How to Change DNS Settings on Any Device (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Router)

Why Change Your DNS Server?

Default ISP DNS servers can be slow, unreliable, or log your activity. Switching to public or custom DNS servers provides benefits such as:

🏎️

Faster browsing: Reduced latency via global Anycast networks.

🛡️

More secure: DNS filtering and DNSSEC validation.

🕵️

Better privacy: Some providers (like Cloudflare) purge logs daily.

🌍

Access control: Unblock restricted content or use family-safe filters.

🔁

Reliability: Alternate resolvers ensure uptime if one fails.

Related reading: DNS Server List (2025)

What You Need Before Changing DNS

Admin or root access to your device.
Preferred DNS addresses (IPv4 & IPv6).

Example DNS Servers:

Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1
Google: 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4
Quad9: 9.9.9.9 / 149.112.112.112

💻

How to Change DNS on Windows (10 / 11)

Method 1 — via Network Settings

1

Open Settings → Network & Internet → Change adapter options.

2

Right-click your active network → Properties.

3

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → click Properties.

4

Choose Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter:

Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1

Alternate DNS server: 8.8.8.8

5

Click OK and restart your browser.

Method 2 — Command Line

netsh interface ipv4 set dnsservers "Wi-Fi" static 1.1.1.1 primary
netsh interface ipv4 add dnsservers "Wi-Fi" 8.8.8.8 index=2

Verify:

nslookup google.com

or check with DNS Lookup Tool.

🍎

How to Change DNS on macOS

1

Go to System Settings → Network → Advanced → DNS tab.

2

Click + and add your preferred servers:

1.1.1.1

8.8.8.8

3

Click OK → Apply.

Flush cache:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

🐧

How to Change DNS on Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora)

GUI Method (Ubuntu)

1

Settings → Network → Gear icon → IPv4 tab.

2

Disable "Automatic DNS".

3

Enter:

1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8

4

Save and reconnect.

Command Line

Edit resolv.conf:

sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

nameserver 1.1.1.1
nameserver 8.8.8.8

or configure via systemd-resolved:

sudo systemd-resolve --set-dns=1.1.1.1 --set-dns=8.8.8.8 --interface=eth0

Check:

dig example.com

📱

How to Change DNS on Android

Android 9+ (Private DNS)

1

Open Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS.

2

Select Private DNS provider hostname.

3

Enter:

1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com

4

Save.

Android 8 or older

1

Go to Wi-Fi → Long-press network → Modify Network.

2

Expand Advanced Options → Change IP settings to Static.

3

Set:

DNS 1: 1.1.1.1

DNS 2: 8.8.8.8

4

Save.

Note: DNS only applies to that Wi-Fi connection.

🍏

How to Change DNS on iOS (iPhone / iPad)

1

Open Settings → Wi-Fi.

2

Tap the "i" icon beside your network.

3

Tap Configure DNS → Manual.

4

Remove old entries → add:

1.1.1.1

8.8.8.8

5

Tap Save.

For DoT (DNS over TLS), enable via VPN/DNS apps like 1.1.1.1 by Cloudflare.

🌐

How to Change DNS on Routers

Changing DNS at the router level applies to all connected devices.

1

Log in to your router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).

2

Navigate to Internet / WAN / DNS Settings.

3

Disable "Obtain DNS automatically".

4

Add:

Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1

Secondary DNS: 8.8.8.8

5

Save and reboot router.

✅ Optional: Some routers (e.g., Asus, TP-Link, MikroTik) support DNS over TLS (DoT) or DNS over HTTPS (DoH).

🌍

How to Change DNS in Web Browsers

Google Chrome / Edge

1

Go to chrome://settings/security or edge://settings/privacy.

2

Scroll to "Use secure DNS".

3

Select: With: Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google, or Custom.

To add custom:

https://dns.google/dns-query

https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query

Firefox

1

Open about:preferences#general.

2

Scroll to Network Settings → click Settings.

3

Enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH).

4

Choose Cloudflare or enter a custom URL.

🧭

How to Test If DNS Changed Successfully

Run:

nslookup example.com

Look for:

Server: dns.google

Address: 8.8.8.8

Or use DNS Lookup Tool → your domain → verify Resolver IP.

🧠

Recommended Public DNS Servers

Provider	IPv4	IPv6	Features
Cloudflare	`1.1.1.1` / `1.0.0.1`	`2606:4700:4700::1111`	Fast & private
Google DNS	`8.8.8.8` / `8.8.4.4`	`2001:4860:4860::8888`	Reliable, global
Quad9	`9.9.9.9` / `149.112.112.112`	`2620:fe::fe`	Security filtering
OpenDNS	`208.67.222.222` / `208.67.220.220`	`2620:119:35::35`	Parental control
AdGuard DNS	`94.140.14.14` / `94.140.15.15`	`2a10:50c0::ad1:ff`	Ad & tracker blocking

Internal link: More options → Full DNS Server List

🧩

Common Issues After Changing DNS

Issue	Cause	Fix
Website not loading	Cached old DNS	Flush DNS Cache
"DNS server not responding"	Wrong entry or offline resolver	Try alternate DNS
No Internet access	Static DNS conflict	Set back to automatic
Inconsistent speeds	ISP hijacking DNS	Use encrypted DoH/DoT

💬

FAQs

1. Is it safe to change DNS servers?

Yes, it's completely safe and reversible. You can switch back anytime.

2. What DNS server is best for speed?

Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and Google (8.8.8.8) are fastest globally.

3. Do DNS changes affect my IP or Internet plan?

No, DNS only changes how domains resolve, not your IP or bandwidth.

4. Does changing DNS unblock websites?

Sometimes — if restrictions are based on DNS filtering, not IP-level blocks.

5. Should I use the same DNS on all devices?

Yes, for consistency — or configure it once on your router.

How to Change DNS Settings on Any Device