DNSmasq on Android in Xiaomi Redmi: what it is, how it works and why it is needed

If you've ever been digging into your Xiaomi Redmi network settings or trying to optimize your Internet connection, you've probably come across the term DNSmasq. It's not just another technical jargon, a tool that can dramatically change your mobile Internet experience, but what is it really about? Why does it appear in your system logs, how does it relate to adblock, and can it be used to speed up page loading?

In this article, we’ll take DNSmasq from the Xiaomi Redmi owner’s perspective, from basics to practical setup instructions, how it interacts with Android, why it’s often mentioned in the context of ad blocking, and what pitfalls can arise when manually configured, and how to check if DNSmasq is working on your device right now, even if you’ve never heard of it before.

What is DNSmasq and why is it needed on Android?

DNSmasq is a lightweight. DNS-forwarder DHCP-On Android (including Xiaomi Redmi smartphones), it performs two key functions:

• 🔄 Caching DNS-Reduces delays when opening websites, keeping responses to frequent requests.
• 🛡️ Traffic Filtering: Allows you to block ad domains or malicious sites at the system level.
• 📡 Local Name Resolution: Speeds up access to devices on a local network (e.g., a router or printer).

On Xiaomi Redmi, DNSmasq usually works in the background as part of system services, but it can also be reconfigured to block ads through a hosts file or custom rules. It is important to understand that this is not a separate application, but a system component that is managed through configuration files or specialized utilities like Magisk.

Why is this relevant for Redmi? it's about aggressive advertising in MIUI and the limitations of the standard DNS-DNSmasq allows you to bypass these restrictions by redirecting requests through alternative servers (e.g. Cloudflare or AdGuard). DNS) or block them completely.

How DNSmasq Interacts with MIUI on Xiaomi Redmi

In MIUI firmware (even on the latest versions for Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), DNSmasq is integrated into the network system stack, but its behavior depends on several factors:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: in older versions (up to) MIUI 12) the service may not work smoothly, especially when used VPN.
• 🔒 Root rights: without them, you can’t edit a configuration file /etc/dnsmasq.conf.
• 🌐 Network settings: if you are using a private DNS (For example, 1.1.1.1), DNSmasq will forward requests through it.

One key point is that DNSmasq in MIUI often works in tandem with netd, which means that even if you manually disable DNSmasq, the system can automatically restart it when you change the network, such as when you connect to a new Wi-Fi point or reboot your device.

Fun fact: some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 9A) use DNSmasq to implement the "Private DNS" function in the settings. If you turn it on, you've actually activated DNS-over-TLS, and DNSmasq acts as an intermediate for encrypting queries.

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To check if DNSmasq works on your Xiaomi, type ps | grep dnsmasq in the terminal. If the process is active, you will see its PID.

Can you use DNSmasq to block ads on Xiaomi?

Yes, and this is one of the most popular uses of DNSmasq on Android. The mechanism is simple: you download a list of ad domains (e.g., from the StevenBlack/hosts project) and configure DNSmasq to redirect queries to those domains to 127.0.0.1 (i.e., “nowhere”).

But there are nuances:

• ⚙️ Root rights: without them, you can’t change system files or install DNSmasq as a service.
• 🔄 Listing updates: Advertising domains are constantly changing, so rules need to be updated manually or through scripts.
• 📵 Limitations MIUI: some system applications (for example, MIUI System Ads can ignore DNSmasq settings.

An alternative way is to use apps like AdGuard or Blokada, which emulate VPNs and filter traffic at the DNS level. They don’t require root, but they are less effective because they don’t block ads at the system level.

How to set up DNSmasq on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

If you’re ready to dive into the settings, here’s the basic DNSmasq configuration algorithm on Xiaomi Redmi (you’ll need root rights and a file manager with access to system folders, such as Root Explorer):

Get root rights (for example, through Magisk)|Download the current list of advertising domains (for example, from GitHub)|Make a backup of the original file /etc/dnsmasq.conf|Install a terminal (Termux or built-in) MIUI)-->

Step 1. Backup

Before changing, copy the original config:

cp /etc/dnsmasq.conf /etc/dnsmasq.conf.bak

Step 2: Configuration editing

Open the /etc/dnsmasq.conf file and add the following lines:

addn-hosts=/etc/dnsmasq.hosts


conf-dir=/etc/dnsmasq.d

Here /etc/dnsmasq.hosts is a file with a list of blocked domains, and /etc/dnsmasq.d is a folder for additional configs.

Step 3: Download the lock lists

Download the current list (for example, StevenBlack/hosts) And keep it like /etc/dnsmasq.hosts. Make sure the file is authorized. 644.

Step 4: Restart the service

Follow the commands:

chmod 755 /etc/dnsmasq.conf


killall dnsmasq




dnsmasq --no-daemon

If there are no errors, add DNSmasq to the autoload via init.d or Magisk.

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After setting up, check the DNSmasq operation with logcat | grep dnsmasq. If you see errors such as "permission denied", correct the file rights.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even with the right DNSmasq setup on Xiaomi Redmi, there may be failures.

• 🚫 Advertising is not blocked: check that the /etc/dnsmasq.hosts domains are specified in format 0.0.0.0 ad.example.com. some applications (e.g. Facebook) may use HTTPS bypass the lockdown.
• 🌐 Internet is not working: DNSmasq may conflict with netd. DNS customized MIUI.
• 🔄 Settings are reset after restart: add the autorun script to /data/adb/service.d/ Or use the Magisk module.

Critical error: on some MIUI firmware (for example, for Redmi Note 10 Pro), the system dnsmasq compiles without support for the option addn-hosts. In this case, locking through the hosts file will not work - you will need to collect a custom binary.

If your site opens slower than usual, check:

1. Is the block list overloaded (optimally up to 50,000 domains).
2. Does DNSmasq conflict with others? DNS-services (e.g. Google) DNS or Cloudflare).
3. Is the power saving mode turned on, which can “sleep” network processes?

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For diagnosis, use the command dig @127.0.0.1 example.com. If the response comes with a delay, the problem is in the DNSmasq configuration.

DNSmasq vs. Alternatives: What’s Best for Xiaomi Redmi

DNSmasq is not the only way to manage DNS-Let's look at the alternatives and their pros/cons:

For most users of Xiaomi Redmi, the best solution is a combination of:

1. DNSmasq to block system advertising (if there is root).
2. AdGuard or Blokada to filter application traffic.
3. Private DNS in MIUI settings for encrypting requests.

If you’re not ready to mess with manual settings, it’s best to stick with AdGuard – it offers a balanced balance of efficiency and ease of use.

Safety and risks of using DNSmasq

Like any system tool, DNSmasq can become a vulnerability if configured incorrectly.

• 🕵️ Data Leakage: If you are redirecting traffic through an unreliable DNS-server, your requests may be intercepted.
• 🔓 Conflicts with VPN: some VPN-Applications (e.g., ProtonVPN) can ignore DNSmasq settings, which will lead to a leak. DNS.
• 🛠️ Network instability: Incorrect rules in dnsmasq.conf can disrupt access to certain sites or services (e.g. Google Play).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially Chinese versions of DNSmasq may conflict with the system DNS-A proxy that is used to track users. If you notice increased traffic to suspicious domains after setting up, roll back the changes immediately.

To minimize the risks:

1. Use only proven sources for lock lists (e.g. Steven Black or OISD).
2. Update your DNSmasq and related components regularly (e.g., via Magisk).
3. Check the logs of dnsmasq for errors: logcat | grep -i dns.

If you use Xiaomi Redmi to work with sensitive data (for example, online banking), it is better to abandon customization. DNS-Decisions in favour of standard security mechanisms MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about DNSmasq on Xiaomi Redmi