Configure DNS on Android step by step

Change DNS settings on Android It's one of those things that seems complicated, but in reality, anyone can do it in a few minutes if they know where to click in the settings. Furthermore, it's not just a trick for computer geeks: it directly affects the speed, privacy and security of your connection every time you browse, play online, or do streaming from your mobile or tablet.

When you connect to the internet, whether via Wi-Fi or mobile data, your carrier configures default DNS servers that manage everything in the background. To check which server that is, consult How do I find my DNS server on Android?. However, They are not always the best or most private optionUsing other DNS servers (such as those from Google, Cloudflare, Quad9, or other public services) can give you faster browsing, avoid certain blocks, and add an extra layer of protection against dangerous websites or attempts to spy on your activity.

What is a DNS and why does it matter on your Android phone?

Un DNS (Domain Name System or Domain Name System) It is the system that translates the names of web pages that you type into the browser (for example, "google.com" or "xatakandroid.com") into numerical IP addresses, which are what servers and routers on the Internet actually understand.

Think of DNS as the internet contact listYou remember the person's name, but your phone needs their phone number to call them. It's the same here: you type the domain, and the DNS looks up the corresponding IP address so the website loads correctly on your Android device.

This “translation” happens in milliseconds, but it's repeated over and over every time you open a website, an app that connects to a server, or a streaming or online game service. That's why, the quality and speed of the DNS server They make a difference: if it takes a long time to respond, your browsing feels slower even if you have a good connection.

In addition, DNS servers usually store a domain caching that you have recently visited to speed up subsequent queries. This cache also matters when it comes to protecting you or preventing someone from manipulating responses (for example, with cache poisoning attacks that redirect you to fake websites).

What is a DNS server and what does your internet service provider do with it?

The DNS server is the machine (or set of machines) that responds to your device's requests when it asks, "Hey, what IP address does this domain have?". By default, your router, your mobile phone, or the operator's network You are automatically assigned DNS servers managed by your ISP (your Internet provider).

Most users never change this setting, but there are several reasons why this default choice isn't ideal. For starters, Not all DNS servers are equally fast or reliable.Some take longer to respond, others are not well optimized for the storage cached content, which translates to slower loading websites or slight delays in games and online services. If you also have missing pages or encounter errors, these Methods to fix DNS error on Android may be of help.

On the other hand, the operator's DNS usually record the requests you makeThis allows your ISP to know which domains you visit, when, and how often. In many countries, this data can be used for commercial purposes (showing you targeted advertising), traffic analysis, or even shared with third parties when legally required.

Furthermore, a good part of the Internet censorship and website blocking The restrictions imposed by governments on internet service providers are applied precisely at the DNS level. Instead of returning a website's real IP address, the server either returns a fake IP address (a warning page, a blocked page, etc.) or simply doesn't respond. By switching to an alternative DNS server that doesn't apply these filters, your mobile device stops relying on them and can access those websites if there are no additional restrictions in your country (for example, IP or firewall restrictions).

Advantages of changing the DNS on Android

Modifying the DNS settings on your Android mobile or tablet has several clear advantages over sticking with the ones provided by your carrier. The main reasons for doing so these are:

1. Faster browsing speed and lower latencyIf you use servers like Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1), queries are usually resolved faster than with your ISP's DNS. This is especially noticeable when you open many new websites, perform continuous searches, or play online games where every millisecond of ping matters. You can also check a list of secure and fast DNS to choose the most suitable one.
2. Improved privacy from your operatorSome public DNS providers, such as Cloudflare or Quad9, promise not to log your queries or to delete them within a few hours. If you're worried that your ISP might monetize your browsing activity By selling that data to advertisers or tracking which sites you visit, changing your DNS is a simple step to reduce that exposure.
3. Increased security against malicious websitesCertain DNS providers integrate security filters that directly block domains associated with malwarephishing, fraudulent sites, or infrastructure used for DDoS attacks. Instead of loading a dangerous page, your Android simply fails to resolve it, nipping many deceptive attempts in the bud.
4. Bypass DNS blocks and censorshipWhen a website is blocked by your internet service provider (ISP) due to a court order or content filtering criteria, it's usually done through the company's own DNS servers. Using a Alternative public DNSYour mobile phone no longer depends on those filters and can access those pages if there are no other additional restrictions in your country (for example, at the IP or firewall level).
5. Extra features such as parental controls or content filtersSome third-party DNS providers allow you to block website categories by default (adult, gambling, etc.), which is very useful for Setting limits on children's mobile phones or on shared devices. If you prefer not to install apps, you can also see how Block certain websites without an Android appOthers focus on always ensuring speed or neutrality in responses.

Differences between DNS, Smart DNS and VPN

When it comes to improving your browsing experience, it's easy to confuse concepts: DNS, SmartDNS, VPN… Each has its role. Normal DNS simply resolves domain namesThat's all. It doesn't encrypt your traffic or change your public IP address; it only decides which IP address to return when you query a domain.

Un Smart DNS (SmartDNS) It goes a little further: it still resolves domains, but it has special rules depending on your location or the service you're trying to use. For example, it can make certain streaming websites see you as if you were in another country. However, a SmartDNS doesn't encrypt your data or completely hide your IP address, so It doesn't fully protect you from your ISP or governments..

An VPN (virtual private network) Yes, it creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server, and it usually also manages DNS queries so they don't go through your ISP. It changes your public IP address, protects your data with advanced encryption, and prevents DNS leaks if configured correctly. The other side of the coin is that It is a more complex service and, usually, requires payment..

Some VPN providers include an integrated SmartDNS service, so you can use only the DNS portion when you don't need to encrypt all traffic (for example, in a Smart TV (which does not support native VPN clients), and use the full VPN on the rest of your devices for maximum privacy.

How to change DNS on Android 9 and later (private DNS)

Since Android 9 (Pie), the system has incorporated a feature called Private DNSBased on DNS-over-TLS, this means that DNS queries travel encrypted between your mobile device and the chosen DNS server, significantly improving privacy against prying eyes that might intercept your traffic.

The main advantage of this option is that It affects both WiFi and mobile data At the same time: you don't have to go network by network changing the DNS settings; the entire device uses the private server you configure, provided that provider supports DNS-over-TLS. If you prefer other encryption options or ways to encrypt without touching the router, see how. encrypt your DNS using DNS-over-HTTPS.

The general steps Setting up private DNS on Android 9 and higher is very simple, although the exact menu names may vary slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer:

• Open your device Settings and go to the "Network and Internet" section (in some models it appears as "Connections").
• Look for the "Advanced" section and tap on "Private DNS".
• Select option "Private DNS provider hostname".
• Enter the DNS host you want to use. For example, for Google DNS, enter dns. googleAnd for Cloudflare, it introduces one.one.one.one.
• Save the changes so that the system starts using that DNS immediately.

If at any time you want to return to the default settings, simply return to that same menu and select the option "Automatic"The device will revert to using the DNS servers of your carrier or the WiFi network you are connected to.

It is important to know that, in some specific versions (for example, Android 9 on certain models), Your private DNS may be disabled if you use a VPN or apps that change the DNS.In more modern versions, such as Android 10 and later, this behavior has been refined and the system better manages the priority between private DNS, VPN and other services.

How to change the DNS on Android 8 and earlier versions (WiFi only)

On phones with Android 8 (Oreo) or earlier versions, a global private DNS mode doesn't yet exist, so you can't change the DNS for mobile data from the system settings. What you can do is modify the DNS settings of each WiFi network to whichever ones you connect, one by one.

This system is still valid on current mobile phones when, for example, your customization layer doesn't show the private DNS menu, or if you want to have a specific DNS only for a particular WiFi (for example, at home with parental controls and at work without filters).

The general steps to change the DNS settings of a specific WiFi network in Android 8 and earlier are:

• First, connect to the WiFi network where you want to change the DNS.
• Open Settings, go to "Network & Internet" and then to "Wi-Fi".
• Press and hold the connected network and choose "Modify network" or "Manage network settings".
• Expand the "Advanced Options" or the "IP Settings" section.
• Change the IP type of DHCP to StaticDo not touch the other fields unless you know what you are doing.
• Move to the fields DNS 1 and DNS 2 and enter the addresses you want to use (for example, 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for Cloudflare, or 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google).
• Save the changes so that the WiFi network starts using your custom DNS servers.

If at any point the network stops working correctly or you want to return to the router's original settings, go back to the same menu and change "Static" back to "DHCP"The device will automatically restore the network settings, including the router's DNS.

Recommended public DNS for Android

At the time of choosing well-known public providers Which DNS to use on your Android phone? There are several well-known, fast, and free public providers. Each has its strengths, but in general, they are all an improvement over the default DNS provided by many ISPs.

Google Public DNSIt is one of the most popular and widespread. It offers good speed, high availability, and support for both IPv4 and IPv6. The addresses you can use in your DNS fields are:

• IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 y 2001:4860:4860::8844

Cloudflare DNS: has gained fame for his privacy orientation and their speed. They claim not to sell your browsing data and to delete logs frequently. Their main addresses are:

• IPv4: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
• IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001 (if your network supports IPv6)

Another suppliers like Quad9 or Cisco OpenDNS (complete guide) They also offer public resolvers with a focus on security (blocking malicious domains) or content filters. In all cases, the procedure on Android is the same: Only the IPs you enter in DNS 1 and DNS 2 change or the hostname in private DNS mode.

Other ways to change the DNS: router, other systems and devices

If what you want is that all the devices in your home (mobile phones, tablets, portableTo prevent devices like TVs and game consoles from using the same DNS server without having to change the settings individually, you can modify the DNS settings directly on your router. This way, any device connected via Wi-Fi or cable will automatically receive those DNS servers via DHCP.

The specific procedure depends on the router model, but it usually follows a similar logic: you access the Router IP address from the browser (usually addresses like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), log in with your administrator username and password, look for the WAN or Internet configuration section and locate the primary and secondary DNS fields.

Once there, you can replace the operator's DNS IPs For Google, Cloudflare, or another provider's DNS servers, save the changes and restart the router. From that moment on, all devices that obtain their configuration via DHCP will use those DNS servers unless you manually change them on each device.

In the rest of the systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS(Smart TV, etc.) the concept is the same: enter the network settings of the connection in use (WiFi or Ethernet) and manually specify the DNS addresses that you want to use. In many cases, this is done from an "Advanced" or "Properties" button, and in others by editing system files such as /etc/resolv.conf in Linux.

En iPhone y iPadFor example, this is done from Settings > Wi-Fi, by tapping the "i" of the connected network and then on "DNS setupSelect "Manual" to enter the new servers. If you're interested in applying Google specifically there, see how. Use Google DNS on iPhone and iPadIn systems like Windows or macOS, the change is made from the control panel/network or from System Preferences > Network, respectively.

How to check if your new DNS on Android is working

After changing the DNS on your mobile phone or router, it's a good idea check that everything is working As you would expect. There are several simple ways to do it without needing advanced tools.

A basic method is to open your browser and enter a normal web address, such as "www.google.com". If the page loads and everything seems to be working smoothly, the DNS is probably resolving correctly. To make sure you're not seeing a cached version, Refresh the page several times Or try websites you don't usually visit.

If a website that was previously blocked by your internet service provider now opens correctly, that's also a sign that Your new DNS is bypassing those filtersOtherwise, there may be other forms of IP-level or firewall blocking that simply changing the DNS cannot bypass.

If something stops working after changing your DNS (for example, certain pages don't load or the connection seems unstable), you can easily revert the settings by going back to "Automatic", "DHCP" or the above values that you noted down before touching anything. It's always a good idea to write down the original settings in case you need to restore them.

Also exist specialized websites that detect which DNS server you're using and if there are DNS leaks to your ISP, which is useful when combining custom DNS with a VPN or DNS switching apps; for specific browser problems you can check how fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.

Configure DNS on Android step by step It allows you to gain control over your connection: improve response speed, strengthen your privacy, filter dangerous websites, and bypass much of the DNS-based censorship. It doesn't require installing unusual apps or being an expert; simply follow the correct menus for your Android version, choose a trusted provider (Google, Cloudflare, or others), and, if you want to go a step further, combine it with a well-configured router or a robust VPN so that all your traffic benefits from these improvements.