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Configure your network settings to use Google Public DNS

When you use Google Public DNS, you are changing your DNS "switchboard" operator from your ISP to Google Public DNS.

In most cases, the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically configures your system to use the IP addresses of your ISP's domain name servers. To use Google Public DNS, you need to explicitly change the DNS settings in your operating system or device to use the Google Public DNS IP addresses. The procedure for changing your DNS settings varies according to operating system and version (Windows, Mac, Linux, or ChromeOS) or the device (computer, phone, or router). We give general procedures here that might not apply for your OS or device; consult your vendor documentation for authoritative information.

Depending on your system you may also have the option of enabling a new privacy-oriented feature called DNS-over-TLS. This feature provides privacy and security for the DNS messages sent between your device and Google's DNS servers. Details on configuring this optional feature are in specific sections for each system.

Important: Before you start

Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS, be sure to write down the current server addresses or settings on a piece of paper. It is very important that you keep these numbers for backup purposes, in case you need to revert to them at any time.

We also recommend that you print this page, in the event that you encounter a problem and need to refer to these instructions.

Google Public DNS IP addresses

The Google Public DNS IP addresses (IPv4) are as follows:

8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4

The Google Public DNS IPv6 addresses are as follows:

2001:4860:4860::8888
2001:4860:4860::8844

Some devices require explicit values for all eight fields of IPv6 addresses and cannot accept the abbreviated :: IPv6 address syntax. For such devices enter:

2001:4860:4860:0:0:0:0:8888
2001:4860:4860:0:0:0:0:8844

Expand the 0 entries to 0000 if four hexadecimal digits are required.

You can use either address as your primary or secondary DNS server.

You can configure Google Public DNS addresses for either IPv4 or IPv6 connections, or both. For IPv6-only networks with a NAT64 gateway using the 64:ff9b::/96 prefix, you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of Google Public DNS IPv6 addresses, providing connectivity to IPv4-only services without any other configuration.

Change your DNS servers settings

Because the instructions differ between different versions/releases of each operating system, we only give one version as an example. If you need specific instructions for your operating system/version, please consult your vendor's documentation. You may also find answers on our user group page.

Many systems let you to specify multiple DNS servers, to be contacted in priority order. In the following instructions, we provide steps to specify only the Google Public DNS servers as the primary and secondary servers, to ensure that your setup correctly uses Google Public DNS in all cases.

Windows

DNS settings are specified in the TCP/IP Properties window for the selected network connection.

Example: Changing DNS server settings on Windows 10

1. Go to the Control Panel.
2. Click Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.

3. Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS. For example:

   • To change the settings for an Ethernet connection, right-click the Ethernet interface and select Properties.
   • To change the settings for a wireless connection, right-click the Wi-Fi interface and select Properties.

   If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

4. Select the Networking tab. Under This connection uses the following items, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and then click Properties.

5. Click Advanced and select the DNS tab. If there are any DNS server IP addresses listed there, write them down for future reference, and remove them from this window.

6. Click OK.

7. Select Use the following DNS server addresses. If there are any IP addresses listed in the Preferred DNS server or Alternate DNS server, write them down for future reference.

8. Replace those addresses with the IP addresses of the Google DNS servers:

   • For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4.
   • For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844.
   • For IPv6-only: you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of the IPv6 addresses in the previous point.

9. Test that your setup is working correctly; see Test your new settings.

10. Repeat the procedure for additional network connections you want to change.

macOS

DNS settings are specified in the Network window.

Example: Changing DNS server settings on macOS 10.15

1. Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Network.
2. If the lock icon in the lower left-hand corner of the window is locked, click the icon to make changes, and when prompted to authenticate, enter your password.
3. Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS. For example:
   • To change the settings for a Wi-Fi connection, select Wi-Fi, and click Advanced.
   • To change the settings for an Ethernet connection, select Built-In Ethernet, and click Advanced.
4. Select the DNS tab.
5. Click + to replace any listed addresses with, or add, the Google IP addresses at the top of the list:
   • For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4.
   • For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844.
   • For IPv6-only: you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of the IPv6 addresses in the previous point.
6. Click OK > Apply.
7. Test that your setup is working correctly; see Test your new settings.
8. Repeat the procedure for additional network connections you want to change.

Linux

In most modern Linux distributions, DNS settings are configured through Network Manager.

Example: Changing DNS server settings on Ubuntu

1. Click System > Preferences > Network Connections.
2. Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS. For example:
   • To change the settings for an Ethernet connection, select the Wired tab, then select your network interface in the list. It is usually called eth0.
   • To change the settings for a wireless connection, select the Wireless tab, then select the appropriate wireless network.
3. Click Edit, and in the window that appears, select the IPv4 Settings or IPv6 Settings tab.
4. If the selected method is Automatic (DHCP), open the dropdown and select Automatic (DHCP) addresses only instead. If the method is set to something else, do not change it.
5. In the DNS servers field, enter the Google Public DNS IP addresses, separated by a comma:
   • For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4.
   • For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844.
   • For IPv6-only: you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of the IPv6 addresses in the previous point.
6. Click Apply to save the change. If you are prompted for a password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
7. Test that your setup is working correctly; see Test your new settings.
8. Repeat the procedure for additional network connections you want to change.

If your distribution doesn't use Network Manager, your DNS settings are specified in /etc/resolv.conf.

Example: Changing DNS server settings on a Debian server

1. Edit /etc/resolv.conf:

   sudo vi /etc/resolv.conf
   

2. If any nameserver lines appear, write down the IP addresses for future reference.

3. Replace the nameserver lines with, or add, the following lines:

   For IPv4:

   nameserver 8.8.8.8
   nameserver 8.8.4.4
   

   For IPv6:

   nameserver 2001:4860:4860::8888
   nameserver 2001:4860:4860::8844
   

   For IPv6-only, you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of the above IPv6 addresses.

4. Save and exit.

5. Restart any Internet clients you are using.

6. Test that your setup is working correctly; see Test your new settings.

Additionally, if you are using DHCP client software that overwrites the settings in /etc/resolv.conf, you need to configure the DHCP client by editing the client's configuration file.

Example: Configuring DHCP client software on a Debian server

1. Back up /etc/resolv.conf:

   sudo cp /etc/resolv.conf /etc/resolv.conf.auto
   

2. Edit /etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf (or /etc/dhcp3/dhclient.conf):

   sudo vi /etc/dhcp*/dhclient.conf
   

3. If there is a line following request with only domain-name-servers, remove that line.

4. If there is a line containing domain-name-servers with IP addresses, write down the IP addresses for future reference.

5. Replace that line with, or add, the following line:

   For IPv4:

   prepend domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4;
   

   For IPv6:

   prepend domain-name-servers 2001:4860:4860::8888, 2001:4860:4860::8844;
   

   For IPv6-only, you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of the above IPv6 addresses.

6. Save and exit.

7. Restart any Internet clients you are using.

8. Test that your setup is working correctly; see Test your new settings.

ChromeOS

DNS settings are specified in the Network section of the Settings menu for the selected network connection.

Example: Changing DNS server settings on ChromeOS 71

1. Open the Settings menu.
2. In the Network section, select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS. For example:
   • To change the settings for an Ethernet connection, click on the Ethernet section.
   • To change the settings for a wireless connection, click on the Wi-Fi section and select the appropriate network name.
   • Changing the DNS settings for a mobile data connection established with Instant Tethering isn't possible. For mobile Wi-Fi hotspots that are manually set up, however, you can change the DNS settings using the instructions for a wireless connection.
3. Expand the Network section for the selected connection.
4. In the Name servers section:
   • For IPv4: Select the Google name servers button (or alternatively, select the Custom name servers button and enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
   • For IPv6: Select the Custom name servers button and enter 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844.
   • For IPv6-only: you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of the IPv6 addresses in the previous point.
5. Click outside the Network section to apply the settings.
6. Test that your setup is working correctly; see Test your new settings.
7. Repeat the procedure for additional network connections you want to change.

Routers

Every router uses a different user interface for configuring DNS server settings; we provide only the generic procedure. For more information, please consult your router documentation.

To change your settings on a router:

1. In your browser, enter the IP address of your router to view the router's administration console. Most routers are manufactured to use a default address such as 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, 192.168.2.1, or 192.168.1.100. If none of these work, try to find the default gateway address in the network settings panel of your system.
2. When prompted, enter the password to edit network settings.
3. Find the screen in which DNS server settings are specified.
4. If there are IP addresses specified in the fields for the primary and seconday DNS servers, write them down for future reference.
5. Replace those addresses with the Google IP addresses:
   • For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4.
   • For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844.
   • For IPv6-only: you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of the IPv6 addresses in the previous point.
6. Save and exit.
7. Restart your browser.
8. Test that your setup is working correctly; see Test your new settings.

Some routers require explicit values for all eight fields of IPv6 addresses and cannot accept the abbreviated :: IPv6 address syntax. For such routers enter:

2001:4860:4860:0:0:0:0:8888
2001:4860:4860:0:0:0:0:8844

Expand the 0 entries to 0000 if four hexadecimal digits are required.

iOS

You can change DNS settings on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the following steps.

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the ⓘ icon next to the Wi-Fi network that you want to change DNS servers for. Scroll down to find the DNS section and tap Configure DNS.
3. Tap Manual and add Google IP addresses. Optionally you can also remove all default DNS servers in the list.
   • For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4
   • For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844

Switching back to Automatic will restore the DNS server specified by the Wi-Fi network.

Android

Android 9 (Pie) or higher

Android 9 supports "Private DNS" which uses DNS-over-TLS to provide security and privacy for your DNS queries. You can configure it with the following steps.

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced > Private DNS.
2. Select Private DNS provider hostname.
3. Enter dns.google as the hostname of the DNS provider.
4. Click Save.

For more information see the Android blog post announcing the feature. Please note that in Android P, the default mode for Private DNS is "Automatic" which means it uses the network specified DNS server and it attempts a TLS connection to port 853 before falling back to UDP on port 53.

Older Android versions

Devices running versions older than Android 9 do not support DNS-over-TLS and cannot configure private DNS for all networks. You can configure DNS for each individual Wi-Fi network you use. This requires configuring all network information manually and is only recommended for advanced users.

Mobile or other devices

DNS servers are typically specified under advanced Wi-Fi settings. However, as every mobile device uses a different user interface for configuring DNS server settings, we provide only the generic procedure. For more information, please consult your mobile provider's documentation.

To change your settings on a mobile device:

1. Go to the screen in which Wi-Fi settings are specified.
2. Find the screen in which DNS server settings are specified.
3. If there are IP addresses specified in the fields for the primary and secondary DNS servers, write them down for future reference.
4. Replace those addresses with the Google IP addresses:
   • For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4.
   • For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844.
   • For IPv6-only: you can use Google Public DNS64 instead of the IPv6 addresses in the previous point.
5. Save and exit.
6. Test that your setup is working correctly; see Test your new settings.

Test your new settings

To test that the Google DNS resolver is working:

1. From your browser, enter a hostname URL (such as http://www.google.com/). If it resolves correctly, quit the browser, load the page again and refresh it for several times to make sure the result is not from a cached web page.

   • If you are using Google Public DNS64 on an IPv6-only system, repeat the above test with an IPv4-only hostname URL (such as http://ipv4.google.com/).

   If all of these tests work, everything is working correctly. If not, go to the next step.

2. From your browser, type in a fixed IP address. You can use http://216.218.228.119/ (which points to the test-ipv6.com website) as the URL.¹

   • If you are using Google Public DNS64 on an IPv6-only system, use http://[64:ff9b::d8da:e477]/ as the URL instead. If this test does not work, you do not have access to a NAT64 gateway at the reserved prefix 64:ff9b::/96 and cannot use Google Public DNS64.

   • If you are using an IPv6-only system without Google Public DNS64, use http://[2001:470:1:18::119]/ as the URL instead.

   If this works correctly, reload the page with a new opened browser to make sure the page is loaded from scratch. If these tests work (but step 1 fails), then there is a problem with your DNS configuration; check the steps above to make sure you have configured everything correctly. If these tests do not work, go to the next step.

3. Roll back the DNS changes you made and run the tests again. If the tests still do not work, then there is a problem with your network settings; contact your ISP or network administrator for assistance.

If you encounter any problems after setting Google Public DNS as your resolver, please run the diagnostic procedure.

¹ Google thanks Jason Fesler for granting permission to use test-ipv6.com URLs for browser DNS testing purposes.

Switch back to your old DNS settings

If you had not previously configured any customized DNS servers, to switch back to your old settings, in the window in which you specified the Google IP addresses, select the option to enable obtaining DNS server addresses automatically, and/or delete the Google IP addresses. This reverts your settings to using your ISP's default servers.

If you need to manually specify any addresses, use the procedures above to specify the old IP addresses.

Restart your system if necessary.