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Ad & Tracker Shield: a VPN ad blocker for Android

Ad & Tracker Shield blocks ads, trackers and harmful sites at the lookup, so they never load in your browser or your apps. When something asks for a listed address, Tunnexa answers that the name doesn't exist, right on your phone. It's off by default and free with a Tunnexa account.

Download Free See How It Works
  • Free with a Tunnexa account
  • Works in apps, not just the browser
  • Blocking happens on your phone
No log kept of your lookups
How it works

How an ad blocker VPN stops a request

It works at the one moment every ad and tracker has in common: the lookup.

Step 1
where is ads.example.net?

An app asks for an address

Before any ad, tracker or page can load, the app looks up where its name lives.

Step 2
adserver.example.com ads.example.net ← match beacon.example.org

The Shield checks its list

On your phone, inside the tunnel, against a blocklist of known ad, tracker and harmful domains.

Step 3
Listed: "no such site." Nothing loads.
Not listed: the lookup carries on through the tunnel.

Blocked or let through

A blocked name gets an answer saying it doesn't exist, so the app has nowhere to connect.

Tunnexa updates the list at most once a day and checks it arrived intact before using it. The checking happens on your phone, and nothing about your lookups is sent back to us.

What it blocks

Block ads in apps, trackers and harmful sites

Ads in apps and browsers

Ad servers that fill banners and video slots. Where an ad would appear, you usually get blank space, or nothing at all.

Trackers across Android apps

Analytics and tracking domains that follow you from app to app. Block trackers on Android and fewer companies get the trail.

Harmful sites

Domains listed for malware and other harmful content. A bad link in a message leads to a dead end instead of the page it wanted to load.

Where it helps most

Café, hotel and airport Wi-Fi

Shared networks are where dodgy links and pop-ups turn up. Connect, and the Shield comes with you.

Using a VPN on public Wi-Fi →
The honest part

What the Shield can't block

DNS blocking is quick and light, but it works by name. That sets its limits.

  • Ads, trackers and harmful sites on their own domains Blocked This is how most in-app and web advertising loads.
  • Ads served from the same domain as the content Not blocked Blocking the name would block the video or feed too, so some ads still show.
  • Android Private DNS set to a provider's hostname Steps aside Those lookups are encrypted to that provider. Set Private DNS to Automatic or Off to use the Shield.
  • Apps you've excluded with Split Tunneling Not filtered They don't go through the tunnel, so the Shield never sees their lookups.
  • While the VPN is disconnected Off The Shield works inside the tunnel, so it rests when you disconnect.
  • Malware already on your phone Not removed The Shield isn't antivirus. It stops known bad sites from loading.
Free account feature

Ad & Tracker Shield is free with an account

The first time you open Tunnexa, you can tap Skip and connect as a guest, or sign in. Guests get the free servers and DNS leak protection. Ad & Tracker Shield needs a free account, which takes an email code, or one tap with Google or Apple. No card, no trial. The Shield starts off, so you switch it on yourself.

  1. 01In Tunnexa, open Settings and tap Sign in or create a free account
  2. 02Enter your email and type in the code we send, or choose Google or Apple
  3. 03Back in Settings, under Privacy & Security, switch on Ad & Tracker Shield
Download Free See what's free in Tunnexa
FAQ

Ad blocker questions

Still unsure? Write to us at support@tunnexa.com.

Can a VPN block ads on Android?

Yes, if it filters lookups. Tunnexa's Ad & Tracker Shield answers lookups for known ad and tracker domains with "no such site", so the ads never load. It works while you're connected.

Does Ad & Tracker Shield block ads inside apps?

It blocks ads in apps that load them from separate ad servers, which is most of them. Ads served from the same address as the app's own content can't be told apart, so they still show.

Why do I still see some ads?

Either the ad comes from the same domain as the content, or its domain isn't on the list yet. The list is refreshed at most once a day.

Does it work with Private DNS on?

Not when Private DNS is set to a provider's hostname in Android settings. Those lookups are encrypted end to end, so the Shield steps aside rather than break them. Automatic or Off works.

Is Ad & Tracker Shield free?

Yes, with a free Tunnexa account. It's off by default. Switch it on in Settings under Privacy & Security.