Ad block is one of essential things for many smartphone users. Bad advertising can ruin experiences, especially while browsing the web, playing games, and watching YouTube video. There are several ways to get ad block on your Android device. The most comprehensive ad blockers do require root or somewhat difficult setups.
Ad blocker apps aren’t generally in the Play Store. Because, according to Google's policy, ad blocking apps are disruptive and destructive to other applications Thus, most of the as blocker apps require a third party installation. Some apps are also not free. More and more sites and services allow for payment in lieu of advertisements. Reported from Android Authority, there are at least five ad blocker apps that can help you.
1. Adblock Plus
Adblocker Plus is arguably the most popular ad blocker app on the list. It works on both rooted and non-rooted devices, although non-root users have some extra work to do. The app runs in the background and filters web traffic almost exactly like its web browser extension. You basically open it once, set it up, and then it runs on its own in the background. You can get Adblock Plus on Play Store free.
Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adblock_Plus
2. Browser with Ad-block
There are a bunch of browsers with ad-block. These browsers filter out most ad traffic or at least the most offensive ad traffic. One of them is Google Chrome with ad-blocking feature, but it still shows the ads that are the least offensive to the viewer. Some other examples of web browsers with ad block include Brave Browser, Firefox Focus, Kiwi Browser, Samsung Browser. Choose the one you think will do the best for you.
Photo Source: chromenewdesign
3. AdAway
AdAway is a simple ad blocker app. It uses a modified hosts file to send all ad requests to 12.0.0.1. In other words, the request goes nowhere and you see no ads. The app supports modified or custom host files or you can download a basic one from the app itself. Host files are stored in a read-only part of the Android system. That means root is required for this one. You can donate if you want to, but the whole app works for free. The only two downsides are that you must download them from F-Droid, not the Play Store, and that you need root access. Root users can always just change the host files themselves without an app if they want to.
Photo Source: https://www.buzzclassaction.com
4. AdGuard
The app blocks ads the same way as Adblock Plus. AdGuard runs as a service in the background and filters web traffic. It does work without root, but it requires a bit of extra setup. It also keeps tabs on all of your web traffic similar to apps like GlassWire. You also get a good looking Material Design UI to put everything together. The free version blocks ads in web browsers only. The premium version runs for around Rp 352.000 per month.
5. Block This
Block This is not the most popular ad blocker app. However, it is effective, and completely free to use. This app uses the same VPN style setup that Adblock Plus and AdGuard use. However, Block This uses DNS blocking instead of a filter. The developer claims this method uses less battery than standard ad blocker apps because most of the work is done before the data reaches your Android device. There are pros and cons to using this approach.
Photo Source: https://block-this.com