A modern smartphone user is often faced with the need to fine-tune a network connection in order to ensure stable operation of applications or bypass ISP restrictions. Domain Name System (Domain Name System) plays a key role in this process, acting as a kind of telephone directory that translates website addresses that a person can understand into digital IP addresses that a machine can understand. If you notice that pages are taking longer to load than usual, and some resources have stopped opening, it may be time to check the current settings of your device.
In the Android operating system, information about network parameters is often hidden from the eyes of the average user, but access to it still exists. Google is constantly improving the shell, changing the menu layout, however, the basic principles of the network remain the same. Understanding how to view and change these settings can be a decisive factor in troubleshooting connection problems.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for obtaining information about DNS servers on your gadget. We will look at both standard interface tools and more advanced methods for experienced users, so that you can choose the most suitable option for your situation.
Using built-in Android settings
The easiest and safest way to access network information is to use the standard operating system interface. Starting with Android 9 Pie Private DNS settings were placed in a separate menu, which greatly simplified the management of traffic encryption. However, in older versions or on devices with custom skins, the path to this data may differ.
First, open the application Settings on your device. You need to find the section related to wireless networks. Depending on the smartphone model Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei, this item may be called differently, but usually it is at the top of the list or in the "Connections" category.
Go to the Wi-Fi network management menu. Here it is important not just to turn on wireless communication, but to enter into the details of the current connection. Find the name of the network you are currently connected to and click on it or the gear icon next to the name. This will open a window with detailed technical information.
- 📱 Look for the "IP Settings" or "IP Options" item in the menu that opens.
- 🔄 Switch the mode from "DHCP" to "Static" to see the DNS fields.
- ⚙️ Write down the current DNS values 1 and DNS 2 before making changes.
- 💾 Save the settings or return to DHCP mode if the change is not required.
⚠️ Attention: Switching to a static IP address without knowing the exact parameters of your local network (gateway, subnet mask) may result in loss of Internet access. Write down the initial values before any manipulations.
If your smartphone runs Android 9 or higher, you can use a more modern method. Follow the path Settings → Connections → Other connection settings → Private DNS. Here you will see the current status: either “Auto” or the provider’s manually entered hostname. This is a global setting that is valid for all connections, including mobile data.
Checking via the ADB command line
For those who are not afraid to work with code and want to get the most accurate technical information, the tool Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is ideal. This method allows you to request data from the system directly, bypassing the graphical interface, which is especially useful if the settings menu is blocked by the operator or manufacturer.
To begin, you will need a computer with the platform tools package installed and the smartphone itself with USB debugging mode enabled. After connecting the device to the PC and successful authorization on the phone screen, open a terminal or command line on the computer. Enter a command to check the current DNS properties.
adb shell getprop | grep dnsThis command will list all system properties that contain the word "dns". You are interested in lines starting with net.dns1, net.dns2 and so on. These are the IP addresses that your device currently uses to resolve domain names. If the fields are empty, this may mean that DNS is being queried dynamically and is not yet cached, or that a system resolver is being used.
You can also get more detailed information about network interfaces. The command adb shell ipconfig or adb shell ifconfig (depending on the Android version) will show the status of all network adapters. Find your active interface (usually wlan0 for Wi-Fi or rmnet_data0 for mobile network) and examine the DNS block in the command output.
- 💻 Make sure ADB drivers are installed correctly on your PC.
- 🔌 Use a quality USB cable for a stable connection.
- 📲 Allow USB debugging in a pop-up window on the smartphone screen.
- 🔍 Read the command output carefully so as not to confuse IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?
If the adb devices command does not displays your smartphone, try changing the USB cable, reinstalling the drivers, or selecting a different USB connection mode in the developer settings (for example, MTP instead of Charge only).
Using specialized applications
When standard tools are not enough or constant monitoring of network activity is required, third-party applications from the store come to the rescue Google Play. There are many utilities that not only show the current DNS, but also allow you to test the response speed of various servers, choosing the best option.
One of the popular solutions is the application DNS Changer or its analogues, such as Ping & DNS. Once installed and launched, such a app automatically scans the active connection and displays the current IP addresses of DNS servers on the main screen. This eliminates the need to delve into deep settings menus.
In addition, many applications for checking Internet speed, for example Speedtest by Ookla, also indicate in the extended test results which DNS server the connection was going through during the measurement. This is an indirect but useful way of checking, especially if you want to make sure that the provider is not changing your settings.
| Application name | Main function | Presence of advertising | Requires Root |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNS Changer | Change and DNS view | Yes | No |
| Ping & DNS | Network diagnostics | No | No |
| Network Analyzer | Full traffic analysis | Yes | No |
| Intra | Bypassing DNS blocking | No | No |
This means that the VPN key icon or letter will be lit in the status bar. This is normal behavior needed to redirect requests, but it may conflict with other VPN services.
Analysis through web interfaces and online services
If installing applications is not part of your plans, you can use online services to check which DNS server the outside world sees when requesting from your device. This method is especially useful for checking the effectiveness of work Private DNS or VPN connections.
Go to a site that specializes in DNS diagnostics, such as dnsleaktest.com, using the browser on your smartphone. Run the standard test. The site will show the IP addresses of the servers that process your requests. If you have configured your DNS, but the site shows the addresses of your provider, then the settings have not been applied globally.
There are also services that show the “fingerprint” of your connection. They can tell you if DNS queries are leaking outside the secure channel. This is critical for users who care about the confidentiality of their data on public Wi-Fi networks.
When using public Wi-Fi networks in cafes or airports, always enable Private DNS or VPN to prevent the owner of the access point from intercepting your requests to sites.
Changing DNS to a faster and more secure one
Knowing how to view the current settings, it is logical to wonder about their improvement. Standard provider servers are often slow or subject to censorship. Replacing them with public alternatives from Google, Cloudflare or Quad9 can speed up the opening of sites and increase security.
To implement the changes, return to the Wi-Fi settings menu, where you previously looked at the settings. If you switched to a static IP, simply enter the new addresses in the appropriate fields. For example, for Google Public DNS this is 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. For Cloudflare — 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
If you are using the Private DNS feature (available in Android 9+), you need to enter the domain name of the DNS-over-TLS provider rather than the IP address. This ensures that requests are encrypted, making them unreadable to the provider.
- 🚀 Cloudflare: dns.cloudflare.com
- 🔒 Google: dns.google
- 🛡️ Quad9: dns.quad9.net
- 👨👩👧👦 AdGuard: dns.adguard.com (blocks ads)
After entering the data, be sure to click "Save". The device may pause its Wi-Fi connection for a second to apply the new settings. If the Internet is lost and is not restored, return the settings to "Automatic" (DHCP) mode, since the entered addresses may not be available on your network.
⚠️ Attention: Private DNS settings apply to the entire device, including mobile data. Make sure that the server you choose supports operation through the mobile networks of operators, as some of them may block non-standard DNS ports.
☑️ Check after changing DNS
Possible problems and their solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter a number of problems difficulties. The most common problem is the inability to save static settings. This often happens if the entered gateway IP address does not match the router address or is out of range of the local network.
Another common scenario is a settings conflict. If you simultaneously have Private DNS activated in system settings and static DNS configured in Wi-Fi settings, priority may be given to different parameters depending on the version of Android. Typically, Private DNS has higher priority for encrypted requests.
In some cases, antivirus apps or parental control applications may block DNS changes because it changes the path of traffic. If you cannot change the settings, check the list of installed security applications.
If, after changing the DNS, local resources (printers, NAS) no longer open, add their IP addresses to exceptions or temporarily return automatic settings.
It is also worth considering that shell interfaces from different manufacturers may vary greatly. What works on “pure” Android in smartphones Pixelmay be called differently on devices Samsung or Xiaomi. In such cases, use the settings search by typing the word “DNS” or “IP”.
Is it possible to find out the DNS of the mobile data (3G/4G/5G)?
Yes, but this cannot be done using standard means in the Wi-Fi menu, since the mobile network settings are controlled by the operator’s APN profile. You can view them through the hidden menu (##4636##) or using the ADB commands described above. Changing the DNS for a mobile network without root access is only possible through the Private DNS function.
Does DNS affect the download speed of files?
DNS itself does not increase the channel bandwidth, so the speed of downloading large files (torrents, files on Steam) will remain the same. However, it speeds up the response time when moving between sites (ping when connecting), which makes surfing more responsive.
Is it safe to use free public DNS?
Using trusted services from large companies (Google, Cloudflare) is safe and often more secure than your ISP's DNS, since they support encryption. However, free DNS from unknown developers can be used to collect statistics on the resources you visit or replace advertising.
What to do if the Internet is lost after changing the DNS?
You need to return to the network settings and select the IP mode "DHCP" or "Automatic", and also disable Private DNS (set to "Auto" or "Disabled"). This will return the provider's standard settings, which are guaranteed to work on your network.