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Using OpenDNS on cellular network

rodak
Level 1
Level 1

I'd like to be able to get the same protections from OpenDNS when I'm out and about, on the cellular network.  Can I do this by running the OpenDNS update app on my phone, and pointing my phone's DNS to the two OpenDNS name serverss?  Or is that possible with just the free "Home" plan?

Thanks

Robert

1 Accepted Solution

Accepted Solutions

Bryan Byles
Level 1
Level 1

Rodak, 
    I could not find a way to get a tailored (personalized) OpenDNS filter working for my Android phones on mobile data.  The familyshield.opendns.com should filter off the "Adult" not safe for work stuff.  The dns.opendns.com will serve your machine DNS lookups for reasons I included the zdnet article.
For mobile data our phones do not use IP addresses but use a set of different protocols to communicate with the cell tower, which acts like a router for its cellular connection.
The phone app is for configuring your home internet service domain name service.  

https://community.cisco.com/t5/opendns/dynamic-ip-updater-for-android/td-p/5176702 

View solution in original post

5 Replies 5

Bryan Byles
Level 1
Level 1

To use OpenDNS with Android's Private DNS, go to your device's Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS. Select Private DNS provider hostname, enter familyshield.opendns.com (filters adult content) basic filtering or dns.opendns.com for the standard service, and then tap Save. You can find the Private DNS setting under "More connection settings" on some devices. 

How to turn on Android's Private DNS mode - and why you should ASAP

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-turn-on-androids-private-dns-mode-and-why-you-should-asap/ 

Ok, so I tried setting Private DNS mode on my phone, pointing to to the OpenDNS server, and it worked, but was clearly not using my personal settings.  That's pretty much what I had expected.

So I see "OpenDNS Update" in the Play store, with the name Guillaume Villena - is this the correct, official OpenDNS app for Android?

 

rodak
Level 1
Level 1

Thanks.  So how does it make the connection between my phone and my OpenDNS account and settings?  I mean, I see how pointing the phone to your DNS works, but once there, how does it know that it's me, to apply my personal customized filtering?  I figured the "OpenDNS Update" app on the phone was for.

Bryan Byles
Level 1
Level 1

Rodak, 
    I could not find a way to get a tailored (personalized) OpenDNS filter working for my Android phones on mobile data.  The familyshield.opendns.com should filter off the "Adult" not safe for work stuff.  The dns.opendns.com will serve your machine DNS lookups for reasons I included the zdnet article.
For mobile data our phones do not use IP addresses but use a set of different protocols to communicate with the cell tower, which acts like a router for its cellular connection.
The phone app is for configuring your home internet service domain name service.  

https://community.cisco.com/t5/opendns/dynamic-ip-updater-for-android/td-p/5176702 

Rats, I was afraid of that.  Well, thanks for looking into it!