Every time you type a web address, your device quietly asks a DNS server where to find it. DNS is like the internet’s phone book: it turns names like scenehack.com into the numeric addresses computers use. By default, you use whatever DNS server your internet provider gives you, and those are not always the fastest or most reliable.
Switching to a public DNS service is free, takes a couple of minutes, and can fix certain loading errors, speed up how quickly sites start loading, and add a bit of privacy and security. Here is how to change your DNS server on Windows 11, Android and iPhone.
Popular public DNS servers
Pick one of these well-known, free options:
- Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Focused on speed and privacy.
- Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Very reliable and widely used.
- Quad9: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112. Blocks known malicious domains for extra security.
The first address is the preferred server and the second is the alternate, used as a backup.
How to change your DNS server on Windows 11
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Click Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you use a cable), then Hardware properties. For Wi-Fi, click the network name’s properties first if needed.
- Next to DNS server assignment, click Edit.
- Change Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
- Turn on IPv4.
- Enter the Preferred DNS (for example, 1.1.1.1) and Alternate DNS (for example, 1.0.0.1).
- Optional: set DNS over HTTPS to On (automatic template) to encrypt your DNS requests.
- Click Save.
To apply it straight away, open Terminal and run:
ipconfig /flushdnsIf you also use IPv6, you can turn it on in the same window and add the provider’s IPv6 addresses, which are listed on each provider’s website.
How to change your DNS server on Android
Android uses a feature called Private DNS, which also encrypts your DNS lookups. It applies to both Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Open Settings > Network & internet (on Samsung: Connections > More connection settings).
- Tap Private DNS.
- Choose Private DNS provider hostname.
- Enter one of these:
- Cloudflare: one.one.one.one
- Google: dns.google
- Quad9: dns.quad9.net
- Tap Save.
Note that Private DNS needs a hostname, not a number like 1.1.1.1. To undo it, choose Automatic or Off.
How to change your DNS server on iPhone and iPad
On iPhone, DNS is set separately for each Wi-Fi network.
- Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap the i icon next to your network.
- Scroll down and tap Configure DNS.
- Select Manual.
- Tap the minus icon to remove existing servers, then Add Server to enter your chosen addresses (for example, 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1).
- Tap Save.
Repeat for each Wi-Fi network you use. This does not affect mobile data. If you want DNS changes on mobile data too, Cloudflare’s free 1.1.1.1 app sets it up for all connections.
Change DNS for the whole house on your router
If you want every device on your home network to use a new DNS server, change it once on your router. Log into the router’s admin page (the address is usually printed on its label), look for DNS, WAN or Internet settings, and enter your chosen servers. The exact menus vary by brand. Not sure which box is your router? Our explainer on router vs modem clears that up.
Will changing DNS make the internet faster?
It can make websites start loading faster, especially if your provider’s DNS is slow or overloaded. It will not increase your download speed, though, since that depends on your internet plan and Wi-Fi. For that, see how to speed up your home Wi-Fi.
Changing DNS is also a common fix for errors like DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN in Chrome. For more on what each provider logs and offers, Cloudflare explains its service on the 1.1.1.1 website.
Quick recap
To change your DNS server, go to Hardware properties > DNS server assignment on Windows 11, Private DNS on Android, and Wi-Fi > Configure DNS on iPhone. Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8) and Quad9 (9.9.9.9) are all solid, free choices. Change it on your router if you want every device at home to benefit.
