How to set up DNS on Xiaomi smartphone: a detailed guide with pictures

Have you ever encountered a situation where the Internet on your Xiaomi is slow and the sites open with errors? DNS-These invisible assistants are responsible for converting domain names (like google.com) into IP-Addresses that are understandable to devices. By default, your phone uses DNS-The service provider, but they can and should be changed – this will speed up the loading of pages, bypass blocking and even increase security.

In this article, we will discuss how to set up DNS on Xiaomi via Wi-Fi and mobile network, which servers to choose for different tasks, and what to do if the changes do not apply. The instructions are relevant for all models of Redmi, POCO and Mi based on MIUI 14/15 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and others). Even if you are a beginner, don’t worry: the process takes less than 5 minutes!

Why change DNS to Xiaomi?

Why can standard DNS settings slow your Internet down? It's simple: ISPs often use overloaded or slow servers. Here's what manually configuring:

  • πŸš€ Accelerating the loading of websites – some DNS (Cloudflare or Google respond faster than your carrier’s servers.
  • πŸ”“ Bypassing blockings – access to blocked resources (for example, Telegram or foreign services).
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Protection against phishing - specialized DNS (AdGuard is blocking fraudulent websites.
  • 🌍 Geo-fraud – you can β€œpretend” to be a user from another country (useful for streaming services).

For example, if you live in Russia, standard DNS from Rostelecom or MTS can slow down foreign sites, and servers 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) work equally fast around the world, but there is a caveat: some providers ignore manual DNS settings on the mobile network, we will discuss this in the section on bugs.

πŸ“Š Why do you want to change? DNS Xiaomi?
Speed up the Internet
Bypass lockdowns
Enhance security
Correction of connection errors
Other

What are they? DNS-Servers are better to use on Xiaomi?

The choice of DNS depends on your goal. We have collected proven options with their features:

DNS-serverIP-address (IPv4)AdvantagesDeficiencies
Cloudflare1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1The fastest, supports DNS-over-HTTPS, no logsIt may be blocked in some countries.
Google Public DNS8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4Stable, good speed, suitable for bypassing locksGoogle collects data (anonymously)
AdGuard DNS94.140.14.14, 94.140.15.15Blocks Ads and Trackers, Family FilterIt can disrupt some websites.
Yandex.DNS77.88.8.8, 77.88.8.1Optimized for Runet, there is a "Safe" modeSlower than foreign analogues
OpenDNS208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220Good content filtering, suitable for childrenRegistration is required for some functions

For most Xiaomi users, we recommend starting with 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google). If you need ad blocking, try AdGuard. And if access to Russian sites (for example, VKontakte or Yandex) is hampered, add a secondary DNS server Yandex.

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Before changing the DNS, check the current internet speed through Speedtest so you can compare the results before and after setting up.

How to change DNS to Xiaomi via Wi-Fi?

Setting up a DNS for a wireless network is the easiest way.

  1. Open the Settings. β†’ Wi-Fi.
  2. Click on your network name (connected) and select Change Network (or Additional in older versions of MIUI).
  3. Scroll down to the IP Settings section and select Static (instead of DHCP).
  4. In the DNS field 1 enter the main address (for example, 1.1.1.1), in DNS 2 - a spare (1.0.0.1).
  5. Click Save and reconnect to the network.

Important: if the Internet is gone after saving, check if you entered correctly IP-Sometimes addresses. MIUI Resets settings when rebooting - in this case, repeat the steps.

Make sure the internet is working.|Check the speed on the Speedtest|Try to open a blocked site (if that was the goal)|Reboot your phone if there are errors.-->

DNS setup for mobile network (3G/4G/5G)

Mobile Internet is getting more complicated: MIUI prevents DNS straight-up SIM-But there are workarounds:

Method 1: Private DNS (Android 9+)

If your Xiaomi is running Android 9 or newer (which is almost all models after 2019), use the built-in feature:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Connections β†’ Private DNS.
  2. Select the hostname of the private DNS.
  3. Enter the address: For Cloudflare: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com For Google: dns.google For AdGuard: dns.adguard.com

Save and restart the phone.

Method 2: Third-party applications (e.g. DNS Changer)

If your private DNS doesn’t work or isn’t in your firmware, install the app from Google Play:

  1. Download DNS Changer (or analogues).
  2. Start and select the DNS from the list.
  3. Click Start – the application will create VPN-Connection (without it, Android does not allow you to change the connection) DNS globally).
Why are mobile operators blocking the DNS change?
Many providers (for example, MegaFon or Beeline) forcibly redirect DNS-requests to your servers, even if you have specified others. This is done to: (1) Block prohibited sites by law. (2) Show your advertising on error pages. (3) Collect statistics on visited resources. VPN oriental DNS Changer that masks requests.

Problems and Errors When Setup DNS on Xiaomi

Things don't always go smoothly. Here are the most common problems and solutions.

⚠️ Attention: If after the shift DNS The internet has stopped working, check if you have entered IP-So, for example, 1.1.1.1 and 1.1.1 are different things!

  • πŸ”„ Settings are reset after rebooting β†’ It's a bug. MIUI. Solution: Use the application DNS Changer or set up router (if connected via Wi-Fi).
  • 🚫 DNS It is not used on the mobile network. β†’ Your operator is blocking the change. Try the Private. DNS (method above VPN.
  • ⚑ It's been slower than it was. β†’ Perhaps chosen. DNS-The server is overloaded. Check the alternate addresses from our table.
  • 🌐 Some sites are not opened β†’ Some of them DNS (For example, AdGuard blocks suspicious resources.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings: Settings β†’ System β†’ Settings Reset β†’ Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. Attention: This will remove all saved passwords from Wi-Fi!

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The most stable way is to configure the DNS on the router, so that all devices on the network (including Xiaomi) will use the selected servers automatically.

How do you check if new DNSs are being used?

To make sure the changes are in effect, follow these steps:

  1. Open your browser and go to the DNS Leak Test site.
  2. Click Extended Test – in a few seconds you will see the list. DNS-servers that your phone uses.
  3. Compare them to the ones you typed. If they match, it's set up right.

Alternatively, through the terminal (root or ADB is needed):

adb shell getprop | grep dns

This team will show the current DNS-If you see old addresses, you don't have the settings.

Additional tips on network optimization on Xiaomi

Besides DNS, there are other ways to speed up the internet on your smartphone:

  • πŸ“Ά Enable the "Maximum Speed" mode in the settings SIM-cards (if available).
  • πŸ”„ Disable Autoconnection to Weak Networks in Settings β†’ Wi-Fi β†’ Additionally. β†’ Smart connection.
  • πŸ› οΈ Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI Frequently fix network bugs.
  • πŸ“‘ Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi (if the router supports) – there is less interference.

If you often experience communication problems, try turning off Traffic Minimization in Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Power Saving Mode. It can limit the background activity of applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up DNS on Xiaomi

Can you configure DNS for each application?
No, in the standard settings. MIUI It's not a function, but you can use it. VPN-Applications (e.g. 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet by Cloudflare) that allow you to choose which programs to use alternative Internet applications for. DNS.
Will Netflix/Disney+ work with a modified DNS?
Yes, but not all DNSs are suitable for streaming services, like Google or Cloudflare servers that don't normally block access, and some "private" DNSs can cause errors, and if the goal is to change region, you'd better use a VPN.
Why do some websites (e.g. VKontakte) not open after changing the DNS?
This can happen for two reasons: a DNS server blocks a resource (for example, AdGuard can filter social networks); a site uses DNS-based geoblocking and does not allow requests from "foreign" servers; the solution is: try another DNS or add a secondary server from Yandex.
Can I configure DNS on Xiaomi without root rights?
Yes, all of the ways in this article work without root rights, and the only exception is that some advanced applications to change network settings may require unlocking the bootloader, but this is not necessary.
How to return standard DNS settings?
For Wi-Fi: Go to your network settings and select DHCP over Static. For mobile: disable Private DNS or uninstall the application to change DNS (e.g. DNS Changer).