How To: Set Up Control D On Google Chrome

You've chosen the best custom DNS service out there - here's how to set it up on what is, arguably, the internet's favourite browser: Google Chrome.

· 3 min read
How To: Set Up Control D On Google Chrome

Having the right tool for the job is only half the battle; knowing how to use it is where battles are fought and won. You've chosen the best custom DNS service out there - here's how to set it up on what is, arguably, the internet's favourite browser: Google Chrome.

There are three main protocols for modern, secure DNS: DoH, DoT, and DoQ, with the latter being the new kid on the block. DoT & DoQ are more susceptible to being blocked by firewalls since they use custom ports, while DoH uses the same port as HTTPS, which makes it difficult to block.

While Control D supports all three protocols, Chrome, like most browsers, only supports DoH, so let's take a look at how to set that up.

Step #1

In your Chrome browser, click on the dotted menu in the top right corner, then click Settings.

Accessing Chrome preferences on Windows or Linux involves the same method with slight variances.

Screenshot showing the Settings selection in the Chrome drop down

Step #2

Click on Privacy & Security from the list of options to the left.

Screenshot showing the Settings Panel for Chrome - Privacy and Security is highlighted

Step #3

Click on Security.

Screenshot showing the Privacy and Security options for Google Chrome

Step #4

Scroll down until you see the Use Secure DNS toggle, and enable it.
Then, select the second option and choose Custom from the drop-down list.

Screenshot showing the Use secure DNS Custom option in Google Chrome

Step #5

From the Control D My Resolvers section, copy and paste your device's DoH URL into the empty box. You'll need to switch over to your active Control D tab to do this.

Screenshot showing the Control D panel with the My Resolvers option highlighted

Your My Resolvers section will look like the following. The section we're interested in is the one highlighted in Red.

Screenshot showing Control D Resolvers, highlighting DNS-over-HTTPS/3

Step #6

Once you've entered the DoH URL into the Chrome settings as instructed, you're all done! It's worth verifying that it's all working correctly, and you can do so in two ways.

The first is simple: look at the logo in the top left corner of the Control D web UI and see if it has a green tick.

Screenshot of the Control D UI showing a green tick next to Default Device

The other way to check is to visit the status page and look for a green tick next to "Using Control D."

Screenshot showing Configuration Status screen for Control D, with a green tick on "Using Control D"

Now that you've got everything set up, you can begin tweaking your profile settings and curating your internet experience.