Many Android smartphone users do not even suspect that standard network settings may limit their capabilities. By default, your phone uses the DNS servers provided by your mobile operator or Internet service provider. Often these servers are overloaded, slow to respond to requests, or worse, used to censor and collect data about your visits.
Changing your Domain Name System (DNS) address is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve web page loading speeds and protect your personal data. You can switch to public services that offer request encryption, protection against phishing, and even blocking intrusive advertising directly at the network level without installing additional applications.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at which addresses are best suited for modern devices, how to enter them correctly in the system settings, and what to expect after the changes. The choice of the optimal provider depends on your priorities: maximum speed, privacy or content filtering.
What is DNS and why change it on a smartphone
DNS (Domain Name System) works like an Internet phone book. When you enter a website address in your browser, your smartphone sends a request to the server to find out the IP address of this resource. If the server responds slowly, you'll see the loading wheel spinning longer than necessary. Standard servers of providers often cannot cope with the load during peak hours.
Moreover, many operators use their DNS to redirect non-existent requests to pages with advertising or to block certain resources. Using a third-party Private DNS allows you to bypass these restrictions. Modern protocols, such as DNS-over-TLS (DoT), encrypt your requests, making them invisible to the provider and increasing the level of cybersecurity.
Changing servers is especially important for those who often use public Wi-Fi networks. In cafes or airports, attackers can intercept unencrypted DNS requests. Switching to a secure server ensures that your data about the sites you visit remains private.
Use the "Private DNS" feature in Android 9 and above - it automatically encrypts requests, unlike the old methods of setting up in the Wi-Fi menu.
TOP 5 best public DNS servers for Android
There are several leaders who have proven their reliability and speed of work. The choice of a specific address depends on what is more important to you: freedom from advertising, maximum response speed, or strict privacy without logging.
Below is a list of the most popular and time-tested solutions that are easily integrated into the mobile operating system.
- 🚀 Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) —considered one of the fastest in the world. The main focus is on performance and privacy: the company says it does not keep logs of users' IP addresses.
- 🛡️ Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) is a classic solution with a huge infrastructure. Provides high stability and speed, but collects some data for diagnostics and improvement of the service.
- 🚫 AdGuard DNS - a specialized server that blocks advertising, trackers and phishing sites even before they load in the browser. Ideal for saving traffic.
- 🔒 Quad9 (9.9.9.9) is a non-profit project focused on security. Automatically blocks domains associated with malware using data from various threat providers.
- ⚡ OpenDNS - a reliable service from Cisco that offers flexible content filtering settings, which is useful for parental controls.
It is worth noting that the speed of a particular server may depend on your geographic location. What is fast in Europe may be slower in Asia. It is recommended to test several options using special utilities, such as DNS Benchmarkto find the optimal one for your location.
How to set up Private DNS on Android 9 and later
Starting with version Android 9 (Pie), the system has a built-in function Private DNS (Private DNS). This is the most modern and preferred setup method, as it works globally for all connections (Wi-Fi and mobile data) and uses encryption.
You do not need to be a system administrator to activate. Just go to your phone settings. The path may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the logic remains the same. Usually the item is located in the section Settings → Connection and sharing → Private DNS.
In the menu that opens, select the “Private DNS provider host name” (or “Manual”) mode. Here it is important to enter not the IP address, but the domain name of the server that supports the DoT protocol. Entering numeric addresses in this field will result in a connection error.
☑️ Setting up Private DNS
After saving the settings, the phone may lose connection with the network for a second, and then restore it through a new tunnel. If the Internet does not appear, check that the host name is entered correctly - extra spaces or typos are unacceptable.
⚠️ Attention: Not all public DNS support Private DNS (DoT) mode. For example, for the old IP 8.8.8.8 you need to use the hostname
dns.google. Entering numbers in the "Hostname" field will block access to the network.
Setting up DNS for older versions of Android (up to 9.0)
If your smartphone runs on an older version of the operating system, the Private DNS function will not be available. In this case, the settings are made separately for each Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, for mobile data (3G/4G) on older versions without root access, it is almost impossible to change the DNS.
To change the settings for Wi-Fi, you need to go to the wireless network settings. Find the network you want in the list and select Edit or Manage Network Settings. In the advanced settings, change the IP settings from DHCP to Static.
When switching to a static IP, you will need to manually enter the gateway address and DNS servers. Be careful: if you make a mistake in the gateway address, the Internet will not work. Write down the current values before changing so that you can roll back the settings.
| Provider | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | High stability | |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 | Maximum speed |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 | Threat blocking |
| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222 | 208.67.220.220 | Parental controls |
After entering the data, save the configuration and reconnect to the network. This method is less convenient, since when you switch to another Wi-Fi, you will have to enter the setting point again.
What to do if the static IP is not saved?
Some routers block the connection of devices with a static IP if the address is in the DHCP range. Try changing the last digit of your phone's IP address to a number from 2 to 254.
The influence of DNS on connection speed and security
Many users mistakenly believe that changing DNS will increase the maximum speed of downloading files (bandwidth). This is wrong. DNS only affects the time it takes to establish a connection to a site (ping when requesting a name). If the server responds in 10 ms instead of 100 ms, pages will begin to “open” instantly, but the loading speed of “heavy” files will remain the same.
However, for mobile devices this parameter is critical. When frequently switching between browser tabs or using applications that constantly poll servers, fast DNS response makes the system feel smoother and more responsive.
In terms of security, using DNS with filtering support (for example, Quad9 or AdGuard) creates the first layer of defense. Your phone simply will not be able to resolve the name of the malicious site, which will prevent you from accidentally going to a phishing page or downloading a virus.
⚠️ Attention: Some banking applications and corporate networks may not work correctly when using third-party encrypted DNS. If you encounter login errors, temporarily return the setting to “Auto” mode.
DNS does not increase Internet speed (Mbps), but significantly reduces response time when opening new sites and applications.
Possible problems and solutions
After changing the settings, you may encounter a situation where some sites stop opening or work incorrectly. Most often this is due to the fact that the selected DNS server is blocking the content you are trying to, or has problems with caching records.
If the Internet has completely disappeared, check that the data entered is correct. In Private DNS mode, only alphabetic host addresses are allowed. Also make sure you have an active network connection, as some servers may be temporarily unavailable in your region.
In rare cases, mobile service providers block access to third-party DNS ports. In such a situation, using a VPN service that has a built-in function for changing DNS, or returning to the operator’s standard settings will help.
To diagnose problems, you can use the command line on your computer (via ADB for advanced users) or simple applications to check ping. Compare the response time before and after changing the server to evaluate the real benefit.
⚠️ Attention: Android settings interfaces can be updated by the manufacturer of your smartphone. If you cannot find the “Private DNS” item, use the search in settings by entering the query “DNS”.
How to reset network settings?
If all else fails, go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi settings, mobile data and Bluetooth. This will return all network settings to factory defaults.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will Private DNS work when roaming abroad?
Yes, the Private DNS feature works no matter what network you are connected to. However, if you are in a country with strict Internet censorship, the servers themselves (for example, Google or Cloudflare) may be blocked at the ISP level, and the connection will not be established.
Does using a third-party DNS drain your battery faster?
The difference in power consumption is negligible. Encryption of requests (DoT) requires minimal computing resources of a modern processor. You will not notice an impact on battery life.
Is it possible to use DNS to bypass site blocking?
Partially. DNS can help you bypass simple domain name blocks imposed by your ISP. However, to bypass complex filtering systems (for example, IP blocking or deep packet analysis), you will need a full-fledged VPN or proxy.
Which DNS is better for gaming on your phone?
Low ping is critical for online gaming. Usually Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS do the best job. It is recommended to test both options, since the route to the game servers may differ depending on your operator.
Do you need to reboot your phone after changing DNS?
In most cases, just switching to airplane mode or reconnecting to Wi-Fi is enough. A reboot is rarely required, only if the system has not applied the new settings correctly.