Xbox One Smart DNS Services Compared
Microsoft's XBox One is a home entertainment system, as well as a video game console, enabling users to play DVDs, listen to music, watch television shows and more. In addition, it provides access to a range of internet-based apps, including Netflix, which allows direct streaming of content onto a television.
However, some of the apps available on the XBox One can only be used if you live in a certain part of the world. Furthermore, apps like Netflix offer a drastically different content library in other regions. Unfortunately, most apps detect a user's region automatically and do not allow for manual switching of regions.
Smart DNS technology offers a way around the issue, giving users access to geographically-restricted services and widening the range of content available to them.
Best Smart DNS Services to use on Xbox One
» View the Step-by-Step Smart DNS Setup Tutorial for Xbox One
- Amazon Fire TV,
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- 1 Month: $4.90
- 3 Months: $12.90
- 12 Months: $39.90
- 24 Months: $49.90
- Life Time: $150
- Android,
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- Apple TV,
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- iOS,
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- PS 4,
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- Raspberry Pi,
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Offers VPN and SmartDNS Plans
31 Days Money Back Guarantee
7 Day Trial
- 7 Day Trial: $0.99
- 1 Month: $10.95
- 6 Months: $8.33/Mo
- Offers VPN & SmartDNS Plans combined!
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- Android,
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- Apple TV,
- Boxee,
- Chromebook,
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- Mac OS X,
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- PS 4,
- PS Vita,
- PS3,
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- Windows,
- Xbox 360,
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- 1 Month: $4.86
- 3 Months: $11.86
- 12 Months: $34.96
- Amazon Fire TV,
- Android,
- Apple TV,
- Boxee,
- Chromecast,
- Google TV,
- iOS,
- Kindle Fire,
- LG Smart TV,
- Mac OS X,
- Nexus Player,
- NOW TV Box,
- Panasonic Smart TV,
- Philips Smart TV,
- PS 4,
- PS3,
- Roku,
- Samsung Smart TV,
- Sharp Smart TV,
- Sonos,
- Sony Smart TV,
- Toshiba Smart TV,
- WDTV,
- Wii,
- Wii U,
- Windows,
- Windows 10,
- Windows Phone 8,
- Xbox 360,
- Xbox One,
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- 1 Month: $4.95/Mo
- 6 Months: $4.58/Mo
- 12 Months: $4.16/Mo
- 24 Months: $3.29/Mo
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- Apple TV,
- Chromebook,
- iOS,
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- Linux Ubuntu,
- Mac OS X,
- NOW TV Box,
- PS3,
- PS4,
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- Samsung Smart TV,
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- Windows,
- Xbox 360,
- Xbox One,
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- 3 Months: $12.59
- 12 Months: $38.49
- 24 Months: $66.49
- Android,
- Apple TV,
- iOS,
- Linux,
- Mac OS X,
- PS3,
- PS4,
- Roku,
- Smart TV,
- Windows,
- Xbox 360,
- Xbox One,
7 Day Trial
- 1 Month: $6.99
- 3 Months: $5.99/Mo
- 12 Months: $4.99/Mo
Smart DNS
Designed with internet streaming in mind, Smart DNS works by sending a user's DNS queries through a proxy server located somewhere else in the world. In doing so, the user's internet activity is made to appear as if it is originating from the location of that server, rather than the location of the device they are using.
This can be used to bypass censorship and geographical restrictions on content. For example, by connecting to a Smart DNS service with servers in the United States, a user from another country can access services which are usually restricted to US customers only.
Smart DNS is ideal for streaming media, as it does not significantly affect internet speeds, ensuring reliable streaming is still possible. Moreover, the DNS re-routing only occurs when accessing a supported website or service, so all other internet activity is completely unaffected.
Step-By-Step Smart DNS Setup
When searching for a Smart DNS service provider, it is important to find one which offers support for the streaming services you want to use and the regions you wish to have access to. After doing so, register for an account and you should be given DNS settings to enter onto your XBox One. Write them down and follow the instructions below:
- While on the XBox One dashboard, press the 'Options' button on your controller, then select 'Settings'.
- Go to 'Network', then scroll to 'Advanced Settings'.
- Choose the 'DNS Settings' option and select 'Manual'.
- Enter the 'Primary DNS' and 'Secondary DNS' settings given to you by your Smart DNS provider.
- On the next screen, take a note of the number written next to 'IP Address'. This may be needed later on.
- Double check that the settings are correct. Then press 'B' on the XBox One controller to save the settings.
Upon completing the steps above, restart your console. After doing so, continue to follow the instructions below in order to complete the Smart DNS setup process.
IP Address Entry
After changing the DNS settings on your console, the next step involves adding your IP address to your Smart DNS service's database. With some providers, all you will need to do is sign in to the client area using the XBox One's internet browser and click on a link. However, some providers require a manual entry process.
If manual entry is required, you will need to know your IP address. Fortunately, we already took note of this in step 5 of the step-by-step guide above. From there, visit your Smart DNS service's website and follow their instructions for adding the address to their database.
It should be noted that IP addresses can change on a fairly regular basis and this process will need to be repeated each time it does so. If you need to find your IP address again, load up the XBox One's main dashboard, press the 'Options' button on your controller and go to: Settings > Network > Advanced Settings > IP Settings.
Change XBox One Location
After verifying your IP address with your provider, the setup process is complete and you can start to make use of the Smart DNS service. However, an optional final step involves changing the location on the XBox console itself, in order to access apps from another country.
So, for instance, a customer using Smart DNS to access US content on Netflix might also wish to make use of additional apps, which are usually only available to people in the United States. They would, therefore, need to switch their XBox One's region to USA in order to download those apps.
To switch regions, go to: Settings > System > Language and Location. Then simply select the language and location you wish to use and click 'Restart Now'. After rebooting, navigate the dashboard and go to 'Apps'. You should find your selection of apps has changed, giving you access to a wider number of services.