Can I lock the DNS settings on Android devices?

It is all about being the internet boss. I want to be able to lock in or password protect the DNS settings to OpenDNS, so I can have a safe smartphone, that my kid can use with no fear of accessing pr0n or whatever.

Anybody know if this is possible? I don't want to use another method of content filtering.

Topic settings dns android

Category Android


When on WiFi, you can manually set IP information, Settings > Wireless & networks > Wi-Fi Settings > Menu button > Advanced. Mind you, it would be very easy for anyone to modify those settings.

As far as when connected via cellular, I do not know of any way to modify those DNS settings as they come from the carrier and the carrier's towers. I'm pretty sure they don't want their users changing DNS settings which could help them bypass certain restrictions they normally have in place.

If it was feasible, you would need to do some rooting and hacking of files (e.g. /system/etc/dhcpcd/dhcpcd-hooks/20-dns.conf). Supposedly there are DNS files that exist and can be modified, but I wouldn't recommend going this route.


You can change the DNS settings in Android, but you need to root your phone first: http://blog.varunkumar.me/2010/09/how-to-change-dns-server-on-android.html.

I don't believe there is a way to password protect the DNS settings, but at least it wouldn't be obvious for them to figure out how to change the settings.

Of course, one thing you can do to at least protect your kids while they are in your home is to change the DNS settings on your router. Of course, whenever they use your carrier's data network, this won't help.

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