How to Change DNS Settings on Any Device
Learning how to change your DNS is one of the simplest ways to speed up your browsing, add a layer of filtering against sketchy sites, and take back a little control over how your connection works. The good news: it takes a few minutes, and you don’t need to be a network engineer to do it.
This guide walks you through how to change your DNS on Windows, macOS, Android, and your router — step by step, with the exact values for the most popular DNS options. Before you change your DNS settings, it helps to know what DNS actually does.
What Is DNS and Why Change It?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. Think of it as the phonebook of the internet: when you type a domain name like example.com, DNS translates it into the numeric IP address your device connects to. This lookup — called DNS resolution — happens quietly every time you load a page.
By default, your device uses the DNS server assigned by your internet provider. That default DNS usually works fine, but it isn’t always the quickest, and your ISP can see the sites you request. Switching to a different DNS provider can improve speed, add filtering against malicious and fraudulent domains, and give you more consistent results. If your connection feels slow, our guide on how to stop internet throttling by your ISP covers related fixes.
Popular Public DNS Options
Before switching, pick a provider. Three public DNS services stand out:
- Google Public DNS — 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Google’s DNS is widely used, stable, and easy to remember.
- Cloudflare DNS — a fast, privacy-focused resolver; its backup address is 1.0.0.1, and the main one is covered in the FAQ below.
- OpenDNS — 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. OpenDNS adds optional content filtering, and this third-party service is popular with families.
Any of these works well as custom DNS servers. Below, we use Google DNS as the main example, but you can enter the IP address of whichever service you prefer. Deciding which DNS settings to use comes down to your priorities: raw speed, filtering, or privacy.
How to Change DNS on Windows
The steps are nearly identical on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
- Open the Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, then click Change adapter options.
- Right-click your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and select Properties.
- In the list, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Set the preferred DNS server to 8.8.8.8 and the alternate DNS server to 8.8.4.4.
- Click OK to save your DNS changes.
To set IPv6 as well, repeat the process for Internet Protocol Version 6 and add the provider’s IPv6 addresses. On a Windows PC you can also configure this under Advanced network settings in the modern Settings app, which is handy if you’d rather not touch the older network settings dialog.
How to Change the DNS Server on macOS
On macOS, DNS lives in the network preferences.
- Open System Settings and select Network.
- Select the connection you want to change — Wi-Fi or wired — then click Details (or Advanced on older macOS versions).
- Open the DNS tab.
- Under DNS Servers, click + and add Cloudflare’s 1.0.0.1, then add an alternate server for backup.
- Click OK, then Apply to lock in the new DNS server settings.
macOS applies the change right away, so your next lookups use the DNS IP you just added.
How to Change DNS on Android
Android handles DNS a little differently.
- On Android 9 and later, open Settings → Network & internet → Private DNS, choose the hostname option, and enter a provider such as dns.google or one.one.one.one.
- To adjust DNS on a single Wi-Fi network, long-press the network name, edit it, and switch the IP settings to Static so you can enter the DNS addresses manually.
If you also want to mask your public IP, see our walkthrough on how to change your IP address without a VPN.
How to Change the DNS on Your Router
Changing DNS on your router applies it to every device on your network at once — no need to configure each one.
- Find your router IP address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and enter it in a browser to reach the admin panel. If you’re unsure, our guide on how to find the IP address of your router walks through it.
- Log in, then look for the DNS configuration under DHCP or WAN settings — the exact spot depends on your router’s firmware.
- Replace the automatic entries with your chosen primary and secondary DNS values.
- Save and reboot if prompted.
Setting DNS at the router level is the cleanest way to apply changes across a whole home. If you also run a VPN on your network, our how to install a VPN on your router pairs well with this.
After You Change the DNS Settings: Flush Old Records
Once the new resolver is set, flush your DNS cache so your device stops using old records. On Windows, run ipconfig /flushdns; on macOS, use the terminal command for your version. This clears out the stale records and forces fresh lookups. To confirm your new setup isn’t leaking requests, check our note on how to prevent a WebRTC IP leak.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is 1.1.1.1 the fastest DNS?
It ranks among the quickest in many independent tests, but results vary by location and network. Cloudflare’s resolver is often near the top, while Google DNS and OpenDNS perform similarly in different regions. The only way to know for your setup is to test each one.
Is changing DNS to 8.8.8.8 safe?
Yes. That address belongs to Google’s public resolver, a well-maintained option used by millions. Pointing your device to it doesn’t expose you to extra risk, though remember that whichever provider you pick can see the domains you look up.
What does DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 do?
They are the two DNS addresses for Google’s resolver — a primary and a backup. When you enter both, your device tries the primary first and falls back to the backup if it doesn’t respond, so lookups stay reliable.
What does changing DNS to 1.1.1.1 do?
Setting it routes your DNS queries through Cloudflare instead of your provider. Many users see faster lookups, and the provider states it doesn’t sell your browsing data — a privacy plus over some ISP setups.
Is 1.1.1.1 banned?
In most countries, no. A few networks or governments restrict specific resolvers, so in rare cases it may be blocked on a particular network. On a normal home connection it works fine.
Is 1.1.1.1 free?
Yes, it’s free for personal use, as are the Google and OpenDNS resolvers. You only enter the addresses in your DNS server settings — there’s nothing to pay.
Take Privacy One Step Further with Planet VPN
Changing your DNS is a great start, but it only affects how names are resolved — the sites you visit can still see your real IP, and your provider can still see that you’re connecting. A VPN closes that gap by encrypting your traffic and swapping your visible IP for one of ours.
Planet VPN keeps core protection free, forever — no credit card, no trial clock. You get encrypted connections across our free locations, with the option to add more locations and speed whenever you want.
- Get Planet VPN free — install in a couple of clicks on any device.
- Compare free and premium plans — see exactly what each tier includes.
- Explore Planet VPN — learn how we protect your connection.
Pair a trusted public resolver with Planet VPN, and you cover both halves of the privacy picture.