What is Google DNS? How it Works, Benefits & Setup Guide

Have you ever wondered how your computer translates website names like "google.com" into the numerical IP addresses it needs to connect? That's where DNS (Domain Name System) comes in. Google Public DNS is a free, global Domain Name System (DNS) service offered by Google, designed to make your internet browsing faster and more secure.

Before diving into Google Public DNS, let's understand the basics of DNS. When you type a website address into your browser, your computer needs to find the corresponding IP address. This is like looking up a phone number in a directory.

Your computer sends a DNS query to a DNS server, which looks up the IP address and sends it back. This process happens every time you visit a website. Google Public DNS acts as a faster and more reliable "directory" for these lookups.

Google Public DNS is a free, global Domain Name System (DNS) service provided by Google. It acts as a recursive DNS resolver, which means it receives DNS queries from users and performs the necessary lookups to find the corresponding IP addresses. Google designed this service to be faster, more secure, and more reliable than many default DNS servers provided by internet service providers (ISPs). By using Google Public DNS, users can potentially experience improved browsing speeds and enhanced security against certain types of online threats.

• Faster Browsing Speed: Google's servers are optimized for speed, reducing the time it takes to resolve domain names.
• Improved Reliability: Google's infrastructure is robust, ensuring high uptime and availability.
• Enhanced Security: Google Public DNS offers protection against certain types of security threats, such as DNS spoofing.
• Reduced Latency: Faster DNS resolution can lead to lower latency and a more responsive browsing experience.

Making the switch to Google Public DNS is a straightforward process, and it can be done on various devices, including routers, computers, and smartphones. Here's a general guide:

Set up Google DNS on Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on your active network connection.
3. Click "Properties."
4. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties."
5. Select "Use the following DNS server addresses."
6. Enter the following DNS server addresses:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
7. If you have IPv6 enabled, also select "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" and click "Properties."
8. Select "Use the following DNS server addresses."
9. Enter the following DNS server addresses:
   • Preferred DNS server: 2001:4860:4860::8888
   • Alternate DNS server: 2001:4860:4860::8844
10. Click "OK" to save your changes.

Set up Google DNS on macOS:

1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
2. Select your active network connection.
3. Click "Advanced."
4. Go to the "DNS" tab.
5. Click the "+" button to add new DNS server addresses.
6. Enter the following DNS server addresses:
   • 8.8.8.8
   • 8.8.4.4
   • 2001:4860:4860::8888
   • 2001:4860:4860::8844
7. Click "OK" and then "Apply."

Set up Google DNS on Android:

1. Open your device's Settings.
2. Tap on "Network & internet" or "Connections," depending on your device.
3. Select "Wi-Fi."
4. Tap and hold the network you're connected to, then select "Modify network" or "Manage network settings."
5. Check "Show advanced options."
6. Change "IP settings" to "Static."
7. Scroll down to "DNS 1," "DNS 2," "DNS 3" and "DNS 4".
8. Enter 8.8.8.8 for DNS 1, 8.8.4.4 for DNS 2, 2001:4860:4860::8888 for DNS 3 and 2001:4860:4860::8844 for DNS 4.
9. Save your changes.

Set up Google DNS on iPhone:

1. Open your device's Settings.
2. Tap on "Wi-Fi."
3. Tap the "i" icon next to the Wi-Fi network you're connected to.
4. Scroll down to "Configure DNS" and tap it.
5. Select "Manual."
6. Tap "Add Server" and enter 8.8.8.8, add another server and enter 8.8.4.4, add another server and enter 2001:4860:4860::8888, and add another server and enter 2001:4860:4860::8844.
7. Tap "Save."

Below is a list of Google Public DNS servers for IPv4 and IPv6, offering fast and reliable resolution of domain names:

Google Public DNS for IPv4:

Google Public DNS for IPv6:

Google Public DNS is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their internet browsing experience. By switching to Google's DNS servers, you can enjoy faster speeds, better reliability, and enhanced security. Give it a try and see the difference for yourself!