ad blocker for smartphone browsers - Galaxy Exhibit 4G

[VirtualLarry]

I just got this phone for an early Christmas gift.

 

[cl-scott]

There are a couple of programs that implement a HOSTS based solution. It's far from the level of what you'd get with say AdBlock Plus with Firefox on the desktop, but it's something. However, they all require you have root access on the phone at a minimum.

If you've managed to root the phone, then AdAway is probably one of the best. Basically just press one button, reboot the phone, and you're done.

 

[Aikouka]

I use Firefox with AdBlock Plus on my Android tablet. I'm pretty certain Firefox is available for normal phones, but I don't know if it also has add-on capability.

 

[lopri]

HOSTS based solution requires rooting, right? When I searched for ad blockers they all required root. I looked at AdAway and AdFree Android, but I ended up getting ROM Toolbox Pro (Lite version is free) which comes with ad blocker along with a host of other things.

I kind of sound like a salesman of this app (I'm not) but it is really a nice little app that does a lot in one package. It runs slow but I don't need to use it often, so I am OK with that.

I discovered it also gives control over individual app's processes, such as ad pusher or usage tracker. You can see below that I have disabled certain "receivers" when apps start.

After disabling those receivers I test the apps to make sure they're functional and behaving. So far I have disabled every suspicious receiver I saw and apps seem to run fine. It's quite nice to have a fine grained control over apps.