How to change Private DNS on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Network and Internet › Private DNS

Real screenshots

6 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

4 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Network and Internet

   Open Settings and tap Network and Internet: Mobile, Wi-Fi, hotspot.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Private DNS

   Private DNS is below VPN, above Adaptive connectivity. Ours said Automatic under it. Tap it.

   Done

3. 

   Pick a mode

   A box opens, Select Private DNS Mode, with three choices: Off, Automatic and Private DNS provider hostname. Automatic was selected on ours, and the Hostname field below was greyed out. To stay on Off or Automatic, pick it and tap Save; Cancel keeps the old setting.

   Done

4. 

   Type a hostname and tap Save

   Pick Private DNS provider hostname. The Hostname field becomes usable: type the provider's hostname, here dns.google, which Google's Public DNS page gives for Google's own service. It must be a hostname, not an address. Tap Save.

   Done

5. 

   Check the Private DNS row

   Back on Network and Internet, the Private DNS row now shows the hostname: dns.google on ours. With it set, our phone stayed on Wi-Fi and still resolved websites.

   Done

6. 

   Go back to Automatic

   To undo it, tap Private DNS again, pick Automatic and tap Save. The row said Automatic again on ours.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• What does each choice do? Google's Android Developers blog (2018) says Automatic upgrades to encrypted DNS over TLS when the network's DNS server supports it, a hostname sends all DNS queries over a secure channel to that server, and users who don't want it can turn it off. Source: DNS over TLS support in Android P Developer Preview
• Called Network & internet? Google's help writes Network & internet. On our Pixel 10a with Android 17 the page was titled Network and Internet. Source: Control aeroplane mode, private DNS and other network settings
• Can't find Private DNS? Google says to search Settings for Private DNS, and if you still can't find it, to ask your device manufacturer for help. Source: Manage advanced network settings on your Android phone
• Older Android? Google's Public DNS page says Private DNS needs Android 9 or higher; older versions can't set it for all networks. Source: Get started (Android)

If this does not work

• No internet after typing a hostname? Google's Android Developers blog says that with a hostname set, the phone marks the network as No internet access if it can't reach that server. Check the spelling, or go back to Automatic. Source: DNS over TLS support in Android P Developer Preview
• Not sure which to pick? Google says your phone uses Private DNS by default on every network that can use it, and recommends keeping it on. Automatic was already selected on ours. Source: Control aeroplane mode, private DNS and other network settings · Source: Manage advanced network settings on your Android phone
• Still can't connect? See Pixel Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting or Pixel mobile data not working. As a last step, reset network settings.

About this guide

Private DNS sends your phone's DNS lookups over a secure channel. Google says it helps secure only DNS questions and answers and can't protect anything else.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode. Private DNS was on Automatic. We set it to dns.google, checked that the phone still resolved websites, and set it back to Automatic.

Good to know

Under the Hostname field on ours is a Learn more link about Private DNS features. The cross at the end of the field clears what you typed.

Data Saver is on the same page and said Off on ours: how to use Data Saver.

In short: Settings, Network and Internet, Private DNS. Pick Off, Automatic or Private DNS provider hostname (type the hostname), then Save.