How to edit your Mac's Hosts file and why you would want to

If you're setting up a new webserver or another device that's going to be connected to the internet and you want to put it through its paces before it's live, or if you're having trouble with spyware and adware networks, there's an invisible file on your Mac that can help. It's called the Hosts file, and this is how to use it.

The Domain Name System

When you type in the domain name of a web site you want to visit there's a lot happening behind the scenes. Every web site, every service, almost every device connected to the Internet has a unique numeric address that tells all the other devices where it is — its TCP/IP address. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates those numeric addresses into something a bit more recognizable and memorable to humans, like, "www.imore.com" for example.

The first time you type in a web address, your Mac pings a DNS server — typically one automatically configured for you by your Internet Service Provider — to find out the TCP/IP address of the server you're trying to connect to. Your Mac builds up a hidden cache file to remember those details later on when you visit the same site again.

The Hosts file

The Domain Name System and its associated cache is your Mac's standard way of knowing how to get to where it's going on the Internet, but there's another file that can be very useful. It's called the Hosts file, and it can be used to override the default DNS information.

There are some practical reasons why you'd want to use the Hosts file instead of just letting DNS do its thing. Let's say you're testing a development server you're about to deploy, and you'd like to use its domain name instead of the machine's specific IP address. Before the system's online and accessible to anyone using DNS, you can use the Host file instead: Enter the machine's IP address and when you use that domain name, your Mac will go to that device instead.

You can also use the Hosts file to block or work around spyware and ad networks by "zeroing out" their IP addresses - putting in 0.0.0.0 then the name of the domain you'd like to block.

How to edit the Hosts file

You'll need to know the IP address of the device you'd like to send your Mac to, or the domain names you're trying to keep your Mac away from. The best way to work with the Host file is by using the Terminal application found in your Mac's Utilities folder. You can search for Terminal using Spotlight or by selecting it in Finder.

1. Open a Finder window.

2. Select Applications from the sidebar.

   Source: iMore

3. Double-click on Utilities.

4. Double-click Terminal.

   Source: iMore

In the Terminal window, you will need to enter a command to open the Nano text editor. You will need your administrator password, as well.

1. type sudo nano /etc/hosts and then hit return.

2. Enter your administrator password and then hit return.

   Source: iMore

You're now in the Nano text editor. You should see something that looks like this:

If you want to add a new device or domain, move the cursor using the arrow keys and position it after the text in the window. Then, begin typing.

If you're mapping a particular IP address on your local network to a domain, you can type the IP address, hit tab, then type the domain name.

Conversely, if you'd like to make sure a web URL doesn't go to its intended site — if you're trying to keep your Mac away from certain sites, use "127.0.0.1." That'll map it back to your Mac. Even if your Mac is assigned a different IP address by its router, 127.0.0.1 defaults to the local machine thanks to the default settings in that hose file.

Once you're done, hold down the control and O keys to save the file, then control and X to exit.

One last step

Back at the command line, type sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder then type return. That will flush your Mac's DNS cache, so it doesn't get confused by any changes you've made to the Hosts file.

Don't forget you've modified the Hosts file, because at some point you may need to undo the changes you've made in order to keep your Mac working right.

How to reset your Mac's Hosts file

When you're ready to undo your changes and restore where your Mac's Hosts file routes to, you can do so by replacing the current host file with a new set of terms. You don't need Terminal for this reset.

1. Make sure Finder is selected on your Mac.
2. Click on Go in the Mac menu bar.
3. Click on Go to Folder.
4. Enter /private/etc/hosts into the search field.
5. Click Go.
6. Drag the Hosts file from the Finder window onto your desktop.
7. Open the Hosts file from your desktop. It should open to TextEdit by default.
8. Delete the content of the Hosts file.

9. Paste the following into the same file:

   ##
   # Host Database
   #
   # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
   # when the system is booting.  Do not change this entry.
   ##
   127.0.0.1   localhost
   255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
   ::1             localhost
   

10. Click Save.

11. Drag this same Hosts file from your desktop back into the same folder. If you don't have the folder open in finder anymore, follow steps one through five to reopen it.
12. Click Replace when asked whether you want to replace the file.
13. Enter your Administrative password when prompted (that's the password used by the main user to unlock their Mac).
14. Restart your Mac.

Have any questions? Let me know.

Updated February 2020: Updated for macOS Catalina.