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While we’d love to live in a perfect world without intrusive ads and such on all these newfangled websites, the truth is that some users just don’t want to see them. Moral issues aside, plugins have existed for years to help folks disable them as easily as they could disable anything, and the biggest of such a tool is AdBlock Plus. The plugin, which can be had in the form of browser plugins on desktop, has now made its way to Android.
The app will block ads for most browsers that can be had in the Play Store, and you don’t have to be rooted for basic functionality over WiFi. 3G and 4G will be a bit of a problem if you don’t have root access on your device, though, so keep that in mind before damning it in the Google Play Store if it doesn’t appear to be working. In fact, keep this full list of compatibility issues and restrictions in mind:
- Rooted: Blocks ads over Wi-Fi and 3G
- Non-rooted with Android 3.1 or later: Blocks ads over Wi-Fi
- Non-rooted with Android 3.0 or earlier: Some manual configuration is required. Please visit our website to learn how to setup your own proxy: https://adblockplus.org/en/android-config#proxy
- Also, Android does not allow ads to be blocked on SSL encrypted websites.
Co-founder Till Faida says mobile users should be able to control their browsing experience and block intrusive ads just as easily as anyone else:
Mobile devices have exploded over the past few years, and as usage of these devices has increased, so has advertising, which is becoming more and more intrusive. Mobile devices can feel more ‘personal’ than online browsing via a desktop device, making advertising on these devices even more intrusive and annoying when they interrupt browsing. And by blocking ads from rendering, Adblock Plus users can experience up to 40% faster browsing on their Android devices.
Trying it on my Nexus 7 proved effortless. I used the latest version of Firefox with the ever-so-easy EasyList and not a single ad got through. Your mileage may vary, but the app shouldn’t give many users problems as long as they take heed to the aforementioned list of exceptions.
Unfortunately there doesn’t appear to be any options for white-listing, but we imagine that functionality will be added in future upgrades. We’ve pinged the AdBlock team to be sure and we’ll update this post with anything they’re able to share. Go ahead and try the free app in the Google Play Store.
Doesn’t seem to be anything special. I prefer AdAway.
I use AdAway as well, it works. But you also have to be rooted for AdAway right? ABP somewhat works without being rooted.
Yeah, it requires root.
The good thing about AdBlock is that you do not have to be rooted (like with AdAway).
Yea. That’s going to be their main selling point. Non-root ad-blocking.
Sure, but AdAway blocks EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE, not just in web browsers, because it’s a system-level null route in the /etc/hosts file. This is one of the main reasons that makes it worth rooting in any case.
I’m using adblock plus (which needs super user permission) after uninstalling adaway and it pretty much is better in every way. blocks ads in all my apps (pandora, friendcaster..etc)
Just installed it on my Prime and my N7. Both are WiFi only devices, so that’s perfect. :)
why even release something that has these issues
It’s all based on limitations of Android and mobile networks. It’s not like they just released a jumbled mess. Most of these things can’t be worked around unless you have root access, and that is the unfortunate trade-off they had to deal with.
To bad CM7 doesn’t give you proxy settings.
Adaway blocks ads in everything, I think. Not just the browser, I believe.
That seems like a big win. I love ABP though. I started using it in Firefox, then in Chrome. I’ll give it a shot.
Of course AdAway blocks all ads regardless of the app you use. AdAway simply changes the list of IP address of the ad server to the loopback IP 127.0.0.1. That is why it needs root to be able to modify the hosts file.
Wish I could find something to block ads in news apps non-root.
Why do these app makers think they need to put a notification icon in there? I uninstalled it just because of that.
If you have 4.1 or later you could disable the notification :)
Huh? I’m on 4.1 – did not see this option in settings. Pls clarify.
If you go into Settings, then Apps, then Adblock plus you will find a option called Show notifications, uncheck the checkbox, and the problem is resolved
Nope. Checked again under FAQ – Not removable (uninstall)
What are they going to do now? Walk on water?!
Does this only block adds from the browser?
No its a system wide blocker. Straight from their market page “Adblock Plus blocks: mobile ads, video advertising, banners, push notifications, display advertising, HTML5 advertising, and much more.”
cool thanks. I might have to give it a try.
Have had this for years on my PC. Installed on android and ended up removing. Get off of my notification bar and I will reinstall !
I know some will complain that devs will not make as many apps now because of the lack of revenue. I believe if the app is good, people will pay, and they will still make their revenue. If they must show an ad, do it before the game or app starts, then go away, not during your game so you click on it by mistake, and don’t flood my notifications with pop ups. That’s why I block everything on my rooted S3. They are going to have to find a new means of revenue generation, or they need to make an app worth paying, or at the very least have 2 versions, a free one, and then one you can pay for to have ads removed.
I use AdAway also – no problems with it ever.
Yes! Now I can close those ridiculous ads that hovers all over the android forums.com which is impossible to close and makes me want to never visit the site. Oh wait this is phandroid
If you use Firefox as your main browser like I do you could add this as an add on ext before this came to the store.
We love you AdBlock Plus!
Is it better than adfree? or just more comprehensive? can you run them together?
THANKS