September 17, 2026

Set a Private DNS hostname, and know how to undo it

Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS. A typo here takes the internet away until you switch back to Automatic.

• Wi-Fi & Home tech
• Moderate · 2 min
• Pixel phones on Android 15 and 16
• Samsung path noted in the steps
• Fix: set Private DNS on Android
• Cheat sheet

How to do it

1. 01

   Open Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS. On a Samsung phone: Settings > Connections > More connection settings > Private DNS.

2. 02

   Choose Private DNS provider hostname.

3. 03

   Enter dns.google and save.

4. 04

   If web pages fail to load, come straight back and choose Automatic. Do not try a second hostname until the first one is working.

dns.google is Google's public resolver. It is a real hostname. It does not block ads by itself, and it does not hide which sites you visit from the resolver you just chose.