What is the best DNS server for iPhone?

For most people, Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) is the fastest and most privacy-focused general choice. Quad9 (9.9.9.9) adds malware blocking. AdGuard DNS blocks ads network-wide. The genuinely fastest one depends on your location, so test a few from your own network.

Does changing DNS make my iPhone faster?

It can make name lookups faster, which makes websites feel snappier on first visit, but it does not change your bandwidth. If your current DNS is your ISP's and it's slow or far away, switching to Cloudflare or Google often shaves real milliseconds off every new connection.

Is it safe to change DNS on iPhone?

Yes. Changing DNS just changes which server translates domain names to IP addresses. Reputable providers like Cloudflare, Google, and Quad9 are safe and well-run. Avoid unknown DNS servers, which can log or redirect your traffic.

Best DNS Servers for iPhone (2026)

Published May 19, 2026 · 8 min read

Quick picks. Fastest & private: Cloudflare 1.1.1.1. Malware blocking: Quad9 9.9.9.9. Ad blocking: AdGuard DNS. Family filtering: Cloudflare 1.1.1.3 or OpenDNS FamilyShield. The truly fastest one is location-dependent — test a few from your own network with a DNS lookup and a ping test.

Your DNS server is the phonebook of the internet: every time you open a site, your iPhone asks a DNS server to translate the domain (like apple.com) into an IP address. By default that's your ISP's DNS, which is often slow, sometimes logs your browsing, and occasionally injects redirects. Switching to a better DNS is one of the few free changes that makes browsing feel faster and more private.

The Best DNS Servers Compared

Provider	Primary IP	Best for	Filtering
Cloudflare	`1.1.1.1`	Speed + privacy	None (1.1.1.2 malware, 1.1.1.3 family)
Google	`8.8.8.8`	Reliability	None
Quad9	`9.9.9.9`	Security	Blocks malware domains
AdGuard DNS	`94.140.14.14`	Ad blocking	Ads + trackers
OpenDNS	`208.67.222.222`	Family controls	Configurable
Control D	(custom)	Custom rules	Fully configurable

How to Pick the Fastest One for You

"Fastest DNS" is not universal — it depends on which provider has a server closest to you. Test it yourself in two minutes:

Open PingKit's Ping Test and ping 1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8, and 9.9.9.9 for 30 seconds each.
The one with the lowest, steadiest latency has the nearest server — that's your speed winner.
Use the DNS Lookup tool to confirm each resolver returns correct records for the sites you use.

Speed vs Privacy vs Filtering

If you want speed

Cloudflare and Google both run enormous global networks, so one of them is almost always close to you. Cloudflare publishes a strong privacy policy (no logging of your IP to disk, audited).

If you want security

Quad9 blocks known-malicious domains at the DNS layer, so phishing and malware links simply don't resolve. A good default for less technical family members.

If you want fewer ads

AdGuard DNS blocks ad and tracker domains network-wide — no app needed, works in every browser and app on the device. Note it can occasionally break a site that depends on a blocked domain.

How to Change DNS on iPhone

Briefly: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → Configure DNS → Manual, remove the existing entries, and add your chosen server. For the full walkthrough with screenshots and the encrypted-DNS (DoH) option, see What Is DNS and How to Change It on iPhone.

Per-network setting: DNS set this way applies only to that WiFi network. For DNS everywhere (including cellular), use an encrypted-DNS profile from your provider (Cloudflare and AdGuard both offer one).

Test DNS Speed Yourself

PingKit's Ping Test and DNS Lookup tools let you measure which DNS server is actually fastest from your network. Free, no ads.

Download PingKit Free