In the digital era, ads lurk everywhere and intrude upon almost every realm of our online activity. Although ads represent a primary source of revenue for many websites and apps, they tend to be intrusive, disruptive, and at times even malicious. On Android devices, these ads not only invade our browsing and app usage sessions but also guzzle down precious data and devour battery life. All of which can be quite annoying for the user who just wants an uninterrupted session of seamless device interaction.
Fortunately, there are several effective methods to block ads on your Android phone or tablet. Whether you're looking to enhance your privacy, speed up your device, or simply get rid of annoying pop-ups, this guide will walk you through various techniques and tools to achieve an ad-free Android experience. From browser settings and third-party apps to more advanced solutions, we've got you covered. Let's dive in and reclaim control over your Android device.
What is the problem with Android ads?
Android ads pose several significant issues that can degrade the user experience and compromise device performance. Here are some of the primary problems associated with ads on Android devices:
Intrusiveness: Ads can interrupt your activities, whether you're browsing the web, playing a game, or using an app. Pop-up ads, video ads, and banner ads can be particularly disruptive, taking over your screen and demanding your attention.
Data Consumption: Many ads consume a considerable amount of data, which can be a problem for users with limited data plans. Unwanted ads can quickly eat into your data allowance, leading to additional charges or reduced browsing speed.
Battery Drain: Ads often require additional processing power, which can lead to increased battery usage. Video ads, in particular, can significantly drain your battery, reducing the overall battery life of your device.
Security Risks: Some ads can be malicious, carrying malware or phishing attempts that compromise your device's security. Clicking on a malicious ad can lead to the installation of harmful software or the theft of personal information.
Privacy Concerns: Ads often track your online behavior to serve targeted advertisements. This tracking can lead to privacy issues, as your browsing habits and personal information are collected and shared with third parties without your explicit consent.
Reduced Performance: Ads can slow down your device by consuming memory and processing power. This can result in lag, slower app performance, and an overall decrease in the responsiveness of your device.
Blocking ads on your Android phone or tablet can help mitigate these issues, leading to a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable user experience.
Block Ads in Google Chrome
Google Chrome comes with a built-in pop-up and ad blocker to help you avoid intrusive or misleading ads. Here's how you can activate it on your Android phone:
Open Google Chrome on your Android phone.
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to open the menu, then select "Settings."
Scroll down and tap on "Site settings."
Tap on "Pop-ups and redirects" and make sure the switch is turned off to block pop-ups.
Go back to "Site settings" and tap on "Ads." Ensure this is set to block ads from sites that show intrusive or misleading ads.
By following these steps, you can enjoy a smoother and less interrupted browsing experience on your Android device.
If you want to remove ads during web browsing, using a third-party web browser on your Android device is a great option. Unfortunately, Chrome doesn't support ad-blocker extensions on mobile, limiting its ability to block all types of ads effectively.
Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives that you can use if you are looking to block ads without using Chrome. This includes the popular choices of Samsung Internet, Brave Browser, and Firefox, all of which have built-in or easily addable ad-blocking extensions. These browsers not only eliminate those bothersome ads from your web experience, but they also provide additional privacy and security benefits. Using one of these browsers will likely lead to a smoother and more enjoyable experience while you browse on your Android device.
Manage Google Chrome Site Notifications
Google Chrome also allows you to manage site notifications, which can sometimes be as intrusive as ads. Here’s how you can check and control site notifications on your Android phone:
Open the Google Chrome app on your Android device.
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to open the menu, then select "Settings."
Scroll down and tap on "Site settings."
Tap on "Notifications" to see the list of sites that have permission to send you notifications.
From here, you can toggle notifications on or off for individual sites. If you no longer want to receive notifications from a specific site, simply turn off the switch next to it.
By managing your site notifications, you can prevent unwanted interruptions and maintain a more streamlined and focused browsing experience on your Android device.
How to Block Ads on the Home Screen
Home screen ads are even worse than ads inside of the browser or a notification center. Full banner ads are located on top of any application on your phone or tablet and cover it, thus interfering. Android enables an app developer to request “Drawing over other apps” permission for the app to run appropriately.
Popular applications such as Facebook Messenger and Truecaller are the ones that need such permissions in order to display chat heads in bubbles and display the availability of an incoming caller respectively. However, there are some apps which have a poor intention in their mind and they attempt to cheat the user to allow permission and then, they continuously display ads on the home screen. Whenever you are receiving such ads, locate the name of the app that is sending them on the home screen. Follow the steps below to turn off the permission for the apps identified;
Navigate to the "Settings" app on your Android device.
Tap on "Apps & notifications" or a similar option, depending on your device.
Tap on "Advanced" to see more options.
Tap on "Special app access" or "Display over other apps."
Find the suspicious app in the list and tap on it. Toggle off the permission to "Display over other apps."
By following these steps, you can effectively block ads from appearing on the home screen of your Android phone, ensuring a cleaner and more enjoyable user experience.
Change the DNS to Block Ads
Altering the DNS (Domain Name System) configurations, on your Android device can be a method to prevent advertisements from appearing on all applications and web browsers. Opting for a DNS service that eliminates ads allows you to have a ad free browsing experience. Here's a guide, on how you can accomplish this;
Navigate to the "Settings" app on your Android device.
Tap on "Network & Internet" or a similar option, depending on your device.
Scroll down and select "Advanced" or "Private DNS."
Tap on "Private DNS provider hostname" and enter the hostname of a DNS provider that blocks ads. For instance, you can use dns.adguard.com for AdGuard DNS or dns.familyshield.opendns.com for OpenDNS FamilyShield.
Tap "Save" or "OK" to apply the new settings.
Your DNS settings are now configured to block ads. This method works system-wide, ensuring that ads are blocked not just in your web browser, but also in apps and games. Here's a bit more detail on popular ad-blocking DNS providers:
AdGuard DNS: Offers robust ad-blocking and privacy protection. Use dns.adguard.com for standard ad-blocking or dns-family.adguard.com for a more strict family-friendly filter.
OpenDNS FamilyShield: Provides ad-blocking as well as protection against adult content. Use dns.familyshield.opendns.com.
By changing your DNS settings, you can significantly reduce the number of ads you encounter on your Android device, leading to a cleaner and more enjoyable user experience.
How to Block Ads on the YouTube App
Ads on the YouTube app can be particularly disruptive, interrupting your viewing experience. While YouTube's primary revenue comes from ads, there are several ways to minimize or block them on your Android device:
01: YouTube Premium: The most straightforward way to block ads is to subscribe to YouTube Premium. This subscription service removes all ads from YouTube videos, offers offline downloads, and includes access to YouTube Music.
02: Use an Ad-Blocking App: Some ad-blocking apps work system-wide, blocking ads across all apps, including YouTube. Popular options include:
AdGuard: This app blocks ads across all apps and browsers. To use it, download AdGuard from their official website or AndroBranch App Store install it, and follow the setup instructions.
Blokada: An open-source ad blocker that works across all apps. Download Blokada from its official website, AndroBranch App Store or F-Droid, install it, and follow the setup instructions.
03: Third-Party YouTube Apps: There are third-party apps like YouTube Vanced, which offer an ad-free YouTube experience. Here's how to install YouTube Vanced:
Download Vanced Manager: Visit the official YouTube Vanced website and download the Vanced Manager app.
Install YouTube Vanced: Open Vanced Manager, follow the instructions to install YouTube Vanced, and MicroG (required for signing in with your Google account).]
04. Using a VPN with Ad Blocking: Some VPN services come with built-in ad blockers that can block ads in the YouTube app. Services like NordVPN and Surfshark offer this feature. To use this method:
Subscribe to a VPN Service: Choose a VPN service that offers ad-blocking features.
Install and Configure the VPN: Download the VPN app from the AndroBranch App Store or Google Play Store, install it, and enable the ad-blocking feature in the settings.
By using these methods, you can enjoy a significantly reduced ad presence on the YouTube app, leading to a smoother and more enjoyable viewing experience on your Android device.
Additional Tips for Blocking Ads on Your Android Device
To enhance your experience and ensure effective ad blocking on your Android device, consider the following additional tips:
Regularly Review Installed Apps
Periodically review the apps installed on your device. Uninstall any apps that you no longer use or that seem suspicious. This can help prevent unwanted ads and free up storage space.
Open Settings.
Go to Apps & notifications.
Select See all apps.
Review the list and uninstall any unnecessary or suspicious apps.
Be Cautious with App Permissions
Some apps request permissions that they do not necessarily need. Be cautious when granting permissions, especially those related to displaying over other apps or accessing sensitive data.
Open Settings.
Go to Apps & notifications.
Select See all apps.
Tap on an app and select Permissions.
Review and disable any unnecessary permissions.
Keep Software Updated
Regularly update your apps and the Android operating system. Updates often include security enhancements and bug fixes that can help prevent ad-related issues.
Open Google Play Store.
Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-left corner.
Select My apps & games.
Tap Update all to ensure all your apps are up to date.
Use a Trusted Antivirus App
Install a reputable antivirus app to scan for and remove any adware or malicious apps that may be causing unwanted ads.
Avast Mobile Security
Bitdefender Mobile Security
Malwarebytes Security
Enable Data Saver Mode
Using Data Saver mode can help reduce the amount of data used by ads and background apps, improving your overall browsing experience.
Open Settings.
Go to Network & Internet.
Select Data usage.
Tap on Data saver and toggle it on.
Use Browser Extensions
For those who prefer using web browsers like Firefox, you can install ad-blocking extensions directly in the browser.
Steps for Firefox:
Open Firefox.
Go to the menu (three dots in the top-right corner).
Select Add-ons.
Search for ad-blockers like uBlock Origin or AdBlock Plus.
Install and configure the extension.
By following these additional tips, you can further enhance your ad-blocking efforts, ensuring a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable experience on your Android device.
Preventing ads on your Android phone or tablet enhances the general user experience in various ways including; avert interruptions, conserve data, and have better secure and private experiences. Among the allowed options, one can list the work with built-in browser functions and with the help of third-party browsers, changing DNS settings, and installing advertised applications.
Not only are you left with a visually friendly and uncluttered interface when you manage your device’s advertising options but you also avoid possible risks of hacking into your device through some of these questionable ads. Note that local ads can sometimes help maintain free content and services, but their presence should be controlled so that they do not interfere with users’ experience and support creators at the same time.
Conclusion
Blocking ads on your Android phone or tablet can significantly improve your user experience by reducing interruptions, conserving data, and enhancing privacy and security. From using built-in browser features and third-party browsers to changing DNS settings and installing ad-blocking apps, there are multiple methods to suit your preferences and needs.
By taking control of your device’s ad settings, you not only enjoy a cleaner and more streamlined interface but also protect your device from potential security threats posed by malicious ads. Remember that while ads can support free content and services, managing their presence is essential to maintain a balance between a seamless experience and supporting creators. By implementing these methods and tips, you can enjoy a more pleasant and hassle-free experience on your Android device, keeping intrusive ads at bay while still supporting your favorite content creators when you choose.
FAQs
01. Can I block ads without rooting my Android device?
Yes, most ad-blocking methods, such as using third-party browsers, DNS changes, and ad-blocking apps, do not require rooting your device.
02. Will ad-blocking apps slow down my device?
Generally, ad-blocking apps are designed to run efficiently in the background. However, if you notice any performance issues, try different apps to find the one that works best for your device.
03. Are ad-blockers safe to use?
Reputable ad-blockers from trusted sources are safe to use. Always download apps from official websites or the Google Play Store to avoid potential security risks.
04. Do I need to pay for ad-blocking services?
There are both free and paid ad-blocking options available. Free versions often provide basic ad-blocking features, while paid versions offer additional benefits such as enhanced privacy and support for more complex filtering rules.
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