Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where the Internet is unstable: pages load for a long time, and applications periodically lose connection. Often the problem lies not in the speed of the operator’s tariff or router power, but in standard traffic routing settings. Changing domain names addresses allows you to speed up network response, improve security and in some cases bypass the limitations of the provider.
The Android system installed on Xiaomi devices allows you to manage network connections flexibly, but by default uses your ISP's servers. These servers may be overloaded or not sufficiently protected from data leaks. Moving to public and proven solutions from major technology companies is an easy way to improve the user experience without installing third-party apps.
In this article, we will take a closer look at which DNS server is best for the Xiaomi ecosystem, how to set it up properly through the hidden Private DNS menu, and which hosts will provide the highest speed, learn about the benefits of using encrypted connections and understand why standard settings often lose to alternatives in today’s environment.
Why Standard DNS Provider Is Often Worse Than Alternatives
By default, your Xiaomi smartphone gets addresses DNS-It's convenient, but not always efficient, and providers often don't have time to update their record databases, which leads to errors when opening sites or long waits for a response from a remote server. In addition, providers can use this data to analyze your traffic.
Using third-party, specialized servers solves several critical tasks at once. First, large players provide high fault tolerance and minimal ping. Second, many of them support modern encryption protocols, such as DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS, which hide your requests from prying eyes.
⚠️ Attention: When changing DNS-Make sure you enter them correctly. A mistake in even one character can result in a complete loss of internet access until the settings are reset.
It’s also worth noting that some providers can artificially slow access to certain resources or inject advertising into traffic, and changing the entry point helps avoid such interference. For MIUI and HyperOS users, this is especially true, as Xiaomi’s built-in services also interact with the network, and fast DNS response improves the entire system.
TOP-5 best DNS servers for Android devices
The best server is based on your goals: speed, privacy or bypassing locks. Today, the market leaders are solutions from Google, Cloudflare and Quad9. They provide stable operation and support the necessary security protocols for Android 9 and higher.
Below is a table with the addresses of the most trusted servers that can be used on Xiaomi smartphones.Please note that for the Private feature DNS Domain names are required, not host names. IP-address.
| Provider | Purpose of use | Hostname address (Hostname) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS | Stability | dns.google | High speed, minimum of errors |
| Cloudflare | Speed and privacy | 1.1.1.1 | No logs, quick response |
| Quad9 | Security | dns.quad9.net | Blocking phishing sites |
| AdGuard DNS | Blocking ads | dns.adguard.com | Removes ads in apps |
| OpenDNS | Parental control | dns.opendns.com | Flexible filtering settings |
Cloudflare is often called the fastest service in the world, making it the perfect choice for gaming and streaming. Google DNS is highly compatible with all Android services. If your goal is to remove intrusive advertising in free apps and browser, AdGuard will be the best solution, since it filters traffic at the query level.
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Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) is best suited for gaming applications on Xiaomi, as it provides minimal latency (ping) when connecting to game servers.
How to set up a private DNS on Xiaomi without Root rights
Since Android 9 Pie, Private DNS has been introduced, which allows you to prescribe DNS-over-TLS addresses directly to your settings, the most up-to-date method that doesn't require super-user rights or heavy-duty applications. It works globally for all connections, both Wi-Fi and mobile internet.
To change the settings on the MIUI or HyperOS shell, do the following: the interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version, but the logic remains the same: you will need to find a hidden menu or search by settings.
☑️ Algorithm of settings DNS
- Open the Settings menu for your Xiaomi smartphone.
- Go to Connect and Sharing (or Wi-Fi) section.
- Find the Private DNS (or Private DNS) item.
- The default is "Auto" or "Switched off." Select the DNS Host Name option.
- In the field that appears, enter the address of the selected server, for example: dns.google.
- Press Save.
Once you save the settings, the system can interrupt the Internet connection for a second to apply new settings. If you enter the address correctly, the Wi-Fi or 4G/5G icon will remain active. If you fail, the system will issue a "Disconnected" warning and return the previous settings.
⚠️ Note: The domain name (e.g., dns.google) must be specified in the input field, not IP-address (8.8.8.8). DNS IP-Addresses are not working and will cause a connection error.
Alternative method: Configure DNS for a specific Wi-Fi network
If the function is private DNS Not available on your Android version or you want to use different DNS For different networks (e.g., one at home and another at the office), you can customize them individually for each Wi-Fi connection. IP-parameters.
Go to your Wi-Fi settings and click on the arrow next to your network name or select "Change Network." Find Settings. IP and switch it from DHCP Static. Here you'll need to save the current one. IP-address and gateway, but change fields DNS 1 and DNS 2.
Example of settings for Google DNS:
DNS 1: 8.8.8.8
DNS 2: 8.8.4.4The advantage of this method is that it works even on older versions of Android, where there is no Private DNS. However, the disadvantage is that these settings do not apply to mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G).
What to do if the DNS field is inactive?
The Impact of DNS on Internet Speed and Security
Many users mistakenly believe that changing DNS will increase the maximum download speed. This is not entirely true. DNS does not affect the channel bandwidth provided by the provider, but it directly affects the response time (latency) and page opening speed.
When you enter the address of the site, there is a process of resolving - transferring a human-readable name to a machine. IP-If the ISP server is doing this slowly, you see a spinning load indicator. DNS It minimizes this latency, making surfing more responsive, especially when loading pages with multiple elements or using instant messengers.
In terms of security, using encryption-encrypted DNS (TLS/HTTPS) protects you from DNS-spoofing attacks. Attackers on Wi-Fi networks often substitute DNS responses by redirecting the victim to a fake bank or social network site. Private DNS encrypts this request, making it impossible for an observer on the same network to swap.
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Changing DNS will not increase the speed of downloading large files, but will make opening sites and applications much faster and more responsive.
Solving Connection Problems After DNS Change
Sometimes, after implementing new settings, problems can arise: some applications stop seeing the network, images do not load, or there is an error "No Internet connection". DNS-The server is blocked by your provider or is too far away geographically.
The first step should always be to go back to the automatic settings. Go to the Private DNS menu and select Auto or Turned Off. If the problem has disappeared, it was the address you chose. Try the alternative server from the list above. For example, if Google didn't work, try Cloudflare.
Cleaning also helps. DNS-On Xiaomi smartphones, you can do this through a developer menu or just reboot the device in flight mode. Turn on Flight Mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off. This will force the communication module to reconnect and update the network tables.
⚠️ Attention: If after the shift DNS Mobile Internet stopped working, but Wi-Fi is working, check if the mode "Traffic Savings" is activated in the settings of the mobile network, which may conflict with private ones. DNS-proxy.