Setup DNS on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: the full guide

The modern Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone provides users with ample opportunities to customize network settings, but standard settings often limit traffic control. Changing the addresses of domain name servers (DNS) is one of the most effective ways to speed up the response of web pages, improve connection stability in games and, most importantly for many users, bypass the limitations of providers. Owners of popular models of the Redmi Note 4X and Prime series may face a situation where the operator’s automatic settings work incorrectly or block access to certain resources.

The procedure for changing DNS on devices running the MIUI shell does not require root rights and can be performed using standard operating system tools. It is important to understand that choosing the right server can dramatically change the experience of using mobile Internet and Wi-Fi networks. In this article, we will discuss in detail various configuration methods, ranging from basic Wi-Fi settings to implementing encrypted DNS-over-TLS for maximum data security.

Before you start technical manipulation, it is worth noting that incorrect values can lead to a complete lack of access to the network. Write down or take a screenshot of the current DNS values before changing them, so that you can quickly return to the original settings in case of problems. We will look at the verified addresses of public servers such as Google, Cloudflare and Yandex, which have proven to be the fastest and most reliable solutions for mobile devices based on Android.

Why Change DNS to Redmi Note 4

The main task of the domain name system is to convert human-readable site addresses into digital ones. IP-The standard servers provided by your mobile provider or home Internet are often overloaded or not optimized for speed. DNS-servers allows you to reduce response time (ping), which is especially critical for online gamers and fans of streaming video on Redmi Note 4.

In addition, changing the DNS is an effective tool for bypassing ISP-level resource locks. If you notice that some sites have stopped opening or are not working correctly, the problem may lie in filtering traffic by the operator. Switching to secure protocols such as DNS-over-TLS not only speeds access, but also encrypts requests, hiding the history of visited resources from the ISP’s eyes and increasing overall digital hygiene.

Consider that different servers have different geographic references and technical infrastructures. Cloudflare servers are famous for their speed, while Google Public DNS offers high reliability and global coverage. For Xiaomi users in regions with unstable Internet, the right choice can be a decisive factor in the comfort of a smartphone.

• 🚀 Accelerating Web Page Loading and Reducing Ping in Online Games.
• 🔒 Bypassing the blocking of sites at the provider level without using VPN.
• 🛡️ Protection against phishing and malicious sites when using specialized DNS.
• 📈 Increased connection stability with mobile data 4G/LTE.

Preparation for network setup

Before you start making changes to your Redmi Note 4 network settings, you need to make sure your current connection is stable. It is recommended to run a basic speed test through services like Speedtest to have a reference point for comparing the results before and after. Also make sure that the device has the current version of the MIUI firmware installed, as older versions of the shell may have different settings menu or bugs.

It is important to choose a supplier in advance. DNS-services that will meet your needs.If you are in Russia, Yandex servers.DNS SafeDNS can be faster than foreign counterparts due to the physical location of data centers. For global coverage and maximum speed, addresses from Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) are often recommended).

Remember that some antivirus or traffic saving apps preinstalled on Xiaomi may conflict with manual network settings. Temporarily disable such utilities to eliminate their impact on the configuration process, this will determine exactly whether changing the DNS will have the desired effect.

Changing DNS for Wi-Fi connection

The most common use case is optimizing your home or working Wi-Fi network. On Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphones with MIUI shell, the setting is individually for each network you connect to, which means that by changing the settings for your home network, you will have to repeat the procedure for office Wi-Fi if necessary.

To start, go to the Settings menu and select the Wi-Fi section. Find your active network in the list and click on the arrow to the right of its name or hold your finger on the network name to call the context menu. IP (or IP-settings) which are in default position DHCP. Switch it to Static (Static) mode).

After switching to static mode, additional fields will open for entering numerical values "IP-The address, gateway and network prefix length are usually automatically filled in, and you don't need to change them unless you have specific knowledge of the structure of your local network. DNS 1 and DNS 2. Enter the selected addresses, for example, for Google it is 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 respectively. Save the changes by the Save button or tick in the upper right corner.

After saving the settings, the phone can lose connection to the router for a few seconds, and then reconnect. If the Internet does not appear, check the correctness of the entered numbers. An error in even one digit will result in the device not being able to resolve domain names and sites will stop opening, although messengers can continue to work through the Internet. IP-address.

💡

If the Internet is gone after changing DNS to Wi-Fi, try selecting DHCP again in the IP settings, saving, and then repeating the procedure for switching to Static IP, carefully rechecking the numbers.

Set up Private DNS (Android 9+) on Redmi Note 4

Owners of Redmi Note 4, Which have been updated to the Android version 9 (MIUI Global 11/12 and newer, have access to the Private function DNS (Private DNS). It is a more modern and secure method that encrypts everything. DNS-querying, preventing interception and substitution. IP, This setting applies globally to all connections: Wi-Fi and mobile data.

To activate this function, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or simply Additional in older versions) MIUI). Find a private item DNS (Private DNS). The default is "Auto." Select the Private Host Name mode. DNS (Private DNS provider hostname).

The text field should not be entered IP-The address and domain name of the server that supports the DNS-over-TLS protocol. IP-Addresses like 8.8.8.8 won't work here. DNS Enter dns.google for Cloudflare — 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com. After entering, press "Save".

⚠️ Attention: When using the “Private” mode DNS" Enter only the domain names of the providers that support encryption. IP-Addresses in this field will cause connection error and loss of Internet access.

The advantage of this method is its versatility: you don’t have to configure each Wi-Fi network separately. However, if the selected Private DNS provider becomes unavailable, the Internet can disappear completely, unlike static IP, where there is a backup second address. Make sure you have an alternative communication channel (for example, mobile Internet with a different DNS) in case of a failure.

Changes to DNS for Mobile Data (3G/4G)

Setting up DNS For mobile internet, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has traditionally been more complicated, as Android does not provide a direct interface to change. DNS-servers in the profile of the access point (APN) No root rights, but starting with certain versions MIUI Android, there was a workaround through editing parameters APN.

Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks. Choose yours. SIM-map through which you access the Internet. Find the access point (APN). Select an active access point (usually marked with a green dot) or create a new one by clicking on a plus. DNS 1 and DNS 2.

If the fields are blocked or missing, this method may not be directly available for your firmware version and carrier, in which case the only solution is to use the Private DNS function described in the previous section, since it is more important than the APN settings. If the fields are available, enter the desired addresses (for example, 1.1.1.1) and save the profile, remembering to tick it.

• 📱 The path to settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
• ✏️ Editing: Click on the active profile APN parameterization.
• 💾 Save: Be sure to click the menu (three dots) and select Save after entering the data.
• 🔄 Reboot: After the shift APN It is recommended to turn on and off the flight mode.

It is worth noting that some carriers may ignore the custom DNS settings in the APN profile by imposing their servers on the network level. In such situations, changing the settings on the phone will not work, and the only way out is to use a VPN or proxy applications that redirect traffic through their servers.

💡

If the fields DNS customized APN blocked or not saved, use the "Private" function DNS" (Private DNS) In general connection settings, it is a modern standard that works on top of any type of connection.

Checking the result and diagnosing problems

Once you make all the changes, make sure that the settings are properly applied and have a positive effect. The easiest way to check is to open a browser and try to navigate to several sites that previously could be slow loading. For more accurate diagnosis, you can use specialized applications such as DNS Changer or Network Tools available on Google Play.

In the command line (via terminal emulators on Android), you can run the command nslookup google.com to see which one is the most important. IP-The address is returned and which server is used to respond. However, for the average user, it is enough to compare the speed of loading pages and ping in games before and after setting up. If you notice a speed deterioration or periodic connection breaks, go back to the settings and try an alternative. DNS-server.

A common problem is app or system-level DNS caching. If the site still doesn't open or the old version opens after changing the settings, try clearing the browser cache or performing a DNS reset command. On Android, this is often solved by simply switching flight mode or rebooting the Redmi Note 4 device.

⚠️ Attention: If after the shift DNS Bank applications or government services have stopped working, temporarily return the settings to the position "Auto" (DHCP). Some organizations block access to public services DNS-servers for security purposes.

Also watch for battery consumption. DNS-A server that doesn't respond for long can make a smartphone's radio module work in a heightened mode, waiting for a response, which will lead to accelerated battery discharge. Connectivity stability is more important than theoretical speed, so choose trusted providers.

Possible problems and solutions

During the setup process, Xiaomi users may face a number of specific problems, one of the common ones is the inability to save static settings. IP. This often happens if you haven't filled in all the required fields, such as the gateway or the length of the network prefix. Make sure the network prefix length is usually 24 for home networks and the gateway matches the IP-router address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

Another problem is “authentication error” or “receiving” IP-Addresses..." when connected to Wi-Fi. This signals a conflict IP-Addresses if you have manually set a static IP, It's already occupied by another device on the network. IP-When manually configuring, it is better to change only the last digit to the value in the range 2-254, Avoiding addresses that the router gives out.

If the Internet is completely lost after all the manipulations, don't panic. Go to the Wi-Fi settings, click "Forget Network" on the problem connection and connect again. This will reset all manual settings for a given access point to factory values. For the global settings of Private DNS, just select "Disconnected" or "Auto".