DynDNS on the Mac: the native client
The native macOS client keeps your hostname pointed at your Mac's public IP automatically — a background daemon with a status icon in the menu bar. Install and set up in two minutes; every command and parameter is listed below.
Step by step
- Download the pkg from the Downloads page (dashboard → “Downloads”) and install it with a double-click.
- Open Terminal and run sudo dnsbeacon-client configure — it prompts for the hostname and API key (dyndns_…, from the dashboard); the key input stays hidden.
- Apply the configuration with sudo launchctl kickstart -k system/com.dnsbeacon.client. The menu bar icon now shows the status; the parameters below cover special cases like IPv6-only.
Settings to enter
Terminal
- Install:
- download the pkg from the Downloads page (dashboard → Downloads) and double-click to install
- Configure:
- sudo dnsbeacon-client configure --hostname myhouse.dnsfollowme.uk
- --hostname <fqdn>:
- hostname to keep updated
- --interval <min>:
- minutes between IP checks (default 5)
- --ipv4 / --no-ipv4:
- update IPv4 (A record) — default on
- --ipv6 / --no-ipv6:
- update IPv6 (AAAA record) — default off; --no-ipv4 --ipv6 for IPv6-only (e.g. DS-Lite)
- --api-key-stdin:
- read the API key from stdin (for scripting); without it you get a hidden prompt
- Apply:
- sudo launchctl kickstart -k system/com.dnsbeacon.client
- Verify:
- dnsbeacon-client status or sudo dnsbeacon-client once --force
- Log:
- /Library/Logs/DynDnsClient/daemon.log
The API key is a dyndns_… key from the dashboard — account passwords are rejected by the server. After installing, the “DNS Beacon” menu bar icon shows the status; the daemon runs as a launchd service even with no user logged in and keeps itself updated.
Need a free hostname first?
Create a free DNS Beacon account, add a hostname and generate an API key — then come back and finish the setup above.
Create free account