How to turn on Private DNS Mode on Android - and why it's a must for security

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 crook on, but disabling it puts your information astatine risk.

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

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

Why is non-encrypted DNS a problem?

Let's accidental you're connected a nationalist network -- similar a java store -- and you commencement searching for things connected your Android device. Or possibly you person to entree a CMS oregon different enactment tool, and you don't privation the nationalist to cognize the code you're typing. If idiosyncratic other is connected the aforesaid web and has the skills, it could intercept your non-encrypted hunt queries (or the 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 atrocious actors won't beryllium capable to presumption them -- adjacent if it captures those packets. In different words, Private DNS mode should beryllium an implicit indispensable for anyone who values privateness and security.

But however bash you alteration Private DNS mode connected Android? It's really beauteous simple. Let maine amusement you how.

How to alteration Private DNS mode (on Android mentation 11 oregon newer)

If you're utilizing Android mentation 11 oregon newer, the 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 volition open, and you'll spot a slider marked Disconnected. Tap that slider, and it volition alteration the service.

The Cloudflare WARP app makes it casual to alteration Private DNS connected Android, starting with mentation 11.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

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

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

What you'll need: An Android instrumentality moving mentation 10 oregon older. I'm utilizing a Pixel 9 Pro (which means I present person to usage the caller method), but beauteous overmuch each modern Android phone is susceptible of enabling Private DNS.

The Network & net enactment should look astatine the apical of the Settings app.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

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

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

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 the supra escaped DNS services are each worthy trying, I urge going with Cloudflare (1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com). I find it the fastest and astir unafraid of the bunch. On apical of the speed, Cloudflare adds DNS filtering, which tin assistance forestall email from being sent from malicious IP addresses.

Also: Your Android telephone conscionable got a almighty anti-theft upgrade. Here's what's new

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

Adding a Private DNS supplier for Android.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You tin besides take Automatic, which volition automatically power 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 the code for your supplier of choice. Tap Save to prevention the caller mounting and adjacent the Settings app. You could find yourself successful a determination wherever Google's Private DNS servers aren't available, truthful utilizing 1 similar Cloudflare has advantages beyond speed.

Also: I changed 12 settings connected my Android telephone to importantly amended its artillery life

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 implicit TLS (DoT)" acceptable arsenic "Yes," it's working.

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