How to Block ALL Ads on Android Without Using Any Third Party App

Naveen Thakur

27 Mar, 2023

Ads are everywhere—whether you're browsing the web, using apps, or playing mobile games. While some ads support free content, too many can ruin the user experience. Most people rely on third-party ad-blocking apps to get rid of them. But did you know you can block almost all ads on Android without installing any third-party app?

Yes, you read that right. With the right tweaks and system settings, Android gives you tools to block ads from browsers, apps, and even YouTube without compromising your phone’s performance or privacy.

Let’s break down how you can go ad-free on your Android device in 2025, using only built-in features.

🔐 Why Avoid Third-Party Ad Blockers?

Before diving into the methods, let’s quickly look at why avoiding third-party apps for ad-blocking is actually smart:

Privacy Risks: Many third-party apps request access to your data and browsing history.
Battery Drain: Background-running apps consume resources and battery life.
Malware Risk: Some unknown apps may come with malware or spyware.
Performance Issues: Overuse of background filters can slow down your device.

By sticking to native Android settings, you keep your phone fast, safe, and secure.

🧠 Method 1: Use Private DNS with Ad-Blocking Filters

🔹 Step-by-Step Guide:

Open Settings on your Android phone.
Scroll down and tap Network & Internet.
Tap Private DNS.
Choose Private DNS provider hostname.

Enter the following:


dns.adguard.com

Or use another provider like:

pgsql
dns.family.adguard.com

Tap Save or OK.

✅ What it Does:

This method routes all your internet traffic through a clean DNS filter that blocks ads before they even reach your device. It works across apps, browsers, and games—no extra app needed.

📌 Supported Android Versions:

Android 9 (Pie) and above

🌐 Method 2: Block Ads in Chrome or Default Browser

Google Chrome is the most popular browser on Android. It includes built-in tools to reduce or block intrusive ads.

🔹 To Enable Chrome’s Built-in Ad Blocker:

Open Chrome browser.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Site settings > Ads.
Toggle the switch to Block ads on sites that show intrusive or misleading ads.

🔹 Additional Chrome Setting:

Navigate to Settings > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects → Turn it Off.
Go to Settings > Site Settings > JavaScript → Block for known ad-heavy sites only.

This reduces in-browser ads significantly.

🔒 Method 3: Turn Off Ads in Google Settings

Even without third-party tools, Google itself allows users to minimize ad targeting.

🔹 How to Do It:

Open your Settings app.
Scroll and tap Google.
Select Ads.
Enable Opt out of Ads Personalization.

🔹 Reset Your Ad ID:

While you're there, tap “Reset advertising ID” to avoid previously targeted ads from following you.

⚠️ Note: This doesn’t remove ads but prevents targeted ones, which often appear more frequently and invasively.

🛑 Method 4: Disable Ads in System Apps and Notifications

🔹 Remove Ads from System UI (for Samsung & MIUI Users):

Some custom Android UIs like Samsung One UI and MIUI from Xiaomi display system-level ads.

For Samsung:

Go to Settings > Privacy > Customization Service.
Disable Use Customization Service.

Also, in:

Settings > Samsung Ads > Personalized ads → Turn off.

For Xiaomi/MIUI:

Go to Settings > Passwords & Security > Authorization & Revocation.
Disable MSA (MIUI System Ads).
Reboot your phone.

📲 Method 5: Use Brave or Samsung Internet (Instead of Chrome)

If you don’t want to use Chrome, consider Samsung Internet or Brave Browser—both come with built-in ad-blocking features and don't require additional apps.

🔹 Samsung Internet:

Go to Settings > Useful Features > Ad Blockers.
Enable Adblock Fast or AdGuard extension from the built-in store.

🔹 Brave Browser:

Downloaded by default with ad-blocking enabled.
No extra configuration needed.
Includes tracking protection and HTTPS upgrade too.

These browsers don’t require separate ad-blocking apps and offer a faster, cleaner web experience.

🧽 Method 6: Disable Personalized Ads in Google Account

Google tracks activity across your account to show you tailored ads. Here’s how to limit that:

🔹 On Your Phone:

Go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account.
Swipe to Data & privacy tab.
Scroll to Ad settings.
Tap Ad personalization → Turn it Off.

🔹 On Web:

Visit: https://adssettings.google.com
→ Turn off Ad Personalization
→ Clear ad categories manually

⚙️ Bonus: Manually Block Ads Using Hosts File (Rooted Devices Only)

⚠️ This method is for advanced users only who have root access.

By editing the system’s hosts file, you can block known ad-serving domains.

🔹 Steps:

Install a root file manager like Root Explorer.
Navigate to:
```
bash
/system/etc/hosts
```

Add ad domains like:


127.0.0.1 ads.google.com
127.0.0.1 pagead2.googlesyndication.com

Save the file and reboot.

This method blocks all requests to those ad servers.

🚫 What You Can’t Block Without Apps

While these built-in methods work well, some ads still appear, especially:

YouTube in-app ads
In-app reward ads in free games
Ads embedded directly by developers

For a completely ad-free experience, only YouTube Premium or rooted ad-blocking can remove all traces.

But for most users, the above built-in methods reduce 80–90% of annoying ads without installing anything extra.

📋 Final Thoughts

Ads are a necessary evil in the free internet ecosystem, but intrusive ads ruin the experience. Luckily, Android offers multiple in-built tools to block or minimize ads without third-party apps.

🎯 To Summarize:

Method	Blocks Ads In	App Needed?
Private DNS	Apps, Browsers	❌
Chrome Settings	Browsers	❌
Google Settings	Personalized Ads	❌
System App Settings	UI Ads (Samsung, MIUI)	❌
Samsung Internet / Brave	Browsers	❌ (Pre-installed or lightweight)
Hosts File	Rooted Devices	⚠️ Advanced only

Ad-free browsing is now easier, safer, and cleaner—with zero risk from unknown third-party apps. Try these methods today and enjoy a smooth, distraction-free Android experience in 2025!