Android 13 won’t support DNS over HTTPS as previously planned
Although Google’sNNAPI plans for Android 13 still seem to be on, the company is taking a step back when it comes to anticipated DNS changes. Last year, it looked like Google was going to give Android support forDNS over HTTPS, but it looks like those plans have changed, and Tiramisu probably won’t ship with the feature.
The benefits of DNS over HTTPS (DoH) have to do with customer privacy and security. Encrypting DNS queries using HTTPS makes it harder for someone in the middle — like your ISP or someone with access to your network — to track or block your DNS access, giving them the ability to redirect your queries and see which sites you’re visiting. This can potentially interfere with things like the UK government’srepeatedattemptsto block adult content,much to their chagrin.
Firefox already uses DNS over HTTPS in the US, andGoogle’s been looking into it for years, hoping to augment the existing DNS over TLS feature that encrypts DNS requests via another method and which landedback in Android 9 Pie.
The distinction between the two features is small, but according toCloudflare, it primarily comes down to their port: DoH queries are better able to blend in from an external viewpoint, looking like standard HTTPS traffic. That makes it potentially better for customer privacy even if both standards protect customer queries with encryption. Many popular DNS resolvers, including Google and Cloudflare, support both standards.Windows 11 supports DoH,whilerecent versions of macOS and iOS support both DoH and DoT.
DoH was expected to land as part of Android 13, but according to a change spotted byXDA Developers, the plans have since been abandoned.A commit on the AOSP Gerritindicates the feature will not be enabled in T (as in: Android 13 T) by default. Esper.io’s Mishaal Rahman tells us that this doesn’t just mean it will be some optional setting, but that the details indicate the feature has been pulled. However, because it would be part of theDNSResolver APEX module, Googlecouldchange its mind later and enable the feature.
Android still supports DoT, but the potentially more privacy-respecting DoH feature, with its better traffic obfuscation, sounds like it will be delayed.
More visual changes
It’s never been cheaper
A great choice for those looking for value
M3 Expressive now refreshes the chat screen
Breaking language barriers, one feed at a time
Expanded dark theme is here
