Constantly pop-up banners, advertising notifications in the curtain and aggressive inserts inside applications are the reality of the modern Android world. Many users are looking for a solution on the forum 4PDA, since this is where the community of enthusiasts is concentrated, offering the most in-depth methods of cleaning the system. However, the process of getting rid of digital waste requires an integrated approach, and not just installing one “magic” app.
In this article we will analyze all the current methods, from simple settings to advanced methods with root access, which are discussed in forum threads. You will learn which blockers really work, how to set up private DNS to filter traffic at the system level, and why standard Android tools are often powerless against annoying promoblocks. Are you ready to restore the purity of the interface of your smartphone?
It is worth understanding that advertising can be different: system (from shell manufacturers), browser and in-game. Each type has its own fighting algorithm. Some methods require minimal knowledge, others require caution when making changes to system files. We have structured the information so that you can choose the appropriate level of interference in the operation of your device.
Using ad blockers without root access
The most accessible way to start fighting intrusive content is to install specialized applications that work through the creation of local VPN tunnel. Such apps do not require superuser rights, which makes them safe for the average user. The principle of their operation is to redirect all network traffic through a local filter, which filters out requests to known advertising servers.
One of the most popular solutions, often mentioned on 4PDA, is the application AdGuard. It has powerful filters that are regularly updated by the community. However, it is worth noting that the full version of the app is paid, although there is also a free version with limited functionality. An alternative is Blokada an open source project that is completely free and shows high efficiency.
⚠️ Attention: When activating a local VPN, other applications for working with the network (for example, a standard VPN client for bypassing blocking) may stop functioning simultaneously with the blocker.
Also not You should forget about browsers with built-in protection. If the bulk of advertising comes through web surfing, switching to Brave or setting Firefox with the uBlock Origin add-on will solve 90% of the problems. This does not require installing separate software on the system and saves battery power, since it does not create a constant background process.
It is important to configure exceptions correctly. Sometimes blockers can interfere with the correct operation of some banking applications or delivery services that use advertising SDKs for analytics. In such cases, you need to add the application domain to the white list of blocker settings to avoid errors when loading content.
Setting up a private DNS to filter traffic
Starting with version Android 9 (Pie), the system has a native setting function Private DNS (Private DNS). This is perhaps the most elegant method to remove ads at the level of the entire operating system without installing third-party software. The mechanism works simply: you specify the server address, which automatically filters out advertising requests before they reach your device.
To implement this method, you do not need rights root or complex manipulations with ADB. Just go to the network settings. The path may differ depending on the manufacturer's shell, but most often it looks like this: Settings → Connections → Other connection settings → Private DNS. In some menus, this may be in the section Network and Internet.
- 🌐 Select the “Private DNS provider hostname” mode.
- 📝 Enter the address of a reliable blocker, for example:
dns.adguard.com. - ✅ Save the settings and restart the device to apply the changes.
This method is extremely effective against advertising in browsers and many free applications. It doesn't drain your battery because the filtering happens on the server side, not your phone's processor. However, it has a drawback: you cannot flexibly configure filters or add your own rules, as is done in full-fledged blocker applications.
⚠️ Attention: If you entered the wrong host name or the blocker server is temporarily unavailable, the Internet on the device may completely disappear. In this case, return the setting to “Auto” or “Off” mode.
If, after enabling Private DNS, the mobile data with your operator stops working, try registering the address dns.adguard-dns.com - this is an alternative server that often works more stable in mobile networks.
It is worth considering that this method will not remove advertising inside applications that are “hardwired” into the content (for example, banners in the interface of a free game or skipping advertising on YouTube). For such cases, more radical measures are required, which we will discuss in the following sections. However, for the general hygiene of the system, this method is basic and recommended for use by everyone.
Disabling system advertising in the shells of Xiaomi, Samsung and others
Owners of smartphones of Chinese brands, especially Xiaomi, Realme i Oppoare faced with advertising built directly into the system applications. This is a separate category of problems that ordinary traffic blockers cannot solve, since the content is served from the manufacturer’s trusted servers. On the forum 4PDA there are huge topics dedicated to “cutting out” these advertisements manually.
In the MIUI shell from Xiaomi, you need to disable the service MSA (MIUI System Ads). Without this step, any other actions will be ineffective. Go to Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data, find msa in the list and turn off the switch. The system will warn you several times about the consequences (10 seconds of waiting), but you need to be persistent and wait until it turns off.
Next, you should go through the system applications and disable ad personalization in each of them. This applies to Explorer, Music, Themes, and even the Security app. In the settings of each such application there is usually an item “Receive recommendations” or “Personalized advertising” that needs to be deactivated. The process is monotonous, but it radically changes the experience of using the device.
☑️ Checklist for cleaning MIUI from ads
On devices Samsung the situation is better, but advertising also occurs, especially in the standard Samsung browser Internet and in weather widgets. In your browser settings, you need to go to the “Content” section and disable “Advertising”. For weather widgets, you often need to disable the “Personalized Content” option in the settings of the widget itself or the Weather application.
| Brand / Shell | Key system application | What to disable | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS) | MSA, Browser, Music | Get recommendations, Personalization | High |
| Samsung (One UI) | Samsung Internet, Weather | Advertising, News | Low |
| Realme (Realme UI) | Hot Apps, Hot Games | Receive recommendations | Medium |
| Oppo (ColorOS) | Global search, Browser | Personalized ads | Medium |
Remember that after major firmware updates (OTA), some settings may be reset to factory settings. Check these points periodically, especially if you notice the return of intrusive banners in the system menus. This is not a bug, but a feature of the business model of manufacturers who sell cheap hardware using advertising revenue.
Advanced methods: ADB and freezing system applications
If manually disabling the settings does not help, users 4PDA recommend using the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to remove or “freeze” system applications that cannot be removed through the standard interface. Freezing is preferable to complete removal, as it allows you to easily restore the application in the event of a system failure.
To work, you will need a computer, a USB cable and USB debugging enabled on your smartphone. You can enable it in the menu For developers, which is activated after clicking seven times on the build number in the section About the phone. After connecting the phone to the PC and installing the drivers, you can send commands to remove packages.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package nameFor example, to remove the Xiaomi system browser, which is often source of advertising, the command for the package is used com.android.browser. Similarly, you can get rid of analytics services, such as com.miui.analytics. The list of packages for safe removal is widely discussed on thematic resources, but it is important to be extremely careful.
⚠️ Attention: Removing critical system components (for example, Services Framework or Phone) may lead to the device becoming bricked or losing the ability to make calls. Always check the purpose of the package before deleting!
List of Xiaomi packages safe to remove
com.miui.analytics (Analytics)|com.miui.misys (MIUI System Services)|com.miui.daemon (Statistics Collection Daemon)|com.facebook.katana (System Facebook, if not needed)|com.facebook.system (Facebook System Services)
An alternative to the command line is to use graphical utilities on a PC, such as Universal Android Debloater. They provide a user-friendly interface with package searches and descriptions of their functions, which reduces the risk of errors for inexperienced users. This is an excellent compromise between security and efficiency in cleaning the system from unnecessary code.
Blocking ads with root access and modifying hosts
For those who are ready to take maximum measures, obtaining root access root opens up opportunities for total cleaning. The most popular tool in this category is the application AdAway. It works by modifying a system file hosts, redirecting requests to ad servers to a local address (127.0.0.1), thereby blocking their loading.
Unlike VPN methods, AdAway does not create a permanent connection and does not consume the battery. Blocking occurs at the lowest level of the network. After installing the application and granting it superuser rights, you need to update the host lists and apply the changes. After this, a reboot of the device is required.
- 🔒 Requires an unlocked bootloader and Magisk or equivalent installed.
- 📂 The application edits the system partition, which is impossible without root.
- ⚡ Provides maximum speed since there is no encryption overhead VPN.
However, this method has a significant disadvantage in modern realities. Many large services (YouTube, Instagram, large games) use HTTPS and dynamic loading of advertising from the same domains as useful content. Blocking such domains through the hosts file can break the operation of the application itself. Therefore, the method is ideal for blocking banners in browsers and small applications, but is powerless against integrated advertising of giants.
Root methods through the hosts file are effective against intrusive banners, but cannot cut out advertising that is loaded from the same servers as the main content of the application.
It is also worth mentioning modules for Magisk, such as like AdAway Systemless or specialized scripts that implement blocking even deeper. On 4PDA you can find ready-made firmware builds without unnecessary water (Clean ROM), where this stage has already been completed by the developers, which saves the user from having to do it manually.
Frequently asked questions about removing ads on Android
Is it safe to use applications to block ads?
Using proven open source applications (AdGuard, Blokada, AdAway) is safe. However, downloading dubious “cleaners” from unverified sources can lead to infection of the device with viruses or theft of personal data. Always check the developer's reputation and reviews on 4PDA.
Why did the Internet stop working after installing the blocker?
Most likely, you configured Private DNS or the blocker application incorrectly, or the blocker server is temporarily unavailable. Try disabling Private DNS in your network settings or temporarily disabling the application. Also check if your antivirus is blocking the creation of a local VPN connection.
Is it possible to remove advertising on YouTube without paying for Premium?
It is impossible to remove advertising in the official YouTube application using standard methods (DNS, AdGuard) due to the use of the same domain infrastructure for video and advertising. This requires modified clients (for example, YouTube ReVanced), which you install at your own risk.
Are blocking settings reset after updating Android?
Private DNS settings and settings inside blocker applications are usually preserved. However, the settings for disabling system advertising in shells (MIUI, ColorOS) can be reset after a major firmware update, since the system restores the factory privacy settings.
Do you need Root to completely block ads?
No, in 90% of cases it is enough to use Private DNS or applications like AdGuard. root access is required only for deep modification of the system hosts file or removal of built-in advertising services of the manufacturer, which cannot be disabled by standard means.