On macOS, the equivalent of ipconfig /flushdns is executed via Terminal using commands like sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder depending on your macOS version.
Steps to Flush DNS Cache
- Open Terminal
Press Command (⌘) + Space to open Spotlight, typeTerminal, and press Enter to launch the Terminal app . - Determine Your macOS Version
Click the Apple icon → About This Mac → note the version number and name. The command to flush DNS varies by version . - Enter the Appropriate Command
- macOS Big Sur (11) and later, including Sequoia and Sonoma:
This command clears both the DNS cache and forces the mDNSResponder process to reload .sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder - macOS El Capitan (10.11) through Catalina (10.15):
This simpler command is sufficient for older versions .sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- macOS Big Sur (11) and later, including Sequoia and Sonoma:
- Authenticate
After pressing Enter, you will be prompted to type your admin password. Terminal will not show characters as you type; this is normal . - Verify (Optional)
You can check if the DNS cache has been cleared by testing connectivity to a website or using commands likedigornslookupto confirm updated DNS resolution .
Optional: Automate with AppleScript
You can create a small Automator application to run the flush command without typing it each time:
- Open Automator → New → Application → Add Run AppleScript → paste the flush command.
- Save and run the app whenever you need to clear DNS





