An important step in your privacy and security journey is changing your DNS provider, as doing so comes with tons of benefits for very little effort. Changing your DNS provider is one of the first steps we always recommend beginners to do, so in this guide, we will show you how to do it on all your devices.
Before we Start:
If you're not sure about what a Domain Name System (DNS) is, you can check out our post that explains it in detail:
Just so you know, most of the big DNS companies offer installers. These are like apps, programs or scripts that set things up for you without you doing much - (these apps are very useful in operating systems like IOS where every DNS service has different instructions that may be hard to implement) - If you're not into that and want to do things manually by yourself, then keep reading.
This guide might not stay completely current because user interfaces usually change over-time. If you see any differences or errors, please tell us in the comments so we can make corrections.
In case of an error, trust your instincts to spot interface changes, and refer to an updated guide if you're uncertain.
Some DNS providers offer extra functionalities such as blocklists and filters, make sure to use these features to your own benefit.
Your DNS provider can see your traffic, which means it can see all the websites you connect to. It's important to choose a reliable and privacy-respecting DNS provider if you're concerned about your online privacy. Some providers might log and potentially use your DNS queries for nefarious purposes, while others might focus on maintaining privacy and security.
How to Change your DNS Provider:
🪟 Windows 11:
Using DNS over HTTPS
These steps are also mostly applicable to Windows 8.1, 8 and 7
Open the Settings app.
Go to Network & internet.
Click on Wi-Fi.
Click on Hardware properties.
Click the Edit button next to DNS server assignment.
Select Manual.
Enable IPv4 and IPv6.
Enter the credentials given to you by the DNS provider (usually found on their website).
Click Save.
📎Older Windows Versions:
Find a specific online guide for your OS version that teaches you how to change your DNS provider, as interfaces vary a lot between older Windows versions.
👾 Android:
Using Private DNS
Android 9 or higher
Go to Settings → Network & internet → Advanced → Private DNS.
Or Settings → Connections → More connection settings → Private DNS.
Select the Private DNS provider hostname option.
Enter the credentials (in this case the hostname) given to you by the DNS provider (usually found on their website).
Click Save.
Android 9 or lower
This only changes the DNS provider of the network you choose in the settings panel, connecting to any other networks will result in using your default DNS provider.
Go to Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi
Select the Wi-Fi network you're connected to.
Click on Advanced, then IP settings.
Change the dynamic option to "Static".
Enter the credentials given to you by the DNS provider (usually found on their website).
🍏 IOS:
IOS is a tricky one because there is no universal way of changing a DNS provider on there, so here are a few methods that we recommend:
Method 1 (recommended)
Find out if your DNS provider of choice has an app, if so you can use the apps’ functionality to change your default DNS provider.
Refer to the guidelines provided by the DNS provider, typically available on their website.
DNS providers sometimes offer their own workarounds to help you switch to their product, such as using a VPN app that allows you to set custom DNS servers.
Method 2:
This only changes the DNS provider of the network you choose in the settings panel, connecting to any other networks will result in using your default DNS provider.
Go to Settings → Wi-Fi
Tap the "i" icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network
Then click on Configure DNS → Manual then add Server
Enter the credentials given to you by the DNS provider (usually found on their website).
🍎 MacOS:
For IPv4 and IPv6
This only changes the DNS provider of the network you choose in the settings panel, connecting to any other networks will result in using your default DNS provider.
Open System Preferences
Click on Network.
Select the network you are connected to, then click on the Advanced button.
Go to the DNS section.
In the DNS Servers list, remove all addresses (if any) then add the credentials given to you by the DNS provider (usually found on their website).
Click OK, then click Apply.
🐧 Linux:
Changing your DNS servers on Linux machines usually requires some technical command-line knowledge and varies a lot between distributions and services, we recommend referring to the DNS’ provider’s website for clear instructions.
💻 ChromeOS:
Using Secure DNS
Open the Settings app.
Go to Security and Privacy.
Enable Use secure DNS.
Select With: Custom, then enter the credentials given to you by the DNS provider (usually found on their website).
📶 Routers:
If you adjust your router's DNS settings, it means that every device connected to that router will automatically use the DNS you've chosen for their internet traffic.
While there is no universal way of changing a router’s DNS settings, it usually involves the same four steps:
Login to the admin panel by typing your IP address in your browser bar (while connected to the router in question)
Enter the default credentials for admin login, you can find your routers’ specific username and password online. The most commonly used combination for both the username and password on many routers is "admin" and "admin."
If you are using someone else’s router (such as your work wifi), they may have changed the default router login credentials.
After accessing the admin panel, navigate to your DNS settings and add the credentials given to you by the DNS provider (usually found on their website).
Reboot your router for the changes to take effect.
If these steps don’t work, refer to your router manufacturers’ website.
🌐 Browsers:
You have the option to adjust the DNS settings within a specific browser, which means that the changes will only affect the DNS usage with traffic from that particular browser, rather than impacting the entire device.
Google Chrome
Go to Settings.
In the Privacy and security section, click on Security.
In the Advanced section, enable Use secure DNS.
Select With: Custom, then enter your DNS’s provider hostname.
Firefox Browser
Open Preferences.
Scroll down to the Network Settings section and click on Settings.
Scroll down and check Enable DNS over HTTPS.
Select Custom, enter your DNS’s provider hostname and click OK.
Enter "about:config" in the address bar (and click on I Accept the risk! if asked).
Set network.trr.mode to 3.
Microsoft Edge
Open Settings.
Go to the Privacy, search, and services section.
Under Security, enable Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites.
Select Choose a service provider, then enter your DNS’s provider hostname.
Brave Browser
Open Settings.
In the Privacy and security section (under Additional settings), go to Security.
In the Advanced section, enable Use secure DNS.
Select With: Custom, then enter your DNS’s provider hostname.
— Congrats! You now know how to change your DNS provider on most devices. Make sure to take some actionable step from this guide, don’t let all your reading go to waste!