How to Change DNS Server on Android?

The DNS extends to the "Domain Name System," which allows web servers to connect with their particular domain name. The internet service provider (ISP) gives their own DNS server to get connected. You can change DNS to which one your device is using.

If you want to improve your online privacy & security and sometimes the Internet speed of your Android smartphone, it is suggested to change the use of a custom DNS server. Changing the DNS server on an Android phone is as simple as you do on other platforms. This article illustrates how you can change the DNS server on your Android phone to experience a good internet connection and how it works.

Why Change DNS Servers?

As we all know, DNS servers are essential to perform internet activities. Any issues in this system have a massive impact on your internet experience.

Sometimes default DNS server settings offered by ISP are slow or do not function well because of configuration problems. This case mainly happens when users load a page that draws content from other domains (advertisers and affiliates). Changing the DNS servers on your phone can optimize it and speed up web surfing, whether you are accessing it at your home or office.

Add custom DNS server on Android

Adding a custom DNS server on an Android phone works out of the box for each connected Wi-Fi network separately. However, your Android device needs a static IP address for a custom DNS address. Making changes in DNS settings will only affect your current Wi-Fi network connection. Here, we will illustrate how to change your DNS servers on your Android Pie or higher version.

Changing DNS on Android 9 and Higher

Changing to DNS address on Android 9 or higher is quite easy. Here are the manual steps to change the DNS server on your Android phone. The steps might vary based on the mobile manufacturer company and Android OS level.

1. Launch the phone's Settings app and tap on Connection & Sharing (Network & Internet)
   
2. Now, select the Private DNS (in some device Advanced settings)
   
3. Tap on the Private DNS server provider names, and input the Cloudflare URL (google) you want to use
   
4. Tap on save to complete the process

Here, I am configuring and want to use Google DNS so that I input dns.google as the hostname. You may enter whatever you want to use the DNS service.

Changing DNS on Android 8 and Lower

If you have a device running on Android 8 or a lower version, the steps might be different to change the DNS server on Android.

1. Open the Wi-Fi settings of your device by swiping down the notification panel and long-pressing the Wi-Fi icon or navigating via the Settings app and selecting the Wi-Fi option.
   
2. Now open the network options for the Wi-Fi network. Long-press the Wi-Fi network's name and tap on the network info icon (Modify network) The working or setting procedure depends on the phone type.
   
3. Under the network details, scroll the screen to the bottom. Find and tap on the IP Settings. If this menu option does not appear, look for a button with the Advanced option, and here you will see IP Settings.
   
4. Change this to Static.
5. Finally, make changes to DNS1 and DNS2 settings you want; for example, Google DNS is 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, respectively.
   
6. Tap on the Save icon to finish settings.

Follow the above steps with the wireless connection you want to use as an alternative DNS address. Android or other devices also facilitates configuring different DNS server for different Wi-Fi network connection.

Change the DNS server with Third-Party App:

If the above-discussed method doesn't work for you or you find it complicated, try a third-party app to change the DNS server of your Android phone. Third-party DNS server changer apps make this task easier to change DNS server settings. Search on the Play Store, and you will find several DNS changer apps there. This third-party DNS changer app also works on non-rooted Android smartphones.

Benefits of using Third-Party Apps to change DNS

Generally, people use the default DNS servers offered by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). But for you, an alternate option is also available by using third-parties DNS that provides a better experience. Third-party DNS apps give better speeds, but it depends on how closer you are to their server.

Remember that some IPSs also record your internet browsing history and share them with others without your knowledge. So always use an app that facilitates no-log DNS to maintain online privacy. Additionally, third-party DNS servers also play regionally blocked content and bypass censorship.

How to set up Third-Party DNS on iOS

Here are the steps to set up third-party DNS on your iOS devices (iPhone or another device):

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone device.
2. Navigate to the Wi-Fi settings screen.
3. Tap on the connected Wi-Fi network, and tap on "i."
4. Tap on the Configure DNS option under the DNS settings
5. Now, change the settings from Automatic to Manual option
6. Tap on the red minus (-) sign to delete the existing DNS server address
7. Tap on the Add Server and type DNS IP address. To add a secondary DNS server, repeat the process
8. Enter the DNS server you want as 8.8.8.8 for IPv4 and 2001:4860: 4860::8888 for IPv6

How to set up Third-Party DNS on Windows

Like Android and iOS devices, you can also set up a third-party DNS server on your Windows PC. For this, you need to change the network properties of your connected network.

How to change DNS on Windows 10 or below?

Change the DNS server on Windows 10 from Control Panel.

Here are the steps to set up third-party DNS on your Windows 10 and below PC:

1. Navigate to the device Control Panel, click on the Network and Internet, and then Network and Sharing Center option
   
2. Click on the Change adapter settings option.
3. Right-click on the network (Wi-Fi or ethernet) you want to add the DNS IP address and click on Properties.
   
4. In the final pop-up IPv4, scroll down, select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4), and click on Properties
   
5. Select option Use the following DNS server address
6. Type the IPv4 IP address of the target DNS address as Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS address)
   
7. To Add an IPv6 address to your Wi-Fi, follow the same steps and choose Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv6) and enter the address you want to use

How to change DNS on Windows 11?

On Windows 11, the steps to set up DNS are different. You can use Settings, Control Panel, or Command prompt to change DNS on Windows 11 PC.

Change DNS on Windows 11 from Settings

1. Click on the Windows icon and select Settings (or press Windows + I) to open the Settings panel.
2. Click on the Network & Internet option.
3. Click on the Wi-Fi or Ethernet for which you have connected and want to change the DNS server.
   
4. Go to the Wi-Fi section (we use Wi-Fi in this example) and find the DNS server assignment.
5. Click on the Edit button next to the DNS server assignment
6. From the drop-down option, select Manual and turn on IPv4
7. Now, in the Preferred DNS and Alternative DNS, enter the DNS server address you want to use. People mostly prefer to use Google DNS server (Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8 and Alternative DNS: 8.8.4.4)
8. Also, make sure you have selected the Unencrypted only (DNS over HTTPS) option from the drop-down of Preferred and Alternative DNS
9. After providing a custom DNS server address, click on the Save button
   

You are all done and successfully changed the DNS server in Windows 11 PC.

Change DNS on Windows 11 from Control Panel

Alternative to using the Settings panel, you can also use Control Panel to change the DNS server on Windows 11 PC. Use the above steps to change the DNS server on Windows 10.

Change DNS server on Mac device

Like other devices, Mac also allows changing the DNS server to use your custom DNS server. Follow the below-mentioned steps to change the DNS server on Apple's Mac device.

1. Open the Apple menu on your Mac
2. Choose the System Preferences
3. Click on the Network
4. Select the preferred network you want to change. All your connections will appear on the left panel of the screen. The currently connected networks indicate with a green circle, and non-connected networks are indicated with a red circle.
5. Click on the Advanced setting option.
6. Next, click on the DNS tab, present at the top of the window
7. On the resultant screen, click on the "+" icon available below the DNS Servers pane
8. Now type the IPv4 or IPv6 DNS server address you want to use
9. Enter primary and secondary DNS servers both as IP addresses
10. When done, click on OK and then Apply button to save the settings you made

More About DNS and Changing Your Servers

As you learn, DNS stands for "Domain Name System and Server over the Internet world. The primary task of DNS is to translate domains (like javatpoint.com) into routable IP addresses. It is difficult to remember the IP address of the domain, and never prefer to type it every time you visit. And without DNS service, the domain address can't be converted into a routable IP address. It is the importance of DNS.

The device that accesses Wide Area Network (WAN) uses a DNS server, which helps the phone to reach a given address. That addresses are almost or always tied to your device carrier or the wireless network you use.

List of popular DNS server and their IP address

You feel comfortable using custom DNS by changing the default DNS server on your Android or other devices. Below we have listed some popular DNS servers and their IP addresses. However, the most popular DNS Servers are Google, Cloudflare, and OpenDNS. You may refer to these IP addresses to change the DNS server.

• Google IPv4 address: 8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• Google IPv6 address: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844
• Google DNS-over-TLS address: dns.google
• Cloudflare IPv4 address: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
• Cloudflare IPv6 address: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001
• Cloudflare DNS-over TLS address: one.one.one.one
• OpenDNS Home IPv6 address: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
• CleanBrowsing address: 185.228.168.9 and 185.228.169.9
• AdGuard IPv4: 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15
• AdGuard IPv6: 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff and 2a10:50c0::ad2:ff
• AdGuard DNS-over-TLS: dns.adguard-dns.com