How To Turn On Private Dns Mode On Android Phones - And Why You Should Asap

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Private DNS encrypts your web postulation to forestall ISP tracking.
• It improves some privateness and online security.
• It's elemental to move on, but disabling it puts your information astatine risk.

Nearly everything you do connected your desktop, laptop, phone, and tablet originates pinch a Domain Name System (DNS) query. Essentially, DNS turns domain names (such arsenic ZDNET.com) into an IP reside truthful web browsers and apps cognize wherever to get nan accusation you want.

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Without DNS, you'd person to type 34.149.132.124 each clip you wanted to spell to ZDNET.com aliases 74.125.21.102 to spell to Google.com. Even by simply moving a Google search, DNS is astatine work. The problem is that modular DNS isn't encrypted, meaning each your queries are sent complete nan web arsenic plain text.

Why is non-encrypted DNS a problem?

Let's opportunity you're connected a nationalist network -- for illustration a java shop -- and you commencement searching for things connected your Android device. Or possibly you person to entree a CMS aliases different activity tool, and you don't want nan nationalist to cognize nan reside you're typing. If personification other is connected nan aforesaid web and has nan skills, they could intercept your non-encrypted hunt queries (or nan URLs you visit) and cognize precisely what you're looking for.

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That's wherever Private DNS mode comes into play. Once you alteration this feature, each of your DNS queries are encrypted, truthful bad actors won't beryllium capable to position them -- moreover if they seizure those packets. In different words, Private DNS mode should beryllium an absolute must for anyone who values their privateness and security.

But really do you alteration Private DNS mode connected Android? It's really beautiful simple. Let maine show you how.

How to alteration Private DNS mode (on Android type 11 aliases newer)

If you're utilizing Android type 11 aliases newer, nan aged method of Private DNS nary longer works. Instead of handling this process manually, you person to instal an exertion created by Cloudflare, called 1.1.1.1 + WARP. Once you've installed that app, it will open, and you'll spot a slider marked Disconnected. Tap that slider, and it will alteration nan service.

The Cloudflare WARP app makes it easy to alteration Private DNS connected Android, starting pinch type 11.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

There's a caveat to utilizing nan app. If it is abnormal and you request to re-enable Private DNS, you won't find nan app successful your app drawer. Instead, you'll person to hunt for it successful nan Google Play Store and pat Open from there. I'd for illustration to deliberation Cloudflare could hole this small annoyance, but until they do, you astatine slightest cognize really to entree nan app. If, connected nan different hand, nan app is running, you'll spot a notification introduction that, erstwhile tapped, will unfastened nan app.

How to alteration Private DNS mode (on Android versions older than 11)

What you'll need: An Android instrumentality moving type 10 aliases older. I'm utilizing a Pixel 9 Pro (which intends I now person to usage nan caller method), but beautiful overmuch each modern Android phone is tin of enabling Private DNS.

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The Network & net action should look astatine nan apical of nan Settings app.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

The Private DNS introduction is successful nan Network & net conception of nan Settings app.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

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Some different imaginable hostnames you tin use:

• Google DNS: dns.google
• Quad9: dns.quad9.net
• CleanBrowsing DNS: security-filter-dns.cleanbrowsing.org
• OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222
• NextDNS: 45.90.28.0
• Comodo Secure DNS: 8.26.56.26
• OpenNIC: 192.95.54.3

Note: Although nan supra free DNS services are each worthy trying, I urge going pinch Cloudflare (1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com). I find it nan fastest, and nan astir secure, of nan bunch. On apical of nan speed, Cloudflare adds DNS filtering, which tin thief forestall email from being sent from malicious IP addresses.

Also: I upgraded my Pixel 9 Pro to Android 16 - here's what I emotion (and what's still missing)

When you pat Private DNS, a caller pop-up will appear. Tap Private DNS Provider Hostname, and past type nan hostname for nan DNS supplier of your choice.

Adding a Private DNS supplier for Android.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You tin besides take Automatic, which will automatically move to Google's Private DNS erstwhile it's available. For those who aren't truthful speedy to spot Google for specified a feature, I urge selecting Private DNS and past typing nan reside for your supplier of choice. Tap Save to prevention nan caller mounting and adjacent nan Settings app. You could find yourself successful a location wherever Google's Private DNS servers aren't available, truthful utilizing 1 for illustration Cloudflare has advantages beyond speed.

Also: Changing these 12 settings connected my Android telephone extended its artillery life by hours

You tin past verify it's moving by opening your default Android browser and pointing it to http://1.1.1.1/help. If you spot "Using DNS complete TLS (DoT)" group arsenic "Yes," it's working.

And that's each location is to it. Once you've enabled Private DNS connected Android, your DNS queries are encrypted. Enjoy that added privateness and security.

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