Change Android DNS settings With These 5 DNS Changer Apps.
When you enter – www.google.com in your web browser, your smartphone asks the DNS server for the corresponding IP address where this site is located, and after receiving this information, you can open Google in your browser. Simply put, the job of DNS servers is to match a domain name (for example, www.google.comg) with its IP address (for example, 172.217.24.238 By default, your ISP automatically assigns a DNS server when your router or Android connects to the Internet; but you don’t have to use them.
Android does not allow changing DNS servers when connected to mobile data. This means the following app only works for Wi-Fi connections. Additionally, Google Chrome browser overrides system DNS to use Google’s own DNS servers, which means Adblock DNS servers will not work in Chrome browser.
Read: Find out who is connected to your Wi-Fi network
One of the reasons you might want to change the DNS servers assigned by your ISP is if you suspect there is a problem with the ones you are currently using. An easy way to check for a DNS server problem is to enter the website’s IP address in your browser. If you can access a website with an IP address but not by name, then the DNS server is most likely in trouble. Another reason to change DNS servers is if you are looking for the best browser speed, or to block malware, pornography or American Netflix from outside the state.
Now that you’ve verified why you need other DNS settings, let’s see how you can change the DNS settings on your Android smartphone.
How to change DNS settings for Android?
There are quite a few DNS changer apps in the PlayStore, but I will only cover two because the process is simple and there is little to do if you understand the basics.
1. Native Android process
We are so used to looking for apps for everything that we forget that Android is a smartphone OS that has a lot of features built into it. Whether they work as intended and how versatile they are is another matter entirely.
Let’s see how it works.
Go to the Settings app on your Android phone and tap Wi-Fi.
Press and hold the network you are connected to and tap Change Network on the pop-up screen.
You will notice additional options there. Click it to open IP settings, where you will switch from DHCP to static. This basically allows you to enter your own settings.
Scroll a little further and you should now see the DNS 1 and DNS 2 options where you can enter your new records. On my OP2, it was pre-configured to google DNS records.
That is, you can save the changes to successfully update the DNS settings on Android. However, the above method has one problem. Before Android Nougat, you didn’t have to worry about entering your IP address, subnet mask, and all that network data. However, after updating Android N, you now need to take care of this too, otherwise the save button will turn gray, which means you won’t be able to save your DNS settings. This is where third-party DNS changer apps come in.
2. DNS Changer Beta (no root)
While there is no shortage of DNS changer app in the Play Store, most either don’t work or are filled with ads. On the other hand, DNS Changer Beta is not only free, but also contains no annoying ads.
Aside from the usual features like a list of DNS servers to choose from and the ability to stop or start using DNS for browsing the Internet, I liked some of the advanced features. You can turn off the notification in the action center. You can remove the icon from the status bar so that no one knows better.
According to their description on Google Play, when an app stops working, you receive a push notification with an explanation and a possible solution. However, I have not seen this yet.
You can launch the application right on download and protect the application with a password. There are more options on the list of free DNS servers like Verizon and Norton. The latter will also help you block sites with adult content.
In addition, the application will also allow you to configure the IPv4 and IPv6 settings, the latter can be disabled if desired. If there is a DNS server setting that you want to use but it is not available in the list, you can create your own entry.
And here’s the part I like. The app works with Tasker right out of the box. If you don’t know what Tasker is, I highly recommend you give it a try. Your phone will be on autopilot and you can thank me later.
There is a whitelisting option for applications that you want to use with the default DNS servers. The application is open source and completely secure. If you want you can also check the DNS man, which is available on F-Droid for free and works well.
Pro: no root required, simple and easy to use
Cons: Since the app creates a VPN connection, they can theoretically track all of your browsing data. Also, VPN can drain your battery quickly.
Check out the DNS Changer Beta (Free)
3. Bypass DNS (root)
Unlike the previous app, this will require a rooted Android smartphone. If you are unsure how to root, you can visit the XDA Developers Forum to find out about it, or use the above application. The process is complicated and there is always a risk of breaking your phone. Now that we have it cleared up, let’s see how to override DNS.
The general process remains the same: you can either choose from the pre-configured DNS settings drop-down menu or enter your own values.
Pro: The reason this app is on the list is because unlike other apps, Override DNS does not create a VPN, instead it changes the internal network settings, which means less battery drain and better performance. It also ensures privacy as no one sees your internet traffic. The developer is known for their responsiveness, so if in doubt, just contact them.
Cons: The only problem with OverRide DNS is that you’ll need a rooted Android device to get it working.
Download Override DNS ($ 2)
4. Netguard
Netguard is a popular name when it comes to blocking Internet access for certain applications. But in this article, I’m not talking about the version of Netguard available on the Play Store, but the one that many of you use to block ads. The app is free to use and available on Github, which you will have to download in an unpublished manner if you are not already using it.
Besides protecting against unwanted ads at the application level and offering robust firewall features, you can also use Netguard to change your DNS settings.
Open the app and go to Settings, Advanced Options. Here you will find options to change DNS, subnet mask, and manage all your internet traffic the way you want.
Pros: If you are already using Netgard to block Internet access for certain applications, it makes sense to use it as a DNS changer.
Cons: Since the DNS changer is not advertised, the interface is not very intuitive like the other apps on the list.
Download Netguard (Free)
5. DNS Manager (with DNSCrypt)
This app, as the name suggests, comes with DNSCrypt built in. Cool, so what does he do and why do I care? DNSCrypt’s job is to mask your DNS requests so that no one knows what you are doing on your smartphone, as it always should, but it is not.
The app has a free version that contains bugs and may or may not work depending on your model and OS version, and how lucky you are! The pro version, available for $ 1.99, works well.
The UI of the app is too simple, but as long as it works as advertised, I’m fine with it. The Pro version is ad-free and has all the features we’ve seen in other DNS apps above.
Download DNS Manager (with DNSCrypt) ($ 1.99)
How to check if you have successfully changed the DNS servers?
Like your computer’s MAC address, DNS servers do not go outside the router. Thus, there is no way for you to check your DNS servers with an online website like you do with your IP address. However, there are a few more things you can do.
First of all, make sure you clear your DNS cache for the effect to take place – on Android, you can do this simply by restarting your device. Then download the free PingTools app from the Google Play store and find the DNS section in it.
If you are using OpenDNS as your DNS resolver, just go to http://welcome.opendns.com. If you did everything correctly, you will see the message “Welcome to OpenDNS!” if not, you get the Opps page.
Wrapping up: DNS Changer implementations
I like DNS Changer Beta better because it offers a lot more control over my DNS settings and how I browse the web. The whitelist option is handy because I don’t want all applications to use it. I also use some regional apps.
I am Netguard because it allows me to manage both DNS settings and protects me from unwanted ads. Now I don’t need to use 2 separate apps.
If you have a rooted Android phone, DNS override is a good option. It offers privacy and better performance compared to other apps.
Even if you are happy with your ISP’s default DNS settings, I would recommend that you try this once and see how things go. Most likely you will see some improvement. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
The new Cloudflare app allows you to enable Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) with one click.