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Installation

info

This article is about AdGuard for Android, a multifunctional ad blocker that protects your device at the system level. To see how it works, download the AdGuard app

System requirements

OS version: Android 7.0 or higher

RAM: at least 2 GB

Free disk space: 500 MB

Installation

Most Android-based apps are distributed via Google Play; however, AdGuard is not presented there, because Google prohibits distribution of network-level ad blockers via Google Play, i.e. apps that block commercials in other apps. You will find more information about Google restrictive policy in our blog.

That’s why you can only install AdGuard for Android manually. To use the app on your mobile device, you will need to do the following.

  1. Download the app on your device. Here are a few ways you can do this:

    QR code *mobile_border

  2. Allow installing apps from unknown sources. Once the file download is complete, tap Open in the notification.

    Installing apps from unknown sources *mobile_border

    A popup will appear. Tap Settings, navigate to Install unknown apps, and grant permission for the browser you've used to download the file.

    Installing apps from unknown sources *mobile_border

  3. Install the app. Once the browser has obtained the necessary permissions, the system will ask you if you want to install the AdGuard app. Tap Install.

    Installing apps from unknown sources *mobile_border

    You will then be asked to read AdGuard's License agreement and Privacy policy. You can also participate in product development. To do this, check the boxes for Send crash reports automatically and Send technical and interaction data. Then tap Continue.

    Privacy policy *mobile_border

  4. Create a local VPN. In order to filter all traffic directly on your device and not route it through a remote server, AdGuard needs to establish a VPN connection.

    Create a local VPN *mobile_border

  5. Enable HTTPS filtering. It is not a mandatory option, however, we advice to turn it on for the best ad-blocking quality.

    If your device is running Android 7–9, you'll be prompted to install a root certificate and configure HTTPS filtering after the local VPN setup.

    Enable HTTPS filtering on Android 7-9 *mobile_border

    After you tap Install now, a prompt will appear asking you to authenticate the certificate installation with a password or fingerprint.

    Enable HTTPS filtering on Android 7-9. Step 2 *mobile_border

    If you have Android 10+ on your device, then after creating a local VPN, you will see the main app screen with a snack bar at the bottom with a suggestion to enable HTTPS filtering: tap Enable and follow the instructions on the next screen or check the article about certificate installation for more information.

    Enable HTTPS filtering *mobile_border

Uninstalling/Reinstalling AdGuard

If you need to uninstall AdGuard on your mobile device, open Settings and choose Apps (Android 7) or Apps & notifications (Android 8+). Find AdGuard in the list of installed apps and press Uninstall.

Reinstall AdGuard *mobile_border

To reinstall AdGuard, just download the apk file again and follow the steps outlined in the Installation section. Uninstallation is not required beforehand.