AdAway
AdAway is a free, open-source Android app that blocks advertisements across the device through the hosts file.
What AdAway is
AdAway is a free, open-source Android app that blocks advertisements across the device through the hosts file. It offers custom filter lists and lets you add hosts-file sources from providers you trust. Allowlist and blocklist exceptions control which hosts are permitted or blocked, while custom redirect rules provide additional control. Local VPN mode works without root access; root support is available through Magisk Systemless Hosts. The project lists Android 8 and above for version 5 and Android 4.1 and above for version 4. AdAway is not distributed through Google Play; its website directs users to F-Droid. The app may be unreliable on mobile networks such as 3G when an APN proxy is configured. For Chrome ads that remain, the site advises disabling Chrome’s Data Compression Proxy. Bug reports and telemetry require opt-in.
Good
- Free and open source
- System-wide hosts-file blocking
- Custom filter lists and rules
- Works without root in Local VPN mode
- Optional telemetry requires opt-in
Watch out
- Not available through Google Play
- May be unreliable with some mobile proxies
- Chrome may require disabling Data Compression Proxy
Who it suits
AdAway suits Android users who want system-wide ad blocking and configurable host sources or rules. It also suits users comfortable installing through F-Droid and, optionally, using root support.
Verdict
AdAway provides configurable, system-wide ad blocking on Android with free open-source licensing. Check its network and Chrome limitations before relying on it in every connection setup.
Plans and prices
From AdAway's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free and open source ad blocker for Android |
The facts
Each one read from AdAway's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Android versions
- The site lists Android 8 and above for v5 and Android 4.1 and above for v4.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Browser limitation
- For ads that are not blocked in Chrome, the site advises disabling Chrome’s Data Compression Proxy.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Device coverage
- mobilechecked 21 Sep 2026
What it does
- Custom filter lists
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Custom rules
- Users can add allowlist and blocklist exceptions and create custom redirect rules.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- AdAway is not available on Google Play; the site directs users to install it from F-Droid.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The site directs users to the AdAway Wiki on GitHub for detailed documentation.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Host sources
- Users can add their own hosts file sources from providers they trust.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License
- AdAway is open source and licensed under GPLv3+.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Mobile network limitation
- The site says AdAway may not work reliably on mobile networks such as 3G when an APN proxy is set.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- AdAway blocks ads system-wide using the hosts file.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Root access
- Local VPN mode does not require root; root support is available with Magisk Systemless Hosts.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can seek support in the AdAway XDA thread or file a bug report through GitHub.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Telemetry
- The project README says bug reports and telemetry can be sent only if the user opts in.checked 9 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
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