What DNS does and why you might change it

Your DNS server translates web addresses (like google.com) into the numerical addresses computers actually use. By default, your internet provider assigns you a DNS server automatically. You might change it to use a faster server, one with better privacy protections, or one that blocks certain content.

The steps differ depending on whether you change DNS on your device itself, your home router (which affects all devices on your network), or just one application. Changing it on your router is usually the simplest approach if you want the change to apply everywhere at once.

Key Takeaways

  • DNS changes on Windows and Mac happen in network settings, not in your browser — your browser uses whatever DNS your device is set to use.
  • Changing DNS on your router affects all devices connected to that router, so you only have to do it once instead of on each phone, laptop, and tablet.
  • Common alternative DNS servers include Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8), and Quad9 (9.9.9.9), each with different privacy and filtering features.
  • After you change DNS, you may need to restart your device or clear your browser cache before the change takes full effect.

Changing DNS on your home router

Changing DNS at the router level is the most efficient method because it applies to every device on your network — phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs — without having to configure each one separately.

Log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1; check your router's label or manual if neither works). Enter your router's username and password. Look for a section labeled DNS, Domain Name Server, or WAN settings. You will see fields for Primary DNS and Secondary DNS. Enter your chosen DNS server addresses — for example, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1, or Google's 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Save the changes. Your router will restart, and the new DNS will apply to all connected devices within a few minutes.

If you cannot find the DNS settings in your router's admin panel, search online for "[your router model] change DNS" — the exact location varies by manufacturer.

Changing DNS on Windows 10 and 11

To change DNS on a single Windows device, open Settings and go to Network & Internet. Click on your current network connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Scroll down and click "Edit" next to DNS server assignment. Change the setting from Automatic to Manual, then toggle on IPv4. Enter your primary DNS server address in the first field and your secondary DNS address in the second field. Click Save.

If you are using Ethernet, the path is slightly different: go to Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet, click your connection, then follow the same steps. After you save, your device will use the new DNS immediately, though you may want to restart your browser to clear any cached results.

Changing DNS on Mac

On macOS, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions) and click Network. Select your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click Advanced. Go to the DNS tab. Click the plus button to add a new DNS server and type the address. You can add multiple servers; the first one listed is primary. Click OK, then Apply to save the changes.

Your Mac will use the new DNS server immediately. If you want to verify the change worked, open Terminal and type nslookup google.com — the result should show your new DNS server's address.

Changing DNS on iPhone and iPad

On iOS and iPadOS, you cannot change DNS globally through Settings the way you can on Windows or Mac. Instead, you have two options: change it on your Wi-Fi network, or use a DNS app.

To change DNS for a specific Wi-Fi network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info icon next to your network name, scroll down to DNS, and tap Configure DNS. Select Manual, remove the existing DNS servers, and add your new ones. This change applies only to that network.

If you want DNS changes to apply everywhere (including cellular data), you will need to use a third-party DNS app from the App Store — search for "DNS changer" or "DNS over HTTPS". These apps create a local VPN connection that routes your DNS queries through your chosen server.

Changing DNS on Android

Android does not offer a built-in way to change DNS globally through Settings. Your options are to change DNS on your Wi-Fi network or use a DNS app.

To change DNS for a specific Wi-Fi network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, long-press your network name, tap Modify, scroll down to Advanced options, and change the DHCP setting to Static. Scroll down further to find DNS fields and enter your new DNS server addresses. Tap Save.

For a system-wide change that covers both Wi-Fi and mobile data, download a DNS app from Google Play — look for apps that support DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS. These apps work similarly to iOS DNS changers by creating a secure tunnel for your DNS queries.

Common DNS servers and what they do

Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) is known for speed and privacy; it does not log your queries. Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) is fast and widely used, though Google does log some data. Quad9 (9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112) blocks malicious sites and does not log queries. OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) offers content filtering options, useful if you want to block adult sites or gambling sites at the network level.

If your internet provider has told you to use specific DNS servers, or if you use a corporate network, stick with those addresses. Otherwise, Cloudflare and Quad9 are reasonable defaults for most users.

Troubleshooting after you change DNS

If websites do not load after you change DNS, first restart your device. If that does not work, clear your browser's cache — in Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data, select Cached images and files, and click Clear data. If the problem persists, revert to your previous DNS server or try a different one.

If only some websites are slow or unreachable, the new DNS server may be having issues. Try switching to a different one — for example, if Cloudflare is slow, try Quad9 instead. You can also test your DNS speed using an online tool like DNS Benchmark or Cloudflare's speed test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS make my internet faster?

It may, depending on your current DNS server and your location. Some DNS servers respond faster than others. The difference is usually small — a few milliseconds — but noticeable if your current provider's DNS is slow. You can test before and after using an online DNS speed test.

Can I use different DNS servers on different devices?

Yes. You can set one DNS server on your router (affecting all devices) and override it on individual devices by changing their DNS settings locally. A device's local DNS setting takes priority over the router's setting.

What happens if my DNS server goes down?

Your internet will stop working until the DNS server comes back online or you switch to a different one. This is rare with major providers like Cloudflare and Google, but it is why setting a secondary DNS server is important — your device will automatically try the secondary if the primary fails.

Do I need to change DNS if I use a VPN?

Not necessarily. Most VPNs route your DNS queries through their own servers automatically. If you want to use a specific DNS server even while connected to a VPN, you can change your device's DNS settings, but check your VPN's documentation first — some VPNs require you to use their DNS for security.

Will my ISP know what websites I visit if I change DNS?

Your internet provider can still see that you are connecting to websites (they see the IP addresses you connect to), but they cannot see which specific pages you visit if the site uses HTTPS (which most do now). Changing DNS does not hide your browsing from your ISP — only a VPN does that.