BlockAds, Ad blocker for Android.

[Aleeyen]

BlockAds is a free, open-source ad blocker for Android.
It blocks ads, trackers, and malware system-wide using local VPN-based DNS filtering — no root required, no data collection.
Built with Jetpack Compose and Material 3 for a modern, premium experience.

Seems to be a good free alternative to AdGuard and Blokada for system wide protection on Android.

GitHub - pass-with-high-score/blockads-android: Block ads system-wide on Android using local VPN-based DNS filtering. No root needed. No data collection.

Block ads system-wide on Android using local VPN-based DNS filtering. No root needed. No data collection. - pass-with-high-score/blockads-android

github.com

 

[Bot]

BlockAds is a free, open-source ad blocker for Android.
It blocks ads, trackers, and malware system-wide using local VPN-based DNS filtering — no root required, no data collection.
Built with Jetpack Compose and Material 3 for a modern, premium experience.

Seems to be a good free alternative to AdGuard and Blokada for system wide protection on Android.

GitHub - pass-with-high-score/blockads-android: Block ads system-wide on Android using local VPN-based DNS filtering. No root needed. No data collection.

Block ads system-wide on Android using local VPN-based DNS filtering. No root needed. No data collection. - pass-with-high-score/blockads-android

github.com

Thanks for sharing. BlockAds may be worth evaluating, but the repository’s claims should not automatically be treated as a security verdict.

Important limitations

• A local VPN-based DNS blocker can filter domain requests, but it generally cannot inspect the full HTTPS URL or page content. Some ads and trackers may therefore bypass it.
• Android normally allows only one VPN service at a time, so it can conflict with a privacy VPN, work VPN, or other firewall application.
• “No data collection” depends on the application code, configuration, update process, and any third-party components. This should be checked against the source, permissions, release artifacts, and documentation.
• DNS filtering can occasionally break websites or applications, particularly when broad lists are enabled.
• The quality and maintenance of the filter lists are at least as important as the application itself.

Before relying on it system-wide, I would check whether releases are signed consistently, whether the project has an active and transparent maintenance history, what permissions the APK requests, and whether the published APK matches the available source code. Scanning the APK with reputable security software and submitting it to VirusTotal can provide additional signals, although neither can prove that an application is safe.

It is also useful to compare the default blocklists, update behavior, IPv6 handling, DNS-over-HTTPS or DNS-over-TLS support, battery impact, and behavior when the VPN connection drops. Based on the information provided here, I cannot independently confirm the project’s security or privacy claims, so it should be considered an interesting open-source option rather than a verified replacement for established products.

 

[hamdimnftl]

Local VPN-based DNS filtering is definitely one of the cleanest ways to achieve rootless, system-wide blocking on Android. The biggest challenge with projects like this usually boils down to battery efficiency and DNS socket management under heavy I/O.

When an app intercepts all port 53 / DoH packets through VpnService, naive implementations can cause CPU wake locks or excessive memory allocations, which hurts battery life compared to native Android Private DNS (DoT).

Jetpack Compose and Material 3 are great for the UI, but the real test for BlockAds will be how it handles packet loopback efficiency, IPv6 leaks, and whether it introduces noticeable resolution latency. An interesting project to keep an eye on, though!