How to Easily Enable Private DNS Mode on Android without Root

How to Enable Private DNS on Android

1. Preliminary Preparation

  • Make sure your Android device is connected to the internet: Before enabling Private DNS, make sure that your device has a stable internet connection. This is required to complete the DNS configuration.
  • Make a note of the Preferred DNS Server you want to use: Specify and note the Preferred DNS Server you want to use. Some popular options are 1.1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) and 8.8.8.8.8 (Google Public DNS).

2. Steps to Enable Private DNS Mode

  • Access the Settings menu on your device.
  • In the Settings menu, search for and select the Network & Internet.
  • Scroll down and select Advanced to open additional network settings options.
  • In the Advanced menu, search for and select Private DNS.
  • Select the option Private DNS provider.
  • Enter the hostname of the Preferred DNS Server you’ve already recorded, for example, dns.google for Google Public DNS or one.one.one.one for Cloudflare.
  • After entering the hostname, be sure to save the settings by tapping Save.

3. Verify Settings

After configuring Private DNS, you can check if the setting is active by accessing a website or service that tests your DNS.

Tools or applications that can be used to verify:

  • You can use an app like DNS Checker or WhatsMyDNS to verify that your device is using the configured Private DNS. The app will show you information about the DNS servers that your device is currently using.
  • Another alternative is to visit a website like 1.1.1.1/help to check if you’re using Cloudflare DNS or dns.google to verify your use of Google Public DNS.

Google Public DNS

Server: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4

  • Pros: Google Public DNS is known for its reliability, high-resolution speeds, and global reach. These servers are widely used and easily accessible by users all over the world.
  • Security: Provides protection against various online threats and reduces the risk of DDoS attacks.
  • Privacy: Google has a strict privacy policy, although some users may be concerned about the data collected by Google.

Cloudflare

Server: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1

  • Pros: Cloudflare DNS is known for its speed and focus on privacy. They claim to be the fastest DNS in the world and do not keep logs of user activity.
  • Security: Offers protection against online threats and has DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) features for additional encryption.
  • Privacy: Cloudflare takes user privacy seriously with a no-logs policy, so your personal information remains safe.

OpenDNS

Server: 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220

  • Pros: OpenDNS, which is owned by Cisco, offers high speed and security. Additionally, they provide additional services such as content filtering and protection against phishing.
  • Security: Provides advanced protection against cyber threats and allows users to block malicious websites.
  • Privacy: OpenDNS has a transparent privacy policy and provides an option for users to configure their privacy preferences.

Tips and Tricks

How to Choose the Right Private DNS According to Your Needs

  • Speed and Server Location: Choose a Private DNS that has servers near your location to reduce latency and improve access speeds. For example, Google Public DNS and Cloudflare are known for their high speeds and global reach.
  • Security: Make sure the Private DNS you choose offers additional security features such as DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT) to encrypt DNS requests and protect your data from cyberattacks.
  • Privacy: If privacy is your top priority, choose a Private DNS that has a strict privacy policy and doesn’t keep logs of user activity. Cloudflare is one of the popular choices due to its strict privacy policy.
  • Additional Features: Consider Private DNS which offers additional features such as content filtering, phishing protection, and parental controls. OpenDNS offers these features and can be configured as per your needs.

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