Have you noticed that your Android smartphone has begun to show a suspiciously large amount of targeted advertising? Or is the domain doubleclick.netconstantly flashing in the traffic logs? It's no accident - your device has become part of Google's ad tracking ecosystem. DoubleClick (now part Google Marketing Platform) collects data about your preferences, location and online behavior to show "relevant" ads. But what if you want to take back control of your privacy?

In this article we will look all possible methods of removing DoubleClick.net from Android devices - from basic settings to deep system cleaning. It is important to understand: it is impossible to completely get rid of Google surveillance on stock Android without root access, but we will reduce its influence as much as possible. The methods are suitable for devices on Android 10–15, including smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other popular brands.

We warn you right away: some actions will require technical skills. If you are not sure, make a backup copy of your data before making changes. Now let's move on to practice.

📊 How often do you notice advertising tracking on your smartphone?
Constantly, it's annoying
Sometimes, but not critical
I used to notice it, but not anymore
Never paid attention

1. What is DoubleClick.net and why is it on your Android

DoubleClick.net is a domain owned by Google's advertising platform, which tracks user activity to display personalized ads. On Android it is integrated at several levels:

  • 🔹 Google Play Services —the main source of tracking, automatically sends data about your actions.
  • 📱 Applications with advertising —many free applications use the DoubleClick SDK for monetization.
  • 🌐 Browsers —even Chrome allows tracking via DoubleClick cookies by default.
  • 📡 Mobile networks —some operators collaborate with Google to display targeted advertising.

According to research Oxford University (2023), up to 87% of free Android apps contain at least one DoubleClick/Google Analytics tracker. This means that your data is collected almost constantly - from time spent in applications to geolocation and search history.

Key problem: even if you turn off personalized advertising in Google settings DoubleClick.net will continue to collect data -it simply won't be used for targeting. Complete removal requires a comprehensive approach.

💡

Check which applications are actively using DoubleClick: open Settings → Google → Advertising and look at the list of "Applications that showed ads recently."

2. Method 1: Turn off personalized advertising in Google settings

This is the simplest method, which will limit targeting, but will not stop data collection completely. Suitable for users who do not want to delve into technical details.

  1. Open the application Settings on your Android.
  2. Go to the section Google → Google account management.
  3. Select tab Data and privacy.
  4. Scroll to the block Advertising settings and click on it.
  5. Disable the switch Personalized advertising.
  6. In the same section, click Reset advertising identifier.

After these actions, Google will stop using your data to display targeted advertising, but DoubleClick.net will still collect information - simply anonymously. For full effect, you need to combine this method with others.

What does resetting the advertising identifier do?

Resetting Advertising ID leads to the following:

1. All data about your preferences collected through this ID is erased from Google servers.

2. The new identifier is generated randomly, which makes it difficult to link your activity with the previous profile.

3. However, physically DoubleClick.net continues to work - it’s just that now your data is less valuable to advertisers.

3. Method 2: Blocking DoubleClick.net at the DNS level

If you want to completely block access to DoubleClick domains, you can use alternative DNS servers with ad filtering. This works at the network level and blocks trackers before they have a chance to load.

Best DNS to block DoubleClick:

DNS Provider IPv4 Address Features
AdGuard DNS 176.103.130.130
176.103.130.131		 Blocks advertising, trackers and phishing. There is a log of requests in your personal account.
NextDNS Individual (registration required) Allows you to customize blocklists. There is a free plan (300k requests/month).
Cloudflare Family 1.1.1.3
1.0.0.3		 Blocks malicious sites and some trackers, but not as aggressive as AdGuard.
CleanBrowsing 185.228.168.168
185.228.169.168		 Focuses on blocking adult content, but filters ads along the way.

How to set up:

  1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Private DNS.
  2. Select Private DNS provider hostname.
  3. Enter the address (for example, dns.adguard.com for AdGuard).
  4. Save and reboot your device.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, banking) may block work when using third-party DNS. If you notice problems, temporarily return the default DNS settings.

Open your browser and go to DNS Leak Test

Make sure that your chosen DNS provider is displayed

Try to go to pagead2.googlesyndication.com — the page should not open

Check the Internet speed (sometimes DNS can reduce it a little)-->

4. Method 3: Using a non-root firewall (NetGuard/Blokada)

If DNS filtering seems insufficient, you can install a local firewall that will block connections to DoubleClick at the application level. You don't need root access for this - applications like NetGuard or Blokada.

Instructions for NetGuard are enough:

  1. Download NetGuard from Google Play.
  2. When you first start, allow the creation of a VPN connection (this is necessary to filter traffic).
  3. Go to the section Domains and add the following rules: 
    doubleclick.net

    googleads.g.doubleclick.net
    

    pagead2.googlesyndication.com
    

    google.com/ads/
    

    adservices.google.com

  4. Turn on the switch Filter traffic.
  5. In the application settings, activate Block when roaming (if necessary).

Advantages of the method:

  • 🛡️ Blocks trackers at the level of individual applications.
  • 📊 Shows statistics of blocked connections.
  • 🔄 You can flexibly configure rules for each application.
⚠️ Attention: VPN-based firewalls can conflict with other VPN services (for example, to bypass blocks). If you use ProtonVPN or analogues, first disable them.

5. Method 4: Removal via ADB (for advanced users)

If you are ready for more radical measures, you can disable the Google system components responsible for DoubleClick via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This does not require root, but you need to connect to a computer.

What we will disable:

  • 📦 com.google.android.gms — Google Play Services (partially)
  • 📦 com.google.android.gsf — Google Services Framework
  • 📦 com.android.vending — Google Play Market (optional)

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
  2. Enable Debug by USB on your phone (Settings → About phone → Build number - press 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).
  3. Connect the phone to the PC and run the commands: 
    adb shell

    pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms/.ads.AdService
    

    pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms/.ads.AdRequestService
    

    pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms/.ads.identifier.service.AdIdService
    

    pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms/.ads.identifier.service.StartupAdService

  4. Reboot the device.

These commands only advertising services are disabled in Google Play Services without breaking the main functionality. However, some applications (for example, games from Google Play Games) may not work correctly.

💡

Disabling via ADB is the most effective method without root, but requires caution. If problems arise after the changes, return the components using the command pm enable with the same parameters.

6. Method 5: Complete removal with root access (extreme method)

If you have root access, you can physically remove DoubleClick files from the system. This method gives 100% results, but risky: incorrect actions can lead to bootloop (loop reboot) or loss of functionality.

What you need do:

  1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  2. Go to the folder /system/priv-app/ and delete: 
    GooglePartnerSetup

    Phonesky (Google Play Store)
    

    PrebuiltGmsCore (Google Play Services)

  3. Clear the folder /data/data/com.google.android.gms/ (advertising service caches are stored here).
  4. Delete host files associated with DoubleClick: 
    /system/etc/hosts

    (find and delete lines with doubleclick.net, googleads.g.doubleclick.net).

  5. Reboot device.

Consequences:

  • ✅ Complete disappearance of DoubleClick from the system.
  • ⚠️ Some applications will stop updating through the Play Store.
  • ⚠️ There may be problems with Push notifications (if Google Services removed).
  • ✅ Significant increase in battery life (by disabling Google background processes).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI or One UI) deleting system applications may cause OTA updates to fail. Before proceeding, do a complete one. backup via TWRP or analogues.

7. Alternative methods: custom firmware and degoogleization

If you are not satisfied with half-measures, consider installing custom firmware without Google services. This is a radical step, but it gives complete control over the device.

Popular firmware without Google:

  • 📱 LineageOS for microG - supports basic Google functions (Push, geolocation) through an open project microG.
  • 🛡️ GrapheneOS —focuses on security, but requires a compatible device (for example, Google Pixel).
  • 🌐 CalyxOS —includes microG and tools for blocking trackers.
  • 🔒 DivestOS —the most “pure” Android with proprietary components removed.

How to switch to custom firmware:

  1. Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
  2. Install TWRP or another custom recovery.
  3. Download the firmware from the official website (for example, LineageOS for microG).
  4. Flash through recovery, then install microG (if necessary).

The advantage of this approach is complete absence of DoubleClick and other Google trackers at the system level. The disadvantage is the loss of some functions (for example, Google Pay may not work).

8. How to check that DoubleClick.net has been deleted

After using any methods, it is important to make sure that the tracking has really stopped. Here is how to do it:

Verification methods:

  1. Traffic analysis:
    • Install Packet Capture.
    • Start traffic recording and open several applications.
    • Check if there are requests to doubleclick.net or googleads.g.doubleclick.net.
  2. DNS check:
    • Use Fing to scan DNS queries.
    • If you have configured an alternative DNS, make sure requests to DoubleClick are blocked.
  • Test in the browser:
    • Open Cover Your Tracks from EFF.
    • If the "Ad blocking" block shows a green status, DoubleClick has been successfully blocked.

    If after all the manipulations you still see DoubleClick activity:

    • 🔍 Check your installed applications - perhaps one of them is bypassing blocking.
    • 🔄 Reboot the device (sometimes changes are not applied immediately).
    • 📱 Reset the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about removing DoubleClick.net

    ❓ Is it possible to remove DoubleClick.net without root?

    Yes, but not completely. Methods without root (DNS, firewall, disabling personalized advertising) reduce tracking by 70-90%, but some system requests will remain. 100% removal requires root access or custom firmware.

    ❓ Will removing DoubleClick affect the operation of Android?

    Depends on the method:

    • Disabling personalized advertising - no impact.
    • DNS/firewall - There may be problems with loading some sites.
    • ADB-disabling - Push notifications in some applications may stop working.
    • Root-removal - the risk of losing the functionality of Google Play, but the main functions of Android will remain.

    ❓ DoubleClick.net returns after resetting the settings Why?

    Because Google Play Services automatically restores its components after a reset. To prevent this:

    1. Before resetting, disable automatic updating of Google Play Services in the application settings.
    2. Use Debloater tools (for example, Universal Android Debloater) for permanent removal.
    3. Install custom firmware without GApps.

    ❓ Is it legal to block DoubleClick.net?

    Yes, blocking trackers does not violate any laws. You have the right to control which ones. the data is collected by your device. However:

    • Some applications (for example, games) may prohibit the use of firewalls in their user agreements.
    • Google may limit the functionality of services (for example, YouTube) with aggressive ad blocking.

    In the EU and some US states (for example, California) there are data protection laws (GDPR, CCPA), which give users the right to refuse tracking.

    ❓ Which applications use DoubleClick most often?

    According to the study Exodus Privacy (2026), the leaders in DoubleClick integration are:

    1. Social networks: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.
    2. Games: Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, PUBG Mobile.
    3. News applications: Google News, Yahoo Finance.
    4. Music services: Spotify (free version), SoundCloud.

    To reduce tracking, delete or replace these applications with alternatives (for example, NewPipe instead of YouTube, F-Droid instead of Google Play).