iOS VPN DNS Settings

[JoelBC]

I am hoping someone can assist me.

In macOS when I setup a VPN to dial into my router I can specify the DNS servers that I want the VPN to use.

In iOS when I setup a VPN to dial into my router I cannot find this ability.

The Ask: Please show me how / where to set the DSN servers when setting up a VPN in iOS.

Thank you.

 

[Samdh90]

I believe that you will change the DNS settings for the current Wifi you are connected to. That will then be the same DNS server that the VPN app uses.

This is a support step for NordVPN. It should work the same way with other VPN apps as the settings are changed on the system;

Change your DNS servers on iOS

You can manually configure the DNS servers in your iOS settings. Here is how: Open Settings; Tap on Wi-Fi. If it's switched off, turn it on; Pick a Wi-Fi network and tap on the blue i icon; Tap Co...

support.nordvpn.com

 

[JoelBC]

I believe that you will change the DNS settings for the current Wifi you are connected to. That will then be the same DNS server that the VPN app uses.

This is a support step for NordVPN. It should work the same way with other VPN apps as the settings are changed on the system;

Change your DNS servers on iOS

You can manually configure the DNS servers in your iOS settings. Here is how: Open Settings; Tap on Wi-Fi. If it's switched off, turn it on; Pick a Wi-Fi network and tap on the blue i icon; Tap Co...

support.nordvpn.com

I appreciate the response but that does not work.

I tried it and it failed.

Thanks.

 

[Samdh90]

I appreciate the response but that does not work.

I tried it and it failed.

Thanks.

What VPN app are you using? Are you using a commercial, or something more private like OpenVPN?

 

[Cruncher]

I have a RaspberryPi with Wireguard and a Synology NAS with OpenVPN. On both of them I can set the DNS on their Profile or also in their specific app.

 

[JoelBC]

What VPN app are you using? Are you using a commercial, or something more private like OpenVPN?

I am not using a VPN app; rather I am using the VPN Client including in iOS (i.e., Settings / VPN) to connect / dial into my router which is acing as the VPN server.

I can get this work perfectly on macOS but cannot find similar capabilities / settings on iOS.

I hope this helps clarify things.

Thanks.

 

[Samdh90]

I am not using a VPN app; rather I am using the VPN Client including in iOS (i.e., Settings / VPN) to connect / dial into my router which is acing as the VPN server.

I can get this work perfectly on macOS but cannot find similar capabilities / settings on iOS.

I hope this helps clarify things.

Thanks.

Okay, can't say I have ever set this up with just the settings itself but does your VPN require that you are on a particular DNS server? The last time I have setup a VPN server, it is set to push whatever DNS server my router is using. This would override whatever DNS settings the client uses.

 

[JoelBC]

Okay, can't say I have ever set this up with just the settings itself but does your VPN require that you are on a particular DNS server? The last time I have setup a VPN server, it is set to push whatever DNS server my router is using. This would override whatever DNS settings the client uses.

I can connect to my router no problem.

I cannot access webpages while connected to my router which I need to do because they are geo restricted while I am travelling. Commercial VPNs are generally blocked as well so I am avoided these(as they have a common IP address which is used to geo block these whereas my router does not).

When I use the macOS VPN client and add DNS servers, everything works. Webpages magically appear!

When I use the iOS VPN client where it does not appear that I can add a DNS server, all my web pages hang. It is as though there is no functioning / working DNS server (i.e., there is no look up).

I hope this helps.

Thx.

 

[Samdh90]

I am sure since all routers are different, these settings might be slightly named different but do you have these options on the configuration of your VPN server:

The issue sounds like you are connecting but there is no DNS servers being advertized over the VPN. Having these set as yes should correct your issue.

 

[JoelBC]

I am sure since all routers are different, these settings might be slightly named different but do you have these options on the configuration of your VPN server:

View attachment 2090231

The issue sounds like you are connecting but there is no DNS servers being advertized over the VPN. Having these set as yes should correct your issue.

I dialed in and saw no ability to do this.

I am, that said, in agreement. I can / will look again.

 

[Samdh90]

I dialed in and saw no ability to do this.

I am, that said, in agreement. I can / will look again.

Do you mind sharing what system you are using? There might be stuff that can be researched that can help you out here. Different VPNs use different methods. I have even seen stuff in the configuration file that you deploy to devices(If required)

 

[JoelBC]

Do you mind sharing what system you are using? There might be stuff that can be researched that can help you out here. Different VPNs use different methods. I have even seen stuff in the configuration file that you deploy to devices(If required)

A few updates...

1. I changed the DNS servers on my router to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (i.e., Google's DNS serves) and this changed nothing. That is, I can load web pages when connecting via macOS but cannot load webpage when connecting via iOS.

2. I am using the VPM client as built into iOS and macOS.

3. I am using a Lulu ABR-5000 router with the current firmware.

Thanks,


Joel

 

[Samdh90]

A few updates...

1. I changed the DNS servers on my router to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (i.e., Google's DNS serves) and this changed nothing. That is, I can load web pages when connecting via macOS but cannot load webpage when connecting via iOS.

2. I am using the VPM client as built into iOS and macOS.

3. I am using a Lulu ABR-5000 router with the current firmware.

Thanks,


Joel

What VPN protocol are you using?

Ex; PPTP, L2TP, IPSEC

Also, are you using icloud private relay? I would also check the remote connection settings that are already established. There must be a way to designate subnets and routes, especially on a router like you have, I use a consumer one for reference, lol.

The last thing I can think of is using IPTables. Do you know if your router supports that? They are usually either firewall or network scripts, you can write rules that apply to certain interfaces, good stuff but you can much it up if you aren't careful, haha.

 

[JoelBC]

What VPN protocol are you using?

Ex; PPTP, L2TP, IPSEC

Also, are you using icloud private relay? I would also check the remote connection settings that are already established. There must be a way to designate subnets and routes, especially on a router like you have, I use a consumer one for reference, lol.

The last thing I can think of is using IPTables. Do you know if your router supports that? They are usually either firewall or network scripts, you can write rules that apply to certain interfaces, good stuff but you can much it up if you aren't careful, haha.

@Samdh90

Appreciate your help with this and in response note:

1. L2TP

2. Private Really: Yes on both my iPhone and MacBook

3, IPTables: I will need to look noting that they may be getting a little outside my skillset.

Again, much thanks!

 

[Samdh90]

@Samdh90

Appreciate your help with this and in response note:

1. L2TP

2. Private Really: Yes on both my iPhone and MacBook

3, IPTables: I will need to look noting that they may be getting a little outside my skillset.

Again, much thanks!

Okay, first things first is that I would disable icloud private relay and see if it helps. As nice as that feature is, it is known to cause issues with VPN traffic.

As far as IPTables go, I only know a basic knowledge of it myself but you can google and find a lot of good stuff out there.

I would still look at the config for the network connection that was created within the VPN page. Might have something about DNS in there. I tried looking around, could not find anything concrete unfortunately but there has to be a method for routing VPN traffic to wherever.

 

[JoelBC]

Okay, first things first is that I would disable icloud private relay and see if it helps. As nice as that feature is, it is known to cause issues with VPN traffic.

As far as IPTables go, I only know a basic knowledge of it myself but you can google and find a lot of good stuff out there.

I would still look at the config for the network connection that was created within the VPN page. Might have something about DNS in there. I tried looking around, could not find anything concrete unfortunately but there has to be a method for routing VPN traffic to wherever.

Appreciate the continued help and in response note:

1. iCloud Relay: I disabled this and it made no change.

2. iOS VPN Config: I have looked at this many times and, like you, found nothing. It is, that said, possible that I missed something.

Truly hoping someone can assist.

Thanks.

 

[Samdh90]

Appreciate the continued help and in response note:

1. iCloud Relay: I disabled this and it made no change.

2. iOS VPN Config: I have looked at this many times and, like you, found nothing. It is, that said, possible that I missed something.

Truly hoping someone can assist.

Thanks.

Hi Bud,

What I was referring to is the configured network on the router under the VPN page.

Thank you.

 

[JoelBC]

Hi Bud,

What I was referring to is the configured network on the router under the VPN page.

Thank you.

Apologies for not understanding you the first time.

I have revised the router settings and could not find it anywhere. I will check the manual and report back.

I reached out to the Luxul in the hope they have an answer.

Will let you know.

 

[JoelBC]

Hi Bud,

What I was referring to is the configured network on the router under the VPN page.

Thank you.

I double checked he router settings and reviewed the manual -- nothing helpful.

I will also reach out to the installers who did the network setup and wiring.

Thanks.

 

[JoelBC]

Quick update...

I just got off the phone with Luxul Technical support and they advised me that their router does not have the ability to specify a DNS server for incoming VPN traffic.

That said, the only solutions I can think of are:

1. Lobby Apple to add DNS specification capability to iOS' VPN client (as they have in macOS' VPN client); OR

2. Search an Install an iOS VPN client that does have the ability to specify a DNS server (as per macOS' VPN client).

Comments / thoughts / suggestions, especially for an iOS VPN client with DNS specification capabilities.

Thanks.

 

[Cruncher]

VPN Clients which are Built in to Routers are not always as configurable as you wish.

I would spend a couple of $ and buy a Raspberry Pi and setup PiVPN with Wireguard. It is faster and more reliable than L2TP. You can check out this tutorial (not mine).

 

[JoelBC]

VPN Clients which are Built in to Routers are not always as configurable as you wish.

I would spend a couple of $ and buy a Raspberry Pi and setup PiVPN with Wireguard. It is faster and more reliable than L2TP. You can check out this tutorial (not mine).

@Cruncher , clearly your comment is correct about VPN Clients not being as configurable as I would like. This is EXACTLY the case here.

I will most certainly take a look at the tutorial and let you know.

That said, for purposes of ease, I would still like to find an iOS VPN Client where I can specify the DNS Settings. WOudl appreciate any suggestions that anyone has. Thanks!