Android 8 Private DNS: Does It Exist? How to Change DNS on Oreo

If you search for Android 8 Private DNS, the most important answer comes first: Android 8 Oreo does not have the system-wide Private DNS mode that Android 9 introduced. Android 9 added built-in DNS-over-TLS and a user-facing Private DNS setting. On Android 8, DNS changes are normally made per Wi-Fi network or through a DNS changer app.

Why Android 8 has no Private DNS menu

Google added built-in DNS-over-TLS support in Android 9 Pie. The Android Developers announcement describes the new Private DNS mode in Network & internet settings and explains that Android can automatically upgrade DNS to TLS when supported.

Google Public DNS documentation separately states that devices older than Android 9 cannot configure system-wide Private DNS for all networks. This is why an Android 8 phone may have no “Private DNS” entry even when a newer tutorial tells you to open it.

Android version comparison

How to change DNS on Android 8 Wi-Fi

Menu names differ by manufacturer, but the usual Android 8 method is to edit the connected Wi-Fi network and expose its advanced IP settings.

1. Open Settings and go to Wi-Fi.
2. Open or long-press the connected network and choose the option to modify it.
3. Show Advanced options.
4. Change IP settings from DHCP to Static only if the interface requires it to expose DNS fields.
5. Preserve the correct IP address, gateway and network prefix values.
6. Enter your preferred DNS 1 and DNS 2 addresses.
7. Save and reconnect.

Google DNS values for Android 8

For a traditional IPv4 DNS field, Google Public DNS uses:

• DNS 1: 8.8.8.8
• DNS 2: 8.8.4.4

Do not look for dns.google in an Android 8 Private DNS menu because that system-wide menu is an Android 9+ feature. Our Google Public DNS reference explains when to use the IP addresses and when to use the hostname.

Does Wi-Fi DNS on Android 8 also change mobile-data DNS?

No. A Wi-Fi network’s manual DNS configuration applies to that Wi-Fi profile. It does not create Android 9-style system-wide Private DNS across both Wi-Fi and cellular data. If you need resolver control beyond a single Wi-Fi network, a DNS changer app can be more practical on older Android versions.

Using a DNS changer app on Android 8

DNS changer applications can provide DNS control without manually editing every Wi-Fi profile. Implementation differs by application; many use Android’s local VPN API to route DNS traffic without requiring root access.

SSM Apps provides DNS Changer & Net Speed Test and DNS Changer Pro & Speed Test. Review the app’s current Play Store requirements and Android compatibility before installing it on an older device.

Can I install Android 9 Private DNS on Android 8?

You cannot add the native Android 9 Private DNS settings screen merely by entering a special hostname. The feature belongs to the operating system networking stack. A compatible app can provide an alternative DNS method, but that is not the same as upgrading Android 8’s system resolver to Android 9.

What if the phone manufacturer added its own DNS option?

Some manufacturers add networking controls that differ from stock Android. If your Android 8 device has a vendor-specific DNS setting, follow the manufacturer’s documentation. The version rule above describes Android’s standard platform feature: Android 9 is where built-in Private DNS/DNS-over-TLS support was introduced.

Android 8 DNS troubleshooting checklist

• Confirm the Wi-Fi profile still has the correct IP, gateway and prefix values.
• Try both primary and secondary DNS addresses.
• Reconnect to Wi-Fi after saving.
• Test several websites, not only one domain.
• Return to DHCP if the static profile breaks local connectivity.
• Check whether a VPN or security app is overriding DNS.

Official references

• Google Public DNS configuration documentation
• Android Help: Private DNS and advanced network settings
• Android 9 Pie: built-in DNS-over-TLS support

Featured image: Android Oreo logo by Google, via Wikimedia Commons. The logo image is marked public domain on Commons.