SPANDI not working? Try another DNS server.

[Cottontail]

Some members have reported difficulties accessing SPANDI using their phones or other cellular internet devices. Error messages may indicate that the server, its name or its IP address cannot be found. Although these kinds of issues can affect users of any internet service provider, users of T-Mobile and dependent providers (Mint, Google Fi, Ultra Mobile, Tello, Metro and a few others) have experienced frequent and prolonged difficulties. These users often report that SPANDI is accessible on their home internet or WiFi, but not when using cellular data.

Try changing your DNS server.

If the issue persists for hours or days, there's a good chance that your provider's DNS (Domain Name System) server is the culprit. DNS servers are like the internet's phone directories - matching names like "spandi.org" to numbers, or in this case to network (IP) addresses. Every time you visit SPANDI, your browser asks your DNS server for our address. Sometimes, inexplicably, that server has "forgotten" us. Fortunately, you are seldom required to use your provider's servers. Procedures for changing your DNS server vary from platform to platform, and we're only going to address mobile platforms here, as they appear to be the ones most affected.

For Android, the DNS settings are generally found in Settings -> Connections -> More connection settings -> Private DNS. There, select "Private DNS provider hostname" and enter the name of the server you'd like to use. Here are a couple of popular choices:

• OpenDNS (enter dns.opendns.com)
• Google Public DNS (enter dns.google)

For iOS, things are less straightforward. Changing your DNS server requires using third-party apps, and these apps have to use complicated tricks in order to work around iOS's limitations. We don't have a firm recommendation; however, here are a couple of apps to consider. NOTE: These apps include paid features and ads. You do not need to buy anything in order to change your DNS with these apps!

• DNS & IP Changer
• 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet

Finally, please let us know (if/when you can!) about difficulties accessing SPANDI. For mobile issues in particular, there is an active forum topic here.