diff --git a/selective-vpn-gui/dns_benchmark_dialog.py b/selective-vpn-gui/dns_benchmark_dialog.py
index f1cde6e..aabef1b 100644
--- a/selective-vpn-gui/dns_benchmark_dialog.py
+++ b/selective-vpn-gui/dns_benchmark_dialog.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class DNSBenchmarkDialog(QDialog):
 
         hint = QLabel(
             "One DNS per row. Checkbox means ACTIVE for resolver wave mode. "
-            "Benchmark checks all rows and shows health."
+            "Benchmark checks all rows and shows health. Resolver applies up to 12 active DNS."
         )
         hint.setWordWrap(True)
         hint.setStyleSheet("color: gray;")
@@ -93,11 +93,8 @@ class DNSBenchmarkDialog(QDialog):
         self.btn_reset = QPushButton("Reset defaults")
         self.btn_reset.clicked.connect(self.on_reset_defaults)
         row_btns.addWidget(self.btn_reset)
-        self.btn_reload = QPushButton("Reload active set")
-        self.btn_reload.clicked.connect(self.on_reload_pool)
-        row_btns.addWidget(self.btn_reload)
-        self.btn_save_pool = QPushButton("Save active set")
-        self.btn_save_pool.clicked.connect(self.on_save_pool)
+        self.btn_save_pool = QPushButton("Apply resolver DNS")
+        self.btn_save_pool.clicked.connect(self.on_apply_resolver_dns)
         row_btns.addWidget(self.btn_save_pool)
         row_btns.addStretch(1)
         root.addLayout(row_btns)
@@ -173,6 +170,7 @@ class DNSBenchmarkDialog(QDialog):
     def _load_sources(self) -> None:
         rows: List[tuple[bool, str]] = []
 
+        # Priority 1: backend upstream pool
         try:
             st = self.ctrl.dns_upstream_pool_view()
             for item in st.items:
@@ -183,6 +181,7 @@ class DNSBenchmarkDialog(QDialog):
         except Exception:
             rows = []
 
+        # Priority 2: local settings cache (when backend is not available)
         if not rows:
             raw = str(self.settings.value("dns_benchmark/upstreams", "") or "").strip()
             if raw:
@@ -202,6 +201,19 @@ class DNSBenchmarkDialog(QDialog):
         if not rows:
             rows = [(True, item) for item in DEFAULT_UPSTREAMS]
 
+        # Keep developer defaults always visible in list.
+        merged: List[tuple[bool, str]] = []
+        seen = set()
+        by_addr = {addr: enabled for enabled, addr in rows}
+        for addr in DEFAULT_UPSTREAMS:
+            merged.append((bool(by_addr.get(addr, False)), addr))
+            seen.add(addr)
+        for enabled, addr in rows:
+            if addr in seen:
+                continue
+            merged.append((enabled, addr))
+        rows = merged
+
         self.tbl_sources.blockSignals(True)
         self.tbl_sources.setRowCount(0)
         for enabled, addr in rows:
@@ -283,6 +295,17 @@ class DNSBenchmarkDialog(QDialog):
             self._save_settings()
 
     def on_reset_defaults(self) -> None:
+        btn = QMessageBox.question(
+            self,
+            "Reset DNS defaults",
+            "Reset list to 12 developer default DNS entries?\n"
+            "This does not apply to resolver until you click 'Apply resolver DNS'.",
+            QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No,
+            QMessageBox.No,
+        )
+        if btn != QMessageBox.Yes:
+            return
+
         self.tbl_sources.blockSignals(True)
         self.tbl_sources.setRowCount(0)
         for item in DEFAULT_UPSTREAMS:
@@ -290,22 +313,20 @@ class DNSBenchmarkDialog(QDialog):
         self.tbl_sources.blockSignals(False)
         self._save_settings()
 
-    def on_reload_pool(self) -> None:
-        self._safe(self._load_sources, "Reload DNS active set error")
-
-    def on_save_pool(self) -> None:
+    def on_apply_resolver_dns(self) -> None:
         def work() -> None:
             payload = self._source_payload()
             st = self.ctrl.dns_upstream_pool_save(payload)
             active = sum(1 for x in st.items if x.enabled)
             total = len(st.items)
+            applied = active if active < 12 else 12
             self._save_settings()
-            self.lbl_summary.setText(f"Saved active DNS set: active={active}/{total}")
+            self.lbl_summary.setText(f"Applied resolver DNS: active={active}/{total}, applied={applied}/12")
             self.lbl_summary.setStyleSheet("color: green;")
             if self.refresh_cb:
                 self.refresh_cb()
 
-        self._safe(work, "Save DNS active set error")
+        self._safe(work, "Apply resolver DNS error")
 
     def on_run_benchmark(self) -> None:
         def work() -> None:
diff --git a/selective-vpn-gui/vpn_dashboard_qt.py b/selective-vpn-gui/vpn_dashboard_qt.py
index bca7311..ca0af4a 100755
--- a/selective-vpn-gui/vpn_dashboard_qt.py
+++ b/selective-vpn-gui/vpn_dashboard_qt.py
@@ -739,13 +739,16 @@ RU: Источник wildcard IP: резолвер, runtime nftset SmartDNS, и
             total += 1
             if bool(getattr(item, "enabled", False)):
                 active.append(addr)
+        applied = len(active)
+        if applied > 12:
+            applied = 12
         if not active:
             text = f"Resolver upstreams: active=0/{total} (empty set)"
         else:
             preview = ", ".join(active[:4])
             if len(active) > 4:
                 preview += f", +{len(active)-4} more"
-            text = f"Resolver upstreams: active={len(active)}/{total} [{preview}]"
+            text = f"Resolver upstreams: active={len(active)}/{total}, applied={applied}/12 [{preview}]"
         self.lbl_dns_resolver_upstreams.setText(text)
         self.lbl_dns_resolver_upstreams.setStyleSheet("color: gray;")