If your Xiaomi is slow loading sites, does not open certain resources or issues connection errors, the problem may lie in standard sites. DNS-- Your operator's servers. DNS on Redmi smartphones, POCO Or Mi allows you to speed up page loading, bypass regional locks, and even improve traffic security, unlike computers where changing the content of the data is a good way to do it. DNS It takes a couple of clicks, on Android (especially in the shell). MIUI) This process has its nuances.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to change DNS, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party applications, and explain which servers are best for different tasks. You’ll learn how to configure DNS on both modern models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+) and older devices with MIUI 10-12.
Why to change DNS to Xiaomi and what advantages it gives
By default, your smartphone is using DNS-These servers are often overloaded, have low response rates, or even censor traffic, and replace them with alternative solutions solves several key problems:
- ⚡ Accelerating the loading of websites – public DNS (For example, 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8) are optimized for quick domain resolution.
- 🌍 Bypassing geoblocking - some DNS Allows you to open resources blocked in your country (such as Netflix or Disney)+ elsewhere).
- 🛡️ Phishing protection – servers like Cloudflare or Quad9 Automatically block fraudulent websites.
- 📵 Reducing Advertising – Some DNS filter advertising domains, reducing the number of banners in the browser.
In practice, the difference is particularly noticeable in mobile networks: for example, when testing on the Redmi Note 12 Pro, replacing the operator’s DNS with 1.1.1.1 reduced the time to open sites by 30-40%. It is important to understand that DNS does not affect the speed of the Internet connection itself (it depends on the operator), but speeds up the resolution of domain names, the first step of loading any resource.
Preparing for DNS Change: What You Need to Know Before Setup
Before you start changing your DNS, follow a few steps to avoid problems:
- Check your current network settings. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi (or Mobile Network) and make sure the connection is stable. If the Internet is out of order, first solve this problem - DNS will not help with a bad signal.
- Remember the standard DNS. You can see it in the properties of the network (in MIUI, it's hidden, but it's displayed in applications like Network Analyzer), and it's useful if you want to return it all back.
- Choose alternative DNS. Below is a table with popular options and their features.
| DNS-server | IP-address (IPv4) | IP-address (IPv6) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1 | 2606:4700:4700::1111 | The fastest, supports DNS-over-HTTPS, blocks malicious sites. |
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 | 2001:4860:4860::8888 | Reliable, but collects data for analytics (anonymity lower than Cloudflare). |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112 | 2620:fe::fe | Focus on security: blocks phishing, malware, spyware. |
| AdGuard DNS | 94.140.14.14, 94.140.15.15 | 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff | Filter ads and trackers, there are options for family use. |
Not all DNSs are equally good for your region, for example, Yandex.DNS (77.88.8.8) is optimized for Russia and CIS countries, but can slow down in Europe. Before setting up, check server speeds through the DNS Benchmark app (available on Google Play).
💡
If you travel frequently, set up your profile with Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) – it works consistently around the world and supports encryption.
Method 1: Change DNS via Wi-Fi settings (MIUI 12 and later)
Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added the ability to change DNS directly to the Wi-Fi menu.This method works on most modern models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 11, POCO F5, etc.).
- Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi.
- Tap on the name of your network (near the connection tick).
- Scroll down and select Additional Settings (or IP Settings in some versions).
- In the DNS section, select Static instead of Automatic (DHCP).
- Enter DNS addresses via comma (e.g. 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1).
- Save the changes and reconnect to the network.
If the DNS item is missing, your version of MIUI does not support this method, in which case use Method 2 or Method 3.
Make sure you've entered. IP gapless|Restart your router (if problems persist)|Check the speed with speedtest.net|Try an alternative. DNS, if the sites are not opened-->
Method 2: Manually configure DNS via Private DNS (Android 9+)
Starting with Android 9 Pie, the system added the function Private DNS, which allows you to encrypt requests over the DNS-over-TLS protocol. This method works on all Xiaomi with current versions of the OS, including MIUI 13/14.
- Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Private DNS.
- Select the host name of the private DNS provider.
- Enter the address of one of the supported servers: dns.google for Google Public DNS; 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com for Cloudflare; dns.quad9.net for Quad9.
Save.
Important: This method only encrypts the DNS-- requests, but not all traffic. VPN. If after saving the Internet disappeared, check the correctness of the host entered - typos are unacceptable here.
What if the “Private DNS” is not saved?
Method 3: Using third-party applications to change DNS
If built-in methods don’t work or you need advanced features (like automatic DNS switching), install one of the specialized applications.
- 🔧 1.1.1.1: Faster & Safer Internet (from Cloudflare) – Simple interface, Warp support (VPN+DNS).
Example of settings through 1.1.1.1:
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Open it and press Connect (no root permissions required).
- Select mode: 1.1.1.1 - DNS only; 1.1.1.1 with Warp - DNS + VPN.
Allow creation VPN-Connections (this is necessary for the application to work).
⚠️ Attention: Change applications DNS frequently request permission to create VPN. It’s OK – they don’t pass your traffic to third parties, they just redirect it. DNS-However, avoid lesser-known programs: install only proven high-ranking solutions.
The solution to the problem: why DNS is not used or the Internet is gone
If after changing the DNS sites do not open or the connection is lost, perform a diagnosis using the following algorithm:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The Internet is there, but the sites are not loaded | DNS-The server is unavailable or blocked | Try a different DNS (e.g. 8.8.8.8 instead of 1.1.1.1) |
| The connection is gone completely. | Incorrect. IPv6-typo | Return settings to Automatic (DHCP) and check the data entered |
| DNS resets after rebooting | MIUI restrictions or energy saving | Turn off optimization for the DNS application in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Auto Run |
| Some websites are not working (e.g. banks) | DNS blocks "suspicious" domains | Use neutral DNS (8.8.8.8) or turn off filtering |
For advanced diagnosis, use the command in Terminal Emulator (requires superuser rights):
ping -c 4 google.comIf the ping passes (0% packet loss), but the browser does not open the pages, the problem is in the DNS. If the ping does not pass, check the connection to the network.
💡
If none of the DNSs work, return the settings to default values and contact your ISP – the problem may be on their side.
Next Post How to Choose the Best DNS for Your Tasks
The choice of DNS depends on your priorities:
- 🏆 Top speed: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) Test both - Google is faster in some regions.
- 🔒 Safety: 9.9.9.9 (Quad9) 94.140.14.14 (AdGuard) – Block malicious domains.
- 🌎 Bypassing locks: 76.76.2.0 (ControlD) or 185.222.222.222 (CleanBrowsing) – specialised in unlocking content.
- 👨👩👧👦 Family Filter: 1.1.1.3 (Cloudflare Family) – Blocks adult content.
To automatically select the optimal DNS, use the DNS Benchmark app, which tests the response rate of servers and sorts them by performance. Run the test at different times of the day - the load on the DNS can vary.
⚠️ Note: Some mobile operators (for example, MTS or Beeline in Russia) block alternatives DNS If none of the servers are running on mobile data but are running over Wi-Fi, please contact the operator to disable this feature.