Mobile gaming places high demands on the stability of the network connection, and Brawl Stars is no exception. Even with an excellent Wi-Fi or 4G signal, players often experience high ping, character teleportation, and connection dropouts during critical moments of combat. Often the problem lies not in channel bandwidth, but in inefficient traffic routing, which is performed by the standard DNS server of your Internet provider.
Changing the domain name system settings (DNS) allows you to redirect your device requests to faster and more optimized servers, which in some cases significantly reduces latency (latency) to Supercell game servers. On modern smartphones running Android 9 and higher, this procedure has become as simple as possible and does not require obtaining root access or installing third-party applications. You can change system settings directly through the security menu.
In this article we will look in detail at how to correctly select and connect a private DNS server specifically for Brawl Stars. We will look at the addresses of reliable providers, a step-by-step algorithm for entering data, and methods for diagnosing the result. It is important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for all regions, so the process may require some testing of different options to achieve the best response.
Why standard DNS affects ping in games
When you launch Brawl Stars, your device must establish a connection to the game server. The first step of this process is to convert the server's domain name into a machine-readable one. This task is performed by the DNS server. By default, your phone uses servers provided by your ISP. These servers are often overloaded, physically located far from you, or use suboptimal routing routes. IP address. This task is performed by the DNS server. By default, your phone uses servers provided by your ISP. These servers are often overloaded, physically located far away from you, or use suboptimal routing routes.
Using public DNS servers from large technology companies such as Google or Cloudflarecan reduce request processing time. These giants have a global infrastructure with points of presence (PoP) around the world. When you submit a request, it is processed by the node closest to you, speeding up the initial handshake with the game server. While DNS does not directly affect file download speeds, it is critical to response times in online games. connection stability and response time in online games.
In addition, some providers may intentionally slow down or misrout game traffic. Switching to an alternative DNS sometimes allows you to bypass such local restrictions and find a more direct path to the game servers. This is especially true during peak hours, when the load on provider networks is maximum, and their own DNS servers work with delays.
⚠️ Attention: Changing the DNS server will not increase the maximum speed of your Internet if it is limited by your tariff plan. This setting is aimed solely at reducing latency (ping) and improving connection stability.
Choosing the optimal DNS provider for gaming
Not all DNS servers are equally useful for games. Some prioritize security and content filtering, which can add extra milliseconds to response time. For Brawl Stars we need servers with minimal latency and high availability. There are several leaders on the market that have proven themselves to be reliable solutions for mobile gamers.
The most popular choice is Google Public DNS. It is characterized by high speed and reliability thanks to the corporation's huge infrastructure. The second strong contender is Cloudflare, which positions itself as the fastest DNS in the world and pays special attention to user privacy by not logging your queries. There are also specialized services, such as AdGuard DNSthat can block ads at the network level, although in the case of mobile games this is less relevant than pure speed.
When choosing, you should take into account your geographic location. A server that works perfectly in Moscow may show worse results in Vladivostok or Europe. Therefore, it is recommended to test several options. Below is a table with the addresses of the most recommended servers for setting up on Android.
| Provider | Main hostname | Features | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | dns.google |
High stability, global coverage | Universal choice |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 |
Minimum latency, privacy protection | To reduce ping |
| Quad9 | dns.quad9.net |
Blocking malicious domains | For security |
| AdGuard DNS | dns.adguard.com |
Ad blocking and trackers | For a clean network |
Step-by-step guide: setting up Private DNS on Android
Starting with version Android 9 (Pie), the system has a "Private DNS" function (Private DNS), which encrypts DNS requests and makes it easy to switch between providers. The interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, OxygenOS), but the logic of actions remains the same. You do not need to enter numeric IP addresses, the system requires just the host name (domain name).
First, open the settings of your smartphone. Find the section responsible for connections. On pure Android this is usually the “Network and Internet” item, on Samsung devices it is “Connections”, and on Xiaomi it is “Connection and Sharing”. Inside this section, look for an item called “Private DNS” or “Private DNS”. Sometimes it is hidden in the “Advanced settings” or “Wi-Fi and Internet settings” subsection.
☑️ Private DNS setup algorithm
After entering the menu "Private DNS" you will see three options: "Auto", "Off" and "ISP Hostname" (or "Manual"). The default mode is Auto. You need to switch to manual input. In the field that appears, enter the address of the selected server, for example dns.google or 1.1.1.1. Be careful: you need to enter the text host name, not the numbers of the IP address, since the DNS-over-TLS protocol requires checking the certificate by domain name.
Click the “Save” button. If the address is entered correctly, the connection will be established instantly and the setting icon will change. If you make a spelling mistake (for example, an extra period or a typo), the system will display an error message and will not save the settings. In this case, double-check the spelling of the address in the table above and try again.
⚠️ Attention: If, after saving the settings, the Internet on your phone disappears completely, return the setting to “Auto” or “Off” mode. This may mean that the selected DNS server is blocked by your ISP or is temporarily unavailable in your region.
Alternative methods for older versions of Android
If your smartphone runs on the version Android 8 (Oreo) or lower, it does not have a built-in “Private DNS” function. In such cases, it is almost impossible to change the system DNS for all connections (Wi-Fi and mobile network) without root access. However, to connect via Wi-Fi, you can change the DNS settings manually for each specific network.
Go to Wi-Fi settings, long-press the name of the network you are connected to, and select “Edit network” or “Manage network settings.” Expand advanced options and find “IP Settings.” Switch it from value DHCP to Static (Static). After this, the fields with the IP address and gateway will be filled in automatically - do not change them so as not to disrupt the connection to the router.
Scroll down the menu to the “DNS 1” and “DNS 2” fields. Here you can enter the numeric addresses of the servers. For Google this is 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, for Cloudflare - 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Save your changes. Remember that this method only works for the current Wi-Fi network. If you switch to the mobile data or another access point, the settings will have to be repeated again.
Why can’t you change the DNS for the mobile network on older Androids?
To change the DNS in the mobile network (3G/4G) on Android versions below 9, you need access to system files, which is provided only if you have root access. Without root, the system does not allow you to edit APN parameters in the DNS part for most operators, since these settings come automatically from the telecom operator. Attempts to use third-party applications like "Change DNS" on such versions are often ineffective, since they create a local VPN tunnel, which in itself can add latency.
Diagnostics of the result and measurement of ping
How can you tell if changing the DNS server helped? The easiest way is to launch Brawl Stars and pay attention to the ping indicator in the upper right corner of the screen during the battle. Green and values up to 50 ms are considered excellent, yellow (50-100 ms) are acceptable, and red (>100 ms) indicate problems. Compare these indicators before and after making changes.
For more accurate diagnostics, you can use specialized applications for network testing, such as Ping & DNS or Network Analyzer. These utilities allow you to ping specific game servers. Enter the domain of the game server (you can find it through logs or specialized forums) and look at the response time. It is also useful to use the ping command through the terminal if the device has a terminal emulator installed.
ping -c 4 brawlstars.comRunning such a command will show the average response time. If after changing DNS the average value decreased by 10-20 ms, you will already feel the difference in control responsiveness. However, if the ping remains the same or increases, then this particular DNS server is not optimal for your communication site. In this case, it is worth trying an alternative option from the list above.
For the most accurate test, take measurements at the same time of day and being in the same point in the room. The cellular network and the load on the Wi-Fi channel vary greatly throughout the day, which can distort the comparison results.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes after setting up Private DNS, users are faced with the fact that games stop connecting to the servers, giving a connection error. This may happen if your chosen DNS server is blocking some gaming domains by mistake, or if your ISP is using DPI technology to block encrypted DNS requests. In rare cases, antivirus software on a smartphone may conflict with the private DNS function.
If you notice that Brawl Stars it is taking a long time to find a match or crashes out of the lobby, the first thing to do is disable Private DNS by returning the setting to “Auto” mode. If the problem disappears, then the problem is with the server. Try a different provider. For example, if dns.google did not work, switch to 1.1.1.1. Also make sure that the date and time on your device are set correctly - incorrect time will break the SSL certificates that are used for a secure DNS connection.
⚠️ Attention: The Private DNS function may conflict with some corporate Wi-Fi networks or networks in educational institutions that require authorization through a web portal. In such networks, it is recommended to temporarily disable private DNS to successfully access the Internet.
Another cause of problems may be the game itself. Servers Supercell sometimes undergo maintenance or experience overloads that are independent of your network settings. Before sinning with DNS, check the official social networks of developers or server status aggregator sites to make sure that global failures are not occurring.
If changing the DNS did not produce results, the problem of high ping most likely lies in the physical distance to the server, cell tower overload or low quality Wi-Fi signal, and not in the domain name settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will changing the DNS reduce the ping if I play via mobile data (4G/5G)?
Yes, the Private DNS function works for both mobile traffic and Wi-Fi. However, the effect may be less noticeable than on Wi-Fi, since in cellular networks the delay often depends on the load on the base station and the quality of the radio signal, which DNS cannot correct.
Is it safe to use third-party DNS servers?
Using verified public DNS from large companies (Google, Cloudflare) is absolutely safe. Moreover, Private DNS mode encrypts your requests, protecting them from interception by your ISP, which increases your digital privacy compared to standard settings.
Do you need to reboot your phone after setting up?
Usually no reboot is required, the settings are applied instantly. However, if you encounter connection problems, rebooting the device will help reset the DNS cache and establish a clean connection to the new server.
Will this help if I have a very weak Wi-Fi signal?
No. DNS does not improve radio signal quality. If you have slow speeds or constant interruptions due to poor reception, changing your DNS server will not solve the problem. In this case, you need to get closer to the router or use a repeater.
Which DNS is better for Brawl Stars in Russia?
There is no definite answer, since routing depends on your provider and city. Most often, the best results are shown by Google servers (dns.google) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), but sometimes local provider servers can be faster due to physical proximity.