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I've been on Android for a decade as well but just got an iPad mini. The one thing I still cannot figure out how to do on iOS is block ads at the system level.

I've been on Android for a decade as well but just got an iPad mini. The one thing I still cannot figure out how to do on iOS is block ads at the system level. Android has lots of apps that act as a VPN that block ads/trackers via DNS. It blocks ads in the browser, but also in apps. I can't find the equivalent on iOS. All my searches lead to ad blockers using Safari's content blocking, but the VPN-style ad blockers appear to violate Apple's terms, and so aren't in the app store. I've also seen recommendations to use Pi hole on my network, which is fine until I leave the house. If anyone has recommendations for system-wide VPN/DNS-based blockers for iOS, please share. That's the last real thing keeping me on Android.

GeekyBear 6y ago
You could set your DNS server IP address to one of AdGuard's public DNS servers that are configured to operate like a PiHole without installing anything. https://adguard.com/en/adguard-dns/overview.html https://adguard.com/en/adguard-dns/overview.html DNScloak and an ad blocking hosts file, such as the one here: https://github.com/BlackJack8/iOSAdblockList https://github.com/BlackJack8/iOSAdblockList would be another option.
lorenzhs 6y ago
I use https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id691121579 https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id691121579 but the UI is very basic - it doesn't come with any filter lists, you need to point it at a hosts list like https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BlackJack8/iOSAdblockList/master/Regular%20Hosts.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BlackJack8/iOSAdblockList/... manually. It's not compatible with other VPNs at the same time and it displays as a VPN in the top bar. Not ideal but
e_proxus 6y ago
I use NextDNS [1] and I’m very happy with it so far. It works on the DNS level. So far for our entire home we’ve never gone above the free level once, but I’m happy to pay as soon as we do. [1]: https://nextdns.io/ https://nextdns.io/

GeekyBear 6y ago

You could set your DNS server IP address to one of AdGuard's public DNS servers that are configured to operate like a PiHole without installing anything. https://adguard.com/en/adguard-dns/overview.html https://adguard.com/en/adguard-dns/overview.html DNScloak and an ad blocking hosts file, such as the one here: https://github.com/BlackJack8/iOSAdblockList https://github.com/BlackJack8/iOSAdblockList would be another option.

lorenzhs 6y ago

I use https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id691121579 https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id691121579 but the UI is very basic - it doesn't come with any filter lists, you need to point it at a hosts list like https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BlackJack8/iOSAdblockList/master/Regular%20Hosts.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BlackJack8/iOSAdblockList/... manually. It's not compatible with other VPNs at the same time and it displays as a VPN in the top bar. Not ideal but

e_proxus 6y ago

I use NextDNS [1] and I’m very happy with it so far. It works on the DNS level. So far for our entire home we’ve never gone above the free level once, but I’m happy to pay as soon as we do. [1]: https://nextdns.io/ https://nextdns.io/