Disabling Cisco Umbrella on an iPad can be a crucial step for troubleshooting connectivity issues, accessing certain content, or simply reverting your device's network settings to their default. Cisco Umbrella works by routing your internet traffic through its secure DNS servers, filtering out malicious or unwanted content. While this is great for security, it can sometimes interfere with legitimate activities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Why You Might Need to Disable Cisco Umbrella on Your iPad
Before we dive into the "how," let's briefly touch upon the "why." Cisco Umbrella is an excellent security solution, but there are legitimate reasons you might want to disable it:
- Troubleshooting: If you're experiencing internet connectivity issues or can't access specific websites, Umbrella might be blocking them. Disabling it can help you pinpoint if it's the cause.
- Accessing Restricted Content (with caution): In some cases, Umbrella might block content that is legitimate for your personal use but falls under a category restricted by the Umbrella policy. Always exercise caution when bypassing security measures.
- Personal Device Management: If your iPad was previously managed by an organization that deployed Umbrella, and you now own the device, you might want to remove these restrictions.
- Performance: While usually negligible, in rare cases, the routing through Umbrella's servers could introduce minor latency.
Now, let's get down to business!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Cisco Umbrella on Your iPad
Are you ready to take back control of your iPad's network settings? Let's begin!
Step 1: Identify How Cisco Umbrella is Implemented
This is the most crucial first step because the method of disabling Umbrella depends entirely on how it was installed on your iPad. Cisco Umbrella can be implemented in a few ways on iOS devices:
- Configuration Profile (most common for managed devices): This is a common method for organizations to deploy settings and restrictions, including DNS configurations, on devices. You might see a "Profile" listed in your iPad's settings.
- VPN Profile (less common for Umbrella directly, but possible for associated security apps): Sometimes, Umbrella's functionality might be tied to a VPN profile installed on your device, especially if it's part of a broader security suite like Cisco Secure Client (AnyConnect).
- Manual DNS Settings (less common, but possible for individual users): If you or someone else manually configured DNS settings on your Wi-Fi network or cellular data, Umbrella could be active that way.
- Cisco Security Connector App (for organization-owned and MDM-managed devices): If your iPad is managed by your organization through a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system, the Cisco Security Connector app might be installed, providing Umbrella protection.
To figure this out, follow these initial checks:
- Check for a "Profile" section: Go to Settings > General. Look for "VPN & Device Management" or "Profiles" (the name may vary slightly depending on your iOS version).
- Check VPN connections: In Settings, tap on "VPN." See if there are any active VPN connections or VPN configurations that might be related to Cisco.
- Check Wi-Fi DNS settings: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the "i" icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network. Look at the DNS settings. Are they set to "Automatic" or "Manual"? If Manual, note down the IP addresses.
- Look for the Cisco Security Connector app: Swipe down on your iPad's home screen and search for "Cisco Security Connector" or "Umbrella."
Once you've identified the likely implementation method, proceed to the relevant step below.
Step 2: Disabling Umbrella via Configuration Profile
If you found a configuration profile related to Cisco Umbrella, this is likely how it's being enforced.
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Navigate to Profiles:
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap on General.
- Scroll down and tap on VPN & Device Management (or "Profiles").
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Locate the Cisco Umbrella Profile:
- You should see a list of installed profiles. Look for one that explicitly mentions "Cisco Umbrella," "OpenDNS," or a profile related to your organization's security.
- Tap on the profile you believe is associated with Cisco Umbrella.
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Remove the Profile:
- On the profile details screen, you'll see an option like "Remove Profile" or "Delete Profile."
- Tap this option.
- You may be prompted to enter your iPad's passcode for security verification. Enter it to confirm the removal.
- Important Note: If the "Remove Profile" option is grayed out or missing, it means the profile is "non-removable." This typically happens on devices managed by an organization through Apple's Device Enrollment Program (DEP) or Apple Configurator with supervision enabled. In such cases, you cannot disable Umbrella yourself. You'll need to contact your IT administrator.
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Restart Your iPad (Recommended):
- After removing the profile, it's a good idea to restart your iPad to ensure all changes take effect. Press and hold the power button, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
Step 3: Disabling Umbrella via VPN Profile
While less common for direct Umbrella DNS enforcement, some security suites might install a VPN profile.
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Access VPN Settings:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on VPN & Device Management (or just "VPN" on older iOS versions).
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Identify the VPN Profile:
- Look for any VPN configurations that might be related to "Cisco," "AnyConnect," or your organization's network security.
- Tap the "i" icon next to the suspicious VPN configuration.
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Delete the VPN Profile:
- On the VPN details screen, tap "Delete VPN Configuration" or "Remove VPN Configuration."
- Confirm your action by entering your passcode if prompted.
- Consideration: If this VPN profile is essential for your work (e.g., connecting to your corporate network), disabling it might prevent you from accessing those resources. Proceed with caution.
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Toggle VPN Status:
- If you just want to temporarily disable the VPN without deleting the profile, you can often toggle the VPN switch to "Off" within the main VPN settings screen.
Step 4: Resetting Manual DNS Settings for Wi-Fi
If Umbrella was set up by manually changing your Wi-Fi DNS, here's how to revert it.
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Go to Wi-Fi Settings:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Wi-Fi.
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Access Network Details:
- Find the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to (it will have a blue checkmark next to it).
- Tap the "i" (information) icon next to the network name.
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Configure DNS:
- Scroll down and tap on "Configure DNS."
- If it's set to "Manual," you'll see DNS server IP addresses. Cisco Umbrella's common DNS servers are
208.67.222.222and208.67.220.220. - *Change the setting from "Manual" to "Automatic." This will revert your DNS settings to those provided by your router or ISP.
- Alternatively, if you know the correct DNS servers for your network or prefer public ones (like Google DNS:
8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4), you can edit the manual entries to those instead. Tap the minus sign to remove existing entries and the plus sign to add new ones.
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Save Changes:
- Tap "Save" in the top right corner.
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Reconnect to Wi-Fi (Optional but recommended):
- Turn your Wi-Fi off and then back on, or simply disconnect and reconnect to the network to ensure the new DNS settings are applied.
Step 5: Handling the Cisco Security Connector App (MDM-Managed Devices)
If your iPad is an organization-managed device and has the Cisco Security Connector app, direct uninstallation by the user is often prevented.
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Check App Presence:
- Swipe down on your home screen and search for "Cisco Security Connector."
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Attempt Uninstallation (Unlikely to work if MDM-managed):
- Touch and hold the app icon until it jiggles.
- Tap the "X" or minus sign that appears.
- If you see the option to "Delete App," you can try it. However, if the device is MDM-managed and the app is pushed, it will likely reinstall or not allow deletion.
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Contact Your IT Administrator:
- For MDM-managed devices, the only way to reliably disable or remove Cisco Umbrella protection is to contact your organization's IT department. They have the tools and permissions to manage the device's configuration and can remove the Umbrella policy or uninstall the app remotely. They might also be able to provide a temporary bypass or explain their policy.
Step 6: Resetting Network Settings (Last Resort)
Use this as a last resort if you suspect persistent Umbrella settings and other methods haven't worked, or if you want a complete network fresh start. Be aware that this will erase ALL your saved Wi-Fi passwords and cellular data settings.
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Access Reset Options:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on General.
- Scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPad.
- Tap on Reset.
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Select Reset Network Settings:
- Choose "Reset Network Settings."
- You will be prompted to enter your iPad's passcode.
- Confirm the reset.
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iPad Reboots:
- Your iPad will restart. Once it powers back on, you'll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi networks and re-enter their passwords. This process typically clears any custom DNS or VPN configurations that might have been lingering.
What Happens After Disabling?
Once Cisco Umbrella is disabled, your iPad's internet traffic will no longer be filtered through Umbrella's servers. This means:
- You might gain access to websites or content that were previously blocked.
- Your device will be less protected against malicious websites, phishing attempts, and other online threats that Umbrella would normally intercept.
- Your DNS queries will be handled by your router's default settings or your ISP's DNS servers.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if Cisco Umbrella is active on my iPad?
To check if Cisco Umbrella is active, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and look for a "Configuration Profile" related to Cisco or OpenDNS. You can also check your Wi-Fi DNS settings (Settings > Wi-Fi > "i" icon > Configure DNS) to see if Cisco Umbrella's DNS servers (208.67.222.222 or 208.67.220.220) are listed.
How to disable Cisco Umbrella if the profile is non-removable?
If the profile is non-removable, it means your iPad is managed by an organization, and they have restricted profile removal. You cannot disable it yourself. You must contact your IT administrator and request they disable or modify the policy for your device.
How to temporarily bypass Cisco Umbrella without uninstalling?
Temporarily bypassing Umbrella on an iPad without full uninstallation is difficult if it's installed via a configuration profile. If it's a VPN profile, you might be able to toggle the VPN switch off in Settings > VPN. If it's manual DNS, you can temporarily change your Wi-Fi DNS settings to "Automatic" or a different public DNS.
How to remove Cisco Umbrella if it's installed as a VPN?
Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Locate the VPN profile related to Cisco or your organization, tap the "i" icon next to it, and then tap "Delete VPN Configuration" or "Remove VPN."
How to revert my iPad's DNS settings after disabling Umbrella?
If you manually changed DNS settings, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the "i" icon next to your connected network, tap "Configure DNS," and change it from "Manual" to "Automatic." This will revert to your router's or ISP's DNS.
How to ensure my iPad is protected after disabling Cisco Umbrella?
After disabling Umbrella, your iPad loses a layer of DNS-based security. To stay protected, ensure you have reliable anti-malware software (if available for iOS) and practice safe Browse habits, such as avoiding suspicious links and downloading apps only from the official App Store.
How to contact my IT administrator for Cisco Umbrella removal?
Look for contact information on your organization's internal IT portal, intranet, or help desk contact list. If you can't find it, ask a colleague or your manager for the IT support contact details.
How to prevent Cisco Umbrella from being reinstalled?
If your iPad is an organization-managed device, IT can remotely reinstall Umbrella. To prevent this permanently, the iPad needs to be removed from the organization's Mobile Device Management (MDM) system. This typically requires a full device wipe and unenrollment by your IT department.
How to know if my iPad is an MDM-managed device?
Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If you see a section titled "Mobile Device Management" or a profile that cannot be removed, your iPad is likely MDM-managed.
How to reset all network settings on my iPad?
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Be aware this will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords, cellular data settings, and VPN/APN configurations.
