How To Modify DNS Settings? [Windows, Mac, Phone, Tablet]

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Abdul Hadi

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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The DNS (Domain Name System) plays a crucial role in the Internet’s framework, facilitating user access to websites. DNS servers translate domain names to IP addresses, making visiting websites more straightforward for a browser. However, you can modify DNS settings to improve internet security and speed.

Key Takeaways

• DNS is the internet’s phonebook, which translates a domain name and converts it to an IP address.
• Modifying DNS settings is sometimes necessary for improved security and speed of the connection.
• You can modify DNS in any device by the Network, change DNS1 as the primary and DNS2 as the secondary addresses, and Save the settings.

Which Third-Party DNS Server Should You Use?

Google Public DNS, Cisco OpenDNS, and Cloudflare are three of the finest choices if you are looking for a third-party DNS server.

Google’s Public DNS

Google’s Public DNS keeps a log of the IP addresses for up to 2 days for diagnostic purposes. Sometimes, the logs stay long; however, Google’s database contains no personal information.

• Primary Address: 8.8.8.8
• Secondary Address: 8.8.4.4

Cloudflare

The privacy and internet speed that Cloudflare provides make it another well-liked option. It assures that the company will not log your data or your IP address unless you do it, and data keeps deleting every 24 hours.

• Primary Address: 1.1.1.1
• Secondary Address: 1.0.0.1

Cisco OpenDNS

OpenDNS‘ default feature is that it keeps filtering phishing websites, and you can also set up parental controls at no cost through its website. Additionally, OpenDNS provides paid services with various benefits, such as one-year activity history access.

• Primary Address: 208.67.222.123
• Secondary Address: 208.67.220.123

Modifying DNS Settings On Various Devices

The exact techniques to change the DNS may differ depending on the Operating System of your device; therefore, we have simplified the different ways for you.

Through Router

This is our go-to method for experimenting with DNS addresses.

1. Login to your router’s firmware.
2. Go to Network/Internet Settings > Search for the DNS addresses section > Manually Assign the Address.
3. Open DNS settings > Type the primary and secondary addresses for the server you wish to use > OK > Apply.

   

    

On Windows 10

These are the methods you can apply on your Windows 10 PC;

1. Via Settings.
2. Via Command Prompt.

Via Settings

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Launch Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Move to Wi-Fi/Ethernet > Choose the current network.
3. Click on Edit > Manual. 
4. Activate the toggle switch for IPv4.
5. Verify the primary address in the Preferred DNS Server tab.

   

6. Open Alternate DNS Server > Enter the secondary DNS address. 
7. Choose Save > Restart the system.

Via Command Prompt

We ran these codes in the Command Prompt and successfully altered the DNS on our Windows computer.

Carefully proceed with each step:

1. Search for Command Prompt > Right-click the first result > Run As Administrator.
2. To launch the utility for changing network settings, execute netsh 
3. To identify network adapters, type: interface show interface and hit Enter.
4. For modifying the primary address, type:

   interface ip set dns name= "DNS-Server-Name" source= "static" address= "X.X.X.X."

5. Fill in the details in this command as per your requirement, such as DNS-Server-Name to Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS or any other, whichever you want to keep, and the same goes for X.X.X.X, keep the IP address of the same server.
6. If you are willing to keep the settings for Google DNS, set the parameters as follows:

   interface ip set dns name="Ethernet1" source="static" address="1.1.1.1".

7. For secondary or alternate IP address, type:

   interface ip add dns name= "DNS-Server-Name" addr= "X.X.X.X" index=2.

8. Fill this command with the same DNS you entered above, then put the secondary address of the same server and keep the index 2.

   

On Windows 11 Via Control Panel

We confirmed this method by applying the steps below:

1. Access the Control Panel > Network and Internet > View Network Connection > Change Adapter Settings.
2. Right-click the connected network > Properties > Mark Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
3. Choose Properties > Use Following DNS Server Addresses.
4. Type the primary DNS address in the Preferred DNS Server tab.

   

5. Put the secondary DNS address in case the primary DNS is unreachable; the system will need an alternative address.
6. Click on the Alternate DNS Server > Type the secondary address for the server you have used previously.

For more advanced settings, follow the instructions:

1. Move to Advanced > DNS > Add.
2. Type the additional DNS server addresses > OK.

On A Mac

To modify DNS settings on a Mac, make use of this quick guide, as also explained on Apple Support:

1. Click the Apple Icon > System Preferences > Network.
2. Pick the relevant connection.  
3. Go to Advanced > DNS Server > Click the + icon.
4. Type the primary and secondary addresses > OK > Apply.

   

On An Android Phone Or Tablet

Changing DNS became crucial when downloading new games and apps took too long on our Android devices. Once we reconnected to the network after the DNS change, we noticed a visible difference in downloading time. 

Here is what you need to do:

1. Open your phone’s Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Select the connected network > Manage Network Settings. 
3. Change the IP Settings from DHCP to Static.

   

4. The DNS1 and DNS2 fields should be filled with the primary and backup DNS server addresses > Tap Save.

On An iPhone Or iPad

We were facing network speed issues on our iPhone, so we switched the DNS address to another server, restarted the phone, and restored the usual network performance.

The following method helped us complete the process:

1. Open iOS Settings > Wi-Fi > Tap the i icon.
2. Pick DNS > Configure DNS > Manual.
3. Tap the red – sign next to any DNS server addresses you want to delete and the green + symbol to add new DNS server addresses.

   

4. Enter the DNS server details > Save.

On A Chromebook

Chromebook lets you connect to a variety of servers. As per our testing, this is among the quickest ways to switch DNS on a Chromebook.

These are the complete steps you can use on a Chromebook:

1. Open Chromebook Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Select the current network > Name Server.

   

3. For Google Public DNS servers, choose Google Name Servers; otherwise, Custom Name Servers > Enter DNS address.

   

What Are DNS And IP Addresses?

Domain names are converted into IP addresses through DNS (Domain Name System), the internet’s phonebook.

Every device and network has a unique identifier for communication to the internet, known as an IP address, a unique set of digits. It is always a four-set number combination separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.1. 

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• How To Clear DNS Cache
• Windows Wireless Service Is Not Running On Computer

Abdul Hadi

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com