What it means
Android Private DNS can connect to a compatible DNS provider using an entered hostname. That hostname identifies the resolver, whereas a normal website URL identifies content you want to visit. Typing a random link into the DNS field will not protect browsing and may break name resolution.
A real-world example
A guide says to enter a provider hostname, but a user pastes
https://example.com/page. The device cannot use that page as the intended resolver setting.
What to do
Obtain the exact Private DNS hostname from a provider's official documentation, record the previous setting and test browsing after saving it.
The distinction that matters
DNS encryption is not the same as a VPN or a safety rating for websites. A resolver may still know the domain queries it handles, and other apps or network policies can affect traffic behavior. Google documents Private DNS as a network setting with separate modes.
Google's Private DNS settings
