Google's DNS gets a hidden backup path that my ad blocker never gets on Android
Android saves its best encrypted DNS for Google and Cloudflare
Google's DNS service now offers a hidden backup path that may not be utilized by many users or ad blockers on Android devices. This feature, introduced in July 2022, utilizes DNS-over-HTTP/3 protocol, which is less likely to be blocked by firewalls at public Wi-Fi networks compared to the traditional DNS-over-TLS protocol. However, this faster protocol is currently limited to a select few servers, including Google's own, dns.google, and Cloudflare, while other popular DNS providers like AdGuard DNS and NextDNS still rely on the older protocol.
This discrepancy results in a less reliable browsing experience for users who prefer alternative DNS services, particularly on restrictive networks where typical DNS-over-TLS might be blocked.
Written by urgent.news from Android Police's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.