Where to find and how to change DNS settings in Xiaomi

Many Xiaomi smartphone users are faced with a situation where the Internet is unstable, sites load for a long time or do not open at all, although the communication indicator shows full coverage. Often the root of the problem lies not in the connection speed, but in the wrong configuration of name servers, which are responsible for translating domain addresses into understandable IP machine codes. In the MIUI operating system and the new HyperOS, these parameters can be hidden in different sections, which causes difficulties for device owners who want to optimize network connection.

Changing standard ISP addresses to faster and more reliable servers, such as Google or Cloudflare, can significantly speed up network response and bypass some of the types of locks used by ISPs. This is especially true for owners of Xiaomi Redmi and Poco smartphones, who often use the device as the main source of access to the network. In this article, we will discuss in detail where the DNS settings in Xiaomi are and how to change them correctly to achieve maximum performance.

It is important to understand that there are several ways to make changes: through the standard Android settings menu, through Wi-Fi connection settings, or using more advanced methods like Private DNS. Each of these methods has its own application characteristics depending on the firmware version and current user needs. We will look at all the options available so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.

What is DNS and why change it to Xiaomi?

DNS (Domain Name System is a distributed system that converts human-readable domain names like google.com into numerical domains. IP-When you type in a browser address on your Xiaomi Mi or Redmi Note, the device sends a request to the user. DNS-The server is the default server by your ISP or router, and if that server is slow or overloaded, you will experience a delay before loading the page.

Replacing standard settings with alternatives not only speeds up site opening, but also increases the security of browsing, as well as access to resources that may be limited at the provider level. Modern protocols such as DNS-over-TLS or DNS-over-HTTPS encrypt your requests, preventing ISP surveillance and protecting against DNS substitution by attackers.

However, it is worth remembering that not all servers are equally useful in any geographic location, the choice of the optimal address depends on your location and the quality of communication channels to the nodes of the provider, using an inappropriate DNS can, on the contrary, slow down the network or make some local services unavailable.

⚠️ Warning: Before making any changes to your network settings, make sure to write down or photograph your current values, which will allow you to quickly return to your original state if the new server is inoperable or leads to loss of Internet access.

For users who are actively using streaming services or online games on Black Shark smartphones or Xiaomi flagships, choosing the right DNS can reduce ping and reduce the amount of video buffering.It is a simple but effective way to improve the user experience without buying new hardware.

📊 What type of connection do you use most often?
Wi-Fi at home
Mobile 4G/5G
Public Wi-Fi
Connecting through an adapter

Where are the DNS settings for Wi-Fi connection

The most common use case is changing the settings for the wireless network. In the MIUI shell, the path to these settings may vary slightly depending on the Android version, but the logic remains the same. You need to go to the Settings menu, then select the Wi-Fi section, and here you will see the list of available networks and the current connection.

To edit the active network settings, click the arrow next to your router's name or make a long press (depending on the interface version) to call the context menu, and select Network Settings or Change Network. In the window that opens, find the IP or IP Settings option, which is set to the DHCP default.

Switch mode to C. DHCP Static. This is where the manual address fields become active. You'll need to fill out the fields. IP-address, gateway and, most importantly, DNS 1 and DNS 2. other parameters, such as the prefix of the network, are usually automatically set, but they can be left unchanged if you do not have special knowledge.

☑️ Check before changing Wi-Fi settings

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Once you have entered the new values, you need to press the Save button in the upper right corner of the screen, the device will reconnect to the network, and the new settings will take effect. If the Internet stops working, try restarting the smartphone or returning the settings to DHCP mode.

DNS setup for mobile network (4G/5G)

The situation with the mobile Internet is more complicated, as the standard Android interface and the HyperOS shell do not provide a direct opportunity to change the situation. DNS-servers for the cellular network through the normal settings menu. Mobile network settings are controlled by the access point profile (APN), provided by the communications operator.

To try to change the settings, go to the Settings path. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose yours. SIM-map → Access points (APN). Select your operator's active access point. In the menu that opens, scroll down to the fields. DNS 1 and DNS 2.If these fields are editable (not obscured in gray), you can enter the desired addresses there.

However, on many modern Xiaomi smartphones and operators tariffs, these fields are blocked for editing or change by the system. DNS It won't work for mobile data. The only solution is to use third-party apps or the Private feature. DNS, which will be discussed below.

⚠️ Attention: Change of settings APN It may cause the inability to access the mobile Internet or send MMS. If the Internet is gone after saving the changes, click the menu button (three dots) and select Reset to default settings».

Some users try to use an engineering menu to change the radio module settings, but this is a risky method that can lead to unstable modem operation on your Redmi or Poco. APN or use software solutions.

Using the Private DNS function in Android

Starting with Android 9 (Pie), the system introduced the Private DNS function, which is the most efficient and modern way to configure DNS on Xiaomi devices.This method works on top of all types of connections (both Wi-Fi and mobile Internet) and uses DNS-over-TLS encryption, which makes your requests secure from listening.

To activate, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or “Additional Features” in older versions) MIUI). Find a private item DNS (Private DNS). The default is "Auto." Switch it to "Private Host Name" mode. DNS» (or "manually»).

In the field for input must be indicated not IP-address, and domain name of the server that supports the protocol TLS. This is an important difference from static settings. IP. For example, Cloudflare servers need to type dns.cloudflare.com, and for Google – dns.google.

dns.google


1.1.1.1




dns.cloudflare.com




94.140.14.14

Once you enter the address, click Save. If the address is entered correctly, the system will confirm the connection. If you make a mistake in writing the domain, the phone will tell you that the server is unavailable, and return the settings to automatic. This method is ideal for those who want a single setup for all networks at once.

List of popular Private DNS servers
Google Public DNS: dns.google (main) and dns.google (backup, although usually one host is indicated: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com or just dns.cloudflare.com.adGuard. DNS (Ad blocking: dns.adguard.com. Quad9 (safety): dns.quad9.net. It is important to enter the domain name, not numbers. IP, as a private protocol DNS requires verification of certificates.> Popular table DNS Choosing the right server is a key point. Below is a table with the most reliable and fastest servers. DNS-Addresses that can be used on Xiaomi smartphones. Use static Wi-Fi settings IP-addresses, and for Private DNS — hostname. Provider DNS Basic IP (DNS (1) Alternative IP (DNS 2) Host for Private DNS Features of Google Public DNS 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 dns.google High speed, stability Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1 dns.cloudflare.com Focus on privacy and speed AdGuard DNS 94.140.14.14 94.140.15.15 dns.adguard.com Ads and tracker blocking Quad9 9.9.9.9 149.112.112.112 dns.quad9.net Blocking phishing and malicious sites OpenDNS 208.67.222.222 208.67.220.220 - Flexible filtering setting (Cisco) Using AdGuard servers or Quad9 This is especially useful for less experienced users, as they automatically cut off access to known malicious resources, which creates an additional layer of security without the need to install antivirus software, which often consumes battery. It is worth noting that the geographical proximity of the server does not always guarantee better speed. Sometimes the server physically located further away may have more optimized routes to your ISP's nodes. Experiment with different options from the table to find the optimal one for your region. Advanced methods: changing through ADB For users who are not afraid of the command line and want to change DNS system-level settings for all applications at once (including those that ignore system settings), there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires the debugging mode to be enabled USB First, activate the developer mode: go to Settings → About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item Version MIUI (version OS). Then on the menu Advanced settings → For developers, turn on debugging by USB. Connect your phone to your computer, install drivers and platform ADB. In the computer command line, enter a command to set a global setting DNS. However, it is worth remembering that in modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14) This method is often overlaid by Private settings. DNS It can not work without root rights. adb shell settings put global private_dns_mode hostname adb shell settings put global private_dns_specifier dns.google This command actually duplicates the action through the menu, but allows you to do it remotely or script. If you plan to massively configure multiple devices, this method will be the most effective. ⚠️ Attention: Including debugging by USB It reduces the security of the device by allowing the computer to access the data fully. Don't leave this mode on permanently and turn it off as soon as you've finished settings. Never connect your phone to unknown public charges with debugging enabled. There are also apps that create local charging. VPN-tunnel DNS-traffic (e.g., Intra or DNS They do not require root rights and operate on a principle similar to Private. DNS, But with a lot of customization, it's a good compromise if you have a standard Private feature. DNS in your version MIUI Possible problems and solutions after the shift DNS In the case of settings, users may encounter a number of typical problems, most often it is the lack of access to the Internet (“No Internet connection”) or the inability to open certain sites. DNS-The server is blocked by your ISP or not working in your area. Some Google services and games require precise time, and if DNS-The server forwards requests to servers with the wrong time or blocks NTP-You may see errors in security certificates (SSL If you notice that the battery on your Xiaomi has become discharged faster, check if there is a “hang» VPN-interconnection DNS. In such cases, it helps to restart the device or reset network settings. 💡After the shift DNS The Internet is lost, the first thing to check is whether the address of the gateway (router) is correctly entered in static Wi-Fi settings. An error in one digit of the gateway completely breaks communication with the outside world, even if DNS It's written correctly. In rare cases, providers use technology. DNS Hijacking, forcibly redirecting all requests to your servers, ignoring your settings. In this situation, only the use of encryption protocols (Private) will help. DNS) or VPN-services that tunnel all traffic. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will the setup reset? DNS Not if you changed your settings through the Wi-Fi menu (static) IP) or activated Private DNS, These settings are stored in the system and are not reset after Xiaomi restarts. They will remain active until you manually return the settings to Automatic mode» (DHCP) If you've used a third-party application without auto-start mode, you'll have to run it again. DNS What's the speed of downloading files? DNS Does not increase the maximum speed of your channel (bandwidth) provided by the provider. It only affects the response rate, the time that passes between when you enter a site address and when you start loading data. For streaming and gaming, this can reduce ping, but files weighing several gigabytes will download at the same speed. DNS Google or Cloudflare? Yes, public use DNS Large tech companies are considered safer than standard DNS from local providers, which often don't encrypt traffic and can sell data about your visits. DNS This provides additional protection against tampering with answers, and why some local sites don't work after a shift. DNS? Some local services (e.g. online banking or government portals of certain countries) may only work properly through the Internet. DNS-servers of national providers. If you switched DNS to a foreign one (like the U.S. Google DNS), these sites may become unavailable. Use the exclusion function or return automatic settings to visit these resources. Can I set different DNSs for different Wi-Fi networks? Yes, static IP and DNS settings are tied to a specific Wi-Fi network profile. You can prescribe one DNS for the home network, another for work and a third for public Wi-Fi. However, Private DNSFi is global and will apply to all connections at once, redefining local Wi-Fi settings.