Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the Internet is unstable, sites open for a long time, or the provider blocks access to certain resources, a problem that often lies in network settings that many users do not even know about. This is about private technology. DNS, which allows domain name requests to be forwarded through secure communication channels.
By default, your phone uses ISP servers, which can be slow or insecure. Switching to an alternate address is an easy way to speed up page loading and hide the history of visited sites from the Internet operator. In modern shells MIUI and HyperOS, this feature is built natively and does not require the installation of third-party software.
In this article, we will explain in detail how this technology works, why it is important for the security of your data and how to activate it correctly on your device, you will learn what addresses to enter into your settings and what to do if the Internet disappears after the changes.
What is DNS and how does it work?
DNS (Domain Name System is a kind of Internet phone book. When you type in a site address like google.com, your phone doesn't understand the lettering. It needs digital symbols. IP-The addresses where the servers find each other on the network. DNS-The server translates a name that is understandable to a person into machine code.
This is usually done through your ISP's servers. It's convenient, but not always effective. The provider can artificially slow down the response or redirect you to pages with ads instead of the resource you're asking for. Using a private DNS allows you to bypass these restrictions by accessing trusted servers directly, such as Google or Cloudflare.
Modern protocols like DNS-over-TLS or DNS-over-HTTPS encrypt your queries, which means that no one along the way — not the owner of a Wi-Fi cafe, not the provider itself — will be able to see which particular site you're trying to open. You just see the encrypted data stream.
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Use of private DNS hides the story DNS-requests from your Internet service provider, increasing privacy.
It is important to understand the difference between a regular and a private DNS. The regular works in the open, the private in an encrypted tunnel. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is activated with a single line on the menu, making the technology available to everyone.
Benefits of Using Private DNS on Android
Enabling this feature has a number of tangible benefits, especially for owners of budget models or users who often connect to public Wi-Fi. First of all, it is about improving security, encrypting requests protects against Man-in-the-Middle attacks, when an attacker replaces the server response.
The second important aspect is bypassing locks, and many providers block access to sites at the DNS level, so by switching servers to foreign ones or simply alternative ones, you can access resources that have not been opened before. It's not a full-fledged VPN, but it removes the basic restrictions effectively.
- 🚀 Speeding up response: Powerful servers handle requests faster than local provider hardware.
- 🛡️ Phishing Protection: Some Services Automatically Block Access to Known Malicious Sites.
- 👁️ Privacy: the history of your requests is not stored in the logs of the operator.
However, it is worth remembering that DNS doesn't change yours IP-The sites will still see your location, but the process of finding a site address will become hidden.
Popular DNS server addresses
The function requires a server address, and unlike the old IPv4 settings, it uses alphabetic domain names, and there are several time-tested service providers that guarantee stability and speed.
The most popular option is Google Public DNS, which is fast worldwide and very accessible, and you have to type dns.google into the settings box, which is a universal solution for most users.
Another reliable option is Cloudflare, which is a company that positions itself as a privacy advocate and does not store user logs; their server often runs faster than Google in certain regions, the address to enter is 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com or simply dns.cloudflare.com.
| Provider | Address for input | Features |
|---|---|---|
| dns.google | High speed, stability | |
| Cloudflare | dns.cloudflare.com | Emphasis on privacy, protection |
| AdGuard | dns.adguard.com | Blocking advertising in the browser |
| Quad9 | dns.quad9.net | Blocking malicious sites |
There are also dedicated servers, such as those from AdGuard, which not only speed up search, but also filter advertising traffic, and by adding dns.adguard.com, you can remove some of the ads in apps and browsers without installing additional software.
How to choose the best server?
How to Include Private DNS on Xiaomi
The activation process on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI and HyperOS shells is as simple as possible. You don't need to have superuser rights or install complex utilities. All the necessary tools are already built into the system.
First, open the settings menu. Find the Connection and Sharing section (or "Wi-Fi and Internet" in the older versions). DNS (Private DNS). The default value is "Auto" or "Disconnected".
☑️ Set up a Private DNS
Click on the mode selection and switch to the DNS provider hostname. In the box that appears, enter the address of the selected server, for example, dns.google. It is important to write the address without the prefixes http:// or extra spaces. After entering, click Save.
If the address is correct, the system will confirm the action, and the connection will be established. In the status bar, a key or lock icon may appear indicating an active secure connection. Now all DNS traffic will go through the selected channel.
⚠️ Note: When entering an address, make sure you have an active internet connection. If you enter the wrong address, the phone will lose access to the network and the pages will stop opening.
Solving Connection Problems
Sometimes, after a change of settings, the Internet may disappear or not work correctly, this happens if the server you choose is temporarily unavailable or blocked by your ISP, in which case the Android system may not be able to establish a secure connection.
The first step should always be to go back to automatic settings. Go to the same Private DNS menu and select "Disabled" or "Auto" that will immediately return the standard settings of the provider and restore access to the network.
If the problem persists, check if you have the address entered correctly. If you have an extra character or typo, you will make an error. If you have an alternative server, you should also try the one listed above. If Google is not working, try Cloudflare.
- ❌ Connection error: Most often caused by blocking IP-server address.
- ⏳ Slow loading: The server you choose may be geographically far away from you.
- 🔄 App crashes: Some banking applications may conflict with encrypted applications DNS.
In rare cases, it helps to reboot the smartphone after changing the settings, which allows the system to completely recreate the network connections with new parameters.
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If after turning on Private DNS the Internet disappeared - immediately return the setting to "Auto" or "Disabled".
Impact on speed and battery
There is a myth that the use of third-party DNS-The servers consume a lot of battery power. DNS Xiaomi’s smartphone autonomy is minimal and almost invisible in everyday use.
Encryption requires processing power, but modern Snapdragon or MediaTek chips can do it instantly. The main energy consumption is spent on transmitting data over a radio module, not processing it. The difference in discharge between conventional and private DNS will be fractions of a percent per day.
In terms of speed, it depends on the quality of the server. A good DNS can speed up the opening of heavy sites by responding quickly; a bad or congested server, on the contrary, will add a delay before starting to load a page, which is why it is important to test different options.
⚠️ Note: Do not use questionable free DNS-They can collect your data and resell it to advertisers.
Connection stability is a top priority, and if you notice that Private DNS is more likely to cause communication breakdowns in games or video calls, you'd better go back to the default settings.