NetGuard/ADBLOCKING.md

1.8 KiB

Ad blocking

Instructions:

  • Download/install the latest NetGuard version from GitHub
  • Enable the setting 'Filter traffic' (always enabled on Android 5.0 or earlier)
  • Enable the setting 'Block domain names' (default enabled)
  • Import or download a hosts file using the appropriate option
  • Disable browser compression (Chrome: three dot menu > Settings > Data Saver > Off)
  • Wait 10 minutes to let the Android DNS cache time out
  • Test if it works by opening this page
  • Enjoy ad blocking, but don't forget to support application developers

Note that:

  • applications, like the browser, may cache data, so you might need to clear caches
  • the test page only works using the hosts file downloaded from here (the default)
  • YouTube ads are not domain based and cannot be blocked
  • ad blocking is not available when NetGuard was installed from the Play store!

Which hosts (domains) will be blocked depends on the hosts file being used.

The NetGuard version from GitHub:

  • is signed with the same signature as the version from the Play store, so any purchases will be restored
  • will automatically notify you if there are updates (this can be switched off in the settings)

NetGuard provides the StevenBlack hosts file download with the following additions:

  • reports.crashlytics.com
  • settings.crashlytics.com
  • e.crashlytics.com

See here for alternative hosts files.

NetGuard does not concatenate hosts files, so you will have to use a source which does this for you or do it yourself.

You can check the number of hosts (domains) imported by pulling the NetGuard notification down using two fingers.