through your own management workflow. That is normal for a public profile download.

Before you start

Check 01

Use Safari or another browser that can download a .mobileconfig file.

Check 02

Keep your device connected to the internet during installation.

Check 03

If you already use another encrypted DNS profile, remove or disable it first.

Exact Values

Use the right field for the right input.

URL fields need the full DoH URL. Hostname fields need the DoT hostname only. IP fields need the raw address only.

Profile download

/resolve/apple

Use this Easy HNS resolve path to start the Apple profile download automatically.

Fallback DoH URL

https://dns.easyhns.com/dns-query

Useful for managed environments or manual review.

DoT hostname

dns.easyhns.com

Helpful if you need to compare settings with other devices.

Step-by-Step

Short steps, no filler.

Follow the route in order, then verify the active DNS setting before changing another layer.

Step 01

Download the profile

Download the Easy HNS configuration profile. On iPhone or iPad, use the downloaded profile prompt. On macOS, open the downloaded file from your browser or Downloads folder.

Step 02

Open the profile screen

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. On Mac, go to Settings or System Settings > Network > VPN & Filters.

Step 03

Select Easy HNS

Select the Easy HNS profile when it appears in the Apple settings screen.

Step 04

Install and activate

On iOS or iPadOS, choose Install and activate the profile. On macOS, enable the Easy HNS profile from VPN & Filters.

Step 05

Make sure the profile stays enabled

After installation, keep the Easy HNS profile active. If another DNS profile is already active, remove conflicts and reinstall.

How to verify

Check 01

Open a Handshake domain in Safari after installation. If it loads without needing a browser-specific workaround, the profile is active.

Check 02

If a Handshake domain still fails, close and reopen the browser once so the new DNS path is picked up cleanly.

Check 03

On iPhone and iPad, revisit Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and confirm the Easy HNS profile appears as installed.

Troubleshooting

Note 01

If Settings does not show the profile, download the file again and open it directly from Downloads or Files.

Note 02

If your device says a profile cannot be installed, remove older DNS or filtering profiles first and retry.

Note 03

If a captive portal or hotel Wi-Fi behaves strangely after setup, temporarily disable the profile, finish the sign-in flow, then re-enable Easy HNS.

Important note about Handshake website security warnings

Using Easy HNS gives you convenient access to Handshake domains, but standard browsers may still show security warnings for some Handshake websites.

Why? Because most mainstream browsers do not natively validate Handshake trust and DANE/TLSA in the same way they validate the conventional HTTPS web.

As a result:

  • some Handshake websites may load over HTTP;
  • some may show a browser warning or missing secure indicator;
  • this is often a browser trust-model limitation, not automatically proof that the website is malicious.

If you want a stronger Handshake-native browsing experience with DANE/TLSA support, use Fingertip for desktop.

Using a VPN?

Easy HNS still works well with VPNs, but browser Secure DNS can override router or system DNS, and some VPN apps force their own resolver. Use 51.24.7.1 only in IP fields, use https://dns.easyhns.com/dns-query only in DoH fields, and verify which layer is actually winning.