How do I DNS refresh on Android?

DNS Refresh is today’s immense need for every PC as well as Android user. I know some of you still wonder what DNS (Domain Naming System) exactly is. Look, it is a naming system for different web addresses. To be specific, DNS associates various information with domain names assigned to each participating entity so that it can translate domain names into numerical IP addresses that are needed for locating your device. Because of DNS, it is easier to remember a particular web address instead of the entire IP address, and it seems more reliable and portable.

Initially, DNS was limited to computer devices, but since the internet became accessible on smartphones, especially Android devices, they also needed DNS to serve the purpose. Apart from this, DNS on Android has great benefits like accessing the internet, improving performance and security, blocking ads, etc. However, sometimes DNS shows slow performance, connectivity issues, and other problems, which is why a DNS refresh is needed. But there are very few users who don’t know about it. So, below, we will guide you through everything.

Demystifying DNS Refresh: A Comprehensive Guide for Android Users

Understanding DNS on Android

We know that the functioning of Android is much different compared to PC. Therefore, before knowing how to refresh DNS on Android, we need to understand DNS on Android. To be specific, we need to understand how Android handles DNS resolution, DNS caching on Android devices, and so on. Let’s try to understand DNS on Android.

How does Android handle DNS resolution?

Since Android has launched various versions, there have been improvements in handling DNS resolution. The process is different for Android 9 Pie or lower and different for Android 10 or higher. As a general rule, the app calls the getaddrinfo() function to configure the hostname, and Bionic checks if the hostname is in its cache. If Bionic doesn’t find it in the cache, it sends a DNS query to the netd daemon, which further sends it to the DNS server. After getting the information, the entire process is reversed.

DNS Caching on Android Devices

This is the process of storing frequently accessed domain names that improve performance by reducing irrelevant DNS queries. Android has system-wide DNS managed by the netd daemon. When an app needs to resolve a hostname, it first checks system-wide DNS. If it is found there, it returns the IP address. Otherwise, the query is sent to the netd daemon. If the netd daemon doesn’t find that query in its cache, it sends it to the DNS server, and the entire process runs accordingly.

Why refreshing the DNS is necessary

DNS refresh has numerous reasons why people are demanding it a lot. An unrefreshed DNS can lead to different problems ranging from inaccessibility to a particular website to slow website runtime, industry enforcement, and more. But apart from that, there is an immense need because of increased network latency, increased bandwidth, reduced battery life, and, most importantly, increased security risks. So, for improved performance and other related benefits, a DNS refresh is necessary.

Methods to Refresh DNS on Android

With Android phones, you have the great benefit of DNS refresh in two ways. Either it will automatically refresh or you will need to manually do it. So, let’s understand both ways.

Automatic DNS refresh

As with handling DNS resolution, automatic DNS refresh works depending on what Android version you are using. I mean, if you are using an Android phone with Android version 9.0 or lower, then the netd daemon periodically flushes the DNS cache, which removes outdated entries. While with Android 10 or above, the system works the same as version 9.0, an additional feature of DNS over HTTPS (DoH) protects DNS traffic between the device and the DNS server.

Manual Methods for Refreshing DNS

Clearing the DNS cache

1. On your phone, open the Settings app.
2. Then tap on System >> Advanced >> Networking >> DNS.
3. Now tap on Private DNS.
4. Select Automatic/Off.
5. Afterward, wait for a few seconds and choose Automatic/On again.
6. Wait for a few seconds, then select Automatic or On again.
7. That’s it; your phone’s DNS will clear.

Reboot the device.

Another manual way that you can try is to reboot your device. Rebooting the phone can lead to restarting the entire functioning of the phone, including network settings. These network settings include DNS caches and related things. So, whatever problem persists with network connectivity issues, device performance, and so on, can be fixed. However, on the Android system, DNS will automatically refresh, but to double-check, you can follow these manual steps.

Best Practices for DNS Management

After understanding up to this point, you know how important DNS is to a network. One of your queries, which was refreshing DNS, has now been solved. However, we have found that people are experiencing numerous issues related to DNS. Based on our observations, we are sharing some best practices for DNS management:

• Use a reliable DNS provider.
• Keep your DNS records up-to-date.
• Always use a DNS cache.
• Monitor your DNS traffic.
• Try to get help from a content delivery network.
• Take advantage of minification and compression.

Conclusion

Refreshing your DNS on your Android device is a fundamental practice that can significantly impact your online experience. By keeping your DNS records up-to-date, you ensure faster and more reliable connections while safeguarding against potential security risks. We strongly encourage Android users to prioritize maintaining healthy DNS settings, as this simple but vital step can lead to smoother browsing, enhanced privacy, and an overall improved internet experience. So, take the time to refresh your DNS and enjoy a more seamless and secure digital journey.

Frequently Asked Questions