How to Block Ads on Your Phone: Complete Guide for Android and iPhone

Stop intrusive ads, save mobile data, protect your privacy, and enjoy faster browsing

Mobile ads can be frustrating, slowing down websites, consuming data, and interrupting your browsing experience. Whether you use Android or iPhone, there are multiple ways to block ads effectively and improve your mobile experience.

Why You Should Block Mobile Ads

Blocking ads offers several benefits:

• Data Savings: Ads can consume up to 40% of mobile data usage.
• Battery Life: Fewer ads reduce background processing.
• Faster Browsing: Pages load more quickly without heavy ad content.
• Privacy Protection: Reduces tracking and collection of your data.
• Cleaner Experience: Websites are less cluttered and easier to navigate.

Best Ad-Blocking Methods for Mobile

1. Browser-Based Ad Blocking

Works on both Android and iPhone:

Brave Browser

• Built-in ad and tracker blocking
• Blocks ads by default on all websites
• Faster page loading and enhanced privacy

Firefox with uBlock Origin (Android)

• Add the uBlock Origin extension to Firefox
• Highly customizable and open-source

Microsoft Edge

• Built-in tracking prevention
• Good basic ad-blocking for both platforms

Chrome (Android Only)

• Use AdBlock Plus or AdBlock from Google Play Store
• Configure preferences for blocking

iPhone Note: Chrome doesn’t support extensions; use Safari content blockers instead.

2. iPhone-Specific Solutions

Safari Content Blockers:

• 1Blocker – Premium, customizable, blocks ads in Safari
• AdGuard – Free with premium options, DNS-level blocking
• Wipr – One-time purchase, simple and effective

Enabling Content Blockers:

1. Download the app from the App Store
2. Go to Settings > Safari > Content Blockers
3. Enable the installed ad blocker
4. Clear Safari cache

DNS-Level Blocking:

• Change Wi-Fi DNS settings to AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14, 94.140.15.15) or Quad9 (9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112) for network-wide ad filtering

3. Android-Specific Solutions

System-Wide Apps:

• AdGuard (Premium) – Works in all apps and browsers, no root needed
• Blokada (Free) – Open-source, minimal battery use
• AdAway (Root required) – Modifies hosts file for full ad blocking

Browser Options:

• Samsung Internet Browser – Supports AdBlock Plus extension
• Kiwi Browser – Supports Chrome extensions like uBlock Origin

4. Router-Level Ad Blocking (Advanced)

Pi-hole Setup:

• Blocks ads for all devices on your home network
• Requires Raspberry Pi or dedicated computer

Router DNS Configuration:

• Change DNS to ad-blocking servers in your router settings
• Automatically blocks ads for all connected devices

5. App-Specific Solutions

YouTube:

• Android: YouTube Vanced (discontinued but works), NewPipe, Brave Browser web
• iPhone: Brave Browser, YouTube Premium, Vinegar Safari extension

Social Media (Facebook/Instagram):

• Use mobile browsers with ad blockers
• Privacy-focused alternatives are also available

Things to Consider

Potential Drawbacks:

• Some websites may not load correctly
• Free content creators lose ad revenue
• Some technical knowledge may be required

Ethical Considerations:

• Support favorite websites by whitelisting, subscribing, or donating

Recommended Setups

iPhone Best Setup:

• Brave Browser + 1Blocker + AdGuard DNS

Android Best Setup:

• AdGuard app + Brave Browser + Custom DNS

Budget-Friendly Options:

• Brave Browser (Free), Blokada (Free), Safari content blockers