If you are annoyed by the constant ads that pop up on your Android device, you might want to try blocking them using DNS (Domain Name System). DNS is a service that translates web addresses into IP addresses, which are used to connect to websites. By changing your DNS settings, you can prevent your device from connecting to servers that serve ads, and enjoy a more ad-free and smooth browsing experience.
In this article, I will show you how to block ads on your Android device using DNS in four easy steps. I will also share some additional tips and troubleshooting advice in case you run into any problems. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Step 1: Access DNS Settings
The first step is to access the DNS settings on your Android device. You can do this, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Tap on “Network & Internet”
- Tap on “Wi-Fi”
- Find the Wi-Fi network that you are connected to and tap on it.
- Tap on “Advanced” to access more settings.
- Scroll down to the “IP settings” section and tap on it.
- Select “Static” from the options. This will allow you to change your DNS server manually.
Step 2: Modify DNS Server
The next step is to modify your DNS server to use a custom one that blocks ads. To do this, follow these steps:
- In the “DNS 1” and “DNS 2” fields, enter the custom DNS server addresses that you want to use. There are many DNS-based ad blockers available, but here are two popular ones that I personally recommend:
- AdGuard DNS: This is a free service that blocks ads, trackers, phishing, and malware domains. It also supports encrypted DNS protocols for better privacy and security. To use AdGuard DNS, enter “176.103.130.130” in the “DNS 1” field and “176.103.130.131” in the “DNS 2” field.
- OpenDNS: This is another free service that blocks ads, phishing, and malware domains. It also offers parental controls and web filtering options for more customization. To use OpenDNS, enter “208.67.222.123” in the “DNS 1” field and “208.67.220.123” in the “DNS 2” field. After entering the DNS server addresses, tap on “Save” to apply the changes.
Step 3: Restart Your Android Device
The final step is to restart your Android device to make sure that the new DNS settings take effect. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the power button on your device until a menu appears.
- Select “Restart” or “Reboot” from the menu.
- Wait for your device to restart completely.
Congratulations! You have successfully blocked ads on your Android device using DNS. You should notice a significant improvement in your browsing speed and performance.
Additional Tips and Troubleshooting
Here are some additional tips and troubleshooting advice that might help you if you encounter any issues or have any questions:
- If you want to revert to your default DNS settings, you can follow the same steps as above but select “DHCP” or “Automatic” in the “IP settings” section instead of “Static.”
- If you want to try a different DNS-based ad blocker, you can check out this list of some of the best ones available.
- If you want to learn more about how DNS works and why it affects ads, you can read this informative article that explains it in detail.
- If you experience any problems with your internet connection, website loading, or app functionality after changing your DNS settings, you can try the following solutions:
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Disable any VPN or proxy services that you might be using.
- Check if the DNS server addresses that you entered are correct and working.
- Switch to a different DNS server or go back to the default one.
I really hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you did, please share it with your friends and followers on social media. You can also leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!