Intrusive pop-ups and advertising banners can turn using a smartphone into a real nightmare, annoying the user and wasting traffic. Fortunately, there is a technically competent way to solve this problem at the level of network requests, which does not require the installation of dubious blocking applications. Changing the DNS server This is the cleanest and safest method available to owners of modern gadgets without the need to obtain root access.
The essence of the method is to redirect all requests for your device through a special server that can recognize addresses of advertising networks. When an application or browser tries to load a banner, the DNS server blocks this request even before it reaches your screen. Private DNS It works faster and more efficiently than many “heavy” antiviruses, since it does not consume processor resources to constantly scan traffic.
In this article we will look in detail at how to activate this function on different versions of the operating system, and consider the possible nuances of working with encrypted connections. You will learn which server addresses are the most reliable and what to do if, after changing the settings, some sites stop working. Using the DoT protocol (DNS over TLS) ensures encryption of your requests, protecting data from the provider.
The principle of DNS operation and the blocking mechanism
To understand the effectiveness of the method, you need to understand the basic architecture of the Internet connection. When you enter a website address or an app tries to load content, the device sends a request to a DNS server, which translates the human-readable domain name into a digital IP address. Standard servers of providers simply find the required address, but specialized servers check the database (black list) before responding. Filtering DNS If the domain of an advertising network is in this list, the server returns an empty response or a stub address, as a result of which the advertisement is physically unable to load. This happens instantly and transparently to the user. It is important to note that this approach only blocks known trackers and advertising domains, without disrupting the main functionality of applications. DNS filtering check the database (black list) before responding.
If the ad network's domain is in this list, the server returns an empty response or a stub address, resulting in the ad being physically unable to load. This happens instantly and transparently to the user. It is important to note that this approach only blocks known trackers and advertising domains, without disrupting the main functionality of the applications.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications may not work correctly when using aggressive filters, since advertising SDKs are often built deep into the app code. In such cases, fine-tuning or temporarily disabling the filter is required.
Modern implementations, such as DNS over TLS, add another layer of security. They encrypt the process of looking up an IP address, making it invisible to your ISP. This means that even your carrier will not be able to see which domains you are visiting, which greatly increases the level of online privacy.
Preparing for setup: checking compatibility
Before making changes to system settings, you need to make sure that your device supports the private DNS feature. This technology has become a standard since version Android 9 Pie, so on older versions of the system (Android 8 and below) this method may not be available without third-party software.
Checking the operating system version is carried out through the settings menu. You need to find the “About Phone” or “System” section, where the exact firmware version is indicated. If you have the latest OS installed, then the function is guaranteed to be present in the hidden or explicit form of the network connections menu.
- 📱 Make sure that the Android version is not lower than 9.0.
- 🔋 Charge the device to at least 30% to avoid resetting the settings.
- 📝 Write down the current DNS settings (if they were changed manually earlier).
- 📶 Check the stability of the Internet connection before testing.
It is also worth considering that some manufacturers smartphones such as Xiaomi, Samsung or Huaweimay name menu items differently or hide them in advanced settings. Owners of custom firmware (MIUI, OneUI, EMUI) sometimes need to switch the interface to “For Developers” mode to get full access to network parameters.
Step-by-step guide: activating private DNS
The process of enabling ad blocking takes only a few minutes and does not require special knowledge. The settings interface may differ slightly depending on the smartphone model, but the logic of actions remains the same for the entire Android ecosystem. The main thing is to carefully follow the algorithm and enter the server address correctly.
First, open the standard “Settings” menu and find the section responsible for connections. On pure Android this is the “Network and Internet” item, and on Samsung shells it can be called “Connections”. Inside you need to find the subsection “Advanced settings” or “Other network settings”, where the desired option is usually hidden.
☑️ DNS activation algorithm
In the “Private DNS” menu that opens, the default mode is “Auto”. You need to switch it to the “Private DNS provider hostname” position. It is in the text field that appears that you need to enter the address of the selected server. After entering, click “Save”.
| Parameter | Default value | Required value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation mode | Automatic | Provider host name | Requires change |
| Server address | Empty | dns.adguard-dns.com | Manual entry |
| Protocol | Standard | DoT (TLS) | Automatic |
| Application | Global | Global | Instantly |
After saving the settings, the system can interrupt the Internet connection for a few seconds to reconnect to a new one server. If the Wi-Fi or mobile network icon disappears and does not appear, the address may have been entered incorrectly. Check that there are no extra spaces and that the domain name is spelled correctly.
List of reliable DNS servers for blocking
Choosing the right server is critically important, since the page loading speed depends on its performance, and the effectiveness of blocking depends on the quality of the databases. There are several trusted service providers that specialize in filtering traffic and protecting user privacy.
The most popular and universal solution is the server from AdGuard. It effectively cuts out ads in browsers and most applications, and also blocks known phishing sites. For users who value maximum speed and minimal impact on ping in games, alternative options may be suitable.
- 🛡️ AdGuard DNS: dns.adguard-dns.com (basic ad protection).
- 👨👩👧👦 AdGuard Family: dns-family.adguard-dns.com (ad and content blocking).
- 🔒 CleanBrowsing: security-filter-dns.cleanbrowsing.org (emphasis on security).
- ⚡ NextDNS: requires registration and configuration of an individual host.
Comparison of server speeds
AdGuard servers usually have excellent speed in Europe and the CIS. CleanBrowsing may be slightly slower due to stricter security filters. NextDNS allows you to flexibly configure rules, but requires creating an account to obtain a personal address.
If you use specific applications or corporate networks, make sure that the selected DNS does not block the resources you need. Some corporate networks may prohibit the use of third-party DNS servers, which will lead to a lack of access to the Internet when the option is enabled.
Diagnosing problems and eliminating errors
Despite the simplicity of the method, sometimes situations may arise when the Internet disappears completely or certain services stop working. Most often this is due to the fact that the entered server address is unavailable or blocked by your ISP. The first step should always be to verify the domain you entered.
Try temporarily disabling the private DNS feature by returning the setting to Auto or Off. If the Internet appears, then the problem is in the server address. Try entering the address again, copying it from a reliable source to eliminate typos.
⚠️ Attention: If, after enabling DNS, mobile banking or government services stop working for you, try changing the server to a less aggressive one (for example, without filtering family content) or add an exception in the application settings, if such an option is provided.
In rare cases, cleaning helps DNS cache. To do this, you can use airplane mode: turn it on for 10 seconds and turn it off. This will force the device to reconnect to the network and update the network settings. It's also worth checking to see if you have a VPN app installed that might conflict with your Private DNS settings.
If you change Wi-Fi networks frequently, your Private DNS setting will be saved automatically. However, in some public networks (cafes, airports) with authorization through a web page, connection problems may arise. In such cases, temporarily disable Private DNS.
Alternative methods and additional measures
Although DNS filtering is a powerful tool, it is not all-powerful. Advertising in Google applications (YouTube, Google Play services) and native advertising on social networks (Instagram, VK) are often loaded from the same domains as the main content, so DNS does not see them. For such cases, more complex solutions are required.
You can combine DNS blocking with the use of specialized browsers that have built-in ad blockers, such as Brave, Firefox with uBlock Origin or DuckDuckGo. This will provide a double level of protection when surfing the Internet. For advanced users, there is the possibility of local blocking through the hosts file, but this requires root access.
Another effective way is to limit the background activity of applications that abuse advertising. In the battery settings, you can prevent a specific application from running in the background, which will reduce the number of pop-ups, although it will not eliminate them completely.
Combining DNS filtering with browsers with built-in protection gives the maximum result, but cannot completely remove advertising within the closed ecosystems of large corporations.
Is it safe to use third-party DNS server?
Yes, using trusted DNS servers (like AdGuard or Cloudflare) is safe. They often provide even more privacy than your ISP's DNS because they encrypt queries. However, avoid unknown free services that may resell your data.
Does DNS affect Internet speed?
In most cases, the effect is invisible or the speed even increases slightly due to the absence of loading heavy advertising content. However, if the server is physically located far from your region, the response time (ping) may increase.
Do you need to reboot your phone after setting it up?
Usually no reboot is required, the settings are applied instantly. But if you observe strange network behavior, rebooting the device once will help reset all network caches and ensure that the new settings are applied.
Does this method work on tablets and Android TV?
Yes, the principle of operation is identical for all Android-based devices, including tablets, TVs with Android TV and car multimedia systems, if the OS version allows you to change the Private DNS settings.