Ultimate Guide: How to Block Ads on Android

Ads can be annoying; there’s an instance when my friend showed a video to his father, and suddenly, YouTube recommended a girl’s clotting ad, which was very humiliating for my friend.

He decided to block ads from Android completely; he just wanted to get rid of Android ads.

Then he gave me his phone, and I BLOCKED All ads from his device. You can do the same on Android, whether from Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, or Oneplus.

Why Block Ads on Android?

Many users opt to block ads on their Android devices for various reasons. For one, ads can be incredibly annoying and intrusive, often appearing repetitively and irrelevantly and taking up valuable screen real estate. Additionally, many users are concerned about their privacy and the tracking of their online activity that comes with allowing ads on their devices. Finally, ads can also slow down device performance and pose security risks, making them a significant source of frustration for many users.

How to Block Ads on Android: 5 Ways

1. Quickest Way to Block Ads

This is the quickest way that most people won’t tell you or tell you at the end because we at backdroid.com believe in value giving. Here’s the fastest way to get rid of ads on Android.

For this, follow the below-given instructions, don’t worry. We’ll include the screenshots too:

Built-in Ad-Blocking via Private DNS:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Connections > More Connection Settings.
3. Tap on Private DNS.
4. Enable it and enter “DNS.ADGUARD.COM” as the custom DNS address.
5. Save settings.

Private DNS ad-blocking has many benefits, including:

• Blocking ads, trackers, and unwanted content: This can improve your browsing experience by loading pages faster and reducing clutter.
• Enhancing browsing experience: Private DNS ad-blocking can also help to protect your privacy by preventing advertisers from tracking your online activity.
• Reducing data usage: By blocking ads, private DNS ad-blocking can also help to reduce your data usage, which can be helpful if you have a limited data plan.
• Speeding up browsing: Private DNS ad-blocking can also speed up your browsing by preventing ads from loading.
• Improving security: Private DNS ad-blocking can also help improve your security by blocking malicious ads that could infect your device with malware.

Private DNS ad-blocking is a great way to improve the browsing experience and protect privacy.

How Effective is this?

• Visit ad-heavy sites to check if ads are blocked.
• Enjoy a cleaner, ad-free experience.

2. Blocking HomeScreen Ads

Disabling Display over apps will help you block ads from apps on your home screen while using your phone. This is because Display over apps allows apps to show their content over other apps you use. When you disable this setting, apps will no longer be able to show their content over other apps, which will help block ads.

Here are the steps on how to disable Display over apps on your Android phone:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Apps & notifications.
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Tap Special app access.
5. Tap Display over other apps or Appear on Top.
6. Toggle off the switch next to the app you want to block ads.

Disabling Display over apps may also prevent some apps from working properly. If you have any problems after disabling this setting, you can always re-enable it.

You might be a browser person who loves browsing through the internet using Google Chrome or any other web browser application, so this is how you can block Google Chrome ads without using third-party software, which is very helpful. Let me show you the following:

3. How to Block Ads On Chrome Android Without Any Apps

To disable pop-ups and redirects in Chrome on Android, please follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select Settings.
4. Scroll down and tap Site settings.
5. Tap Pop-ups and redirects.
6. Toggle the switch off.

Disabling pop-ups and redirects may prevent some websites from functioning properly.

The methods I have shown you for blocking ads on Android phones are among the most effective, as evidenced by the positive comments in the comments section of the YouTube video we uploaded. However, other options are available, and I will guide you through them to choose the one that best suits your needs.

4. Use An Ad Blocker App

• AdGuard: This app blocks ads on websites, apps, and games. It also has a built-in VPN to protect your privacy.
• AdAway: This app blocks ads at the system level, so they are blocked even in apps that don’t support ad blocking.
• Blokada: This app is similar to AdAway but is open source and doesn’t require root access.
• DNS66: This app blocks ads by using a DNS filter. It is lightweight and doesn’t require root access.
• Firefox Focus: This web browser blocks ads by default. It also has a built-in tracking protection feature.

Each of these apps has its own pros and cons. AdGuard is the most comprehensive ad blocker but also the most expensive. AdAway is free and open source, but it requires root access. Blokada is lightweight and doesn’t require root access, but it is less comprehensive than AdGuard. DNS66 is also lightweight, doesn’t require root access, and is open source. Firefox Focus is a good option if you only want to block ads in the browser.

All of these apps offer comprehensive ad blocking across various apps and browsers. They can help improve your browsing experience by blocking annoying, intrusive, and potentially harmful ads.

5. Privacy-Focused Browsers with Ad-Blocking

Ad-blocking browsers are a popular way to protect your privacy online. However, they can also hurt publishers who rely on advertising revenue to keep their websites running. This is because ad-blocking browsers prevent ads from being displayed on websites, meaning publishers don’t get paid for those ads.

There is a balance that needs to be struck between protecting privacy and supporting publishers. One way to do this is to allow users to choose whether or not to block ads. This way, users can decide if they want to sacrifice some privacy to support the websites they visit.

My personal suggestions for Ad free browsers

• Brave Browser.
• DuckDuckGo.

Another way to balance privacy and support for publishers is to allow ad customization in settings. This way, users can choose which ads they want to see and which they don’t. This allows users to control their privacy while still supporting the websites they visit.

Ultimately, the best way to balance privacy and support for publishers is to find a solution that works for users and publishers.

5. Removing Ads from Specific Apps

Here are some examples of apps that offer this functionality:

• YouTube: Users can disable all ads by going to Settings > General > Background & downloads > Block all ads.
• Facebook: Users can disable all ads by going to Settings > Privacy > Ad settings > Turn off personalized ads.
• Instagram: Users can disable all ads by going to Settings > Privacy > Ads > Turn off personalized ads.

Please note that these instructions may vary depending on the app. If you are having trouble finding the ad settings in an app, you can contact the app’s developer for help.

It is important to note that disabling ads may impact the functionality of some apps. For example, some apps may require users to view ads to access certain features. Additionally, disabling ads may also impact the revenue that app developers earn.

6. Remove Manufacturer-Specific Ads

Some smartphone manufacturers include ads within their UI, which can be annoying and intrusive. Here are some guides on how to remove system ads from popular manufacturer devices:

• Samsung: To remove ads from Samsung devices, you can use the Adhell 3 app. This app blocks ads from system apps, as well as from third-party apps that have been installed on your device.
• Xiaomi: To remove ads from Xiaomi devices, you can use the XiaomiADBFastbootTools app. This app allows you to disable ads from the system and Xiaomi Mi Store apps.
• Realme: To remove ads from Realme devices, you can use the Realme UI Ad Blocker app. This app blocks ads from system apps and the Realme App Market app.

It is important to note that removing system ads may void your warranty, so it is important to do your research before proceeding. Additionally, some methods may only work on some devices, so it may be necessary to try multiple methods before finding one that works for you.

Impact of Ads on Data Usage and Battery

• Ads affect data usage and battery life significantly.
• AVG study: Ads can use up to 20% of mobile data.
• OpenSignal study: Ads can drain up to 25% of battery.
• Ads also impact memory, slowing down devices.
• Negative user experience: Slower devices, drained batteries, data use.
• Solutions: Use ad blockers to save data, battery, and memory.
• Disable background data to reduce usage and drain.
• Opt for ad-free apps/websites to further reduce impact.
• Understand ad impact for a better device experience.

• 10 Genius Hacks to Supercharge Your Charging Speed!
• 3 Easy Hacks to Save Data on YouTube App (today)

Here are some of the other options for blocking ads on Android phones:

• Use a VPN. A VPN can also be used to block ads. When you connect to a VPN, your traffic is routed through a server in another location. This can help to block ads that are targeted to your location.
• Use a browser extension. Ad blocker extensions are also available for popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. These extensions work by blocking ads on the websites you visit.

• How to Remove Key Icon On Android Phone [instantly]
• How to Stop Taboola Ads on Android

Problem of Ads from Support Forums

Here are the two major questions that people were asking on the Google support forum:

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a variety of methods that can be used to block ads on Android devices. The best method for each user will vary depending on their preferences and needs. Some users may prefer a third-party ad blocker app, while others may prefer to use the built-in ad blocker in their browser. Regardless of the method chosen, blocking ads can help to improve user experience and protect privacy.

Here are some of the benefits of blocking ads on Android devices:

• Improved user experience: Ads can be intrusive, annoying, and slow down your device. Blocking ads can improve your overall user experience.
• Protected privacy: Ads can track your online activity and collect your data. Blocking ads can help to protect your privacy.
• Saved battery life: Ads can drain your battery, especially if you use a lot of data. Blocking ads can help to save your battery life.

If you’re looking to block ads on your Android device, there are a variety of methods that you can use. Choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences, and enjoy a better user experience and more privacy.

If you have any inquiries about today’s topic, let me know in the comments. We’ll reply within 24 hours.