How to Change Phone DNS on Android & Samsung

You’ve probably noticed that your phone loads websites at different speeds depending on which Wi-Fi network you’re on, and that lag often comes down to how your device finds those websites. This guide walks through exactly how to change your phone’s DNS on Android and Samsung devices, with a side-by-side look at Google DNS (8.8.8.8) versus Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) for both speed and privacy, so by the end you’ll know which DNS provider suits your setup and how to avoid common configuration mistakes.

Google DNS primary: 8.8.8.8 ·
Cloudflare DNS primary: 1.1.1.1 ·
Android Private DNS introduced: Android 9 (Pie) ·
Speed gain vs ISP DNS: 10–50% depending on connection

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the two most popular public DNS providers.

The pattern: both providers support encryption and have strong uptime, but their privacy commitments differ — Google retains temporary logs, while Cloudflare aims for a stricter no-log policy.

How do I change DNS on Google mobile?

The official Google Public DNS documentation provides two distinct paths for Android: per‑network manual entry via Wi‑Fi settings, and system‑wide DNS‑over‑TLS through Private DNS mode.

Change DNS via Wi‑Fi settings

• Open Settings → Network & internet → Wi‑Fi on stock Android
• Tap the connected network name, then choose Modify Network
• Expand Advanced options and switch IP settings from DHCP to Static
• Enter DNS 1 as 8.8.8.8 and DNS 2 as 8.8.4.4
• Tap Save and reconnect to the Wi‑Fi network

The trade‑off: this method only affects the current Wi‑Fi network. Every other network still uses your default ISP resolver.

Use Private DNS mode (all networks)

• Navigate Settings → Network & internet → Advanced → Private DNS
• Select Private DNS provider hostname
• Enter one.one.one.one for Cloudflare or dns.google for Google
• Tap Save

The implication: Private DNS mode encrypts every query on every network (Wi‑Fi and mobile data) using DNS‑over‑TLS, as Cloudflare Docs confirms.

The catch: manual Wi‑Fi changes leave mobile data and other Wi‑Fi networks untouched, while Private DNS covers everything — but requires Android 9 or later.

How to change DNS to 8.8.8.8 in mobile?

Step‑by‑step for stock Android

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Wi‑Fi
2. Long‑press the connected network name → tap Modify network
3. Check Show advanced options → set IP to Static
4. DNS 1: 8.8.8.8 · DNS 2: 8.8.4.4
5. Save and reconnect

Step‑by‑step for Samsung One UI

1. Settings → Connections → Wi‑Fi
2. Tap the gear icon next to the current network
3. Scroll to DNS → change to Manual
4. Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

A walkthrough video shows that after saving, the phone needs to disconnect and reconnect for changes to take effect.

What this means: if you frequently switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data, Private DNS is the only way to keep DNS changes consistent without reconfiguring each network.

Is changing DNS to 8.8.8.8 safe?

Security considerations

Google Public DNS documentation confirms that the service is generally safe and widely used by millions. However, by default, manual DNS entries are not encrypted — they travel in plaintext over the network.

Privacy implications

• Google Public DNS logs IP addresses for debugging (24h retention)
• Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 claims no logs after 24 hours
• Neither service sells your data

A Cloudflare Docs note: if you enter raw IPs like 1.1.1.1 into a Wi‑Fi DNS field, you lose encryption entirely. Private DNS mode preserves encryption.

The implication: while 8.8.8.8 itself is safe, the method you choose (manual vs Private DNS) determines whether your queries are encrypted.

Is 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 better?

The table below highlights the key differences between the two resolvers beyond just IP addresses.

The pattern: both services offer comparable performance, but Cloudflare edges ahead on privacy promises. Google’s longer track record provides stability, while Cloudflare’s faster advertised speeds appeal to users who prioritize quick lookups.

Performance benchmarks

Independent benchmarks from DNSPerf (2024) show Google DNS averages ~18ms vs Cloudflare’s ~14ms in North America. The gap is wider in Asia, where Cloudflare’s edge nodes are more densely deployed.

Privacy policies

• Google: logs for debugging, deletes after 24h
• Cloudflare: no logs after 24h, no data sold

The catch: speed advantages depend heavily on your geographical location and ISP peering — benchmarks are averages, not guarantees for every user.

Does changing DNS to 8.8.8.8 do anything?

Speed improvements

Yes — replacing your ISP’s DNS can cut lookup times by 10–50% depending on your ISP’s infrastructure. Google Public DNS documentation confirms this in their own benchmarks.

Bypassing ISP restrictions

• Some ISPs block certain domains via DNS
• Changing to a public resolver can bypass those blocks
• Does not change your IP address

Potential drawbacks

• No VPN‑like anonymity
• Does not affect content filtering
• Some corporate Wi‑Fi may block public DNS

What this means: 8.8.8.8 can speed up name resolution and bypass ISP-level blocks, but it won’t hide your IP or encrypt your browsing data.

Summary

For Android and Samsung users, the choice between Google DNS (8.8.8.8) and Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) comes down to a single trade‑off: Google offers operational maturity; Cloudflare offers stronger privacy guarantees. If you’re in Europe or Asia, Cloudflare’s edge nodes may deliver faster responses. For everyone else, 8.8.8.8 remains a safe, well‑documented default.

“Google Public DNS is the most widely used public DNS service on the internet, with over 1 trillion queries per day.”

— Google Public DNS

“Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 resolver is designed to be the fastest and most private DNS service.”

— Cloudflare Docs

Frequently asked questions

För den som vill ha en mer detaljerad genomgång av hur man kan ändra DNS-inställningar på Android finns en separat guide som täcker både Windows och Android.