DNSmasq on Xiaomi phone: Assigning, Setup and Problem Solving

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are not just call and messenger devices, but full-fledged network nodes with advanced traffic management tools. One of these tools that is not known to all users is DNSmasq. It is a lightweight DNS and DHCP server, originally designed for Linux systems, but integrated into MIUI firmware. If you have ever encountered network settings on your Redmi, POCO or Mi, you may have noticed mentions of this service — especially if you used ADB, root access or custom firmware.

But why Xiaomi is embedding DNS-And in fact, DNSmasq has a number of critical functions, from speeding up the loading of web pages to blocking ads and protecting against phishing. VPN, Proxy or even Tor, if you're using advanced networking schemes, but it's not all that rosy - incorrect DNSmasq settings can break the Internet connection or cause conflicts with other network services.

In this article, we’ll look at what DNSmasq is on Xiaomi phones, how it interacts with the system, what problems it solves and how to customize it to your needs, from basic use to advanced scenarios. And if you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry: we’ll explain everything in simple language, without unnecessary hardware.

What is DNSmasq and why is it needed in Xiaomi?

DNSmasq is an open source service that combines functions. DNS-caching-server, DHCP-It was originally designed for small networks (like home routers), but has also penetrated into mobile devices over time — especially those that run on deep customization Android like Xiaomi.

In the context of smartphones, Xiaomi DNSmasq performs several key tasks:

• 🔄 Caching DNS-query: Reduces delays when opening sites, as repeated requests to the same domains are processed locally.
• 🛡️ Traffic Filtering: Can block access to malicious or unwanted sites (e.g. ad networks).
• 🌐 Local Name Resolution: Allows domain names to be assigned to devices on a local network (useful for IoT devices).
• 🔧 Integration with VPN/Proxy: It works as an intermediary between applications and external DNS-servers that enhance privacy.

On Xiaomi phones, DNSmasq usually starts automatically when certain features are activated, such as Private DNS (in Android 9+) or when using a Mi Router app to manage your home network. However, in standard MIUI, its capabilities are severely curtailed: the user can not directly edit configuration files (for example, /etc/dnsmasq.conf) without root access.

Fun fact: In some versions of MIUI (especially on the POCO F1, Redmi K20 Pro and other flagships), DNSmasq is used to implement the Ad Block feature in the Mi Browser browser, which means that even if you are not aware of its existence, it is already working behind the scenes, improving your network experience.

How DNSmasq Interacts with MIUI and Android

In the Android operating system (a) MIUI — This is a customized version of it, and network requests are processed through multiple layers. DNSmasq in this chain plays the role of an intermediate link between applications and external applications. DNS-servers (e.g. 8.8.8.8 from Google or 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare).

The workflow looks like this:

1. An application (such as Chrome or Telegram) sends a request for permission for a domain name (such as vk.com).
2. The request goes to DNSmasq, which checks its cache, and if the name has been resolved before, the response is returned instantly.
3. If there is no data in the cache, DNSmasq redirects the request to an external cache. DNS-server (configured in network parameters).
4. The resulting response is cached and transmitted back to the application.

In MIUI, DNSmasq is closely integrated with:

• 📡 Module. Wi-Fi/Mobile Data Management: Managing DNS-settings for different networks.
• 🔒 VPN-Customer: Can be redirected DNS-Requests through a secure tunnel.
• 🛠️ Developer tools: allows you to debug network requests through ADB.

However, there is a caveat: in the latest versions of Android (starting with 10), Google has implemented its own Private DNS (DNS-over-TLS) mechanism, which can conflict with DNSmasq. If you have enabled Private DNS in settings (Settings → Network and Internet → Private DNS), then DNSmasq can be disabled or work in a limited mode.

Where is DNSmasq on Xiaomi and how to check it

By default, DNSmasq in MIUI is hidden from the user — it does not have a graphical interface or a separate partition in the settings.

1. via ADB (no root)

If you have USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps; then Settings → Additional → Developers → USB debugging), you can check the DNSmasq status using commands:

adb shell


ps -A | grep dnsmasq

If the service is active, you will see a line like:

root 1234 1 4567 789 sy_s_/system/bin/dnsmasq --conf-file=/data/misc/dnsmasq/dnsmasq.conf

2. Through file managers (with root)

If you have root access, you can find DNSmasq configuration files in the following ways:

• /system/bin/dnsmasq is a service executable file.
• /data/misc/dnsmasq/dnsmasq.conf is the main config (may not be available in standard firmware).
• /vendor/etc/dnsmasq.conf is an alternative path in some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro).

3. Through network analysis applications

Applications like NetGuard, PCAPdroid, or Termux (with net-tools installed) can show active network processes, including DNSmasq.

pkg install net-tools


netstat -tulnp | grep dnsmasq

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI 12+) DNSmasq can be replaced by netd, another Android network demon. That's not a mistake: that's how system optimization works.

💡

If the command ps -A | grep dnsmasq does not return results, try ps -e | grep dns - sometimes the process is disguised under a different name.

How to set up DNSmasq on Xiaomi: basic and advanced methods

In standard MIUI firmware, the DNSmasq configuration is extremely limited, but there are several ways to customize it, from simple to technical skills.

Method 1: Using "Private DNS" (without root)

This is the safest way to do this, and it doesn’t require superuser rights:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Private DNS.
2. Select the host name of the DNS provider.
3. Enter the address of the supporting DNS-over-TLS server, for example: dns.google (Google) 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com (Cloudflare) dns.adguard.com (AdGuard)

This method does not affect DNSmasq directly, but redirects requests through a secure channel, which improves privacy.

Method 2: Editing a hosts file (from root)

If you have root, you can block unwanted sites through the file /system/etc/hosts:

1. Open the file in a text editor (such as Root Explorer).
2. Add the following lines: 127.0.0.1 doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 googleads.g.doubleclick.net
3. Save the changes and restart the phone.

In firmware Xiaomi based on Android 11 and later DNSmasq default works in the “sandbox”, which reduces the risk of exploiting vulnerabilities, but also limits its functionality.

If you use DNSmasq to block ads, remember: some apps (like Facebook or TikTok) bypass local apps. DNS-settings by uploading content through encrypted channels (HTTPS or QUIC). They will need additional tools like Blokada or AdGuard Pro.

Alternatives to DNSmasq on Xiaomi

If DNSmasq seems too complex or doesn’t fit your needs, consider alternative solutions:

If your goal is to block ads, AdGuard or Blokada will be easier to set up than DNSmasq. If you want a fine-tuning network (for example, for IoT devices or local hosting), then alternatives like Pi-hole will be more powerful.

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For most Xiaomi users, standard MIUI tools (like "Private DNS") are enough. DNSmasq should only be configured if you need specific features like local name resolution, custom filtering, or VPN integration.

FAQ: Frequent questions about DNSmasq on Xiaomi