Ads and pop-ups on your Firestick or Fire TV can slow down page load times, clutter your screen, and constantly annoy you. Whether you want to save on mobile data or improve your surfing experience, an adblocker for Firestick can help.
In this guide, we will explain how to block ads on Firestick or Fire TV and provide multiple options—including one open-source app that you can use to block embedded ads on YouTube!
By the end of this article, you’ll know everything you need to get a smoother, ad-free viewing experience on Firestick. We’ll explore various solutions that can help you block different types of ads and pop-ups.
Keep scrolling to banish unwanted ads from your Firestick once and for all!
How to block ads on Firestick or Fire TV
If you want to block ads on your Firestick device, the simplest method is to install an ad blocker. However, other methods can be just as effective, if not better! Below, we have covered all of our favorite ad-blocking options for Firestick and Fire TV:
1. Ad blockers
Below, we have listed a few general-purpose ad blockers that are popular for Firestick and Fire TV. These ad-block applications work to prevent ads on most websites and may also block ads within certain apps. However, if you want to block ads on YouTube or other embedded adverts on websites like Twitch, you will need to keep scrolling for alternative ad-blocking methods.
AdGuard
AdGuard is a popular ad blocker for Firestick. It has both free and paid plans. The free plan provides useful features to block ads, banners, and pop-ups when you surf the web on a Firestick. It also blocks trackers and website analytics, which helps to improve your privacy while browsing. AdGuard has parental control features and blocks phishing and malware websites, providing additional protection options.
The only downside is that AdGuard is not available on the Amazon Appstore for Firestick, so you will need to sideload the APK. We have provided detailed instructions on how to install third-party apps later in this guide. The APK for AdGuard is available directly on its website.
Blokada
Blokada is a popular ad blocker that many people enjoy using on their Firestick or Fire TV. It can block ads in your Firestick browser and certain apps, including full-page ads, banners, redirects, and other HTTP and HTTPS-based advertisements. Blokada also works to block trackers and website analytics, which helps improve your privacy.
Unfortunately, Blokada is not available natively on the Amazon App Store, so you will need to install the app from a third-party source. Later in this guide, we will provide detailed instructions on how to install apps from outside the official Amazon Appstore. The latest version, Blokada 5 is available as an APK on the official Blokada website.
AdAway
AdAway is an open-source ad blocker that uses host files to block ads across your device. By redirecting ad servers, AdAway effectively blocks ads in browsers and apps. It supports custom host files and additional sources for enhanced ad blocking. AdAway allows users to whitelist specific websites if needed, so you can still see ads on any websites where you like them. It needs to be sideloaded from F-Droid or its official GitHub page, as it is not available on the Amazon Appstore.
NetGuard
NetGuard can be used to block ads by blocking internet access to domains that are associated with marketing and tracking. It stops ads from loading in browsers and some apps. It offers detailed network usage statistics and supports customizable filters. It is compatible with third-party host files of blocklists.
NetGuard also has some advanced features, such as per-app internet access control, which lets you block internet access for specific apps to save data and improve your privacy and security. This is perfect if you want to block certain apps from the internet when you’re using public Wi-Fi, for example. NetGuard must be sideloaded from F-Droid, as it is not available on the Amazon Appstore.
2. DNS-based Ad blocking
DNS66
DNS66 is a popular app that many people use to block ads on their Firesticks. It works by filtering DNS requests to block ads and trackers. The app is popular because it blocks ads without consuming system resources. The great thing about DNS66 is that it is open-source and available to use for free. You can side-load it by using the steps later in this guide. The APK for the app is available on F-Droid.
ReThinkDNS
ReThinkDNS is an app-based DNS blacklist tool that works to block ads, adult sites, malware, phishing sites, spyware, and many other unwanted content categories. Firestick users can either install the ReThinkDNS app, which provides a firewall and DNS-based ad blocking, or incorporate the ReThinkDNS blacklists into another ad block application such as AdAway, Blokada, NetGuard, or DNS66, which all allow third-party host files to be added to their blocklist directory. You need to sideload the ReThinkDNS application to your Firestick because it is not available on the Amazon Appstore. The ReThinkDNS APK is available on F-Droid.
DNS resolvers with ad-blocking blacklists
If you are looking for an easy way to block ads on your Firestick or Fire TV, we recommend using a free DNS resolver with built-in ad blocking. This method removes the need to sideload an ad blocker directly onto your device, which helps cut down on system resource usage. It works by blocking ads through a blacklist of URLs associated with advertising and tracking.
Below, we have included a list of third-party DNS resolvers that perform ad blocking on your behalf. Using these third-party DNS services also helps to improve your online privacy!
3. VPN with ad blocking
If privacy, security, and ad blocking are all top priorities, then there is no better way to block ads than by using a reputable VPN with DNS-based ad blocking. A reliable VPN encrypts all your data and routes it to a proxy server. This includes not only the contents of your traffic but also your DNS requests.
Using a VPN prevents local wifi networks, ISPs, government agencies, and other eavesdroppers from being able to detect what you are doing online. It also secures your data against unwanted interception by hackers.
To further improve their service and make them even more useful, a number of popular providers have decided to implement ad and tracker blacklists on their DNS servers. When you connect to the VPN, data from domains associated with tracking, analytics, and advertising are all blocked.
You can find out more by checking out our guide to the best VPNs for Firestick and how to install a VPN on Firestick/Fire TV.
How to block ads on YouTube on Firestick or Fire TV
None of the methods or apps listed above work to block embedded ads on platforms like YouTube. You will need a specialist ad blocker if you want to block embedded ads that appear during videos.
Below, we have included instructions that work to watch YouTube on Firestick without annoying ads:
SmartTube
SmartTube is a popular application that deliberately clones the official YouTube application – only without annoying ads. The best thing about SmartTube is that it still lets you log in to your account to see your subscriptions, recommendations, and favorite video lists.
The app is available for various platforms, including Firestick! It is designed to block all ad banners, pre-roll ads, and ad intermissions, making the entire YouTube experience ad-free.
The only exception is when an advert (or sponsor segment) is part of the video itself, meaning the content creator includes it in the main video. When this is the case, SmartTube will not be able to help.
If you want to install SmartTube, then you will need to sideload the application onto your device using the instructions below. You can get the APK for SmartTube from the official SmartTube GitHub page.
How to install third-party ad-blockers from outside of the Amazon Appstore
If you want to install an adblocker like Blokada or AdGuard, you will need to sideload the APK onto your Firestick. The good news is that you can handle this process on your Firestick without the need for any other device. To help you out, we have explained the whole process below:
1. Enable Apps from Unknown Sources:
- Launch your Firestick.
- Open the Settings menu using the gear icon on the far right.
- Scroll down and select My Fire TV.
- Select Developer Options.
- Turn on Apps from Unknown Sources.
- Confirm the changes by selecting Turn On.
2. Install Downloader app:
- Open the Firestick Home Screen and use the search tool (magnifying glass).
- Type Downloader into the search bar.
- Select the Downloader app (it has an orange icon) and download it.
- When it finishes installing, launch the Downloader app and give it permission to access your files.
3. Download and install the APK for the ad blocker you want to use:
- Launch the browser that comes with Firestick.
- Navigate to the download URL for the Adblocker you want to use. We provided links for each ad block application earlier in this guide.
- Download the ad blocker’s APK file.
- Make a note of the folder where you put the APK on your Firestick (it should be the Downloads folder by default).
4. Open the APK file in Downloader
- Launch the Downloader app.
- Go to Files.
- Select the APK file you downloaded (it should be in your Downloads folder).
- Select the APK file and click Install.
- When the installation completes, select Done.
- Finally, launch the ad block app and follow any setup instructions. You may need to allow permissions to allow the ad blocker to work properly.
How to block ads on Firestick or Fire TV FAQs
Can I use a free VPN to block ads on Firestick or FireTV?
No. Although some premium VPNs provide ad-blocking capabilities, this feature is not available with any free VPNs. Premium VPNs that offer a basic free plan only do so to advertise their service, and they implement some restrictions to encourage users to upgrade to a paid plan.
The free plan only has a few server locations, caps speed and monthly data, blocks access to popular streaming sites like Netflix, and withholds some features such as the ad blocker, split tunneling, port forwarding, or multi-hop features.
Most of the free VPNs advertised on app stores like Google Play are risky. Studies have revealed that most free VPNs have invasive data policies that allow them to track users for profiling purposes.
Those unscrupulous free VPNs sell user data to third parties, such as advertisers and data brokers to spin a profit. This is the exact opposite of what a reliable VPN does, which is to provide watertight online privacy.
Free VPNs have even been found hiding spyware in their apps, and they often lack basic features such as encryption. They will give you a false sense of security without protecting your privacy or your data against surveillance, eavesdroppers, and hackers.
For these reasons, we strongly recommend sticking to reputable premium VPNs only. If you want to use a free VPN for any reason, it is crucial that you do your research to ensure you install the basic free plan that comes with a reputable VPN provider. This will ensure that the VPN is secure and provides functional privacy.
Why should I block ads on a Firestick or Fire TV?
There are numerous reasons to block ads on your Firestick. The best ad blockers not only improve your browsing experience, but also improve your privacy by blocking common trackers. Below, we have included all the reasons why it is a good idea to use an ad blocker:
- Improved browsing experience: Ads can be incredibly annoying and disruptive, especially if they appear frequently or take over the whole screen. Using our guide to block ads on your Amazon Fire Stick will give you a much smoother and more enjoyable experience, while also potentially improving the performance of your streams (dependent on the type of ad blocker you use).
- Better device performance: Ads can hugely affect the performance of your Firestick, slowing down your device due to all the additional data they force you to load. Blocking ads can significantly reduce strain on system resources and your internet connection, allowing your device and internet to run more efficiently.
- Reduced data usage: If you have a limited data plan, ads can consume a substantial amount of your allowance. By blocking ads, you can substantially reduce your overall data usage, ensuring your data is used to stream the content you want to watch.
- Improved privacy: Ad blockers often also block dangerous pop ups, embedded links, and trackers that monitor your online activities and preferences for targeted advertising. Turning off ads and trackers will massively improve your privacy. And if you decide to use a VPN with built in ad blocking, you will not only benefit from ad blocking and tracker blocking, but also gain IP address spoofing and robust encryption to prevent local networks, ISPs, public wifi hotspots, hackers, and government agencies from being able to monitor your web visits.
- A cleaner user interface: Blocking ads can make your device less cluttered and improve the look of many apps and websites. It’s easier to navigate and gives you an aesthetically pleasing user experience.
Can NordVPN Threat Protection block embedded ads?
No, NordVPN Threat Protection, like the ad blockers provided by other popular VPNs, uses DNS blacklists to block ads. This method can effectively block ads and trackers delivered from third-party scripts and advertising domains. However, it cannot block embedded ads on video platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
Can you browse the web on a Firestick?
Yes. You can browse the web on an Amazon Firestick or Fire TV device. Firestick devices come with a built-in browser called Amazon Silk Browser. You can use this browser to search the web and visit any websites that interest you. Additionally, you can use the Silk Browser to download APKs that you want to install using the Downloader application.
Is the Downloader application for Firestick safe?
Yes. The Downloader application for Firestick is safe to use. It is a popular and trusted app that is available directly on the Amazon Appstore. The app is designed to allow users to download and install files from the internet directly onto their Firestick.
That said, while Downloader is safe, you must be extremely careful when downloading and installing any apps from unknown sources. You must take care to avoid installing malware. Installing apps from unknown sources is done at your own risk, so do your research and only use apps by trusted developers hosted on repositories such as GitHub and F-Droid.
What is F-Droid? What is Github? Are they safe?
F-Droid is a third-party app store for Android applications, focusing on distributing open-source software without tracking or ads. It is perfectly safe as long as you do your research and stick to secure downloads. F-Droid has an active community that monitors available applications, which makes it easy for users to see whether a download is safe.
GitHub is a platform for collaborative software development. It is home to a large amount of useful applications and is considered safe if you do your research and are careful to install reputable programs. Always research and ensure you are happy with programs and permissions required to install a program before proceeding. For added protection, we recommend using an antivirus to prevent installing anything risky.
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