How to Set Up ADnull DNS on macOS Using DNS Manager
What does the script do?
DNS Manager for macOS automatically configures ADnull DNS on your Mac using simple dialog windows — no manual editing of
system settings required.
The script configures:
- System DNS (for Safari and all apps)
DNS (Domain Name System) is like a phone book for the internet. When you type a website address, for example
google.com, your computer contacts a DNS server to find out the IP address of that site. By default, this request is
sent through your internet provider's server.
ADnull System DNS replaces that server with its own — it blocks ads and trackers before they ever reach your
browser.
This works for Safari, Mail, App Store, and any other apps on your Mac.
- DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) (for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Brave, Vivaldi, Arc)
Modern browsers have their own DNS mechanism, independent from the system one. By default, DNS requests from the
browser are sent in plain text — your internet provider and other parties on the network can see them.
DNS-over-HTTPS solves this problem: it encrypts DNS requests and sends them over a secure HTTPS connection — the
same way regular website traffic works. Your provider can only see that you connected to ADnull, but not which sites
you are looking up. On top of that, DoH blocks ads and trackers directly inside the browser.
The script configures DoH separately in each browser using official mechanisms — Chrome Policy, Firefox
policies.json, and equivalents for other browsers.
When finished, it automatically flushes the DNS cache and restarts your browsers.
Requirements
- macOS 12 (Monterey) or later
- Your Mac administrator password
- An active ADnull subscription
Step 1. Download the script
Log in to your ADnull dashboard → Settings → click "DNS Manager for macOS".
The file adnull-macos-XXXXX.sh will be saved to your Downloads folder. A prompt with the run command will appear
immediately:
Step 2. Open Terminal
Press ⌘ Space, type Terminal, and press Enter.
Step 3. Run the script
In the prompt dialog, copy the command (click the copy icon), paste it into Terminal (⌘ V), and press Enter.
bash ~/Downloads/adnull-macos-XXXXX.sh
Step 4. Enter your administrator password
Terminal will ask for your Mac password. Type it and press Enter. Characters won't appear while you type — this is
normal.
Step 5. Browser restart warning
An ADnull dialog will appear:
WARNING! All browsers will be restarted to apply the settings. Please save all data before continuing.
Save any open tabs and unsaved data, then click "Continue".
Step 6. Choose where to enable DNS
A checklist will appear showing only the browsers installed on your Mac.
- System DNS (Safari & all apps) — enables ADnull across the entire system
- Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and others — configures DNS-over-HTTPS per browser
To disable ADnull for a specific item — uncheck it. Click OK.
Step 7. Done!
A confirmation dialog will appear: "Settings applied". Click OK — ADnull DNS is now active.
FAQ
I see a message about Xcode Command Line Tools
Open Terminal and run: xcode-select --install
Follow the on-screen instructions, then run the script again.
How do I disable ADnull DNS?
Run the script again and uncheck the items you want to remove — the settings will be cleared.
Is the script safe?
Yes. The script is generated individually for your account. It only changes DNS settings and collects no data.
Do not share the script with anyone — it is tied to your personal DNS domain.
How can I verify the script doesn't do anything unexpected?
You can open the script in any text editor and read its contents.
Find the downloaded file adnull-macos-XXXXX.sh in your Downloads folder, right-click it and choose Open With → TextEdit.
The script is written in plain text — you will see every command it runs.