Listblock

Setup guides

Pick your device, copy the values.

Every guide gives you the exact values to type, a way to check it's working, and how to undo it. Nothing here is permanent.

The two values you'll need

Hostname (Android Private DNS)
dns.listblock.co.uk
DNS server address (routers and computers)
172.239.96.114

Before you start, install the Listblock app and sign in, so your account is ready. Open the app while you're on your home Wi-Fi so it knows about your home connection.

Setting the DNS on your router covers everything at home in one go. Setting it on a phone covers that phone, including on mobile data if you use Android's Private DNS.

Android: Private DNS

Works on Wi-Fi and mobile data. Needs Android 9 or later.

Steps

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Network & internet, then Private DNS. On some phones it's under Connection & sharing or More connection settings. Searching Settings for "Private DNS" is quickest.
  3. Choose Private DNS provider hostname.
  4. Type the hostname below, then tap Save.
Hostname
dns.listblock.co.uk

Check it's working

Open listblock.co.uk/check in your browser. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Return to Private DNS and choose Automatic (or Off), then save.

Routers

Change the DNS on your router and every device on your Wi-Fi is covered. UK routers vary a lot, and some providers lock the setting. Each guide says what to expect.

Use the same address twice

If your router asks for a secondary DNS, enter the same Listblock address again or leave it blank. A second server from another company would let some lookups skip Listblock.

BT Smart Hub 2 and BT Hub

Open 192.168.1.254 in a browser and sign in with the admin password printed on the hub.

Heads up

Many BT hubs, including the Smart Hub 2, don't let you change the DNS servers. If you can't find the setting, don't fight it. Use the Android Private DNS steps for your phone, and the per-device steps below for other devices, or use the app's VPN mode, which covers your phone on any network.

Steps

  1. Go to Advanced settings (you may need to confirm you want to continue).
  2. Look under Broadband, Home network or IP addresses for a DNS section.
  3. If you can switch DNS to manual, enter the values below and save.
Primary DNS
172.239.96.114
Secondary DNS
172.239.96.114 (same again, or leave blank)

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to the same DNS screen and switch it back to automatic (sometimes called "ISP", "default" or "obtain automatically"). Save, then restart your devices.

Sky Hub

Open 192.168.0.1 in a browser and sign in. The admin password may be on the hub or may be the one you set.

Heads up

Whether you can change DNS depends on which Sky hub you have and its software. If you can't find the setting, use the per-device steps, or the app's VPN mode on your phone.

Steps

  1. Go to Advanced, then look for LAN or DHCP settings.
  2. Find the DNS server fields and switch them to manual if there's an option.
  3. Enter the values below and save.
Primary DNS
172.239.96.114
Secondary DNS
172.239.96.114 (same again, or leave blank)

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to the same DNS screen and switch it back to automatic (sometimes called "ISP", "default" or "obtain automatically"). Save, then restart your devices.

Virgin Media Hub

Open 192.168.0.1 in a browser and sign in with the password on the hub's label.

Heads up

Virgin Media hubs generally don't let you change DNS while they're working as your router. The usual workaround is to put the hub into modem mode and use your own router, which does allow it. Otherwise, use the per-device steps, or the app's VPN mode on your phone.

Steps

  1. Look for Advanced settings, then DHCP or DNS.
  2. If a DNS option is available, enter the values below and save.
  3. If it isn't, see the note above about modem mode.
Primary DNS
172.239.96.114
Secondary DNS
172.239.96.114 (same again, or leave blank)

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to the same DNS screen and switch it back to automatic (sometimes called "ISP", "default" or "obtain automatically"). Save, then restart your devices.

TalkTalk router

Open 192.168.1.1 in a browser and sign in with the details on the router.

Heads up

Some TalkTalk routers hide this setting. If you can't find it, use the per-device steps below.

Steps

  1. Go to Advanced settings, then LAN or DHCP.
  2. Find the DNS server settings and switch to manual.
  3. Enter the values below and save.
Primary DNS
172.239.96.114
Secondary DNS
172.239.96.114 (same again, or leave blank)

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to the same DNS screen and switch it back to automatic (sometimes called "ISP", "default" or "obtain automatically"). Save, then restart your devices.

Vodafone (Vodafone Station or Wi-Fi hub)

Open 192.168.1.1 in a browser and sign in with the details on the router.

Heads up

On some Vodafone models the DNS option is limited. If you can't change it, use the per-device steps below.

Steps

  1. Go to Settings or Advanced settings, then Network or LAN.
  2. Find the DNS section and choose manual.
  3. Enter the values below and save.
Primary DNS
172.239.96.114
Secondary DNS
172.239.96.114 (same again, or leave blank)

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to the same DNS screen and switch it back to automatic (sometimes called "ISP", "default" or "obtain automatically"). Save, then restart your devices.

EE Smart Hub

Open 192.168.1.1 in a browser and sign in with the admin password on the hub.

Heads up

EE hubs often lock DNS. If yours does, use the per-device steps below, or the app's VPN mode on your phone.

Steps

  1. Go to Advanced settings, then Network or DHCP.
  2. Look for DNS server fields.
  3. If they can be edited, enter the values below and save.
Primary DNS
172.239.96.114
Secondary DNS
172.239.96.114 (same again, or leave blank)

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to the same DNS screen and switch it back to automatic (sometimes called "ISP", "default" or "obtain automatically"). Save, then restart your devices.

Plusnet Hub

Open 192.168.1.254 in a browser and sign in with the admin password on the hub.

Steps

  1. Go to Advanced settings, then Home network or DHCP.
  2. Look for the DNS server settings.
  3. If they can be changed, enter the values below and save.
Primary DNS
172.239.96.114
Secondary DNS
172.239.96.114 (same again, or leave blank)

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to the same DNS screen and switch it back to automatic (sometimes called "ISP", "default" or "obtain automatically"). Save, then restart your devices.

Most other routers

Almost every router that allows custom DNS follows the same pattern.

Steps

  1. Find the router's address. It's usually on a sticker on the router, often 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.254.
  2. Open that address in a browser and sign in.
  3. Look for DNS, DHCP, LAN, Internet or WAN settings. Mesh systems usually have this in their own app.
  4. Switch DNS from automatic to manual and enter the values below.
  5. Save and restart the router if it asks you to.
Primary DNS
172.239.96.114
Secondary DNS
172.239.96.114 (same again, or leave blank)

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to the same DNS screen and switch it back to automatic (sometimes called "ISP", "default" or "obtain automatically"). Save, then restart your devices.

Individual devices

If your router won't let you change DNS, set it on each device instead. It's more work, but it does the same job.

Windows 10 and 11

Steps

  1. Open Settings, then Network & internet.
  2. Choose Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), then your connection's Properties (Windows 11) or Change adapter options (Windows 10).
  3. Next to DNS server assignment, choose Edit, then switch to Manual.
  4. Turn on IPv4. Enter the address below as the preferred DNS. Leave the encryption option set to Unencrypted only, and save.
Preferred DNS (IPv4)
172.239.96.114

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back, choose Edit, and switch DNS server assignment to Automatic (DHCP).

macOS

Steps

  1. Open System Settings, then Network.
  2. Choose Wi-Fi (or your connection), then Details.
  3. Choose DNS. Under DNS Servers, press + and add the address below. Remove any others listed there.
  4. Press OK.
DNS server
172.239.96.114

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Return to DNS, select the Listblock address, press − to remove it, and press OK. Your Mac goes back to automatic DNS.

iPhone and iPad

DNS-over-HTTPS profile Coming soon

We're working on a one-tap profile for iPhone and iPad that works on Wi-Fi and mobile data. Until then, you can set DNS for each Wi-Fi network by hand. It covers that Wi-Fi network only, not mobile data.

Steps

  1. Open Settings, then Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the i next to your network.
  3. Tap Configure DNS, then Manual.
  4. Remove existing servers, tap Add Server, and enter the address below. Tap Save.
DNS server
172.239.96.114

Check it's working

Restart the device (or turn its Wi-Fi off and on), then open listblock.co.uk/check. You should see a green tick.

Undo it

Go back to Configure DNS and choose Automatic, then Save.

Smart TVs and consoles

If your router is set up, these are already covered. If not, most have a manual DNS option in their network settings. The wording differs by brand, so these are a guide.

Steps

  • PlayStation 5: Settings, Network, Settings, Set Up Internet Connection. Pick your network, choose Advanced Settings, set DNS Settings to Manual.
  • Xbox: Settings, General, Network settings, Advanced settings, DNS settings, Manual.
  • Nintendo Switch: System Settings, Internet, Internet Settings. Pick your network, Change Settings, DNS Settings, Manual.
  • Samsung TV: Settings, General, Network, Network Status, IP Settings. Set DNS setting to Enter manually.
  • LG, Sony and others: look in the network or Wi-Fi settings for an advanced or manual IP option.

Wherever there's a primary DNS field, enter the address below. Use it for the secondary field too, or leave that blank.

Primary DNS
172.239.96.114

Check it's working

Use the device's web browser, if it has one, to open listblock.co.uk/check. Otherwise, check on your phone while it's on the same Wi-Fi, and watch for fewer ads in apps.

Undo it

Set DNS Settings back to Automatic in the same menu.

Stuck?

Tell us your router make and model and where you got to, and we'll help. Email [CONTACT EMAIL].