How to block ads on Android in 2025

Ads are a permanent fixture of our online lives, and your Samsung phone, Chromebook, or other Android device is likely full of them, too. Ads are in games, on browsers, and even on some OS apps – getting rid of them may seem impossible.

Luckily, there is a way to block ads on Android and enjoy a totally new, ad-less experience. The easiest solution for annoying ads is a quality ad blocker for Android. You can also tinker with your browser and phone settings, but a good ad blocker will be far more effective.

In this article, we give you a detailed guide on how to block ads on Android using ad blockers, as well as several other methods to stop Android ads.

How to block ads on Android and PlayStore in 4 steps

1. Pick a trustworthy ad blocker. We recommend Total Adblock, now 80% OFF
2. Download and install the app
3. Turn ad blocking on
4. All done. The ads are now going to be disabled on Android

Why you might want to block ads on Android

Apart from just being a pain, ads can have a detrimental effect on your Android use. Here are the main reasons to stop ads on Android:

• Minimal distractions: Adverts get in the way of videos, games, browsing, and more. Block ads, and you can get a much better user experience without annoying interruptions.
• Speed up your slow Android device.
• Preserve battery: Adverts are a drain on your Android’s resources. Every little ad that appears will drain the battery. Blocking ads on Android will help your phone operate for longer.
• Save your mobile data: The more ads you're forced to watch, the more mobile data allowance you’ll use up. Don’t waste data on unwanted content – block ads instead.
• Block malware: Adverts can have malicious motivations. Some banners, pop-ups, and websites could secretly be attempting to steal your data or con you out of money. With a reliable ad blocker in place, you’ll have a shield to protect you from threats.

How to block ads on Android using ad blocker: a detailed guide

The best way to prevent ads from appearing while you're browsing on your Android device is with a reliable ad blocker. This tool will prevent adware and other online threats from targeting your device and information. All you need is to pick a reliable service. Our top choice is Total Adblock, and irritating adverts will be a thing of the past:

1. Total Adblock does not have an app on Google Play, so you need to go to their website and it will automatically download the .apk file. You might need to confirm the download by clicking OK or Download anyway.

2. After the file has been downloaded, click Open. You may get a warning, but it’s nothing to worry about. You can simply click the Settings option to select Allow from this source.

3. On the pop up click Install.

4. Open the Total Adblock application and log in and then click the Power button to activate ad blocking.

5. A connection request will show up on screen. Click Ok

6. To activate the full ad blocking click Enable Now.
7. Now click on Generate and Save.

8. You will get a prompt to install the certificate, click on Go to settings and then More security settings.

9. Go to Encryption and Credentials -> Install a certificate -> CA certificate. You may get a security warning, but click Install anyway.

10. Select your downloaded certificate and now your Ad-block is on!

View Total AdBlock

Not only is Total Adblock extremely reliable when it comes to blocking ads, but it's also very budget-friendly. You can purchase your subscription starting at $1.59/month and enjoy an ad-free browsing experience.

Video

Tired of reading? Check out our detailed video guide on how to successfully secure your Android device from malicious ads, pop-ups, trackers, and more.

Other methods of blocking ads on Android devices

If you’re hesitating about getting an ad blocker, there are other ways to block ads on Android tablets and phones. Below are some things you can try to get rid of Android ads:

1. Manage ad privacy settings on Android Chrome

You can manually set your Chrome browser to block ads. However, note that this will get rid of ads only on the browser, and not elsewhere on your Android.

1. Open Chrome and click on three dots in the top right corner
2. Select Settings
3. Go to Advanced and press Site settings
4. Enable blocking Pop-ups and redirects
5. Return to Settings and repeat the process for Intrusive ads

2. Use the Brave web browser

Alternatively, you could use an entirely different browser. For example, Brave is a privacy and security focus browser that blocks most ads and trackers automatically. However, some ads might still appear, so to avoid that, we recommend getting a quality ad blocker extension, such as Total Adblock.

You can download the Brave browser onto your Android from the Google Play Store.

3. Disable the internet

Some games and apps won’t show ads if you disable your internet connection, like when you turn on the Plane mode. However, there’s also a chance the game will stop running. Turn off mobile data and Wi-Fi in your Android settings to see if it works.

4. Blocking ads on Android home screen

Some smartphone apps know that you might be trying to bypass their ads, so they apply clever methods to avoid ad blocking. One method is having an automatic permission to “Allow display over other apps.” This leads to Pop-up ads right on your home screen, but here’s how you can stop it:

1. Press and hold the app icon until the menu pops up. Click on the Info icon
2. Scroll until you see Display over other apps section
3. Click on it and turn off permission toggle

Following these steps will stop Pop-up ads from ever appearing on your home screen again.

5. Purchase app subscriptions

This is not a well-liked solution, but sometimes it’s the best alternative. If you often use a specific app, getting its subscription might reduce the number of ads that show up on your Android device. Paid apps tend to promote an ad-free experience, as normally, ads are used to generate income for free services. It might not apply to some game apps, as those tend to have in-app purchases, but it could be useful for apps like Duolingo.

6. Protect your device from adware

Android devices are susceptible to malware, including adware and potentially unwanted applications (PUA). To avoid infecting your device, make sure to always follow these steps:

• Get a quality antivirus for Android.
• Get an ad blocker to block malicious ads.
• Don't click on ads, especially the ones that invoke a sense of urgency.
• Be extra careful when downloading and opening files.
• Don't download anything from untrustworthy sources.
• Always be wary of phishing attempts.

How to block ads on Android by changing the DNS

If you want to block ads on your Android device without acquiring any apps, you can easily do that by changing to an ad-blocking service’s private DNS provider. This method requires no ad blocker apps. However, it only works on Android 9 Pie and above.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to changing DNS on Android:

1. Head to Settings > Network and Internet > Advanced > Private DNS
2. Choose the option Private DNS Provider Hostname
3. Enter "dns.adguard.com" and Save
4. That's it! You'll no longer see any in-app ad ads or pop-ups on browsers

Keep in mind that on some Android devices, the DNS settings might be different. if that's the case, look for Private DNS settings and the option to manually input the required information.

With AdGuard DNS, you get rootless ad blocking on your Android device, but there's a chance it might not block all ads.

How to choose an ad blocker to block Android ads

Choosing the right ad blocker for your Android is important. Of course, blocking Android ads is the main feature, but there are other factors to look for:

• Compatibility with Android devices. Make sure that your chosen ad blocker has an app for Android devices, and is as easy to use as you like.
• Blocking filters. Not all ad blockers have this feature, but it is useful if you still want to see some specific ads, and block others. With blocking filters, you can configure your preferences for ads.
• Privacy features. Make sure that the privacy settings and policies of your chosen provider match your preferences. A lot of free ad blockers are known to collect user data and sell it to third parties. If you value your privacy, get an ad blocker that has a no-logs policy.
• Additional features. A simple ad blocker will block ads, but a truly excellent ad blocker will take care of your online privacy and security on another level. Look for an ad blocker with a built-in VPN, antivirus, and malware scanner. It’s always better to have one app for your personal security.

Conclusion

Adverts get in the way of games, articles, websites, streaming content, songs, and pretty much everything you like doing on your Android.

Adverts drain your battery and eat up your mobile data. Blocking ads won’t just make browsing better – it can save you money too.

An ad blocker like Total Adblock is the tool you need to block ads for good. With a capable provider on your device, you can block ads and enjoy a browsing and gaming experience with no interruptions.

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