Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS provide users with ample opportunities to customize network connections. One of the most useful but often hidden features is the ability to manually prescribe a private DNS address. It is not just a technical setup for geeks, but a necessary tool for those who want to secure their data from the provider and get rid of intrusive advertising in applications.
Using the DNS-over-TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol encrypts your queries, making them invisible to third parties. Unlike standard settings, which are often automatically applied by the operator, manual input allows you to choose a reliable provider that will not redirect you to advertising pages or collect visitor statistics.
In this article, we will discuss how to activate this feature on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. You will learn which server addresses are most stable, how to avoid connection errors and why this can significantly affect the speed of loading web pages in the conditions of a bad signal.
Why you need a private DNS on Xiaomi smartphones
Before we get to the technical part, we need to understand the process. DNS It works like an internet phone book: When you enter a website address, your phone asks the ISP server what it is. IP-The problem is that these requests are not normally encrypted, an Internet service provider or a Wi-Fi network administrator sees which sites you visit, and can block access to certain resources or substitute responses.
Enabling the Private mode DNS It's a game-changer, and all requests are encrypted and sent to the server you choose over a secure channel, and this is especially true when you use public Wi-Fi networks in a cafe or subway, where the risk of interception is very high. DNS-Servers can filter traffic on the fly by blocking domains with ads before they even load onto your Xiaomi screen.
Owners of Redmi and POCO devices often note that after setting up a private DNS, pages start to open faster, because modern DNS providers often have more optimized infrastructure and less latency than local carriers.
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Use a private DNS if your mobile operator practices blocking sites or injects its own advertising into newsfeeds.
Preparation for setup: checking the Android version
The manual DNS feature has been introduced in Android since version 9.0 (Pie). On older versions like Android 8 or lower, this item will simply not be on the menu, and you will have to use third-party apps or root rights. Most modern Xiaomi smartphones already run on current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS, based on Android 10-14, so there should be no problems.
To make sure your device is compatible, first check the software version. Go to the Settings menu. → About the phone and look at the Android version. If you have a version below 9, set up a private one. DNS You can't use a standard menu, so you should consider upgrading the system or using client applications that create a local menu. VPN-tunnel DNS.
It is also recommended to remember or record your current network settings before making changes. Although changing your DNS rarely results in a complete lack of internet, incorrectly entering your server address can make it impossible to open sites. Make sure you have access to mobile internet or Wi-Fi to check the result immediately after you apply the settings.
What to do if the menu is hidden?
Step-by-step: where to find DNS settings
The interface of the MIUI shell may vary by region and version, but the logic of the search remains the same. There are two main ways to get to the menu you want: the first and fastest is to use a global search by settings. Click on the magnifier icon at the top of the Settings screen and type in the DNS request. The system will suggest you go to the desired item.
The second way is to manually search through the menu, and the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Open the main menu Settings of your smartphone.
- 📡 Go to Connection and Sharing (or “Wi-Fi and Internet").
- 🔗 Find a private item DNS (Sometimes it is inside the "Settings" subsection. DNS").
- ⚙️ Click on it to open the menu of the mode of operation selection.
In the window that opens, you'll see three options: "Disabled," "Automatic," and "Private DNS Host Name." The default is "Automatic," which means you're using your ISP's DNS. We need a third option to manually configure. Select the ISP Host Name to activate the input field.
☑️ Pre-entry check
Best Private DNS Server Addresses for Xiaomi
The most important step is to choose a reliable provider, and the domain name must be specified in the input field, not the domain name. IP-address (numbers of the form 1.1.1.1 are not suitable for Private mode) DNS, Because it requires encryption support TLS). A single letter error will cause the internet to stop working.
Below is a table with verified addresses that provide high speed and stability of connection for users in the CIS and Europe:
| Provider | Address to enter (Hostname) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | dns.cloudflare.com | High speed, lack of lairs |
| Google Public DNS | dns.google | Stability, good support |
| AdGuard DNS | dns.adguard.com | Blocking Advertising and Tracking |
| Quad9 | dns.quad9.net | Blocking phishing sites |
If your goal is to block ads in your browser and some applications, AdGuard’s server is best suited to automatically filter requests to known ad networks, but it’s worth remembering that aggressive filtering can sometimes “break” the layout of sites or interfere with some games that use ads to load levels.
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To start, it is recommended to use dns.cloudflare.com as the fastest option, and if necessary, switch to AdGuard.
Solving Connection Problems and Errors
Once you enter the address and save the settings, the phone may send a message "Disconnected" or "Check host name." This means that the entered domain does not support the DNS-over-TLS protocol or there is a typo in the address. There should be no spaces at the beginning or end of the line, as well as prefixes such as"https://" or"http://".
⚠️ Warning: If the Internet is gone after saving the settings and the sites stop opening, immediately return the mode to "Disable" or "Automatic". This will restore the standard network settings.
Another common problem on Xiaomi is the conflict with the function "Accelerate games" or built-in antivirus. Aggressive battery optimization can break the permanent connection with the device. DNS-If you notice that DNS It falls off periodically, add the app you use (if it’s a third-party client) to power saving exceptions, or try changing the server to a more responsive one, such as Google or Cloudflare.
Also, it is worth considering that some corporate Wi-Fi networks or mobile Internet providers may block ports used for DNS-over-TLS (usually port 853), in which case even the correct server address will not help establish a connection. The only way out is to use mobile Internet instead of Wi-Fi or vice versa, or use the Internet. VPN-tunnel.
DNS Impact on Speed and Safety
Many users mistakenly believe that changing the DNS can increase the maximum speed of downloading files. It is not. DNS only affects the response rate - the time that passes between entering the site address and starting to load it. If the provider's server is slow, the site will "think" long before displaying. Good DNS reduces this time to a minimum.
From a security perspective, the transition to encrypted DNS Protects you from type attacks"DNS spoofing (substitution) DNS). An attacker on a public network will not be able to redirect you to a fake bank website, as the response from the server will be cryptographically signed and verified by your Xiaomi phone.
But you have to understand the limitations of technology. DNS Encrypts only the queries themselves (which site you want to open), but does not hide your IP-address and does not encrypt the contents of the transmitted data (message texts, passwords) if the site does not use the protocol HTTPS. For the complete anonymity of one DNS A comprehensive approach to digital hygiene is needed.
Additional network settings on MIUI and HyperOS
Set up a private DNS is just the tip of the iceberg. Xiaomi shells offer other tools to work with the network, for example, in the Settings → Wi-Fi → Assistant Wi-Fi section, you can enable acceleration, which uses mobile Internet if the Wi-Fi signal is weak, and this can help stabilize the connection in conjunction with fast DNS.
Also note the "Limited Connection" feature: If you use mobile Internet with tariffed traffic, the system may restrict background activity. Make sure system services are not limited in the background, otherwise the update mechanism DNS-The cache may not work properly and you will see older versions of the sites.
For advanced users, the ability to reset network settings through the engineering menu or ADB-commands if a software failure fails to apply new parameters. adb shell settings put global private_dns_mode hostname can be useful for scripting automation, but for the average user, a graphical interface is enough.
⚠️ Note: Resetting your network settings will remove all saved Wi-Fi passwords and associated Bluetooth devices. Use this method only as a last resort when other methods have not helped.
Check system updates regularly. Xiaomi engineers are constantly improving the network stack in new versions of MIUI and HyperOS, fixing breakup bugs and improving compatibility with modern encryption protocols. Up-to-date firmware is the key to stable operation of all network functions.