How to Block Ads and Trackers on iPhone with AdGuard DNS Shortcut
Are you annoyed by the ads and trackers that pop up on your iPhone apps and browsers? Do you want to block them and enjoy a faster, safer, and more private online experience? If yes, then you should try the AdGuard DNS shortcut. This shortcut lets you easily enable and disable the AdGuard DNS service on your iPhone with a single tap or voice command. AdGuard DNS is a free service that blocks ads, trackers, malicious and phishing websites at the DNS level. This means that it can prevent ads and trackers from loading on any app or browser on your iPhone. In this article, I will show you how to download and use the AdGuard DNS shortcut, how it works, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of using it.
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How to Download and Use the AdGuard DNS Shortcut?
To download and use the AdGuard DNS shortcut on your iPhone, you need to have the Shortcuts app installed on your iPhone. You can download it from the App Store¹ if you don't have it already. Then, follow these steps:
- Scroll down at the end of this article.
- There you will find a download button to click on it.
- Tap on "Get Shortcut" and then tap on "Add Untrusted Shortcut". You may need to enable the option to allow untrusted shortcuts in the Settings app under Shortcuts > Allow Untrusted Shortcuts.
- Go to the "My Shortcuts" tab and tap on the AdGuard DNS shortcut you just added. It will ask you to choose one of the three AdGuard DNS servers: default, non-filtering, or family protection. Tap on the one you want to use.
- The shortcut will download and install the AdGuard DNS profile on your iPhone. You may need to enter your passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID to confirm the installation. Tap on "Done" when the installation is complete.
- The shortcut will also show you a notification that the AdGuard DNS service is enabled on your iPhone. You can check this by going to the Settings app > General > VPN & Network > DNS. You should see the AdGuard DNS profile with a checkmark next to it.
- To disable the AdGuard DNS service, you can run the shortcut again and tap on "Disable AdGuard DNS". The shortcut will remove the AdGuard DNS profile from your iPhone and show you a notification that the AdGuard DNS service is disabled.
- You can also run the shortcut from the Home screen, the Today View, the Share sheet, or by asking Siri. To do this, you need to add the shortcut to the Home screen, the Today View, the Share sheet, or Siri by tapping on the "..." icon on the top-right corner of the shortcut in the Shortcuts app and then tapping on "Add to Home Screen", "Add to Today View", "Add to Share Sheet", or "Add to Siri" respectively.
How Does the AdGuard DNS Shortcut Work?
The AdGuard DNS shortcut works by changing the DNS settings on your iPhone. DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it is a system that translates domain names (such as www.bing.com) into IP addresses (such as 204.79.197.200). When you type a domain name in your browser or app, your iPhone sends a DNS query to a DNS server, which responds with the corresponding IP address. By default, your iPhone uses the DNS server provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider), which may not be very fast, secure, or private. By using the AdGuard DNS shortcut, you can change the DNS server to one of the AdGuard servers, which will filter out ads and trackers before they reach your iPhone.
The AdGuard DNS shortcut uses a configuration profile to change the DNS settings on your iPhone. A configuration profile is a file that contains settings and preferences for your iPhone. You can download the AdGuard DNS profile from the official website³ or from the Shortcuts app. The AdGuard DNS shortcut automates the process of downloading and installing the AdGuard DNS profile on your iPhone. It also lets you switch between the three AdGuard DNS servers: default, non-filtering, and family protection. Each server has a different level of filtering and security. Here is a brief overview of each server:
- Default server: This server blocks ads, tracking, malicious and phishing websites. It is the most popular choice for users who want to get rid of ads and protect their privacy.
- Non-filtering server: This server does not block or censor anything. It is useful for users who just need a fast and zero-logging DNS service.
- Family protection server: This server is similar to the default server, but it also blocks adult websites, enforces "Safe search" in search engines and YouTube Kids mode. It is ideal for users who want to create a safe online environment for their children.
What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Using the AdGuard DNS Shortcut?
Some of the benefits of using the AdGuard DNS shortcut are:
- You can block ads and trackers on any app or browser on your iPhone.
- You can improve your browsing speed, privacy, and security.
- You can save your data, battery, and bandwidth.
- You can create a safe online environment for your children.
- You can easily enable and disable the AdGuard DNS service with a single tap or voice command.
- You can switch between different servers depending on your needs.
Some of the drawbacks or limitations of using the AdGuard DNS shortcut are:
- You may encounter some compatibility issues or errors with some apps or browsers that use their own DNS settings or encryption methods.
- You may need to adjust your VPN or proxy settings or disable your firewall or antivirus app to avoid conflicts with the AdGuard DNS service.
- You may need to clear your cache and cookies or force a DNS refresh to see the changes.
- You may need to enable the option to allow untrusted shortcuts and grant the necessary permissions and access to the shortcut.
- You may need to update the shortcut or download it from the official source or trusted website.
- You may need to have a stable internet connection to use the shortcut.
Conclusion
In this article, I have shown you how to block ads and trackers on your iPhone with the AdGuard DNS shortcut. I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and happy browsing!