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AdLock for Android helps to get rid of annoying commercial content on websites and in applications on handheld devices — smartphones and tablets. In addition, AdLock provides reliable protection against fraudulent redirects, websites containing malicious software, and services that gather browsing history and statistics.
Installation
Generally, Android applications are available on Google Play Market, but you won’t find AdLock there. The reason for this is that Google prohibits the distribution of network-level ad blockers via Google Play. So, you should install AdLock for Android manually. To make sure everything goes fine, allow installing applications from unknown sources: For devices running on Android 8 and above: - Start downloading AdLock APK;
- The operating system of your device will ask you to allow permission. Enable the “Allow” option and then resume the installation.
For devices running on Android 7:
- Open “Settings”;
- Proceed to “Additional settings” in “System & Device”;
- Switch on “Unknown sources” and press “OK” in the system warning window.
After the installation is complete, launch the application and get to onboarding. It’ll guide you through the basic adjustments to start your ad-free Internet experience.To activate AdLock on your Android device:- Run AdLock;
- Tap the hamburger menu button (“≡”);
- Then tap “Activation”;
- Input your key in this window;
- That's it. AdLock is activated — proceed to set it up.
Setting up adblocking
By default, AdLock for Android is set up to block adverts on browsers and applications via http and DNS filtering. AdLock processes the incoming internet traffic and traces the encrypted content that contains diverse types of undesired content — ads, hidden bugs, trackers, etc. To remove ads from applications that use secure connections (e.g., http), AdLock launches a MITM technique and replaces the application’s security certificates with its certificate.
AdLock certificate
AdLock custom digital certificate is a tool ensuring efficient adblocking by providing the possibility of filtering the http traffic (used by most types of ads). The certificate is uniquely generated for every device and is stored locally. Please note, that it gives no way of accessing or stealing your private data even if it somehow falls into the hands of third parties.
Installation of AdLock certificate on Android 7
In older versions of Android, the certificate is installed automatically during the onboarding process or via AdLock settings. Its installation requires a couple of taps. The easiest way is, of course, to install it right during the onboarding. So, as soon as you launch AdLock for the first time, you'll see a welcoming screen with a big red button "Get started". Press it and follow the instructions. The application will prompt you to download the certificate, so accept the dialogue and follow the steps shown on the screens:
During the procedure, you’ll be asked to confirm your identity and actions via a graphic key/user password. This means you’ll have to set a key or enter it if you already have it set. Please note, this is a means of security required to ensure that you’re the owner of the device.Installation of AdLock certificate on Android 11
To install the AdLock certificate on an Android 11 device, you should download and save it on your storage.
- Run AdLock;
- Press the hamburger menu button (“≡”) at the top left corner of the screen;
- Tap "Settings";
- Then choose "Download AdLock certificate";
- The browser chosen to be used by default will launch and ask you whether you agree to save the certificate.
After the certificate is downloaded, you can
install it via your device's file explorer:
- Locate the previously downloaded certificate by using the file explorer;
- Tap the certificate file;
- Confirm your identity by entering the graphic key/set the graphic key for future actions;
- Name the certificate (or leave the default "AdLock Custom CA...");
- Tap "OK" and the "Done".
Proceed to the "Settings" menu of your handheld device and then:
- Tap "Biometrics and security";
- Choose "Other security settings";
- Then tap "Install from storage" (install certificate) and choose "Certificate CA";
- Locate and choose the previously downloaded AdLock certificate;
- Tap "Done".
Firefox certificate
Currently, the Firefox browser on Android does not allow installing and using third-party certificates, which makes it impossible for AdLock to perform http filtering on the browser. To admit, http filtering is the process that is critical for efficient adblocking. Nevertheless, the solution is easy. Mozilla suggests downloading
Firefox Nightly which provides this possibility. This means if you prefer using Firefox on your smartphone and wish it to be ad-free, then you need this duo — AdLock and Firefox Nightly. After you get Firefox Nightly you should do several adjustments. First, you should configure the browser to use the Certificate Store. Type
about:config in the address bar and accept any warnings is prompted. Then, create a new boolean value and input
security. enterprise_roots. enabled as the
Name. Set the value to
True.
Why is a VPN connection created?
AdLock uses VPN to filter traffic and block requests for phishing and malicious websites. The VPN server is deployed locally, on your device. This allows speeding up the blocking function and also implies that the AdLock servers are not involved in this process. Note, that we neither route your traffic through any third-party servers nor collect/transmit/sell any data when this VPN is deployed. Important: only one VPN service can be established at a time, which means that the existing interface is deactivated when a new one is created. In other words, if you have a separate VPN application running and then switch ON AdLock, the previous app’s VPN connection would get terminated and vice versa: if AdLock is ON and you run another VPN app, the adblocking by our software pauses. This is due to Android OS’s technical specificity.Adding AdLock to the quick access shade
After you've finished installing AdLock on your Android, slide the quick access shade, tap the "Menu" button, and then "Button order". Select the AdLock icon to then drag and drop it to the most suitable place of your choice. Please note, that the procedure may be different depending on the device brand but overall, it's quite similar on all Android phones.
DNS settings
Recent Android OS versions have a DNS request encryption setting that interferes with AdLock operations if enabled. For the correct and efficient adblocking by AdLock, you should
turn Private DNS off in your device settings. Please note, settings can vary by phone/tablet.
- Open “Settings”;
- Tap “Network & Internet”;
- Proceed to “Advanced” and then “Private DNS”;
- Switch it off.
Upon completion of the above-mentioned steps, AdLock will operate efficiently and flawlessly in the majority of cases. If you face issues, feel free to contact our support agents.Filters list
Please, be aware, that there are regional filters that come into action from the perspective of your OS language. Also, there is a "General" (English) filter which is enabled by default. You may enable all required filters to meet your specific needs. The list can be found:
- Tap the hamburger menu button (“≡”) on the top left of the main screen;
- Tap "Settings" menu item;
- Choose the "Filtering" tab in the appeared screen;
- Tap "Ad filters" to see the screen of filters.
All the filters in the list have toggles so all you need to enable or disable a specific filter — just tap the chosen item.
Bottom line
This is the end of the guide. Here's the resulting checklist to go by:
- Download and install the APK;
- Run the application and complete the onboarding;
- Disable the default Android DNS and switch ON the AdLock's DNS filtering;
- Enable HTTP filtering (install custom AdLock http certificate);
- Adjust filters.