Are you thinking about how to change DNS? If yes, you are reading the right blog. This guide can help you step by step in changing DNS settings. Not just this, you will also learn about what DNS is and why people change it. Also, you will know how it can make your internet faster and safer.

For your clarity, we will explain how to change DNS on different devices. It includes mobile phones, computers, and routers. Moreover, this blog will tell how DNS helps block unsafe websites and the reasons for parents to use it for child safety. By the end, you will better understand when DNS is enough.

What is DNS, and why would you change it?

In simple words, DNS is known as the Domain Name System. It is like a contact list or phone book of the internet. If you type a website name, your devices don’t understand it. The only language computers understand is numbers, not names. Here, you need DNS. It helps to take the website name you type. It finds the number address and opens the correct website for you. Hence, without a DNS, you can’t open any website.

Common reasons people change DNS:

Faster browsing

The first reason to change DNS is faster browsing. Some DNS servers are very slow. With a slow server, websites take more time to start loading. Even if the speed of the internet is good, a slow DNS server makes it less effective. That’s why people change DNS.

Fix DNS errors

The next reason is that changing the DNS can fix errors. Sometimes, you may see errors like “DNS server not responding” or websites not opening at all. It usually happens when there’s a problem in your DNS. Once you change it, you can fix these errors quickly.

Block unsafe websites

The third reason for changing DNS is that it blocks unsafe websites. It includes phishing pages and sites that spread malware. Once these sites are blocked, they stop opening automatically. It adds an extra layer of safety for you.

Parental control & child safety

One of the important reasons for changing DNS is parental control and child safety. Many parents protect their kids by just changing DNS settings. That’s why it’s important for them to know how to change DNS. It is basically a first step for keeping kids safer on the internet.

How to change DNS on different devices?

How to change DNS on iPhone / iPad for child safety?

Wi-Fi DNS settings explained

You need to follow these steps on your child’s iPhone or iPad:

• Step 1. Open Settings.
• Step 2. Tap Wi-Fi.

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• Step 3. Find the connected Wi-Fi network.
• Step 4. Tap the (i) icon next to it.

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• Step 5. Tap Configure DNS.

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• Step 6. Select Manual.
• Step 7. Tap Add Server.

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• Step 8. Enter a family-safe DNS address.
• Step 9. Remove old DNS numbers (if shown).
• Step 10. Tap Save.

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That’s it. The DNS change is now active on this Wi-Fi network.

Manual DNS vs Automatic

• Automatic DNS means your iPhone uses the DNS given by your internet provider.
• Manual DNS means you choose the DNS yourself.

If you are looking for your child’s safety, Manual DNS is the better choice.

Using family-safe DNS on iOS

If you are using a family-safe DNS, it can help block adult websites and violent content. Also, it restricts unsafe or fake pages. Just know that popular family-safe DNS servers work well on iPhone and iPad. Once you set this up, it starts filtering without even installing any app.

How to change DNS on Android devices?

Changing DNS on Wi-Fi networks

Follow these steps on your child’s Android device:

• Step 1. Open Settings.
• Step 2. Tap Network & Internet or Connections.
• Step 3. Tap Wi-Fi.
• Step 4. Tap and hold the connected Wi-Fi network.
• Step 5. Tap Modify network.
• Step 6. Tap Advanced options.
• Step 7. Change IP settings to Static.
• Step 8. Scroll to DNS 1 and DNS 2.
• Step 9. Enter the family-safe DNS addresses.
• Step 10. Tap Save.

The DNS is now changed for this Wi-Fi network.

Private DNS for parental control

If you are an Android user, you should know that there’s an option for private DNS for you. Android offers this feature for its customers. The benefit for parents is that they can apply a safer DNS even if the Wi-Fi changes.

Android version considerations

When you are changing the DNS settings on Android, you may see a slight difference on your devices. It basically depends on the phone brand and Android version. Some previous Android devices may not support Private DNS. In that case, changing DNS through Wi-Fi settings still works well.

How to change DNS on Windows (Windows 10 & 11)?

Network settings method

Follow these steps on your Windows computer:

• Step 1. Click the Start button.
• Step 2. Open Settings, click Network & Internet.

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• Step 3. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet (whichever you use).
• Step 4. Click Hardware properties or Change adapter options.

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• Step 5. Find the DNS server assignment.
• Step 6. Click Edit.
• Step 7. Choose Manual and turn on IPv4.

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• Step 8. Enter the preferred and alternate DNS addresses and click Save.

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The DNS change is now active on your Windows device.

IPv4 vs IPv6 DNS

First, let’s know the meaning of both terms. IPv4 is the most commonly used Internet protocol and works on almost all networks. IPv6 is newer and not supported everywhere yet. Many parents think setting IPv4 DNS is enough. You can leave IPv6 unchanged unless your DNS provider clearly supports it.

Testing DNS after changing

After changing the DNS, it is important to check if it worked. To have a good check, you can open a few websites and see if they load easily. Also, you can visit a website that should be blocked by DNS. If websites load faster and unsafe sites do not open, your DNS is working correctly.

General router DNS setup steps

– First, you need to make sure the device is connected to the home Wi-Fi.

– Then, there’s a need to open a web browser.

– After that, you need to enter the router IP address.

– After entering, simply log in.

– Then, look for the Internet, Network, or WAN settings.

– After doing so, you have to locate the DNS settings section.

– Here, you can change the DNS from Automatic to Manual.

– To do so, just enter the family-safe DNS addresses.

– In the ninth step, just save the settings.

– At last, restart the router.

And after a restart, you can see the new DNS becomes active.

Limitations: DNS doesn’t control apps or screen time

No doubt that DNS is useful. But it has some limits. The limit is that DNS can block websites, not apps. This means kids can use social media apps, games, or video apps. Another limitation is that DNS cannot control how long a child uses a device.

Best DNS servers for parental control

In this section, you are going to read the best DNS servers for parental control. These servers help block adult and harmful websites.

OpenDNS Family Shield

What it does:

 The server OpenDNS Family Shield automatically blocks these things:

• Adult content
• Unsafe websites

Why many parents like it:

• Easy to set up
• Works on all devices connected to your network
• Free to use

It is one of the oldest and most trusted DNS services. Once you set this up, it starts filtering without extra steps.

CleanBrowsing Family Filter

What it does:

The server CleanBrowsing Family Filter blocks these things:

• Adult content
• And the second is gambling & unsafe content

Why it’s good:

The best part of this server is that it is strong at stopping kids from finding ways around the filter. This server doesn’t let them bypass it. It’s useful if you want tighter safety than basic filters.

Cloudflare Family DNS

What it does:

The third is Cloudflare Family DNS. It basically blocks:

• Adult sites
• And malware and unsafe webpages

Why it’s good:

The good thing about this server is that it is very fast. Because of that, websites open quickly. It also respects privacy and does not track your history.

Comparison: filtering level, ease of use, privacy

Which DNS is best for kids of different ages?

You can choose the right DNS very easily. Before buying, you just need to know your family’s needs. If you require the best basic protection, you can go for OpenDNS Family Shield. But if your focus is on the best blocking for kids who try to bypass filters, you should pick CleanBrowsing Family Filter.

What DNS can and cannot block for kids?

Websites vs apps

To let you know that DNS works only for websites. It doesn’t work for apps. Suppose parents block the site example.com. It will not open in a browser. However, apps like TikTok can load their content from multiple servers. This tells you if you know how to change DNS, it still cannot filter what shows inside the app.

HTTPS and encrypted content limitations

Nowadays, websites use HTTPS, which encrypts data. Just know that DNS can only see the website name. However, it cannot read the content inside. The example is, a website blocked by name will not open. Also, a page inside an allowed HTTPS site cannot be filtered.

Why can kids bypass DNS using VPNs or mobile data?

DNS filters are only effective when devices use the filtered DNS. So, if your kids use VPNs, all the traffic goes through another server. And this ignores DNS. Apart from that, in case they use mobile data, they bypass your home Wi-Fi DNS. In short, both allow kids to access websites that DNS usually blocks.

Overview: Some risks children may face online

There are some risks kids can face online, and you should know them. Here’s the list:

• Very high chances that your kids will see mature content.
• Many strangers can reach your kids, which is dangerous.
• Children may experience cyberbullying or harassment.
• It can happen that your kid may install malware accidentally

To support this, there’s a search was conducted. A survey of kids aged 10-17 found that almost 3 in 4 kids have seen content associated with harm. It includes violent or dangerous challenge videos.

How does DNS work together with FlashGet Kids?

As you read in the previous sections, knowing how to change DNS is the best way to make internet browsing safer for kids. However, it also has some limitations. DNS only blocks websites, not apps. It cannot do anything about screen time or VPN bypass. That’s where FlashGet Kids comes in. When they are both combined, they offer strong protection for your kids.

Using DNS for basic web filtering

When you use DNS for basic web filtering, it blocks harmful or adult websites. It stops opening them automatically. Once you set up a safe DNS, all devices on the home network can benefit if set on the router. Basically, this gives parents a simple web filter without installing software.

Using FlashGet Kids

When you use FlashGet Kids, you can get advanced control over devices and apps. It makes it the best choice for modern families. Let’s see what it does:

1. App blocking

Parents can block apps like Instagram or games that DNS cannot filter. Only those apps that are allowed by you can be run on your kids’ devices.

2. Screen time limits

This tool lets you set limits on the screen time. For example, your kids cannot open the app during homework or bedtime hours.

3. Real-time alerts

If you use FlashGet Kids, you can get real-time alerts. In case your child tries to open the blocked content, you will get a notification.

4. Preventing DNS bypass

While using DNS, your kid can bypass it using VPNs. But this tool can detect and block VPNs. This ensures DNS filtering is effective.

How do they work together?

You may now get it that DNS is a basic and automatic web filtering. FlashGet Kids is an advanced control tool over apps and screen time. And together, they give parents strong protection. It covers both websites and device behaviour.

Conclusion

To conclude, as a first layer of online safety, you can use DNS. It blocks unsafe and adult websites. Also, DNS reduces the risk of kids visiting harmful pages. But there’s one thing you need to know. DNS has some limits. It cannot control apps or manage screen time.

That’s why parents need to use advanced tools here. The best one we can suggest is FlashGet Kids. This tool is for app blocking and screen time limits. When you use family-safe DNS for web filtering and combine it with a parental control app, it gives extra protection to your kids digitally.