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Android VPN settings to mimic NextDNS Android app? Can't connect to work Wi-Fi using Private DNS.

I accidentally erased the NextDNS app from my Android phone, and the app is no longer available on  the Google Play store. I am not comfortable with the idea of installing an unverified APK file, nor do I want to use any other apps such as Tailscale, Intra or Rethink.

 

I started using the phone's Private DNS setting, but with it, now I can't connect to my work's Wi-Fi like before. So, I added NextDNS to Chrome as a "custom DNS service provider", just so that I could block phone ads.

 

Anyway, the NextDNS app functioned by creating a VPN on the phone. Is there to manually configure a VPN, such that it replicates what the NextDNS app did?

9 replies

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    • R_P_M
    • 11 mths agoTue, April 2, 2024 at 10:27 PM UTC
    • Reported - view

    Simple answer, nope.

    It’s not a traditional vpn like what the system is wanting/expecting you to input.

    apkmirror and apkpure are reasonably reputable for you to download the NextDNS app last version. Most of the time file sigs match compared to “official” sources (play store).

      • Artem.3
      • 5 mths agoFri, October 25, 2024 at 8:37 AM UTC
      • Reported - view

       So there is no solution to create own vpn-like app with nextdns configuration? Using dns-over-tlc or dns-over-https endpoints. I mean since on Android you can't programmatically set private dns url there should be a way to do this like older version of NextDNS application does it

      • R_P_M
      • 5 mths agoFri, October 25, 2024 at 1:33 PM UTC
      • Reported - view

       Just use a third party app to setup your DoH/DoT string in a local vpn. There are plenty to choose from, just be sure you use one that has a good reputation.

      My answer from before was specifically about setting up a VPN within the system settings itself, not via an app. 

      • silent
      • 4 days agoTue, March 25, 2025 at 4:45 PM UTC
      • Reported - view

      some VPNs let you set your own DNS servers for them to use. You could try that, but you then have to link your IP from the setup page.

    • blue_rouge_62
    • 9 mths agoTue, June 18, 2024 at 10:58 PM UTC
    • Reported - view

    I downloaded the NextDNS app from APKPure, 7 months ago, and have not had any problems with the file. Security scan is clean on my Galaxy Tab S6.

    If G Play doesn't have what I need, I will look, scan, and download elsewhere. 

    • klppl
    • 5 mths agoMon, October 28, 2024 at 7:18 AM UTC
    • Reported - view

    Just download the app from apkmirror.com

     

    https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/nextdns/nextdns/nextdns-1-2-release/nextdns-1-2-android-apk-download/

    • Jeronimo
    • 4 mths agoSun, November 3, 2024 at 9:48 AM UTC
    • Reported - view

    why not just using tls on android with private dns setting in android9 and later builds? 

    • Romain_Navarro
    • 4 days agoTue, March 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM UTC
    • Reported - view

    You can do it by configuring nextdns inside rethink DNS app. Available on the Play store 

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