# How to Enhance Online Privacy with NextDNS

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Tired of ads, trackers, and creepy websites following you everywhere?  
**NextDNS** is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to protect your privacy — and your family's — privacy on **all devices**.

It works like a smart shield for your internet: blocks ads, stops trackers, protects from malware, and even lets you set parental controls — all without installing browser extensions.

Best part? You can set it up in **under 10 minutes**.

Let’s go!

### Why NextDNS is Awesome

* Blocks ads **everywhere** (YouTube, apps, games — not just browser)
    
* Stops Google/Facebook from tracking you
    
* Protects against viruses and phishing sites
    
* Works on phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, even IoT devices
    
* Shows you exactly who is trying to track you (cool logs!)
    
* Free tier is very generous (**300,000 queries/month**)
    

Ready? Let's set it up!

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### Step 1: Create Your Free NextDNS Account

Go to → [https://nextdns.io  
Click](https://nextdns.ioClick) “Sign up for free” → use email or GitHub/Google

After signing up, you’ll see your unique ID (looks like `abcd12`)  
**Save this!** You’ll need it in every step.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1764870010320/12b39b08-3df4-42e8-82fa-822131b5e60c.png align="center")

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### Step 2: Set Up NextDNS on Your Devices (Pick Yours)

#### 🖥️ Windows (Easiest Way)

1. Go to: [https://nextdns.io/apps](https://nextdns.io/apps)
    
2. Download the **NextDNS app** for Windows
    
3. Install → Open → Enter your ID (`abcd12`)
    
4. Turn it ON 🟢
    

Done! All ads and trackers blocked system-wide.

#### 💻 macOS

Same as Windows:

* Download from [https://nextdns.io/apps](https://nextdns.io/apps)
    
* Install → Enter your ID → Enable
    

#### 📱 Android (No App Needed!)

1. Open **Settings** → **Network & Internet** → **Private DNS**
    
2. Choose “Private DNS provider hostname”
    
3. Type for Example: [dns.nextdns.io/abcd12](http://dns.nextdns.io/abcd12) (replace abcd12 with your real ID)
    
4. Save
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1764870048958/df2c1e3b-670f-41b2-9085-090ecfd6c654.webp align="center")

Yeah! Encrypted + ad-free on your phone.

#### 🍎 iPhone / iPad

1. Open Safari on your iPhone
    
2. Go to: [https://apple.nextdns.io/abcd12  
    (replace](https://apple.nextdns.io/abcd12\(replace) abcd12 with your ID)
    
3. Tap “Allow” → Go to Settings → “Profile Downloaded”
    
4. Tap Install → Install → Done
    

Now your entire iPhone uses NextDNS securely.

#### 🏠 Router (Best Option — Protects Everything!)

Want to protect your smart TV, PlayStation, smart fridge, guests?

Set NextDNS once on your router → every device is protected automatically.

**Simple method (works on most routers):**

1. Log into your router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
    
2. Find DNS settings (under WAN, Internet, or LAN/DHCP)
    
3. Change DNS servers to NextDNS ones (copy from your dashboard → Setup → IPv4 addresses)
    

**Even better (if your router supports DoH):** Use this link as DNS: [https://dns.nextdns.io/abcd12](https://dns.nextdns.io/abcd12) textPopular routers that support it: ASUS, GL.iNet, TP-Link (some models), OpenWrt, pfSense, etc.

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### Recommended Settings (Go to [my.nextdns.io](http://my.nextdns.io))

After setup, log in to [https://my.nextdns.io](https://my.nextdns.io) and tweak these:

#### Privacy (Block Trackers & Ads)

Enable these blocklists:

* OISD (Big)
    
* AdGuard DNS filter
    
* StevenBlack Hosts
    

#### Security

Turn on all these:

* Threat Intelligence Feeds
    
* Malware & Phishing Protection
    
* Cryptojacking Protection
    

#### Parental Controls (Optional)

Block:

* Adult content
    
* Gambling
    
* Social media (TikTok, Instagram, etc.)
    

Also enable:

* Force SafeSearch (Google, YouTube, Bing)
    
* YouTube Restricted Mode
    

#### Performance & Privacy Boost

Go to **Settings** tab:

* Enable **Cache Boost** → faster loading
    
* Disable **ECS** → better privacy
    
* Enable **Block IDN Homographs** → stops fake domains like [gοοgle.com](http://gοοgle.com)
    

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### Troubleshooting (Common Fixes)

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| Website not loading | Check Logs → allow the blocked domain |
| Some apps not working | Add their domains to Allowlist (e.g., banking apps) |
| Not sure if it's working | Visit [https://test.nextdns.io](https://test.nextdns.io) — it will say “Using NextDNS → Yes! ✅ |

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### Final Tips

* Start simple — use just OISD + AdGuard lists
    
* Check your logs weekly — you’ll be shocked who’s tracking you
    
* Put it on your router = set once, forget forever
    
* Free plan is enough for most people (300k queries ≈ 5–10 devices)
    

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### That's it!

In less than 10 minutes, you now have:

* No more ads in apps & YouTube
    
* Full tracker blocking
    
* Malware protection
    
* Parental controls (if needed)
    
* Full visibility into your internet
    

Welcome to a cleaner, faster, and **private** internet! 🌐

🔗 Your dashboard: [https://my.nextdns.io](https://my.nextdns.io🔗)

Drop a comment if you get stuck — happy to help! 😊

If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with friends using my referral link: [https://nextdns.io/?from=fq3gdq4h](https://nextdns.io/?from=fq3gdq4h) — it helps support the blog and you’ll get rewards too if they upgrade!

Drop a comment if you get stuck — happy to help!