Getting hit with ads while browsing the web or reading articles on your Android device is seriously annoying. It kills the vibe, and sometimes, those shady ads can even cause battery drain or pose privacy risks. No one wants tracking or malware-heavy sites sneaking in, especially if you’re just trying to chill and scroll. If you’re tired of the bombardment and want a simple way to block those intrusive ads without messing around with rooting or complicated apps, then using Private DNS might be your best bet. It’s kind of weird that something so straightforward can help load pages faster, keep your info more private, and smash ad domains all at once. Believe it or not, no special permissions needed—just a tweak in your settings.
This quick guide walks through how to set up ad blocking on Android using a built-in feature called Private DNS. The best part? You get to choose different DNS servers like AdGuard, NextDNS, and a few others, that do the dirty work of filtering out ads and harmful sites. Not sure if this will work perfectly on your device — on some setups, it works like a charm, but on others, you might need to switch servers or do some tweaks. Still, it’s a low-effort way to cut the noise and bump up your privacy.
How to Block Ads in Android Using Private DNS
Ensure your device runs Android 9 Pie or newer
This feature was introduced starting with Android 9, so if you’re on anything older, don’t bother. It’s technically built into the system now, which is kind of convenient, but if it’s not there, you might need to look into third-party options or apps. For most, though, changing the DNS is enough to make a difference.
Set up Private DNS with a DNS server like AdGuard
- Head into Settings > Network & Internet (or sometimes Connections or Wi-Fi & Network depending on your phone).
- Look for Private DNS. It can be buried under advanced options or called something similar like Private DNS Provider hostname.
- Tap on it and switch to Private DNS hostname option.
- In the box that pops up, input
dns.adguard.com. That’s the hostname for AdGuard DNS, which filters out a lot of ad domains and harmful sites. - Hit Save. Sometimes, that means turning off Wi-Fi or mobile data briefly to make everything settle. Or, just a quick restart sometimes helps—because of course, Android has to make it harder than necessary.
- After reboot, open your browser and visit a site that used to serve ads. If everything’s set up correctly, you should notice fewer ads popping up. Still, don’t be surprised if some sneaky ads slip through — this isn’t perfect, but it’s a huge step up.
Best DNS options to block ads and stay safe on Android
If AdGuard doesn’t do the trick on your device, or you want a few other options to experiment with, here are some alternatives. They’re pretty easy to set up, and most of the time, they work just as well or better depending on your network setup.
1. NextDNS
NextDNS is like AdGuard’s close cousin — similarly free and easy to configure. It’s great because you can set it directly on your device or at your router level, so all connected devices get protected. Just go to dns.nextdns.io to get your custom setup. If you replace the private DNS hostname with dns.nextdns.io, and follow their quick instructions, you’ll have a more personalized ad-block layer and spyware shield. Works well on multiple devices, especially if you set it at the router—less fuss on your phone.
2. LibreDNS
LibreDNS is on another level because it’s open-source and aimed at avoiding censorship, plus blocking ads and threats. The setup’s pretty much the same: change the hostname to noads.libredns.gr in your Android Private DNS setting. It’s kind of neat if you want a less commercial option that still works against malware and trackers.
3. Control D
Control D is a pretty solid DNS that blocks ads, malicious stuff, and even adult sites if you want to filter that. Just put in p2.freedns.controld.com as your hostname, and you’re all set. No apps needed, and it’s free, which is always nice. Not sure why, but sometimes these DNS servers take a bit of time to kick in, or need a reboot—strange, but it happens.
Conclusion
Overall, switching your Android private DNS to something like AdGuard or one of these alternatives can seriously cut down on annoying ads and boost your online privacy without needing to root or install heavy apps. It’s not perfect — some ads still slip through — but it’s a pretty low-effort fix that works on most setups. If you run into issues or see no change, switching to a different DNS provider might do the trick.
Summary
- Change your Android Private DNS to a blocking DNS like dns.adguard.com
- Test it out by browsing your usual sites
- If ads are still sneaking through, try another DNS like NextDNS or LibreDNS
- Restart your device if settings don’t seem to kick in immediately
- Remember, no solution is foolproof—some ads are kinda clever
Wrap-up
Fingers crossed this helps; it’s a straightforward tweak with decent results. Those of you who want a cleaner browsing experience without extra apps will probably appreciate the simplicity of changing DNS servers. Just a heads up — it isn’t magic, but it’s a solid tactic enough for a good chunk of ad madness. Happy surfing, and may your browsing be ad-free from now on.