How To Block Ads On Android Games

How to Block Ads on Android Games

Okay, let’s talk about something super annoying: ads in our favorite Android games. They pop up at the worst times, interrupt the fun, and sometimes, they just seem endless! But guess what? You don’t have to put up with them. There are ways to get rid of those pesky interruptions and get back to enjoying your game time. This article will show you how.

Understanding Why Ads Exist in Games

Before we jump into blocking ads, it’s good to know why they are there in the first place. Most of the time, games are free to download, but the people who make them need to make money somehow. Think of it like this: you get to play for free, but they get paid when you see or click on an ad. It’s like a trade. However, sometimes these ads become too much, and that’s where we need solutions. These solutions focus on how to play games without ads. It’s about reclaiming your gaming experience.

Here’s a breakdown of why ads are common:

• Free to Play: Many games are free to download, but they need to make money to keep going.
• Development Costs: Creating a game takes time, effort, and money. Ads help cover these expenses.
• Profit for Developers: Even though a game is free, developers often hope to make a profit through ad revenue.

Different Types of Ads You Might Encounter

Not all ads are created equal. Some are just a quick banner at the top or bottom of your screen. Others are more annoying, like video ads that play before you can continue playing, or worse, popup ads that get in your way. Knowing the different kinds will help you understand what you’re dealing with.

Banner Ads

These are usually small rectangles at the top or bottom of the screen. They’re not as intrusive, but can still be distracting.

Interstitial Ads

These are full-screen ads that often appear in between game levels or after you complete a task. They can be annoying because they interrupt the game flow.

Video Ads

These are ads that play like little commercials. They often require you to watch the entire ad before you can close it and get back to your game. Sometimes, you are given an option to skip after a few seconds.

Rewarded Ads

These ads give you something in the game, like extra lives or coins, if you choose to watch them. They’re not always a bad thing, but sometimes you might prefer to avoid even these.

Popup Ads

These are the worst! They appear suddenly and take over the entire screen, and can really interrupt your game. They might make you click something accidentally.

Methods for Blocking Ads

Now for the good part! There are several effective ways to block ads on your Android games. Some are super easy, while others might need a little more setup. We’ll go through them step by step, so you know exactly what to do. We want to make sure you know all the tricks to eliminate those annoying ads from games.

Using an Ad Blocker App

One of the most popular ways to block ads is to use a special app designed for that purpose. These apps work by filtering out ad traffic before it even reaches your screen. Think of it like a special gatekeeper that only lets through the things you want to see.

How Ad Blocker Apps Work

Ad blockers use a variety of methods to block ads, but they generally work by identifying the servers that deliver ads and preventing them from loading. When your game requests an ad, the ad blocker intercepts that request and blocks it. These apps use filter lists or specific algorithms to identify and block the ad content. This is like blocking a phone number you don’t want to hear from. You stop it before the call even comes through.

Popular Ad Blocker Apps

Here are some of the most recommended ad blocker apps for Android devices that can enhance your gaming experience:

• Blockada: This is an open-source ad blocker that blocks ads system-wide, meaning it works in games, apps, and even web browsers.
• AdGuard: A very popular app that offers a wide range of features, including ad blocking, tracking protection, and custom filter lists.
• DNS66: Another good option, DNS66 is an open-source ad blocker that uses DNS filtering to block ads.
• Brave Browser: While not an ad blocker app only, the Brave Browser is a very good browser that blocks ads and trackers by default, and may be helpful for online games.

How to Install and Use an Ad Blocker App

Usually the steps are something like this:

1. Download the app: Go to the Google Play Store or the app’s official website and download the ad blocker app of your choice.
2. Install the app: Open the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install the app.
3. Grant permissions: The app might ask for some permissions, like access to your network connections. Make sure to grant them so the app can work properly.
4. Activate protection: There should be a button or switch to turn on ad blocking. Look for something like “Enable protection” or “Start Blocking”.
5. Start gaming: Once the ad blocker is active, you can start playing your games without those annoying interruptions.

Using a Private DNS

Another cool trick you can try is using a private DNS server. Think of DNS like a phone book for the internet. When you want to visit a website, your device checks the DNS to find its address. A private DNS can block ads by preventing your device from connecting to ad servers.

How Private DNS Works for Ad Blocking

Private DNS servers act as intermediaries between your device and the internet. Instead of using your internet provider’s default DNS, you use one that filters out ad requests. This helps to eliminate ads before they ever reach your game screen. It’s like having your own special internet connection.

Setting up Private DNS on Android

Here’s how to set up private DNS on most Android devices:

1. Go to Settings: Open the settings app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Find Network settings: Look for the option related to Wi-Fi or network and internet. It’s usually labeled “Network & internet”, “Connections”, or something similar.
3. Look for Private DNS: Tap on the “Private DNS” option. It may be under “Advanced” or “More” options.
4. Select “Private DNS provider hostname”: Choose this option, it means you are going to input a special DNS address, so it knows where to connect.
5. Enter a DNS address: Enter a DNS address provided by an ad-blocking DNS provider. Some options are:
   • dns.adguard.com (AdGuard DNS)
   • dns.nextdns.io (NextDNS)
   • cloudflare-dns.com (Cloudflare’s free DNS)

   Enter one of these options, then click save.

6. Save Changes: Save the changes and go back to your game. Now, ads should be blocked in the games you play.

Modifying Game Files (Advanced Users)

This method is for advanced users, or people who are familiar with modifying code or other settings. You will need to know what you are doing here.

What is Modifying Game Files?

Modifying game files can sometimes remove ads by changing how the game works. It’s like changing some of the rules inside the game to make it play differently. However, this is a more technical solution that should only be attempted by experienced users. When game files are changed, sometimes you can block ads, change how the game plays, or even change character appearances. But you have to be careful, because if you change the wrong thing it can cause problems with your game, or the game might not even work anymore.

Risks Associated with Modifying Game Files

Here are the main risks of modifying game files:

• Game Instability: If you change something wrong, the game might not work properly or might crash often.
• Voiding Warranties: Changing game files might go against the game’s terms of service or even void warranties.
• Security Risks: Downloading files from unofficial sources can expose your device to viruses or malware. Be careful when dealing with downloads not from the main game source.
• Ethical Issues: Some people consider altering game files to be unethical or against the rules, especially in multiplayer settings.

How to Modify Game Files (General Steps)

Please remember this method can be dangerous, and you should use caution when attempting this.

1. Rooting your device (required): You will need root access on your device. It is possible to root Android devices, but it is considered an advanced modification.
2. Download a file explorer (like a root explorer): You need a special file explorer that lets you see all the files on your phone, including the game files.
3. Locate game files: Using the explorer, find the folder that holds all the files for your game.
4. Look for ad-related files: Try to find files that might be connected to ads. This might be something like “ads.txt”, or files that have a related name. These files are different depending on the game.
5. Change or delete these files: Modify these files. You may need some code to put in the files, or you may want to delete them completely.
6. Start the game again: If the files are successfully changed, the game might start without the ads you saw before.

Again, please remember, this method is dangerous and may cause your games to break, or your phone to stop working properly. We do not recommend this if you have no experience changing or modifying files.

Playing Games Offline

One of the easiest ways to avoid ads is to simply play games offline. When your phone isn’t connected to the internet, many games can’t load the ads because they don’t have an internet connection. This is a simple method, and useful when your internet is not working, or you would like to save on mobile data.

Why Playing Offline Blocks Ads

Many games load ads from the internet. If there is no internet connection, those ads cannot load, so they do not appear. It’s like cutting off the source of the ads. You can still play the game, but without seeing the interruptions of ads.

How to Play Games Offline

Here is the process for playing games offline:

1. Turn off your internet: Go to your phone’s settings and turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data.
2. Start the game: Open the game you want to play.
3. Play without ads: If the game can be played offline, it should start without showing ads.

Note that some games require an internet connection to play at all, so this may not work on every single game.

Paying for a Premium Version

Many games offer a premium version that removes all ads for a one-time payment or a subscription. This is the most ethical approach, as it ensures the game creators are getting paid for their work while allowing you to enjoy your gaming experience uninterrupted. This is not free, but it is the most direct and easiest way to get rid of ads.

How Paid Versions Remove Ads

When you pay for a game, the developers usually take away the ads to make your gameplay better. It’s like a reward for paying for the game. The ads don’t show up because the game now has another way of paying for its costs.

Finding the Premium Options

You can usually find the premium version inside the game itself, or in the game’s page in the app store. It may be in the settings or menus inside the game, or you may see an ad telling you about it inside the game, or you may even find it when you go to the page for the game in Google Play Store. The options can vary by game, and it is not a requirement for every game to have a premium version.