Although it’s relatively easy to set up content blocking on a desktop PC, the same can’t be said for other device types. Although there are solutions available for almost any device, setup is usually not as quick or straightforward as installing an extension like uBlock Origin.
One of the better alternatives to system-wide content blocking on mobile devices is to switch DNS servers to a server that promises to do so. There are plenty of free, freemium, and paid solutions available that will automatically block a large portion of ads when enabled.
Naturally, this may raise follow-up questions regarding privacy and security, given that all Internet traffic is using that DNS service for core functionality.
AdGuard is a longtime contender in this field. Its AdGuard solution is a cross-platform app that runs system-wide on desktop and mobile devices. However, the company has created several other solutions, including a DNS-based option to manually set DNS servers to avoid installing an app and use only that part of the entire solution.
AdGuard DNS for Android and iOS
main objective of new adguard dns app Its purpose is to make it easier for inexperienced users to enable a DNS-based solution. Instead of manually changing DNS parameters on a device, users install the app, add or scan a code for the device they’ve created, and that’s it.
The system is still not that simple, as you have to get the code into the app and also allow AdGuard DNS to make a VPN connection over it.
Comment: AdGuard DNS is available as a free version, but it is limited to 300,000 requests per month, starting on the first day of the month. This may seem like a lot, but it may not be enough for some users, especially if multiple devices are paired. The free version allows adding up to five devices.
Good to know: Free public DNS servers do not have these rate limits and it seems likely that they will not in the future. If you reach the limit, you may consider combining the two or using only the DNS server.
Device-level protection blocks a good percentage of the ads you might otherwise see in mobile browsers or apps. Note that this may affect some functionality, for example the ability to “get something” in the game when you watch an ad.
Another advantage of using the mobile app is that you can open the dashboard on the AdGuard DNS website to take a look at the statistics. There you see the number of requests, blocked requests, companies, and more, both account-wide and per-device you set up.
Users who prefer private DNS server options and mobile apps can sign-up for a paid plan to increase the limit. The cheapest is currently available for less than $20 per year, and it increases the limit to $10 million per month. Plus, it allows you to add up to 20 devices, use up to 5 servers instead of the free account’s 2, and add 1K custom rules. AdGuard VPN users get the Personal plan for free.
concluding words
Setting up a custom ad-blocking DNS solution is still the main way to enable content blocking on mobile devices. It’s free, usually unlimited, but requires knowing a little about the device’s settings to enable the solution.
The new app-based option does a lot of the work for you, but it requires an account and limits requests to 300,000 for free accounts. The good thing is that you also get access to statistics and better management options.
I can see that this solution would be attractive to less-experienced users who want a good solution that is easy to set up. However, most DNS providers, including AdGuard, provide step-by-step instructions for manually setting up DNS servers on Android and iOS.
Now You: Do you use custom DNS servers that block ads, malware, and other unwanted traffic? If so, which solution do you use and why? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Thanks for reading..
