Ads on Android can be annoying — full-screen pop-ups, auto-playing video ads, and banners that cover what you’re trying to read. The good news: you can block most of them without rooting your phone. Here are three methods that actually work.
Short Answer: You can block ads on Android using a private DNS (the easiest method), a browser with built-in ad blocking like Brave, or an app like AdGuard. No root required for any of these.
Method 1: Use Private DNS (Works System-Wide)
Android 9 and above has a built-in Private DNS feature that routes your DNS through an ad-blocking server. This blocks ads in apps and browsers — without installing anything extra.
- Open Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced → Private DNS
- Select Private DNS provider hostname
- Enter:
dns.adguard.com - Tap Save
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS screen with dns.adguard.com entered
Quick setup:
Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced → Private DNS → Enter dns.adguard.com → Save
That’s it. Ads in most apps will stop loading immediately. This works on Wi-Fi and mobile data. If you want a free alternative DNS, adguard-dns.io and 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com also block ads.
Method 2: Use Brave Browser for Ad-Free Browsing
If most of your ad annoyance comes from websites, switching to Brave Browser is the simplest fix. It blocks ads and trackers by default — no settings needed.
- Download Brave from the Play Store
- Browse normally — Brave Shields block ads automatically
- Tap the lion icon in the address bar to see what’s been blocked per page
Brave also blocks third-party trackers, fingerprinting scripts, and auto-play video ads. If you want even more control, go to Settings → Brave Shields & Privacy.
Method 3: Install AdGuard (Blocks In-App Ads Too)
AdGuard for Android is the most powerful option. It works as a local VPN on your device, filtering traffic before it reaches apps. This means it blocks ads inside apps like YouTube, games, and even streaming apps.
- Download from adguard.com directly (not the Play Store — Google restricts ad blockers)
- Enable the AdGuard VPN filter on first launch
- Go to Filters and enable the filter lists you want
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: AdGuard app home screen showing filtering active with stats
Warning: AdGuard uses a local VPN to filter traffic. It doesn’t send your data anywhere, but it will conflict with other VPN apps. You can only run one VPN at a time on Android.
Which Method Should You Use?
Start with Private DNS — it’s free, built-in, and requires no app. If you browse a lot on the web, add Brave for complete browser-level protection. If you want to kill in-app ads in games and free apps, go with AdGuard.
Common Issues and Fixes
Private DNS isn’t blocking ads
Some apps use hardcoded DNS servers and bypass your Private DNS setting. In that case, AdGuard’s VPN-mode filter is the only option that catches everything.
Ads still showing in YouTube
YouTube serves ads from its own domains, making them hard to block. Try ReVanced (a patched YouTube APK) or use YouTube in Brave Browser which blocks most YouTube ads.
DNS not saving on mobile data
Some carriers override DNS on mobile data. If Private DNS isn’t working on mobile data, try AdGuard instead — it operates at the app level so carriers can’t override it.
FAQ
Does blocking ads harm app developers?
Free apps often depend on ad revenue. If you want to support an app, consider purchasing the premium version or disabling ad-blocking for that specific app in AdGuard’s app management settings.
Will ad blocking slow down my internet?
No — it usually speeds up browsing because pages load fewer resources. Brave in particular shows a counter of how much data and time you’ve saved.
Is AdGuard safe to use?
Yes. AdGuard is a legitimate, well-known security company. The local VPN it creates stays on your device and doesn’t route traffic through external servers (unlike a real VPN).
Can I block ads in specific apps only?
Yes, with AdGuard. Go to App Management in AdGuard and toggle filtering on or off per app.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ Private DNS set to dns.adguard.com in Settings
- ✅ Brave Browser installed for web browsing
- ✅ AdGuard downloaded from adguard.com (not Play Store)
- ✅ Check AdGuard App Management to exclude apps you want to support
Get AdGuard Free ↗Download Brave Browser
Conclusion
Blocking ads on Android doesn’t require root or complex setups. The Private DNS method works for most people in under a minute. For heavier in-app ad blocking, AdGuard is worth the extra setup. Check out our guide on best browsers for Android for more ways to improve your mobile browsing experience.