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How to Edit Your Host File on macOS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on October 2, 2024 - 2:11 pm by

If you need to view a specific web server before DNS changes propagate or you’re testing configurations, editing your host file can help you achieve this. This quick guide will show you how to edit your host file on macOS in just a few minutes. This applies to various hosting types, including Domains, Professional Hosting, Reseller Hosting, and more.

Requirements

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Time Needed: 5 minutes
  • Applies to: Domains, Professional Hosting, Universal Hosting, Reseller Hosting, VPS Hosting, WordPress Hosting

What Is the Host File?

The host file is a simple text file that maps hostnames (like yourdomain.com) to IP addresses. Editing it allows you to manually direct your computer to a specific server without modifying DNS settings.

Steps to Edit Your Host File on macOS

Step 1: Open Finder and Select “Go”

Start by clicking the Finder icon, then go to the top menu bar and select Go.

Open Finder - Step 1

Step 2: Open “Utilities”

From the drop-down menu, choose Utilities.

Open Utilities - Step 2

Step 3: Launch Terminal

In the Utilities window, find Terminal and double-click to open it.

Launch Terminal - Step 3

Step 4: Run the Command

Once Terminal is open, enter the following command and press Return:

Copy code and paste in your terminal

sudo nano /etc/hosts

This will open the host file in the Nano text editor, where you can make your changes.

Run Command - Step 4

Step 5: Edit the Host File

Move the cursor to the bottom of the file using the arrow keys. Add the IP address of the server and the domain name you want to map, like so:

bash

Copy code

127.0.0.1 yourdomain.com

Once you’ve entered the details, press CTRL + O to save your changes, then hit Return. Afterward, press CTRL + X to exit Nano.

Edit Host File - Step 5

Step 6: Flush Your DNS Cache

To finalize the changes, run the following command in Terminal to flush your Mac’s DNS cache:

bash

Copy code

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Flush DNS - Step 6

You can now test the domain in your browser to ensure it’s pointing to the new server. If the site changes as expected, you’ve successfully edited your host file.

Conclusion

Editing your host file on macOS is a simple but effective way to test servers before DNS changes propagate. In just six easy steps, you can direct your Mac to any server, saving time and ensuring that your site is configured correctly before going live.

Image Credits:
All images used in this article are sourced from 34SP.com, a hosting and domain provider.