Modern mobile gaming often turns into a test of patience, when every two minutes a full-screen banner or an intrusive video pops up on the screen with the impossibility of skipping it for 30 seconds. Developers use aggressive monetization models to make it worthwhile to create a free product, but it becomes a real headache for the user. There are several proven methods ad blockingthat do not require financial investments or complex hacking of the system.
In this article we will look at methods from the simplest - turning off the Internet, to more advanced ones, such as setting up a private DNS. You will learn how to make the gaming process comfortable using built-in features Android and third-party utilities. Remember that completely removing ads can upset the balance in some online games where watching videos is part of the economy.
Disconnecting the Internet: the most radical method
Most mobile games load ad units from the network in real time. If the application does not require a constant connection to synchronize progress or multiplayer, then breaking the connection will immediately stop displaying banners. This the fastest way gets rid of interrupts, but it has its limitations. You will have to forget about leaderboards and cloud saves.
To implement this method, just switch your smartphone to airplane mode before starting the game. You can also manually turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data in the notification shade. However, some modern titles simply will not start without connecting to a license verification server. Google Play Games It will also stop saving your achievements locally.
This method is ideal for offline arcade games, puzzles and runners that were downloaded in advance. In such applications, advertisements are often hard-coded as static content that cannot be updated without the network. If you see a stub instead of a banner, then the method worked effectively.
If the game requires the Internet to run, try disabling only data transfer for a specific application in the Android settings, leaving Wi-Fi active for other tasks.
Setting up a private DNS to block trackers
A more elegant solution, available to users of Android 9 and above, is in changing DNS (Domain Name System) settings. This protocol is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses. By redirecting requests to a special server that blocks well-known advertising networks, you can remove banners in most applications while maintaining Internet access.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Connection → Other connection settings → Private DNS. In the menu that opens, select the “DNS Provider Hostname” mode and enter the address of a reliable blocker. One of the most popular and stable services is AdGuard DNS. After saving the settings, the system will begin to filter traffic at the request level.
It is important to understand that this method does not remove advertising from the application code, but prevents it from loading. Instead of a banner, you may see an empty white box or an error icon. This is considered normal behavior when using DNS filtering. Some aggressive games may lack advertising and be forced to close, but this is rare.
⚠️ Attention: Entering an incorrect DNS address may result in a complete lack of Internet access. If after setting the sites no longer open, return the default value (“Auto” or “Disabled”). Addresses of services may change, always check the current data on the official resources of blocker developers.
☑️ Setting up DNS
Using local blockers without root access
If the system DNS settings are not enough, specialized filter applications come to the rescue. They create a local VPN tunnel on your device through which all traffic passes, cutting out advertising requests. The leader in this niche is the application AdGuard (version from the official website, and not from the Play Market, since Google prohibits such utilities in its store).
After installing such software, you will need to provide permission to create a VPN connection. The application will run in the background, consuming a small amount of RAM. In the filter settings, you can select specific games for which you want to apply aggressive blocking, and leave social networks untouched.
The main advantage of such solutions over DNS is the ability to filter HTTPS traffic and fine-tune the rules. You can block not only banners, but also analytics trackers that monitor your behavior in the game. This increases not only comfort, but also confidentiality data.
It is worth noting that the operation of a local VPN may conflict with other applications that use tunneling, for example, corporate clients or some games with anti-cheat. In such cases, you will have to temporarily disable the blocker before launching specific software.
Comparison of ad blocking methods
To make it easier for you to choose the appropriate option, we have compiled a comparative table of the main methods. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses depending on the type of game and your network connection needs.
| Method | Root required | Works online | Setting up complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode flight | No | No | Very low |
| Private DNS | No | Yes | Low |
| Local VPN (AdGuard) | No | Yes | Medium |
| Modified APK | Depends from version | Depends on version | High |
| Root + AdAway | Yes | Yes | Very high |
As can be seen from the table, for most users the optimal balance between convenience and efficiency is use Private DNS or local VPN solutions. Methods that require obtaining superuser rights (Root) provide maximum control, but carry the risk of losing the warranty and security of the device.
What are root access?
root access (Superuser) provide full access to the Android file system. This allows you to remove system applications and change deep settings, but makes the device vulnerable to viruses and can lead to “bricking” if used ineptly.
Risks of using modified versions of games
On the Internet you can find many sites offering to download “hacked” versions of games with already cut out advertising and endless resources. Such files usually have the extension .apk and are distributed outside of official stores. Although this seems like an easy way, this method carries serious risks for the security of your smartphone.
Modified application code may contain hidden miners, trojans or spyware. Attackers often embed malicious scripts into popular games, counting on the gullibility of users who want to save money. In addition, such versions are often not updated automatically, which leads to errors and incompatibility with new versions. Android.
If you still decide to take the risk, be sure to scan the downloaded files with an antivirus before installation. Use services like VirusTotal, which analyze APK files with dozens of antivirus engines simultaneously. Never enter your personal data or passwords in modified applications.
⚠️ Warning: Installing applications from unknown sources disables Google Play Protect protection mechanisms. Be extremely careful and download files only from trusted forums where the community moderates the content.
Advanced blocking for experienced users
For those who are not afraid of the command line and want to achieve the perfect result, there is a method for editing the file hosts. This system file determines which domain names should contact which IP addresses. By redirecting the addresses of ad servers to a local address 127.0.0.1, you will force the phone to ignore requests to them.
To edit the hosts file, root access is required. You will need a file manager with access to the system partition, for example Root Explorer or MT Manager. The file is located on the path /system/etc/hosts. At the end of the file you need to add a list of domains of advertising networks that you want to block.
127.0.0.1 adserver.example.com127.0.0.1 tracking.analytics.net
127.0.0.1 ads.mobile.game.ru
This method is the most effective and does not create a load on the processor, since blocking occurs at the lowest level of the system. However, the list of domains must be constantly updated, since advertisers often change their server addresses. There are ready-made lists of hosts that can be found in the developer community.
Editing the hosts file is the gold standard for blocking, but it requires superuser rights and manual maintenance of up-to-date domain lists.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that the fight against advertising is a constant arms race between game developers and users. What works today may not work after an app update. Combine methods: use DNS for the background and turn off the Internet for simple offline games.
Is it safe to use DNS to block ads?
Yes, using public DNS servers (such as AdGuard or Cloudflare) is absolutely safe. They only redirect your requests without decrypting the content of your traffic (if HTTPS is used). However, choose only trusted providers with a good reputation.
Why do ads still appear in some games after setup?
Some developers use their own ad servers or encrypt traffic in such a way that simple filters cannot recognize the advertising request. Also, advertising can be “hardwired” directly into the game resources (pictures), and then blocking the network will not help.
Does blocking ads affect developers' income?
Yes, if you block ads, the developer does not receive income per impression. If you like the game, consider purchasing the paid version or donating to support the creators, even if you have disabled banners.
Do you need to reboot your phone after setting up DNS?
Usually no, changes take effect instantly. However, if the Internet is lost or the advertising does not disappear, try turning airplane mode on and off or restarting a specific application.
Is it possible to remove advertising in online games like PUBG or CoD Mobile?
In large online projects, advertising is often part of the gameplay (for example, watching videos for a reward). Blocking such elements may lead to an account ban for violating the rules of the game or the inability to receive in-game bonuses.