Block YouTube Ads on Android [No Root | Free Method]

If you’re tired of unskippable YouTube ads ruining your viewing experience, you’re not alone — I’ve been there too, and after trying almost every ad blocking method, I’ve finally found the best workaround to eliminate them without paying for YouTube Premium. Many creators earn through these ads, and while that supports content you see on your favorite channels, sometimes you just want a clean stream, especially on your Android device.

I’ve compiled a list of methods that offer different levels of relief — from ad blockers and tracker blocking tools to apps that provide alternate access or workaround systems that still let you support creators in other ways. Some methods are 100% free, while others offer advanced options apart from paying.

Recently, a few apps have been coming up that help improve not just your YouTube experience, but also block those annoying trackers that come along with it. It’s important to remember that while ads support revenue, finding the right one that fits your comfort and ethics is key. Here’s one way I found that truly worked for me, setting my content sessions apart from the usual interruptions.

How to block youtube ads on android

1. Use an ad blocker app

After testing multiple tools, I found Total Adblock to be the most reliable ad blocker that actually works well on my Android phone; once you download and open the app, simply sign up or sign in, then scroll through the settings, choose YouTube filtering, and tap to activate — from there, the ads just don’t show up during videos.

I personally used it to block everything from popups to mid-roll video interruptions, and the process was surprisingly smooth. You can even export your settings to other devices and share them with friends using the More tab, making it easy to help others enjoy an ad free experience.

I did find that some YouTube features may still try to bypass this, but for everyday use, this app holds up well and makes watching content a lot more peaceful.

2. Use an ad blocker browser extension

For those who stream YouTube videos through a web browser on Android, using an ad blocker extension is a powerful method I’ve personally tested — and it absolutely works. After I downloaded Total Adblock and a few others like Stands Free, I simply installed them in Chrome, Firefox, or even Edge, depending on which browser I wanted to use. Once you open the app and sign in, just navigate to your extensions manager, turn on the ad blocking feature, and boom — you’re ready to enjoy an ad free experience.

Even on Safari via Android-based alternatives, once I activated the extension after sign up, the results were impressive. I recommend this as a solid alternative for anyone wanting to block ads without any app install—just straight from your browser, and it’s seamless.

3. Watch YouTube videos in the Brave browser

One of the simplest ways I’ve found to watch YouTube videos without ads is by using the Brave browser, which I’ve personally downloaded on both Android and iPhone for a seamless, ad-free viewing experience. After you download and open the app from the app store, just navigate to YouTube like you would in any internet browser, and it automatically blocks annoying trackers and ads without needing extra tools.

Whether you’re on macOS, Windows, or mobile devices, Brave offers a secure and efficient alternative that works just as well as any other app — and the fact that it’s optimized for both iOS and Android means you can enjoy smooth playback wherever you are.

4. Subscribe to YouTube Premium

While many ad blockers work well on the internet, they often face a crackdown from YouTube’s side, especially with changes now affecting how users interact across mobile, smart TV, and even the site itself—but when I decided to subscribe to YouTube Premium, it completely changed my viewing experience.

Though some may find the subscription a bit pricey or even expensive, especially per month, it undeniably blocks ads across every video, on every device, in the most seamless way possible. As a regular user, I eventually realized the ad free experience was worth it, and in regions where cheaper options are available, it’s honestly a stress-free solution that doesn’t just filter but removes ads entirely—no matter where or how you’re watching.

YouTube Premium plans and prices

Plan	Price
Monthly	$13.99/mo
Annual	$139.99/yr
Family	$22.99/mo
Student	1-month free trial, $7.99/mo after

Is using an ad blocker on YouTube legal?

Using an ad blocker on YouTube isn’t technically illegal, but it raises ethical questions—while it allows you to block interruptions and enjoy seamless content, it also bypasses ad revenue that creators rely on as part of their payment for the hard work they put into videos we all love. I’ve used ad blockers myself, but I’m also mindful about supporting my favorite channels so they can continue to deliver the content I value; after all, if we all block ads without another way to support, the system struggles to function.

There’s no law stopping you, but think about how your choices affect the creators who make YouTube worth watching.

5. Use YouTube Vanced or ReVanced

Back when YouTube Vanced was still active, it was my go-to modded app on Android for an ad-free content experience, but now that it’s discontinued, the next best alternative is ReVanced, which works just as well with a bit of setup. I found solid instructions and assistance from Reddit users, and using ReVanced Manager from the official site, I was able to download, patch, and install the modified YouTube app easily.

The platform may not be as straightforward as before, but with the right guide, getting it running is smooth—and once done, you can enjoy all the benefits without interruptions.

6. Enable PiP mode and skip YouTube ads

One clever trick I often use to skip certain types of ads on YouTube is enabling Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, which works on both iOS and Android and allows you to watch your content in a floating window while multitasking—sometimes this forces the ad to end quicker or not appear at all, especially with music videos or background play.

Though officially part of Premium, there are ways to activate PiP without it depending on your region or Android version, and once you follow the right instructions, it’s a smooth process that gives you more control over how and when you consume YouTube without constant interruption.

iOS

Although the focus is on Android, I’ve also tested ways to minimize ads on iOS, and enabling Picture-in-Picture (PiP) has proven useful across my device. To activate it, I went into Settings, selected General, found the Picture-in-Picture option, and made sure Start PiP Automatically was turned ON using the toggle.

Then, I opened the YouTube app, navigated to Playback, and followed the rest—just scroll, tap, and turn on what’s needed. This small change let me shrink videos while doing other tasks, helping me avoid certain ad interruptions without installing anything extra.

Android

On Android, enabling Picture-in-Picture mode is a clever way I use to reduce interruptions while watching YouTube, especially during Playback. I started by going into Settings, then selected Apps & notifications, tapped Advanced, and navigated to Special app access, where I found Picture-in-Picture and selected the YouTube app. From there, I made sure to turn on the Allow Picture-in-Picture option by flipping the toggle ON.

Once set, I just had to tap the home button while a video played, and it smoothly minimized into a floating window—letting me continue watching without being stuck on ads in full-screen mode.

7. Use third-party YouTube frontends

One underrated method I often recommend for ad-free content is using third-party YouTube frontends like Invidious, Piped, or FreeTube, which not only help avoid ads but also limit Google tracking while you’re watching videos. On my Android device, I’ve downloaded a couple of these via F-Droid, a trusted source, and after making sure my phone was protected with antivirus to check for malware, I installed the app without issues.

These tools offer smooth performance, don’t require login, and feel surprisingly native—plus, they’re lightweight and perfect for anyone who wants privacy and peace while consuming YouTube without the usual ad clutter.

8. Use an ad blocking DNS service

One method I’ve found surprisingly effective for blocking ads on YouTube is switching to an ad blocking DNS service like AdGuard or NextDNS, which works by intercepting web addresses at the Domain Name System level before they resolve into IP addresses, letting you filter ad traffic directly on your device.

I used this on my Android by going into network settings, choosing to change the DNS configuration manually, and setting it to a reliable service—once you open the YouTube app, many ad sources are already filtered based on your location and the provider’s blacklist. This setup doesn’t just help on YouTube but improves browsing everywhere, and I honestly didn’t hope for it to work this well across so many videos.

How to disable personalized ads on YouTube

If you’re not ready to block all ads but want to protect your privacy and make YouTube slightly less invasive, you can disable personalized ads by adjusting a simple configuration in your Google account; I’ve done this myself, and while you’ll still receive ads, they won’t be based on your browsing data, which makes the whole feature feel less intrusive. Just go to ad settings, turn off ad personalization, and it’s surprisingly easy to do.

While this doesn’t fully eliminate ads, it’s a smart idea for users who still want to support creators—especially your favorite ones—without feeling overly tracked every time you open YouTube.

Turn off personalized YouTube ads on Android

To reduce personalized ads on Android, I went into YouTube Studio, made sure I was signed in, and navigated through Settings > Channel > Advanced settings; there, I simply had to scroll down to Advertisements, check the box that lets you disable interest-based ads, and then click save.

This method doesn’t block ads completely, but it does stop YouTube from showing ads based on personal behavior, making the experience feel less targeted and more neutral—which I find especially useful when managing multiple accounts on my devices.

Turn off personalized YouTube ads on iOS

On iOS, turning off personalized ads in the YouTube app gave me noticeably more neutral ad placements; after I signed in, I tapped the profile icon, went into Settings by clicking the gear icon, then selected Privacy and opened My Ad Center linked to my Google account. From there, I had to input my email address, verify using passcode or 2FA, and finally toggle off ad personalization settings.

It asked me to confirm, and once done, YouTube stopped tailoring ads based on behavior, making ad content less invasive while still preserving platform access.

Conclusion

Blocking YouTube ads on Android isn’t just about improving your viewing experience—it’s also a smart way to take control of your device’s behavior, especially when paired with privacy-focused methods like ad blocking DNS, PiP mode, or third-party frontends. Whether you’re disabling personalized ads, using YouTube Premium, or diving into tools like ReVanced, each approach adds a layer of efficiency and comfort to how you interact with YouTube. And if you’re already tweaking system settings, it’s worth going a step further to Fix Android Auto Rotate Not Working, Fix Android Keyboard Not Responding Issue, or even Fix Screen Overlay Detected Error in Android, so your device runs smoothly while you’re enjoying uninterrupted content.

Frequently Ask Questions

How do I block ads on YouTube on Android?

To block ads on YouTube using your Android device, one of the most reliable methods I’ve tested involves installing a trusted ad blocker like Total Adblock or using a browser extension through a mobile browser that supports add-ons; simply download the app or extension, sign up or sign in, then navigate to the extensions manager, turn on the blocker, and head to YouTube. Once it’s set up, you’ll start to enjoy watching videos almost instantly in an ad free environment, which makes the experience much smoother and less frustrating.

Is there a free YouTube ad blocker for Android?

Yes, there’s a free and effective ad blocker option for Android users who want to block ads on YouTube without paying—personally, I recommend the Adblock Browser, which is specifically designed to filter out ads across apps and websites, including platforms like YouTube and even Facebook. Once you open the Adblock Browser app and visit YouTube through it, you’ll notice the difference immediately, as most ads are stripped away, leaving a cleaner and less interrupted streaming experience.

How do I permanently block ads on YouTube?

To permanently block ads on YouTube, I’ve tested several ad blocker tools across my device, and the ones I personally recommend include Total Adblock, AdGuard, uBlock Origin, Surfshark CleanWeb, and AdLock—some are free, while others are low-cost, but all offer solid results depending on the type of user you are. If you’re serious about an uninterrupted experience, using one of these is honestly the best approach; whether you’re browsing or streaming, these tools embed deep enough into the system to keep ads away consistently.

How do I stop running ads on YouTube?

If you’re a content creator and want to stop running ads on your own YouTube channel, the easiest method is through YouTube Studio—I’ve done this myself to keep certain videos ad-free. Simply go to the left menu, select Content, find the relevant video, click it, scroll to the Monetization section, choose Off from the drop-down menu, and then hit Save. This lets you turn off ads on individual videos, which can improve viewer retention if you’re focusing on user experience rather than revenue.

How to completely block YouTube on Android?

To completely block YouTube on Android, especially when managing screen time or minimizing distractions, I’ve found the Freedom app extremely effective—you can download it from the Play Store, allow necessary permissions, and then create a custom blocklist where you simply add apps like YouTube. Once that’s done, just start a block session, and the app ensures YouTube stays inaccessible for the duration, making it ideal for staying focused or managing device use.