[solved] android – Block Ads

Is it possible to block ads and pop ups from apps and games?
This doesn’t work.
1. Go to Settings > Applications (or Security on 4.0 and above) on your Android device.
2. Navigate to the Unknown sources option.
3. If unchecked, tap the checkbox, and then tap OK on the confirmation popup.
Answer #1
Thats because that settings has absolutely nothing to do with blocking ads. All that does is allow you to install apk’s that are downloaded from a source other than the play store. eg: the apk on your internal storage. That setting allows you to for example install “AdAway” app, that does the actual hosts file modifying that blocks ads. You do need a rooted device though
Answer #2
thank you for the adaway example. i’ve tried multiple paid apps and they either do not register or do absolutely nothing for ads. at least with a black list in the host file i can see where that would actually work if updated sufficiently.
Answer #3
It works just perfect on my nexus 5 / 7v2. You have to realize that blocking ads works in a similar way like you block software on windows to verify keys. With a hosts file, however on android this file resides on a protected system partition which you cannot access unless your device is rooted. Think of it as getting “Administrator” access instead of being a normal “user” on windows
Answer #4
Giving it a test run now. Installed KingoRoot and let it go through its process. https://www.kingoapp.com/
AdAway also installed and updated its listing http://free-software-for-android.github.io/AdAway/
Both installed without issues.
Thanks for the info. Hopefully this puts an end to all the frustration.
My device is a Verizon Ellipsis 8
Answer #5
A note of that kingoroot, it locks the superuser binaries and never gets updated (which is recommended). SuperSU by chainfire is far superior to the kingroot SU app and regurarly updates the binaries. To fix / update the binaries, boot into custom recovery (TWRP?) and flash the SuperSU beta. Then you can use Titanium backup to remove the kingroot app and let SuperSU update the binaries. If you don’t know what all that means, you can find me on the “rooting home” of android xda-developers.com. (Same username as here), and send a pm. If you do include basic info such as device and android version and i should be able to point you in the right direction.
Answer #6
i understand the host file concept. when i saw your ad example i went to the site, which you had mentioned “rooting” and so did the site. which in turn got me googling the pros and cons of rooting, being new to android. i believe i can run with the info you provided or google the parts i’m not fully clear on. what i got “lima charlie” rooting is not something you want to do on a whim, i.e. measure twice, cut once” so to speak. i have nothing of any security concern on this maylong tablet which i only use to google stuff while watching tv but ads are a nuisance.
thank both you guys for the help.
Answer #7
I’m new to rooting and this is my first time. For the sake of ads on my device there’s been much improvement already. I’ve only encountered 1 popup and all in-app ads have been blanked or removed that I’ve noticed so far.
Answer #8
It is something you don’t indeed consider lightly, as for some countries/carries it can void warranty (*cough* samsung KNOX *cough*) and prevent OTA’s when the /system partition is modified. But that’s nothing that can’t be worked arround if done right. Anyway, you know where to find me if you have questions