Temporarily Override DNS for a Domain (macOS)
Force your Mac to resolve a domain to a specific IP by modifying the /etc/hosts file
sudo nano /etc/hosts
# Add the following line at the bottom:
3.65.168.47 laneks.si
# Then flush DNS cache:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponderTags
macOS
hosts file
dns
Details
This command sequence allows you to override the DNS resolution of a domain on macOS by editing the `/etc/hosts` file.
Use this when:
- You’ve changed DNS records but want to preview the old version of a site.
- You want to access a specific server directly, bypassing current DNS records.
It’s especially useful for developers and site admins during migrations or staging setup.
Steps:
- Edit `/etc/hosts` and add: `3.65.168.47 laneks.si`
- Flush the DNS cache
- Open `https://laneks.si\` in your browser to see the version on the old IP.
To revert, remove the line from the hosts file and flush DNS again.
Safety Notes
- Be careful not to remove or break existing entries in `/etc/hosts`.
- This change only affects your local machine and is temporary.
- Always flush DNS after modifying the hosts file, or changes won’t take effect.
- Mistyping the IP or hostname can result in broken site access.
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