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Blocking ads on phone without root (mainly youtube)?

Petros4

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Hey guys.

I really hate ads, especially on youtube which I watch on daily basis. I know there are some options to block ads but you have to root your device. Since warranty is void when rooting I wouldn't like to risk it since I just got my new phone.

Are there any other ways to block ads without root? I can live with ads in browser, but youtube's "wish" spam every few minutes is killing me.
 
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One way of doing it is installing F-Droid (alternate app repository to GooglePlay) and look for "Blokada" on it (GooglePlay version doesn't block trackers and ads btw!). It acts like local VPN to intercept traffic and it has options to use alternate DNS servers without root as well as various block lists which block trackers and ads. Not sure if it'll block ads you're trying to get rid of, but I know it blocks ads too.
 

opojare

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There are local VPN apps like Blockada or BlockThis.

Just download the apk from their website and sideload it.
They blocked most of browser and in-app ads, but as for Youtube i think it doesn't works. There are still skippable video ads in beginning after several plays.

There was old guide to try blocking Youtube ads by blacklisting some of their domain. But iirc last time i tried it break functionality with all video getting no thumbnail and your history/activity is not recorded.
Maybe Google have become too 'advanced' for this :laugh:
 
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Mussels

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Block This

it makes a local VPN on the phone which is easy to turn on and off, only negative is the VPN icon is always visible (far less annoying on my pixel XL than my old note 4) and some system updates failed to download when it was activated.

That said, it works and works well.
 

Petros4

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Great tips. Thanks guys. I'll try some of the stuff you've mentioned.
 
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bug

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Hey guys.

I really hate ads, especially on youtube which I watch on daily basis. I know there are some options to block ads but you have to root your device. Since warranty is void when rooting I wouldn't like to risk it since I just got my new phone.

Are there any other ways to block ads without root? I can live with ads in browser, but youtube's "wish" spam every few minutes is killing me.
Watch Youtube in the browser, like a sane person would. Then you can use your adblocker of choice. Hell, you can even use NoScript.
 

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Watch Youtube in the browser, like a sane person would. Then you can use your adblocker of choice. Hell, you can even use NoScript.

Adblock and noscript extensions don't work on the android version of chrome
 

bug

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Yup. Use FF and noscript/ublock origin/magic actions. There's also an extension that allows YouTube vids to be played in the background or even when you turn off your display on your phone.
 
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try Opera, never seen YT ads, without any extensions or addons
 
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Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy,

on android, simply download "Firefox" and then you can install add-ons just like on the desktop version.

AdGuard is a pretty good ad blocker that you can install on your "Firefox".

I wish I could support my favorite youtubers by having ads but jesus I hate when it just cut out of nowhere for 30 seconds like 3 times in a 10 minutes video. Why can't they just all do like Linus with an ad at the beginning and at the end.
 
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Linus also does them in a fun way so they aren't a chore to watch. I still miss TunnelBear in his videos tho... XD Or ChrisRayGun who does them in most fucked up ways unlike anyone else ever does them. He did it for the Dollar Shave Club not long ago and was laughing like mad. If everyone made such unique ads for sponsored stuff, I'd never have to block anything.
 

Petros4

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I agree with you guys. I hate ads in general but wouldn't mind them if I wasn't feeling like someone is trying to rape my head through my ears. Too much and too often.
 
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I gotta use adblockers to prevent some ebarrassing ad playing when I am trying to watch in a wating room or something lol
 
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Did you tried to set up AdBlocks? It's really good protection from ads.
 

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Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy,

on android, simply download "Firefox" and then you can install add-ons just like on the desktop version.

AdGuard is a pretty good ad blocker that you can install on your "Firefox".

I wish I could support my favorite youtubers by having ads but jesus I hate when it just cut out of nowhere for 30 seconds like 3 times in a 10 minutes video. Why can't they just all do like Linus with an ad at the beginning and at the end.


i'd recommend ublock origin over adguard, works just fine on FF for android, makes my life a lot nicer.
 
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i'd recommend ublock origin over adguard, works just fine on FF for android, makes my life a lot nicer.

THIS

ublock origins all the way with firefox

youtube vanced
opera mini / opera maybe

even with adaway root i still have ads on youtube app , also facebook and IG, that is why i use alternative app or browser
 
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i block all ads on youtube on my iphone, just hit refresh as soon as one starts, and its gone
 
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It just ocurred to me that Android is basically linux, and it prolly has etc/hosts file. If you were to inject some addresses into it, I'm sure it could be efficient at blocking youtube ads. Don't overdo it though, because it may very well slow down your phone. App for doing this at desktop PC's that I know of is called Hostsman.
 
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