Phenquestions
AdGuard 3.0 is now available. The new version of the popular content blocker for Android features a redesigned interface, new stealth mode, support for custom lists, and more.
The new version of AdGuard is already available on the developer website. Point your Android browser to this URL and hit the download button to download the new version to your system.
Note that you do need to allow application installations from unknown sources in the Android settings to install the app.
What is AdGuard? AdGuard is a content blocker that runs silently in the background. It blocks advertisement and other undesirable elements in all browsers in the free version. Premium users have ads blocked in all apps that they run on their device.
Some features are only available in the Premium version. You may buy a lifetime license or a subscription-based license on the AdGuard website.
Tip: Check out our review of AdGuard DNS here.
AdGuard 3.0
The app launches a wizard on first start that walks you through some essential configuration options. The wizard is well suited for new and inexperienced users who may feel overwhelmed when they access the entire options the app provides. It is naturally possible to manage all options in the Settings at any time.
Existing users may notice the redesigned interface right away. Layout, icons, and styles have changed, and it is now possible to switch to a dark theme if that is preferred. Just activate it in Settings > General > Dark Theme to do so.
The homepage displays the status of the protection and statistics. The developers have added charts to the app which you may access with a tap on the arrow icon next to any of the numbers on the homepage (e.g. ads blocked).
AdGuard 3.0 supports more filter lists by default and custom URL filter lists. Select Settings > Content Blocking > Filters to get started. There you may enable or disable specific preset filters, e.g. the Security or Annoyances list.
Custom filter support is reserved for Premium users of the application. You may use it to load filters from URLs that you specify provided that the filter lists are in the correct format.
Stealth Mode is another new feature and it is reserved to premium users as well. Basically, what Stealth Mode does is add better privacy protections to the device.
Stealth Mode supports a large range of privacy options; you may use it to enable the self-destruction of first-party or third-party cookies, change the TTL of third-party cookies, strip URLs of tracking parameters, disable specific browser APIs, hide your user-agent, mask your IP address, or hide search queries.
Some features may appeal to all users, others are probably only of interest to advanced users.
What else is new?
- The widget has been redesigned and features some stats about blocked requests.
- AdGuard supports DNS-over-TLS in version 3.0.
You can find out more on the official blog.
Closing Words
AdGuard is a great application for Android to block ads and other undesirable elements on the device. It works best with a Premium license but does a good job as well when you run the free version.
The new 3.0 upgrade introduces much needed functionality, some of it reserved for Premium users. The ability to load custom filter lists is handy, and the new Stealth Mode introduces privacy protections that give users more control over what is happening on their devices.
AdGuard is available in sales regularly. New users may want to start with the free version and upgrade to the Premium version in an upcoming sale.
Now You: do you use AdGuard or another content blocker on Android?
