Hate seeing ads in your apps, games, or browsers? What if I told you there's a hidden setting on your Android phone that can block most ads—without installing any app?
Yes, it's called Private DNS, and it’s super easy to set up. Let’s walk through what it is and how to use it. Trust me it won’t slow down your phone by eating RAM.
But before that let's find out why you need a private dns in first place?
🧠 What Is Private DNS?
Every time your phone connects to a website or app, it first asks a DNS
server to find its IP address. Think of DNS like your phone's
contact list—it helps your phone find websites like youtube.com.
But here’s the trick: some DNS providers can block ads and trackers by refusing to load known ad servers. That means no more annoying pop-ups or banners.
🚫 Why You Should Avoid Default DNS by Network Operators
Most people don’t think about DNS—it just works. But using your network operator’s default DNS isn’t always the best idea. Here’s why:- It is often unencrypted so they can track your browsing habits and sell that data to advertisers.
- They might not block ads or trackers effectively.
- Your connection could be slower due to network congestion.
- They may not provide the same level of security as a dedicated DNS service.
- No Customization or Protection
- You don’t really know how your ISP handles DNS traffic
🚫 How Private DNS Blocks Ads
When you set your phone to use a privacy-focused DNS provider, it silently blocks: Ad networks, Trackers & Malicious sites
This works in most apps, browsers, and even some games.
✅ How to Set It Up (Step-by-Step)
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Open Settings
Go to your phone’s Settings app.
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Search Private DNS
Scroll down and find the Private DNS option.
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Choose “Private DNS provider hostname”
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Enter One of The Hostnames from the list.
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Tap Save
That’s it! You’re now using an ad-blocking DNS.
📌 Things to Keep in Mind
It won’t block YouTube video ads (they’re served from the same domain as videos).
🧪 Check if it works?
You can check if your private DNS is working by visiting 🔗 Adblock Tester. It will show you how many ads are blocked.
Adblocking score of 43 without private DNS service.
Adblocking score of 49 when used private DNS.
| AdGuard DNS | NextDNS | Control D | Alternate DNS | Mullvad DNS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malware Protection | Uses blocklist | Advance | Advance | Usage blocklist | Basic |
| Content Filtering | Family Protection and YouTube Restricted Mode | Category filters (adult, gambling, etc.) | Uses DNS category rules | Premium tier | Family mode |
| Controls | Moderate | Extensive | Granular | Minimal | Fixed modes |
| Cost | Free & Paid | Free & Paid | Paid | Free & Paid | Entirely Free |
If you found this tip helpful, share it with friends! More clean screens, fewer distractions. ✨
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