How Can I Change My DNS? | Quick Setup On Every Device

Switching DNS can speed up lookups, add malware blocking, and cut tracking. You can set it once on your router for the whole home, or per device for tighter control. Below you’ll find clean, step-by-step directions for Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, and common routers, plus secure DNS in Chrome and Firefox. You’ll also see trusted DNS providers with ready-to-paste addresses and when a change helps most. Steps reflect current vendor guidance so you can move fast with confidence.

Change My DNS: Quick Start Steps

Quick check: Decide where to set DNS. Router-level covers every device on the network. Device-level lets you test a single phone or laptop without touching the router.

• Pick a provider — Cloudflare (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.1), Google (8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4), Quad9 (9.9.9.9/149.112.112.112), or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222/208.67.220.220).
• Enter IPv6 only if you use it — Many connections run dual-stack; you can paste the IPv6 pairs shown by the provider. If unsure, set IPv4 first and test.
• Prefer encrypted DNS where possible — Turn on Secure DNS (DoH) in Chrome or DNS over HTTPS in Firefox to keep queries from leaking in transit.
• Test and cache-refresh — Visit a site you haven’t opened today or use a provider’s test page. If pages stall, revert and try a different resolver.

How Can I Change My DNS? On Windows And Mac

Windows 11 And Windows 10

Settings route: Open Settings → Network & Internet, pick Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) → your network. Next to DNS server assignment, select Edit → choose Manual → turn on IPv4 (and IPv6 if you use it) → paste your DNS addresses → Save.

• Cloudflare sample — IPv4: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and ::1001.
• Google sample — IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and ::8844.

Tip: Windows can also use Secure DNS with supported resolvers when you enable it in browser settings (see the Secure DNS section).

macOS (Ventura, Sonoma, Or Newer)

Network pane: Open Apple menu → System Settings → Network. Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet service → Details → DNS. Add the new DNS servers, then OK and Apply. macOS uses your list from top to bottom.

Change DNS On iPhone And Android

iPhone And iPad (Wi-Fi Networks)

Per-Wi-Fi change: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Tap the i next to your network → Configure DNS → Manual → Add Server → enter DNS → Save. Note: iOS applies this per Wi-Fi network; cellular uses the carrier’s DNS unless managed by a profile or VPN app.

Android 9+ (Private DNS For Whole Device)

System-wide option: Open Settings → Network & internet → Private DNS. Choose Private DNS provider hostname, then enter the resolver’s hostname (not an IP), such as one.one.one.one for Cloudflare. Save and reconnect.

• Cloudflare hostnames — Standard: one.one.one.one. Families (malware-only): security.cloudflare-dns.com. Families (malware + adult content): family.cloudflare-dns.com.
• Why a hostname here — Android’s Private DNS uses encrypted DNS (DoT); it needs a hostname that supports it, not raw IPs.

Change DNS On Your Router (Home Network)

One change, all devices: Sign in to your router’s admin page or mobile app. Look for Internet/WAN or DHCP settings. Enter the new DNS addresses, save, and reboot the router if asked. Vendor menus differ; use the maker’s guide or app if labels don’t match. Apple’s router setup notes point to using the manufacturer’s page or app for these changes.

• Back up current settings — Export or screenshot before edits so you can restore fast if needed.
• Place your DNS first — If multiple slots exist, put your chosen resolver first to make sure clients prefer it. (Most routers honor order.)
• Re-join Wi-Fi — Forget/rejoin on phones that keep old DNS after a router change.

Popular Public DNS Options

Pick one trusted resolver. Stick with pairs from the same provider for clean behavior, then add encryption in your browser or OS where available.

Provider	IPv4 DNS	Encrypted Option
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1	1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1	DoT hostname: one.one.one.one; DoH: cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query.
Google Public DNS	8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4	DoT: dns.google; DoH: dns.google/dns-query.
Quad9 (Threat-Blocking)	9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112	DoT: dns.quad9.net; DoH: dns.quad9.net/dns-query.
OpenDNS (Cisco)	208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220	Setup guides available from OpenDNS.

Enable Secure DNS In Browsers

Encrypted DNS hides your DNS queries from local observers and many networks. Turn it on in your main browser to add a privacy layer without touching system settings.

Google Chrome (And Chromium-Based Browsers)

• Open Settings — Menu (⋮) → Settings → Privacy and security → Security.
• Toggle “Use secure DNS” — Pick your provider from the list or enter a custom service. Providers include Cloudflare and Google.

Mozilla Firefox

• Open Settings — Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security.
• Turn on DNS over HTTPS — Choose your resolver and add exceptions if a site needs local DNS.

Why this helps: Standard DNS is plain text. DoH/DoT encrypts lookups between your device and the resolver. You still need HTTPS for site content; this piece is about names, not the page itself.

When A DNS Change Helps

• Slow first page loads — If pages pause before anything appears, the hang can be a sluggish resolver. A faster public DNS often trims that delay.
• Regional blocks — Some resolvers filter risky domains by default. If a clean site gets blocked, pick a non-filtering resolver. If you want filtering, choose a resolver with malware or adult-site blocking. Cloudflare’s “1.1.1.1 for Families” and Quad9 are common picks.
• Privacy lift — Public resolvers publish clear privacy docs and support encryption. Google explains setup and options across OSes; Cloudflare posts IPs and encrypted methods.
• IPv6-only networks — If you’re on IPv6-only with NAT64, Google Public DNS64 can bridge access to IPv4-only sites.

Fix Problems And Roll Back Safely

Can’t reach sites? Open your device’s DNS settings and switch back to automatic. In Windows, set DNS back to Automatic (DHCP) in the same pane where you enabled Manual. On macOS, remove your entries in the DNS list and apply. On iPhone, set Configure DNS back to Automatic for that Wi-Fi. On Android, set Private DNS to Off or Automatic.

• Flush cached lookups — Toggle Wi-Fi off/on or reboot the device to refresh cached DNS. Routers may need a reboot after changes.
• Try another provider — Some networks block third-party DNS or intercept queries. Pick a different resolver or turn on Secure DNS inside the browser to tunnel lookups.
• Keep both stacks — Avoid disabling IPv6 unless a support doc tells you to. Dual-stack is common and many services expect it. (Windows guides warn against turning IPv6 off without a clear reason.)

FAQ-Style Clarifications (No Fluff)

Does A Browser Setting Replace System DNS?

Short take: With Secure DNS on, the browser sends lookups to its chosen encrypted resolver, even if the OS lists something else. System DNS still applies to apps outside the browser.

Should I Mix Providers For Primary And Secondary?

Safe route: Use the same provider in both slots for consistent filtering and behavior. If uptime worries you, test a second provider after you confirm performance with the first.

Where Should I Change DNS First?

Smart order: Start on a single device. If it fixes your pain, set it on the router so every phone, TV, and laptop picks it up.

Natural Keyword Placement And Next Steps

This guide answered “How Can I Change My DNS?” with device-specific steps, browser encryption, and a resolver table you can use right away. If you need content filtering by default, try Quad9 or Cloudflare’s Families mode. If you need raw speed and broad anycast reach, Google Public DNS is easy to test. If you want classic home controls, OpenDNS has long-standing setup paths. You can repeat the exact steps above on any new network in minutes.

When you’re ready, set the same addresses on your router, then re-join Wi-Fi across the house so every device uses your new DNS. That locks in faster lookups, cleaner privacy, and fewer “site not found” stalls.