# DNSCloak • Secure DNS client — Override & secure DNS queries > Secure DNS client implementing DNSCrypt and DoH protocols. (iPhone/iPad app by Center for the Cultivation of Technology gemeinnutzige GmbH.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dnscloak-secure-dns-client/id1452162351 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Center for the Cultivation of Technology gemeinnutzige GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1452162350) - Category: Utilities, Business - Price: Free - Rating: 4.60/5 from 3,326 App Store ratings · 57 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 17+ - Requires: iOS 10.0 · 28 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2019-02-15 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dnscloak-secure-dns-client/id1452162351/reviews.md ## What is DNSCloak? DNSCrypt is a protocol that authenticates communications between a DNS client and a DNS resolver. It prevents DNS spoofing. It uses signatures to verify that responses originate from the chosen DNS resolver and haven't been tampered with. You can learn more about DNSCrypt protocol at https://dnscrypt.info Our app implements DNSCrypt & DNS-over-HTTPS/2 (DoH) protocols and allows you to secure your DNS traffic against of spoofing. It overrides your DNS settings with a single or multiple DNSCrypt or DNS-over-HTTPS/2 (DoH) resolvers. Works both for WiFi & cellular. ■ dnscrypt-proxy version: 2.0.44 ■ ■ App features ■ • Easy to setup & use; • Clean simple yet powerful UI; • iOS integration – works at system level; • Acts as DNS server to prevent DNS traffic leakage; • Supports both DNS-over-HTTPS/2 (DoH) and DNSCrypt protocols; • TLS 1.3 support for DoH; • Supports DNSSEC; • Multiple resolvers support (if none selected - DNSCloak will use the whole list); • Load balancing within a set of resolvers: app will automatically measure and keep track of their speed, then balancing the traffic across the fastest available resolvers; • Toggable DNS responses caching (reduces latency and improves privacy); • Built-in config editor - take full control over your setup • Custom lists and static servers (via config editor); • Supports DNS queries logging (separate for regular and suspicious queries); • Configurable Blacklist, IP blacklist, Whitelist (with logs); • Domain cloaking feature; • Queries forwarding feature; • Automatic background updates of resolvers list; • Can force outgoing connections to use TCP, that may be useful if your traffic is routed through a TCP-only tunnel such as Tor; • Passcode lock for the app; • Works both for WiFi & cellular; • Supports both 32-bit & 64-bit devices running iOS 10 or later. ■ Contact Us, Support & Feedback ■ If you have any questions – feel free to contact us. You can use "Contact Us" link in the app, "App Support" link in the "Reviews" tab of the App Store or send us email on sergey.smirnov.dev@gmail.com. ## Key features - DNSCrypt and DoH protocol support - System-level integration - Multiple resolver support with load balancing - DNSSEC support - Configurable DNS caching - Custom lists and static servers - Query logging and filtering ## What do users think of DNSCloak? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Works well and is free - 🔒 Provides security and privacy - 👍 Highly customizable and configurable - 🚀 Effective at blocking ads and trackers **Cons** - 🐛 Connectivity issues and inconsistent performance - 🤔 Confusing for non-technical users - 🔋 Can impact device performance and battery life **Commonly reported bugs** - Incompatible with some VPN configurations - Freezing or crashing on certain iOS versions - Inconsistent behavior when switching networks **Most requested features** - Display location information for DNS servers - Improve auto-connect functionality - Provide more user-friendly instructions and documentation ## Recent user reviews (10 of 57) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dnscloak-secure-dns-client/id1452162351/reviews.md ### 5/5 — it works it’s free and there’s no bull crap *2023-10-26* there’s really no downside to it as far as I can tell, and that’s a hard thing for apps to do it would seem. would recommend for anyone who has any sort of app that has ads in it, the most difficult thing about it is learning how to navigate the menus, not in a bad way but in a, it’s just that simple, kinda way. ### 3/5 — So far, so weird…. *2023-10-05* I’m not sure if it’s working or not. I’ve restarted my phone and even have updated iOS. I can’t tell if it’s working or not. It shows that DNSCloak is operating as the VPN. But the DNS shows that it’s being operated by DNT (Do Not Track). These are both for obtaining secured DNS, so I’m not sure how they can coexist. Something tells me one’s not really functioning…. I’ll update the star rating once I can figure out which one of these two are actually working and not just pretending. ### 5/5 — Fantastic App for blocking ads and non intrusive app *2023-10-04* The unsung ‘hero’ app. Choose the right server for your region and fire up dns server and it will block all the ads. Thru a browser or even thru the app. It gives the ability to add your custom sites as well to block list which will create a sinkhole to those ads. Thank you ### 5/5 — Won’t connect on demand… *2023-09-30* I don’t know why but I can’t get any VPN service to connect on demand. Every single time I start my iPad up I have to manually get DNSCloak running via turning VPN on. My other main VPN service is Orbot a TOR client. Not only do I have to manually switch VPN on when I start my iPad. I also have to switch it on manually when I exit Orbot. Orbot returns the VPN to DNSCloak but VPN is in a disabled mode. I still have to manually switch it back on. Think I’ll try reporting this to Apple as a potential security breach. By all that’s holy if your VPN services are set to connect on demand they should… ### 5/5 — Please add city, country to all entries in the list *2023-09-14* The only thing missing from the list overall is each service should clearly show the City, and country it’s being hosted in. I’m been using AdGuard for years, and years but still haven’t gotten the first clue about what city, and country is hosting it. Wouldn’t a DNS server nearer to me with the same features potentially be faster? ### 5/5 — Great for low-level customization *2023-08-15* I have tried a few apps that let you change what DNS server your phone uses, but this is the only one that really lets you have full control and manually configure all the options you could want. ### 5/5 — I’ve got a simple question *2023-08-08* I’ve got a simple question. Just what did you mean when you said in the description that it will use the entire list if none were selected? Does that mean that it will use the fastest possible based off of your current location? Just how often does it check for the best server? If the app randomly chooses the best server to use based off of current server performance and your current location this could be a real win win. You’d always be guaranteed to get the very best overall performance at all times. Plus if you’re constantly switching randomly between servers wouldn’t that make it even harder for you to be tracked? A tracker would have to know what servers you were using at any point in time. And if none were doing any logging that would further cover your trail. ### 5/5 — Best DNS encryption solution for iOS as well as /etc/hosts alternative *2023-02-17, version 2.2.2* At home I tend to use PiHole with dnscrypt-proxy. This is an alternative that I have utilized both for personal use as well as for instructing enterprise QA testers to use for its advanced features in order to point production apps to dev and test environments using their corporate iPhones (since you can’t modify the hosts file on iOS without jailbreaking). ### 3/5 — long initialization *2023-02-07, version 2.2.2* i mean, on desktop also takes some time with official client, but is only few seconds. dnscloak goes beyond 30 seconds of patience (I actually lost patience after one minute) this should be done in background and with a reduced set of servers and with a preselected list of servers ### 4/5 — Good but stopped working *2023-02-02, version 2.2.2* When I got dns it was working well and I could use it to stop the ads from piling on my computer but for some reason after afew weeks it’s kinda just shut down and never worked since ## Frequently asked questions about DNSCloak ### What does DNSCloak do? DNSCloak secures your DNS queries using DNSCrypt and DNS-over-HTTPS/2 (DoH) protocols. This prevents DNS spoofing and ensures that your DNS responses originate from the chosen resolver and haven't been tampered with, enhancing your online privacy and security. ### What are the key features of DNSCloak? Key features include support for both DNSCrypt and DoH protocols, system-level integration for seamless operation, the ability to use multiple resolvers with automatic speed-based load balancing, DNSSEC support, configurable DNS caching, and advanced options for custom lists and query logging. ### Is DNSCloak free to use? Yes, DNSCloak is a free application. It does not have any associated costs for usage or require in-app purchases. ### What devices and iOS versions are compatible with DNSCloak? DNSCloak works on both 32-bit and 64-bit devices running iOS 10 or later. It functions effectively on both WiFi and cellular connections. ### How does DNSCloak help with internet privacy? By encrypting and authenticating DNS queries, DNSCloak prevents your DNS traffic from being intercepted or modified by third parties. It also acts as a local DNS server to prevent DNS traffic leakage and offers features like domain cloaking and query filtering for further privacy control. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 2.2.2 — 2021-10-31 Fix for iOS 15.1. Bump dnscrypt-proxy to 2.0.44. Layout fixes. ### 2.2.1 — 2021-10-29 Fix for iOS 15.1. Bump dnscrypt-proxy to 2.0.44. ### 2.2.0 — 2019-02-15 No release notes. ## Apps similar to DNSCloak | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [ZETSU by Orion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zetsu-by-orion/id1510161371) | 3.8 (1,161) | Free | Utilities | | [AdGuard Ad Blocker for Safari](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adguard-ad-blocker-for-safari/id1047223162) | 4.3 (17,166) | Free | Utilities | | [Net Optimizer : Optimize Ping](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/net-optimizer-optimize-ping/id1568708059) | 4.6 (3,089) | Free | Utilities | | [Gaming VPN : Ping & Bandwidth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gaming-vpn-ping-and-bandwidth/id1571640157) | 4.7 (3,301) | Free | Utilities | | [Ping - network utility](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ping-network-utility/id576773404) | 4.3 (360) | Free | Utilities | | [Melon VPN - Easy Fast Low-cost](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/melon-vpn-easy-fast-low-cost/id1458080487) | 4.5 (5,720) | Free | Utilities | --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*