Published: 5 March 2026 | Category: Practical Tutorial
I. What is DNS? Why Change It?
Hey everyone in Hong Kong, have you ever experienced super slow internet, even though you've paid your broadband bill? Aside from checking if it's peak hours or if your neighbor is using your Wi-Fi, changing your DNS settings can save you a lot of time!
So, what is DNS? Simply put, DNS is like an online phone book. When you type a website address (like google.com) into your browser, DNS translates it into an IP address that computers understand. If the DNS server isn't fast enough or keeps going down, your internet will be slow!
Changing DNS is like switching to a faster and more reliable phone book, which can speed up website resolution, so you don't have to wait so long online. Especially in network-congested places like Hong Kong, choosing the right DNS server is crucial!
II. Popular DNS Options in Hong Kong: Google DNS vs Cloudflare DNS
In Hong Kong, the most popular free DNS servers are probably Google DNS and Cloudflare DNS. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. Let's take a look at the differences:
- Google DNS: Addresses are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Google's network infrastructure is strong, the servers are highly stable, and the connection speed in Hong Kong is decent. Also, Google DNS's caching technology is quite good, which can speed up website loading.
- Cloudflare DNS: Addresses are 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Cloudflare emphasizes privacy and doesn't collect your browsing history. Their servers are also very fast, especially in Asia, where connection speed is an advantage.
So, which one is right for you? It's best to try them out yourself and see which performs best in your network environment. Below, I'll teach you how to change your DNS settings.
III. How to Change DNS Settings? (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)
Don't worry, changing DNS settings is actually very simple, you don't have to be a computer expert to do it! Whether you're using Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS, I'll teach you how to do it:
Windows:
- Open "Control Panel", select "Network and Internet", and then select "Network and Sharing Center".
- Click the name of the network you are connected to (e.g. Wi-Fi).
- Click "Properties", find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" in the list, and click "Properties".
- Select "Use the following DNS server addresses", and then enter the DNS addresses in "Preferred DNS server" and "Alternate DNS server" (e.g. Google DNS's 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
- Click "OK" and you're done!
macOS:
- Open "System Preferences", select "Network".
- Select the name of the network you are connected to (e.g. Wi-Fi), and click "Advanced".
- Select the "DNS" tab, and click the "+" sign to add DNS server addresses (e.g. Google DNS's 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
- Click "OK", and then click "Apply" and you're done!
Android:
The method of changing DNS on Android depends on the brand of your phone. Generally, you can find the DNS settings in the Wi-Fi settings. If you can't find it, you can try installing a third-party app, such as DNS Changer.
iOS:
- Open "Settings", select "Wi-Fi".
- Click the "i" icon next to the name of the Wi-Fi network you are connected to.
- Click "Configure DNS", select "Manual".
- Click "Add Server", and enter the DNS server addresses (e.g. Google DNS's 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
- Click "Save" and you're done!
IV. Testing: Which DNS is Right for You?
Now that we've talked so much, let's do a test to see which DNS server is the fastest in Hong Kong! You can use online speed test tools (such as Speedtest.net) to test your internet speed. Test once before and after changing the DNS settings to compare the results.
In addition, you can use DNS benchmark tools (such as Namebench) to test the resolution speed of different DNS servers. These tools will help you find the DNS server that best suits your network environment.
Remember, different broadband providers (such as HKT, HKBN, CMHK, SmarTone, 3HK, CSL) have different network performance in different regions, so it's best to try it yourself and find the DNS server that's right for you. Some providers may already have good DNS, so you don't need to change it!
Here are some factors that affect DNS speed:
- Location of the DNS server: If the server is too far from you, the connection speed will be slower.
- Load of the DNS server: If too many people are using the same server, the speed will be slower.
- Your network environment: Your broadband speed, router settings, etc. will affect the speed of DNS.
Conclusion
Today, I shared with you how to change DNS settings to improve internet speed, I hope it helps you solve the problem of slow internet. Remember, choosing the right DNS server can save a lot of time and improve your internet experience. However, if you've tried many methods and still can't fix it, you may really need to consider changing to a faster broadband plan!
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