Private DNS in Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide to setting up

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Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face intrusive ads in embedded apps or slow page loading even at a good tariff, a problem that can be solved by setting up a private DNS (Private DNS) that appeared in the shell of MIUI and HyperOS since Android 9. This feature allows you to redirect domain name requests through secure servers, bypassing the provider’s standard channels.

Enabling this option does not require root rights or third-party applications, making the process accessible to anyone. However, many people ignore this setting, not realizing its real potential to improve network security and response speed. In this article, we will discuss in detail how the technology works, which servers are better to choose and how to avoid configuration errors.

What is DNS and why is it needed in your phone?

abbreviation DNS It stands for Domain Name System, which is a kind of Internet phone book that translates human-readable addresses from sites like google.com into machine-readable addresses. IP-Without this system, navigation on the World Wide Web would not be possible, since it is simply impossible to remember the numerical sequences for each resource.

By default, your Xiaomi smartphone uses DNS-This is a standard situation, but it has its drawbacks: providers can log your requests, and in some cases even block access to certain resources or substitute advertising. DNS Encrypts these requests, making them unreadable to intermediaries.

It is important to understand the difference between conventional and private DNS. The standard protocol often works without encryption, transmitting data in an open form. Private DNS technology uses the DNS-over-TLS protocol, which encrypts all traffic requests, protecting it from interception and substitution. This is especially true when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks in cafes or transport.

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly configured private server address DNS It can completely deprive your smartphone of access to the Internet. If after entering the settings, access to sites is lost, return the mode to the position "Auto".

Modern Xiaomi smartphones support this feature at the operating system level, which ensures stable operation without the need for constant activation. VPN-This reduces battery consumption and doesn't slow down the connection speed, unlike many free connections. VPN-service.

Benefits of Using Private DNS on Xiaomi

Transition to reliable third-party DNS-servers provide a significant boost in smartphone comfort, especially in response speed. Servers from large companies like Google or Cloudflare often process requests faster than those from local providers, which reduces page load times.

The second important aspect is privacy, because your mobile operator doesn't see which websites you're visiting, it only sees that you're connected to an encrypted network. DNS-It's the server, but not the content of the requests. It creates an extra layer of anonymity on the network.

The third benefit that is highly valued by users MIUI — the ability to block advertising at the system level. DNS-filters can cut off requests to known advertising servers, clearing the interface of applications and browsers from banners.

• 🚀 Accelerating website openings through optimized routes of major providers DNS.
• 🔒 Encrypting traffic requests, protecting against data interception in public networks.
• 🛡️ Blocking malicious sites and phishing resources at the network level.
• 📉 Reducing the amount of advertising in embedded applications and browsers.

In addition, using private servers can help bypass some types of locks if the provider applies filtering at the DNS level. However, it is worth remembering that this is not a full-fledged tool for bypassing government locks, like a full-fledged VPN, but it provides basic protection.

Where to find private DNS settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The interface of the Xiaomi shell may vary depending on the version of Android and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA). However, the search logic remains the same. Most often the desired option is hidden in the additional network settings section.

To get into the configuration menu, you need to go to Settings, then select Connect and Sharing (or just "Additional Features" in older versions). There you should find the Private DNS line. In some builds, the path can look like Settings → Wi-Fi → Private DNS or through the Connect and Sharing menu.

If you don't search by settings, you can use the search bar at the top of the settings menu, just type in "DNS" or "Private," and the system will suggest the item, which is the fastest way to find the feature on HyperOS smartphones.

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Use a Settings Search (a magnifier at the top of the screen) to instantly find the “Private DNS” item without wandering through the menu.

When you go to the menu, you'll see three options: Auto, Off, and DNS Host Name. You'll have to manually select the third option, and that's where the server addresses that will handle your requests are entered.

List of best lists DNS-smartphone-server

Choosing the right server is key. Not all DNS providers are equally useful. Some specialize in speed, others in security, and still others provide parental control or ad-blocking features. Xiaomi devices are best suited for time-tested giants.

One of the most popular options is Google's server, which provides high speed and stability, but does not block ads, and is a good choice for those who just want to work quickly and reliably on the Internet without unnecessary filters.

For users who want to get rid of ads, services like AdGuard are the best choice, automatically filtering out requests to ad networks, making smartphone use cleaner, but aggressive filtering can sometimes break the layout of some sites.

There's also Cloudflare, which bills itself as the world's fastest and privacy-focused service, which doesn't sell user data or use it for targeted advertising, and it's a slightly longer connection address, which requires a little bit of input.

How to enter the DNS address of the host

The most common mistake when setting up a private DNS Xiaomi is the input IP-address instead of domain name. In the Private settings field DNS It is necessary to enter the hostname (host name), and not the numbers through the dot, as is done in normal Wi-Fi settings.

For example, Google needs to type dns.google, not 8.8.8.8. IP-The address, the system will give you an error, "Failed to connect" or "False format", and the Internet on the phone will stop working.

When entering an address, be careful of the letter register (although the system usually corrects it to the bottom) and the absence of unnecessary spaces at the beginning or end of the line.

⚠️ Note: In the field "Host Name provider" DNS" You can't use prefixes. http:// or https://. Enter only the domain name, for example: dns.adguard.com.

Once you enter the address, click Save. If the address is correct, the connection will be set up instantly. If you make an error, the smartphone may lose access to the network, in which case, just go back to the menu and select Auto or Off mode to reset the settings.

Diagnostics of problems and disabling function

Even the most reliable DNS-If you notice that the pages have stopped loading and the applications have given a network error, first of all check the status of the private one. DNS. Your chosen provider may not be available in your area.

For diagnostics, you can use special applications or online services that show the current IP and DNS. If after turning on the function, your IP has not changed (which is normal for DNS, unlike a VPN), but the sites began to open faster or ads disappeared, the setting works correctly.

To disable the function, just go back to the Private DNS menu and select Auto (or "Disable" in some versions). This will return the provider's default settings. It is not recommended to keep the non-working address on, as this will lead to complete absence of the Internet.

In rare cases, it may be necessary to clean the DNS cache. On Xiaomi smartphones, this can be done through flight mode: turn on the air mode for 10 seconds and turn it off. This will restart network modules and update connections.

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Always have a DNS work address (such as dns.google) on hand to quickly restore internet access in the event of a major server failure.

DNS Effects on Connection Speed and Security

Many users mistakenly believe that changing the DNS will increase the maximum download speed. This is not quite true. DNS affects the response rate (ping) and the time the page starts loading, but not the channel bandwidth that your tariff determines.

However, the use of modern encryption protocols can slightly increase the load on the processor of a smartphone. On modern Xiaomi models with powerful Snapdragon or Dimensity chipsets, this effect is imperceptible. On very old budget devices, minimal energy consumption growth is theoretically possible.

From a security perspective, switching to DNS-over-TLS protects against DNS spoofing attacks, where an attacker swaps a site address for a phishing one, which is critical when making payments or logging into personal accounts through public networks.

• 📶 Improves connection stability in case of poor cellular signal.
• 🔐 Protects your visit history from your Internet Service Provider.
• ⚡ Speeds up switching between Wi-Fi and mobile network.
• 🚫 Prevents access to known malicious domains.

So setting up a private DNS is a simple but effective way to improve the Xiaomi smartphone experience.This action takes a couple of minutes, but brings long-term benefits in the form of cleaner, faster and safer internet.