In today’s digital age, our smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. Whether it’s for browsing the web, streaming videos, or accessing various apps, a stable and reliable internet connection is crucial. One aspect of optimizing your internet connection on an Android device is by adjusting the Domain Name System (DNS) settings. In this article, I will explore the importance of DNS, the benefits of using third-party DNS, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to change DNS settings on Android using three different methods.
What is DNS?
Before delving into the process of changing DNS settings on an Android device, it’s essential to understand what DNS is and its role in facilitating internet connectivity. The Domain Name System is essentially a hierarchical and decentralized naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the internet. It translates domain names, such as www.example.com, into numerical IP addresses that are used to locate and identify these resources on the internet.
DNS plays a critical role in enabling users to access websites and internet services using human-readable domain names, rather than having to remember and input lengthy IP addresses. When you type a web address into your browser, your device queries a DNS server to obtain the corresponding IP address, allowing it to establish a connection to the desired website or service.
Benefits of Using Third-party DNS
While most Android devices are configured to use the default DNS servers provided by the internet service provider (ISP), there are several compelling reasons to consider using third-party DNS servers. Third-party DNS services, such as Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220), offer various benefits, including enhanced security, improved speed, and access to additional features.
One of the primary advantages of using third-party DNS is the potential for increased internet speed and improved overall performance. By switching to a faster and more reliable DNS server, users may experience reduced latency and faster loading times when accessing websites and online services. Additionally, third-party DNS providers often implement advanced caching and optimization techniques to further enhance the browsing experience for users.
Change DNS on Android 9 Pie and Newer
Android 9 Pie and newer versions provide a straightforward method for changing DNS settings directly within the device’s network settings. To change DNS on an Android device running Android 9 Pie or a newer version, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your Android device.
- Tap on “Network & internet” and then select “Wi-Fi.”
- Find and tap on the Wi-Fi network to which your device is currently connected.
- Tap on “Advanced” to access additional network settings.
- Scroll down and locate the “IP settings” section, then select “Static.”
- In the “DNS 1” and “DNS 2” fields, enter the IP addresses of your preferred DNS servers.
- Once the DNS addresses are entered, tap “Save” to apply the changes.
By following these steps, you can easily configure custom DNS settings on your Android device running Android 9 Pie or a newer version, thereby potentially improving your internet connection’s speed and reliability.
Change DNS on Android 8.1 Oreo and Older (Hard Way)
For Android devices running older versions such as 8.1 Oreo, changing DNS settings may require a more manual and technical approach. Here’s how you can change DNS on Android 8.1 Oreo and older versions using the “hard way”:
- Begin by enabling Developer Options on your Android device. To do this, go to “Settings,” then “About phone,” and tap on the “Build number” seven times until you see a message indicating that Developer Options have been enabled.
- Once Developer Options are enabled, go back to the main “Settings” menu and select “System” or “System & updates.”
- Tap on “Developer options” and scroll down to find the “Networking” section.
- Under Networking, tap on “DNS over TLS” and enter the IP addresses of the desired DNS servers.
- After entering the DNS addresses, reboot your device to apply the changes.
While this method may be more complex than the approach available on newer Android versions, it allows users with older devices to customize their DNS settings and potentially enhance their internet browsing experience.
Change DNS on Android 8.1 Oreo and Older (Easy Way)
If the manual method seems too daunting, there’s an easier alternative for changing DNS settings on Android 8.1 Oreo and older versions. This approach involves using a third-party app from the Google Play Store to simplify the process. Follow these steps to change DNS settings using the “easy way”:
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device and search for a DNS changer app, such as “DNS Changer” or “DNSet.”
- Download and install the preferred DNS changer app from the Google Play Store.
- Once the app is installed, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to configure custom DNS settings for your device.
- After setting up the DNS changer app, enable the service and grant any necessary permissions to apply the custom DNS settings to your device.
By utilizing a dedicated DNS changer app, users can easily modify their DNS settings on Android 8.1 Oreo and older versions without the need for advanced technical knowledge, providing a more accessible option for customizing DNS configurations.
