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By Zayden R., September 5, 2026
Mullvad VPN is shutting down its public encrypted DNS service and will support Quad9 instead. This change, effective November 2, 2026, aims to consolidate resources with a leader in privacy-focused DNS services.
Mullvad VPN has announced the closure of its public encrypted DNS servers, a service it has offered since 2022. The decision marks a shift in strategy as Mullvad opts to sponsor Quad9, a well-regarded entity in the privacy-focused DNS sector. Effective November 2, 2026, this move is intended to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of privacy services offered to users.
For Mullvad VPN users, this change may seem inconsequential at first glance since the VPN's internal DNS already encrypts all traffic. However, for users of the Mullvad Browser who rely on these public DNS servers when not connected to the VPN, this is a significant update. These users will be automatically migrated to Quad9's DNS, unless they've previously customized their DNS settings. This transition ensures that users continue to benefit from encrypted DNS queries, preventing ISPs from seeing the domains they visit.
Mullvad's decision to back Quad9 financially rather than maintaining its own public DNS infrastructure underscores the complexity and specialization required to operate a robust privacy-centric DNS service. Quad9 is widely recognized for its expertise in this area, making it a logical choice for collaboration rather than competition.
Users who have manually configured Mullvad's DNS settings are advised to switch to Quad9 before the November deadline to avoid any disruptions. Additionally, those using Mullvad's iOS and macOS profiles will need to update to Quad9's profiles to maintain service continuity.
Ultimately, this strategic pivot allows Mullvad to focus its resources more efficiently while still supporting the community's need for secure and private DNS solutions. For engineers and sysadmins, this means a streamlined approach to maintaining privacy without the overhead of managing multiple DNS configurations.