AdGuard: The Ultimate Guide to Block Ads and Trackers

AdGuard: The Ultimate Guide to Block Ads and TrackersAdGuard is a comprehensive ad‑blocking and privacy protection solution available across desktop and mobile platforms. It blocks intrusive ads, prevents trackers and analytics from profiling you, speeds up page loading, and reduces bandwidth usage. This guide explains what AdGuard does, how it works, how to install and configure it on major platforms, advanced features, privacy and security considerations, comparison with alternatives, and tips for troubleshooting and optimal use.

What AdGuard does (at a glance)

Blocks ads: removes banners, pop-ups, video ads, and native ads in apps and web pages.
Prevents tracking: stops analytics, cookies and third‑party trackers from collecting data about your behavior.
Filters content: applies rules and filters to hide page elements or scripts.
Improves performance: reduces page weight and resource usage by preventing unwanted content from loading.
Offers parental control: filters and blocks adult or unsafe content if enabled.
Provides DNS‑level privacy options: supports secure DNS (DoH/DoT/DoQ) to avoid DNS leaking and optionally block domains known for tracking or malware.

How AdGuard works (technical overview)

AdGuard combines different techniques depending on platform and configuration:

Network filtering: inspects HTTP(S) requests and blocks those matching filter rules.
Local proxy / VPN mode (mobile): routes device traffic through a local VPN or proxy to apply filters system‑wide without needing root/Jailbreak.
Browser extension: modifies page content and blocks requests inside the browser (limited to browser traffic).
DNS filtering: uses a DNS resolver or custom blocklists to prevent domain name resolution for trackers/malware.
Script and element hiding: uses CSS/JavaScript rules to remove or hide elements and disable tracking scripts.

Filters are rule sets written in EasyList/EasyPrivacy style and additional AdGuard-specific lists. Users can install community lists or create custom rules.

Editions and platform support

AdGuard comes in several forms:

AdGuard Browser Extensions — available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and others. These block ads inside the browser only.
AdGuard for Windows — a system app with deep filtering, HTTPS filtering (requires installing a local certificate), and advanced options.
AdGuard for macOS — similar to Windows but adapted to macOS networking.
AdGuard for Android — a standalone app that can work without root by using a local VPN service; a rooted variant can do deeper packet filtering.
AdGuard for iOS — constrained by iOS networking APIs; typically uses Content Blocker extensions for Safari and an optional local VPN for app filtering.
AdGuard DNS — a free and paid DNS service with filtering policies for privacy, parental control, and malware protection.
AdGuard Home — a self‑hosted network‑level blocking solution (open‑source) you can run on a home server or NAS.

Installation and quick setup

Windows

Download the AdGuard for Windows installer from the official site.
Run the installer and follow prompts.
During setup, AdGuard will suggest enabling HTTPS filtering — this requires installing a local root certificate so AdGuard can inspect encrypted traffic; accept only if you understand the implications.
Open AdGuard, enable protection, and choose default filter lists.

Tips: Enable HTTPS filtering if you want to block ads inside HTTPS pages and in browsers that use system network stack. Exclude apps if you encounter compatibility issues.

macOS

Download the macOS app and install.
Grant required permissions in System Preferences (network/filtering or extensions).
Enable desired filters and HTTPS filtering if needed.

Note: On macOS, system networking and sandboxing differences may limit some features compared to Windows.

Android

Install from Google Play or official APK.
Choose mode: local VPN (no root) or root mode (if device rooted).
Allow the local VPN connection when prompted.
Enable filtering and select filter lists.

Tip: Use DNS‑over‑HTTPS inside AdGuard for better privacy and to avoid leaking DNS queries to ISP.

iOS

Install from the App Store.
Add the AdGuard Safari Content Blocker in Safari settings.
Optionally enable the local VPN mode for app filtering (limited by iOS).
Configure filters and rules.

iOS limits system‑wide filtering; Safari content blocking is the most effective element.

Browser extensions

Install the official extension from your browser’s add‑ons store.
Enable built‑in lists (AdGuard Base, EasyList, EasyPrivacy).
Use element picker to remove specific page elements.

Extensions are lightweight and safe but only protect browser traffic.

Key features and when to use them

Ad blocking (default filters): everyday protection for browsing.
HTTPS filtering: required to block ads and trackers embedded in encrypted traffic — use on personal devices where you control certificates.
Stealth/Privacy mode: hides referrer, blocks third‑party cookies, spoofs user agent, stops WebRTC leaks — useful when you want extra fingerprinting resistance.
DNS filtering (AdGuard DNS or custom DoH): use to block trackers at DNS level network‑wide, and to improve privacy by encrypting DNS queries.
Parental control: enforce safe search and block adult content on family devices.
User rules and Whitelisting: allow specific sites or create custom blocking rules when a site breaks.
Filtering log and element picker: debug and fine‑tune blocking.

Advanced configuration and custom rules

Create custom filters with AdGuard’s rule syntax. Example to hide a page element:
```
example.com##.annoying-banner 
```
Block specific network requests by URL: ||example.com^$third-party
Use regular expressions for complex patterns: ||example.com^$script,domain=~allowed.example.com
Import community lists (e.g., regional ad lists, language‑specific filters).
Use the filtering log to identify the network request or element and add a precise rule.

Privacy and security considerations

HTTPS filtering requires installing a local root certificate; this allows AdGuard to decrypt and inspect HTTPS traffic. This gives the app high privilege — install only from the official vendor and keep the app updated.
AdGuard Home and AdGuard DNS provide network‑level blocking. Running your own AdGuard Home gives you control, but requires keeping the host secure.
Browser extensions do not require certificates and are lower risk but only protect in‑browser.
Use trusted DNS resolvers (AdGuard DNS or other reputable DoH providers) to avoid privacy tradeoffs.

AdGuard vs competitors (short comparison)

Feature	AdGuard (app + DNS)	uBlock Origin	Browser Extensions (others)
System‑wide filtering	Yes (apps, DNS)	No (extension only)	No
HTTPS filtering	Yes (app)	No (requires browser extension limitations)	Limited
DNS filtering	Yes (AdGuard DNS/Home)	No	No
Parental control	Yes	No	Limited
Ease of use	High (GUI apps)	High (extension UI)	Varies
Open source core	AdGuard Home is OSS; main apps are proprietary	uBlock Origin is open source	Varies

Common issues and troubleshooting

Broken site layout after blocking: use Whitelist for that site or use the element picker to create a less aggressive rule.
HTTPS filtering not working: ensure the AdGuard certificate is installed and trusted; restart browser/app.
Battery drain on mobile: check if filtering mode (local VPN) is active; try excluding high‑traffic apps or switch to DNS filtering.
App conflicts: other VPNs or security apps can interfere — exclude or disable them while testing AdGuard.
Ads still appear in apps: enable system‑wide filtering (local VPN or root mode), check filter lists, and update app.

Tips, best practices, and etiquette

Whitelist small websites you want to support financially.
Use filter lists appropriate for your region and language for better coverage.
Keep AdGuard and filter lists up to date.
Combine DNS filtering with app/browser blocking for layered protection.
When reporting breakages, include the filtering log and a screenshot to help maintainers create precise fixes.

When not to use AdGuard

On high‑security environments where installing a local root certificate is disallowed.
On managed corporate devices where local VPNs or network filtering conflict with IT policies.
If you need strictly open‑source software across all components (AdGuard Home is open source; main desktop/mobile apps are proprietary).

Conclusion

AdGuard is a flexible, feature‑rich solution for blocking ads and trackers across browsers, devices, and entire networks. It combines rule‑based filtering, DNS blocking, and platform‑specific techniques to reduce unwanted content and improve privacy and performance. Choose the edition that fits your needs — browser extension for minimal in‑browser protection, apps for system‑wide filtering, or AdGuard Home for full control on your network.