AdGuard is one of the most versatile ad blockers out there. One of the main reasons for that versatility is AdGuard DNS. While AdGuard’s apps and web extensions offer more conventional methods of ad blocking, the DNS goes above and beyond. It offers system-wide ad blocking on devices where you can’t even install a proper ad blocker. From iPhones or PS5 if covers almost every device that connects to the internet.
What is a DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. A DNS is like a phonebook for the internet. It connects your web browser to different websites. There are a lot of popular DNS resolvers like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and Google (8.8.8.8). If you’re not using any of these, there’s a high chance you’re using a DNS set up by your ISP.
A domain name is what you type in your address bar when you want to visit a site. For example, if you want to visit Facebook, you type in www.facebook.com in your browser’s address bar, and you can access the site. While we access the Internet using domain names, the Internet does not work like that.
Like each of our devices connected to a network, every website on the Internet has an IP address. One of the many IP addresses Facebook uses is 69.63.176.13. When you type in www.facebook.com on your web browser, your preferred DNS resolver finds the right IP address for that website and connects you to it.
It’s not just your web browser; every network traffic that comes to and from your device goes through a DNS resolver, including ads.
What is AdGuard DNS and How Does It Work?
Just like Cloudflare and Google’s DNS, AdGuard DNS turns your URLs into IP addresses and takes you where you need to be. But because it’s from AdGuard, it can also block ads and other content along the way.
It works pretty much the same way as any other DNS would. Let’s go back to the phonebook metaphor. AdGuard’s DNS has a list of all the domain names and their IP addresses. AdGuard also maintains ad blocklists. This means AdGuard knows which IP addresses are used by ad services. So, if they were to “erase those contacts” from the phone book, you wouldn’t know how to reach them.
That’s exactly what happens here. So imagine you’re playing one of those games with too many ads. But the game is fun to play so you don’t wanna uninstall it. With AdGuard DNS enabled, everytime the game tries to show you an ad, the request are redirected to a “black hole”. Basically they go nowhere and they come back empty. So the ad doesn’t load and you can keep playing the game without interruptions.
What Are The Main Features of AdGuard DNS?
We’ve covered what a DNS is. AdGuard DNS does everything that all other DNS do. What more? Here are a few things AdGuard DNS can do that most others can’t.
- Block Ads: This one’s obvious. It’s from AdGuard. Of course, it can block ads. AdGuard maintains a large collection of blocklists, most of which are applied to this DNS. So, if you choose the ad-blocking DNS, you will get the ad-blocking functionalities.
- Parental Controls: AdGuard also has solid parental control features on its main app, which carry over to the DNS. There are specific blocklists for adult content. Parents can also block or control popular gaming sites and services. There are also a few safe search capabilities that work on YouTube.
- Stats: If you’re using the private DNS, you will get your own dashboard and all network queries and what is being blocked where. So you can be aware of what is going on with your network traffic.
- Customizability: Another feature exclusive to the private AdGuard DNS is all the customizability features you would expect from any ad blocker. Add custom user rules to decide which domains should be blocked and on what devices. You can customise everything per device.
Differences Between AdGuard’s Public and Private DNS
AdGuard’s public DNS is great and reliable. But there are a few things you get with your own private DNS that might make it worthwhile.
AdGuard Public DNS: The public DNS is available to all. You don’t need to sign up or install an app. In fact, if you follow the instructions later in this article, you won’t even need to visit their website to set it up. It’s easy to set up, and it gets the job done.
There are three DNS addresses to choose from. Default, non-filtering, and family. The default one blocks ads and trackers. The non-filtering one doesn’t block anything, and you probably don’t want it. The family server blocks adult content and enables safe search alongside the ads and tracker blocking.
AdGuard Private DNS: AdGuard’s private DNS does everything the public DNS can do and more. So you have to sign up for a private DNS. Then you will get your own addresses for a certain number of devices based on your plan. But the free tier gives you two devices.
The best part about the private DNS is that you get a dashboard. You can see and control almost everything. You will get stats for what’s getting blocked and what’s passing through. You can add your custom rules. You can block specific sites you want like, and a whole lot more.
How To Set Up AdGuard DNS?
The set up process for AdGuard DNS is very similar whether you opt for the private one or public. But here we will be going through the public DNS set up as the addresses remain same for everyone. The private DNS set up is a bit more involved, but once you sign up for AdGuard DNS, the website will guide you through that process.
The easiest way to block ads using AdGuard DNS
AdGuard app on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS uses DNS ad blocking. Just install the app, locate the server settings and select AdGuard DNS.
However, while easiest, this has some shortcomings. The iOS app is only available in the App Store, and it cannot block system-wide ads. The Android app uses a VPN connection, which can be battery-draining and prevent you from using an actual VPN. For macOS and Windows, it should be fine.
How to block ads on Android using AdGuard DNS?
The DNS set-up process on Android is probably the easiest (hoping you’re on a device with Android 9.0 or over). Here’s how to do it:
- Open the settings app on your phone.
- Go to WiFi & Internet or Internet or Connections or Network. (It’s different based on which phone you use, but you get the idea.)
- Either look for Private DNS or More connection/network settings.
- Once you locate the Private DNS option, tap on it and choose the option that lets you put on a private DNS provider hostname.
- Then, put in dns.adguard-dns.com for ad blocking. Or family.adguard-dns.com for ad blocking, adult content blocking, and safe search.
It usually takes a minute or two, but almost all ads on your phone should be blocked.
How to block ads on iOS using AdGuard DNS?
The process on iOS is a bit different. You can’t just type in a DNS address to start using it. You need a signed DNS profile.
Go to the AdGuard Public DNS page on your iOS device.
Click to expand Option 2 then select iOS.
Choose either the Default server or the Family protection server and Download configurator profile.
Open settings app on your phone and tap on profile downloaded.
Make sure that it is showing the AdGuard DNS profile and tap Install on the top right.
Apple takes a few precautions when installing a DNS but the end result should be the same as any other device.
How to block ads on Windows using AdGuard DNS?
If you don’t want to install the AdGuard app on your Windows device, which gives you the same benefits with some extra perks, here’s how to just install the DNS:
- Go to Start menu and open Control Panel.
- Select Network and Internet.
- Click on Network and Sharing Center.
- From the left-side menu, click on Change Adapter Settings.
- Click on the WiFi or Ethernet connection that you are connected to.
- From the top menu, click on change settings of this connection.
- Find and click on Internet Protocol Version 4 or 6 from the network properties, depending on your network. (Not sure? Ask your ISP)
- Click on properties at the bottom.
- Click on use the following DNS server addresses.
- For IPv4, the preferred and alternative servers for default ad blocking are: 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15
- For IPv4 the preferred and alternative servers for family protection are: 94.140.14.15 and 94.140.15.16
- For IPv6, the preferred and alternative servers for default ad blocking are: 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff and 2a10:50c0::ad2:ff
- For IPv6 the preferred and alternative servers for family protection are: 2a10:50c0::bad1:ff and 2a10:50c0::bad2:ff
- Once you’ve put the server address, hit OK and Close.
This process should be the same on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
How to block ads on macOS using AdGuard DNS?
If you’re on macOS Big Sur 11.6 and above the process is very similar to iOS devices.
- Go to the AdGuard Public DNS page on your iOS device.
- Click to expand Option 2 then select macOS.
- Choose either the Default server or the Family protection server and Download configurator profile.
- Open settings app on your Mac and tap on profiles.
- From the left side, locate the AdGuard DNS from the downloaded profiles list.
- And hit install on the right side.
AdGuard DNS Addresses:
AdGuard DNS can be used on a wide variety of devices, including your WiFi routers, Smart TVs, Gaming Consoles and more. However, all of those devices have very different DNS set-up processes. So, if you want to install them, look up how to add a DNS to your device and use the following addresses.
Plain DNS
Default Servers:
IPv4:
94.140.14.14
94.140.15.15
IPv6:
2a10:50c0::ad1:ff
2a10:50c0::ad2:ff
Family Protection Servers
IPv4:
94.140.14.15
94.140.15.16
IPv6:
2a10:50c0::bad1:ff
2a10:50c0::bad2:ff
DNS-over-HTTPS:
Default server: https://dns.adguard-dns.com/dns-query
Family Protection Server: https://family.adguard-dns.com/dns-query
DNS-over-TLS
Default server: tls://dns.adguard-dns.com
Family Protection Server: tls://family.adguard-dns.com
If you need the addresses for other protocols, visit AdGuard Public DNS site.
Wrapping Up
What AdGuard DNS offers is kind of mind-blowing. And the public DNS is free for all. You can even get away with using the free tier of the private DNS, as it offers most of the functionalities for regular users.
However, there are a few shortcomings. Because of how platforms like YouTube and Facebook show ads, this DNS cannot do much about it. However, there are alternatives for that too.
Read our full review of AdGuard to learn more.