How to Set Up FirewallDNS on Apple TV
By [FILL IN], [FILL IN] · Last updated
Apple TV (tvOS) lets you set DNS manually for Wi-Fi and Ethernet. There is no encrypted DNS setting in the menus, so the TV uses plain DNS to the server you enter.
Requirements
- A FirewallDNS account with your public IP address registered in the dashboard
- Your FirewallDNS addresses, shown under [VERIFY: dashboard menu name where these values are shown]
- An Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K
- The Siri Remote
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Step by step
1.Open Settings on the Apple TV.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 1 on Apple TV [VERIFY] 2.Select Network.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 2 on Apple TV [VERIFY] 3.Select Wi-Fi (then your network) or Ethernet.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 3 on Apple TV [VERIFY] 4.Select Configure DNS.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 4 on Apple TV [VERIFY] 5.Change it from Automatic to Manual.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 5 on Apple TV [VERIFY] 6.Enter [VERIFY: FirewallDNS primary DNS address] with the on-screen keyboard and select Done.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 6 on Apple TV [VERIFY] 7.Restart the Apple TV from Settings > System > Restart.
Image placeholder: screenshot of step 7 on Apple TV [VERIFY]
How to verify it works
- Open a streaming app and an App Store page.
- Open the query log in your FirewallDNS dashboard and confirm that new lookups from your network appear within a few seconds.
How to revert
- Settings > Network > your network > Configure DNS > Automatic.
Troubleshooting
- Only one DNS server can be entered
- tvOS accepts one manual DNS server. Router-level DNS gives you redundancy.
- A streaming app stops working
- Check the query log for blocked domains while opening the app and allowlist them.
- Changes are lost after an update
- Re-check Configure DNS after tvOS updates.
FAQ
Does Apple TV support encrypted DNS?
Not through the Settings menu. Profiles can be installed with Apple Configurator on a Mac in managed setups.
Is router-level DNS better?
Usually yes: it covers every device and allows two servers.
Will DNS filtering block ads in streaming apps?
Rarely. Most streaming ads come from the same domains as the video.
Can I see Apple TV lookups separately?
Not by default; lookups appear under your registered network IP.
Does this affect AirPlay?
No, AirPlay on the local network does not depend on internet DNS.