Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallAndroid’s built-in Private DNS can filter some ad and tracking domains without a third-party VPN app, provided you choose a resolver that offers filtering. I stopped using ad-blocking VPN apps for that narrower purpose. Private DNS is not a full-traffic VPN, and DNS filtering does not remove every ad.
What Android Private DNS does
On Android 9 and later, Private DNS can send system DNS queries to a chosen resolver using DNS-over-TLS. DNS is the system that looks up the network addresses associated with domain names. A filtering resolver can decline to resolve domains on its blocklists, which may prevent some apps or pages from connecting to those domains.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
That is different from a VPN. DNS-over-TLS encrypts DNS queries between your device and the resolver; it does not route all your app traffic through a VPN connection. The resolver still receives the queries it handles, so choosing one is also a trust decision. Google advises users to review the provider’s privacy policy. Google Public DNS explains its Android setup and privacy considerations.
Recommended Free Tools
How to configure a Private DNS provider
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced > Private DNS. Manufacturers may move or rename this setting.
- Select Private DNS provider hostname.
- Enter the hostname supplied by the DNS provider, then save. Google’s setup guide uses
dns.googleas an example; that example demonstrates the setting and is not an ad-blocking provider.
Google’s documented path applies to Android 9 and later. For the exact behavior and labels on your phone, check its manufacturer’s Android documentation.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
What changes compared with an ad-blocking VPN
| Choice | What it can do | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Private DNS with a filtering resolver | Encrypt system DNS queries to the resolver and filter domains that resolver blocks. | Which domains and lists are filtered, the provider’s privacy and logging terms, and whether the resolver is compatible with your apps. |
| VPN app | Route all app traffic or selected apps through a VPN connection; Android also supports options such as blocking connections outside an always-on VPN. | Which apps are routed, what happens if the VPN disconnects, and the provider’s privacy and logging terms. Blocking connections outside a disconnected VPN can leave apps without network access. |
Android’s VPN controls and Private DNS serve different purposes; choosing a DNS resolver does not turn on VPN routing. Android’s VPN documentation describes always-on VPN, per-app routing, and blocking connections that do not use the VPN.
Why DNS filtering does not block every ad
A DNS filter works at the domain-lookup level. It can block requests to domains on its lists, but it cannot be assumed to remove every ad. An ad may be served from a domain needed for other content, or an app may use DNS behavior that does not follow the system setting. Android’s security guidance recommends letting the operating system handle DNS transport, while noting that developers can implement their own DNS behavior. Android’s security best practices cover DNS security considerations.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Filtering also depends on the resolver: its lists, update practices, and settings determine what it blocks. The cited documentation describes DNS transport and provider features, not a comparative benchmark establishing that any one option blocks all ads or is universally more effective.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Connectivity and compatibility caveats
A resolver can affect whether the phone connects
Android’s Android P announcement says the system sends DNS queries over a secure channel to the configured server, or marks the network as having no internet if it cannot reach that server. A resolver outage or a network that blocks the required connection can therefore interfere with name resolution. Google’s Android P announcement describes this behavior.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Strict and opportunistic DNS-over-TLS behave differently
Google Public DNS distinguishes strict mode, which requires an authenticated TLS connection on port 853 and fails DNS resolution if it cannot establish one, from opportunistic mode, which may fall back to unencrypted DNS on port 53. These modes do not offer the same failure or privacy behavior. Google Public DNS documents the distinction.
Other VPN and DNS apps may change the result
Google’s setup guide notes that VPN and DNS-changer apps may override Private DNS on Android 9, preventing DNS-over-TLS queries from reaching Google Public DNS; the same guide says this issue was fixed in Android 10. That compatibility note does not guarantee how every phone and app combination behaves. Check whether Private DNS remains active and test your own setup. Google’s Android guide includes the compatibility note.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Some apps may also implement their own DNS behavior, bypassing the operating system’s built-in DNS transport handling. Android’s security guidance explains why custom DNS transport choices can bypass the system’s DNS transport security.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Choosing between Private DNS and a VPN
- Choose a filtering Private DNS resolver when your goal is DNS-level filtering and encrypted DNS queries, and you do not need to route app traffic through a VPN.
- Consider a VPN when you need Android’s VPN routing features, such as routing selected apps or blocking connections outside the VPN. Those controls are not provided by Private DNS.
- Before relying on either option, check what it filters or routes, how it handles logs and privacy, and what happens when it cannot connect.
For example, AdGuard describes its Android app as able to select a DNS server for encrypted traffic and ad blocking when connected to its VPN, and documents separate VPN, SOCKS5, and integrated modes. It also notes that some features are unavailable in integrated mode. These are product-specific details, not a description of how every third-party app works. AdGuard’s Android VPN documentation provides its mode details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
