Modern Xiaomi smartphones under the control of shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, which gives users a lot of flexibility to fine-tune their network connectivity, one of the most effective ways to optimize page load speeds, improve connection stability, or bypass simple ISP locks is to change the way they do things. DNS-Standard settings that the device automatically receives from the carrier are often not optimal and can be slow.
Changing the addresses of domain name servers allows you to redirect requests to faster and more reliable nodes, such as Google, Cloudflare or Quad9. This is especially true for device owners who are experiencing problems accessing certain resources or want to increase privacy when surfing the Internet.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available DNS swap methods on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi phones.We will look at both the Private DNS system feature available on Android 9 and higher, as well as more sophisticated customization methods for Wi-Fi networks. Understanding these mechanisms will help you make your smartphone more comfortable and secure.
Why Change DNS on Xiaomi Smartphone
Main objective DNS (Domain Name System is the transformation of human-understood site addresses into IP-By default, your smartphone uses ISP servers that may be overloaded or have a low response rate, and replacing those addresses with public addresses allows you to speed up page opening and reduce ping in online games.
In addition, the use of specialized DNS-Servers often help bypass ISP-level locks without the need to install heavy loads. VPN-Some providers, such as AdGuard DNS, They also can filter advertising traffic and block access to fraudulent resources before the page has time to load.
It is important to note that the change DNS doesn't change yours IP-The address and does not encrypt all traffic as it does. VPN. But for faster access and basic content filtering, it's a legal and secure way to optimize mobile internet and Wi-Fi.
Checking the current DNS and selecting the server
Before making changes to the network configuration, it’s helpful to understand which servers are in use right now and choose the best alternative. Android doesn’t have a built-in menu to view your current DNS explicitly without third-party utilities, but you can use online services or network diagnostics apps to help you evaluate your performance after setting up.
When choosing a new server, you should focus on its geographical proximity and reputation. Global giants offer high reliability, but sometimes can be blocked in certain regions. Local or specialized providers can provide the best response speed for your location.
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Use the Ping app & DNS or similar utilities from Google Play to measure response time (ping) to different DNS-So you can choose the technically nearest node before you set up.
Here is a list of the most popular and reliable DNS-Addresses that are recommended to be used on Xiaomi devices:
- 🌐 Google Public DNS — 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (most popular and stable version).
- 🚀 Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (known for high speed and privacy protection).
- 🛡️ Quad9 — 9.9.9.9 (emphasis on security and blocking of malicious sites).
- 🚫 AdGuard DNS — 94.140.14.14 (blocking advertising and trackers at the network level).
The choice of a specific address depends on your priorities: maximum speed, security or no advertising. For most Xiaomi users, Cloudflare or Google servers are the best starting option.
Method 1: Set up Private DNS in MIUI and HyperOS
Since Android 9 Pie, the system has a function “Private” DNS» (Private DNS), coder DNS-This is the most modern and preferred method for Xiaomi smartphones, working for both Wi-Fi and mobile networks. It does not require numerical input. IP-addresses, and uses domain names of hosts.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the system settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same. Open Settings, then go to Connect and Sharing (or just Wi-Fi / Mobile Network). DNS (Private DNS).
The default is Auto or Turned Off. You have to select Private Host Name. DNS» (It's the field that you type in the domain format server address, not the domain address. IP-This is an important difference from the old methods of setting up.
☑️ Set up a Private DNS
Enter one of the following addresses in the settings field:
- For Google: dns.google
- For Cloudflare: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com
- For AdGuard: dns.adguard.com
Once you enter the address, save the settings. If the address is entered correctly, the connection will be established instantly. If you make an error in the spelling of the domain, the system will issue a warning that the server is not available, in which case, check the correct character input.
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Private DNS mode encrypts requests and runs on top of any type of connection, making it a versatile solution for all versions of Android 9+.
Method 2: Changing DNS for Wi-Fi
If your Android version is older than ninth, or you want to configure DNS only for a specific Wi-Fi network (like your home), you can use standard IPv4 protocol settings. This method does not encrypt traffic, but allows you to redirect requests to selected servers.
Go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Find the network you are connected to and click the arrow to the right of its name or press the network icon with your finger to call the context menu. Select Change or Network Settings. In the menu that opens, find the IP Settings bar and switch it from DHCP to Static.
⚠️ Note: When switching to static IP-The address of the phone can lose the connection if you don't specify the correct gateway. IP and gateway - don't change them, scroll down to the fields DNS.
At the bottom of the screen will appear fields. DNS 1 and DNS 2. Enter the selected IP-Addresses, such as 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Save settings by clicking the tick or the Save button. The phone will reconnect to the network with new settings.
This is a good way to have different DNS settings for different networks, such as at home you can use ad-blocked servers, and in a cafe you can use Cloudflare fast servers, but remember that these settings do not apply to mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G).
Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications
For users who want quick access to profile switching DNS Or use older versions of the MIUI, So what's great is specialized applications. They build local applications. VPN-diversion-tunnel DNS-traffic without changing the system settings of the network directly.
One of the most popular and proven solutions is the Intra app or DNS Changer, which allows you to create lists of servers, turn them on and off with a single click from the notification curtain, which is especially useful if you often move between areas with different communication quality.
How do they work? DNS-root-free applications?
The advantage of using software is that it has additional features such as query statistics, speed testing and automatic switching when changing the type of network, but it is worth considering that the operation of such applications can slightly increase battery consumption due to constant activity in the background.
| Method | It works with Wi-Fi. | Works with LTE/5G | Encryption | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private DNS | Yes. | Yes. | Yes (TLS) | Low. |
| Wi-Fi settings | Yes. | No. | No. | Medium |
| Annexes | Yes. | Yes. | Depends on the software. | Low. |
| Root + system files | Yes. | Yes. | No. | Tall. |
Possible problems and solutions
After shift. DNS-You may encounter a number of typical problems with servers on Xiaomi, the most common of which is the complete lack of Internet access with a Wi-Fi indicator running or the most common one. 4G. This means that the selected DNS-The server is not available from your current IP-addresses or blocked by the provider.
In this case, the first thing you do is to return the settings to Auto or DHCP. If the Internet is here, it's the addresses that are the problem. Try the alternative servers in the list above. Also make sure that there are no extra spaces in the input field, especially when you configure Private DNS through domain names.
⚠️ Note: Some corporate or public Wi-Fi networks (at airports, hotels) require authorization through a pop-up. DNS third-party DNS-This window may not appear and you may not be able to connect to the network. DNS entrance.
Another possible problem is the slowdown of certain local services or applications of the bank, where some financial institutions block access to their servers from known public sources. DNS-If you notice a malfunction in banking applications, exclude them from work DNS-filter or return the standard settings.
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After the shift DNS The Internet has stopped working, but the sites IP-The address is opened – it means that the problem is in the incorrect address of the server or its blocking by the provider.
DNS Impact on Speed and Safety
Many users mistakenly believe that changing the DNS can increase the maximum rate provided by the provider. This is not true: DNS does not affect the bandwidth of the channel, but it directly affects the response rate (latency) when establishing a connection to the site.
Fast. DNS reduces the time required to search IP-Visually, it feels like a more instantaneous start to load a page. For streaming videos or downloading large files, the difference will be less noticeable, but for surfing on news feeds and social networks, the effect is noticeable.
From a security perspective, using DNS-over-TLS or DNS-over-HTTPS protects you from DNS spoofing attacks, where an attacker swaps a site address for a phishing one. Servers like Quad9 or Cloudflare further block access to known malicious domains.
Use host domain names instead of IP-Addresses in Private settings DNS, to ensure that you use a secure encryption protocol, which is critical to keeping your visit history confidential from the eyes of the provider.