How to Change Your DNS Server to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8

Last updated: June 7, 2026

Your DNS server translates domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses that your computer can connect to. By default, your ISP provides the DNS server — but ISP DNS can be slow, unreliable, or even censor certain websites. Switching to a public DNS like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) can fix connectivity issues and speed up your browsing.

Which Public DNS Should You Use?

Provider	Primary	Secondary	Best For
Cloudflare	`1.1.1.1`	`1.0.0.1`	Fastest, privacy-focused
Google	`8.8.8.8`	`8.8.4.4`	Reliable, widely supported
Quad9	`9.9.9.9`	`149.112.112.112`	Security-focused, blocks malware
OpenDNS	`208.67.222.222`	`208.67.220.220`	Parental controls, filtering

Our recommendation: Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) for most users — it's the fastest public DNS and doesn't log your queries.

Windows 10 / Windows 11

Via Settings (easiest)

Open Network settings

Press Windows + I to open Settings. Go to Network & Internet → Ethernet (or Wi-Fi if wireless).

Edit DNS assignment

Scroll down and click "Edit" next to DNS server assignment. Change from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual".

Enter DNS addresses

Toggle on IPv4. Enter:

Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1

Click "Save".

Via Command Line (quick)

Open PowerShell as Administrator

Right-click the Start button → "Terminal (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".

Set DNS servers

For Ethernet:

netsh interface ipv4 set dns "Ethernet" static 1.1.1.1

netsh interface ipv4 add dns "Ethernet" 1.0.0.1 index=2

For Wi-Fi, replace "Ethernet" with "Wi-Fi".

Flush DNS cache

ipconfig /flushdns

To revert to automatic DNS: netsh interface ipv4 set dns "Ethernet" dhcp

macOS

Open System Settings

Click the Apple menu → System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).

Go to Network → Your connection → DNS

Click Network in the sidebar → select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) → click "Details..." → click the "DNS" tab.

Add DNS servers

Click the "+" button and add:

1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1

If there are existing entries (from your ISP), you can remove them or leave them as fallbacks. Click "OK" then "Apply".

iPhone / iPad

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi

Tap the (i) icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network.

Configure DNS

Scroll down to "DNS" and tap "Configure DNS". Select "Manual". Remove existing servers and add:

1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1

Tap "Save".

Note: This only applies to the current Wi-Fi network. You'll need to repeat this for each Wi-Fi network, and it doesn't apply to mobile data. For system-wide DNS on iOS, consider the 1.1.1.1 app from the App Store.

Android

Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS

On Android 9+, you can set a system-wide DNS. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS (or search for "Private DNS" in Settings).

Select "Private DNS provider hostname"

Enter: one.one.one.one (for Cloudflare) or dns.google (for Google). Tap "Save".

This works across both Wi-Fi and mobile data.

Linux

Edit resolv.conf (temporary)

sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

Add or replace with:

nameserver 1.1.1.1
nameserver 1.0.0.1

For permanent change (systemd-resolved)

sudo nano /etc/systemd/resolved.conf

Add under [Resolve]:

DNS=1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1

Then restart: sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved

On Your Router (applies to all devices)

The most effective way — change DNS on your router and every device on your network benefits automatically.

Log into your router

Open a browser and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (check your router's manual or sticker for the exact address). Log in with your router's admin credentials.

Find DNS settings

Look for DNS, Internet, or WAN settings. The exact location varies by router brand. Common paths:

Advanced → DNS
Internet → DNS Server
Network → WAN → DNS

Enter DNS servers and save

Primary: 1.1.1.1
Secondary: 1.0.0.1

Save and reboot the router. All devices will use the new DNS automatically.

Verify Your DNS Change

After changing your DNS, verify it's working:

Check which DNS you're using

In Command Prompt or Terminal, run:

nslookup google.com

The "Server" line should show 1.1.1.1 (or whichever DNS you configured). If it still shows your ISP's DNS, try flushing your DNS cache: How to flush DNS cache.

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