How to access Handshake domains
A walkthrough for resolving Handshake domains with NextDNS.io
When you use Handshake DNS, you are changing your DNS "switchboard" operator from your ISP to Handshake's DNS network.
In most cases, the IP addresses used by your ISP's domain name servers are automatically set by your ISP via the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). To use Handshake DNS, you need to explicitly change the DNS settings in your operating system or router to point to Handshake. There are multiple ways to do this — you can run a Handshake fullnode, use the Handshake light client, or use an existing DNS resolver that supports Handshake. In this tutorial, we'll show you how to use Handshake DNS using NextDNS.io, an existing DNS resolver that's one of Firefox's Trusted Resolvers.
The procedure for changing your DNS settings varies according to operating system and version or the device. We give general procedures here; if you have difficulty getting set up, ask the Namer Community for help.
Windows
Estimated setup time: 1-2 minutes
1. Visit https://nextdns.io/ and click "Try it now for free"
2. Scroll down to the "How To Setup" section and note the two 9 digit bold addresses under the "IPv4 (with linked IP)" section
3. Open the Start menu to open Settings or Control Panel
4. Open Network & Internet and then Change adapter options
5. Right click the network you are connected to and open its Properties to select Internet Protocol Version 4 > Properties and then Use the following DNS server addresses to add the two 9 digit addresses you noted in step 2. If you have existing addresses you’ll need to replace them with your 2 new DNS addresses
6. Return to your browser and go to the Settings tab of your NextDNS to turn on Resolve Handshake domains
7. Try visiting our welcome page here: http://welcome.nb./ If it doesn't work, you may need to click the refresh button by “Currently linked IP” in the Setup tab
macOS
Estimated setup time: 1-2 minutes
1. Visit https://nextdns.io/ and click "Try it now for free"
2. Scroll down to the "How To Setup" section and note the two 9 digit bold addresses under the "IPv4 (with linked IP)" section
3. Go to Network through Apple Logo -> System Prefereneces and click Advanced...
4. Select the DNS tab, and click + to add the two 9 digit addresses you noted in step 2, and then click OK and Apply. If you have other addresses, just drag your 2 new DNS addresses to the top of the list
5. Return to your browser and go to the Settings tab of your NextDNS to turn on Resolve Handshake domains
6. Try visiting our welcome page here: http://welcome.nb./ If it doesn't work, you may need to click the refresh button by “Currently linked IP” in the Setup tab
Mobile
Estimated setup time: 2-3 minutes
1. Download and install the NextDNS app for either Android or iOS
2. Visit https://nextdns.io/ and tap Try it now for free
3. Scroll down to the "How To Setup" section and copy the six-character bold ID under the "NextDNS Official App" section
4. Open the NextDNS app's settings and turn on Use custom configuration. When prompted for the Configuration ID, paste the six-character ID you copied earlier
5. Connect the NextDNS app and tap OK when prompted for a VPN Connection request
6. Return to your browser and go to the Settings tab of your NextDNS to turn on Resolve Handshake domains
7. Try visiting our welcome page here: http://welcome.nb./ If it doesn't work, you may need to click the refresh button by “Currently linked IP” in the Setup tab
Others
The following procedures are setup instructions provided by NextDNS. Though these have yet to be tested by Namebase staff, they should still work.
Linux
Change your DNS servers to 45.90.28.187 and 45.90.30.187. Make sure you have linked the IP of the network you will setup.
Router
1. Open the preferences for your router. Usually you can access it from your browser via a URL (like http://192.168.0.1/ or http://192.168.1.1/).
2. Locate the DNS settings inside the interface.
3. Remove all addresses (if any) then add 45.90.28.187 and 45.90.30.187.
4. Click Save (or similar).