Can I use my SmartDNS with Connectify Hotspot?

Connectify Hotspot works with any DNS or SmartDNS service that gives you IPv4 server addresses. It uses plain DNS, so IPv6 addresses, DNS-over-HTTPS or DNS-over-TLS names, and custom ports can't be used. There are two ways to use one:

• Enter it in Connectify Hotspot. Click Settings, then Security and privacy. Under DNS server > Who looks up website names, choose Custom, enter your SmartDNS server IPv4 addresses separated by commas, and click Use these. Only the devices on your hotspot use it; your PC keeps its own DNS.
• Set it on your PC. With Who looks up website names set to Automatic (This PC's DNS), the default, Connectify Hotspot uses the DNS servers of the connection you share (the one under Internet to share; if that is set to Automatic, your PC's DNS servers). So if you change the DNS of that connection on your computer, the devices on your hotspot use it too. Restart the hotspot to be sure it picks up the change. Learn how to change the DNS on a Windows PC.

Learn more about the DNS settings in How to choose a DNS server in Connectify Hotspot

The DNS setting is not available with Bridged network access or in Wi-Fi repeater mode, where your devices use the DNS of the network they're bridged onto. To use a SmartDNS with the devices on your hotspot, switch Network access to Routed (the default). A Wi-Fi repeater has no Routed option, so switch to Wi-Fi hotspot or Wired router mode instead.

Devices that have their own DNS server set (for example in their Wi-Fi settings, Android's Private DNS, or a browser's secure DNS) keep using it instead of your SmartDNS.

Also make sure your preferred internet connection is selected under Internet to share on the Hotspot screen. Icons next to each connection tell you what kind of internet connection you're selecting.