Adblocker for TV - AdGuard is available for Android TV: here is how it works
AdGuard is a popular commercial content blocking solution. It is available for a wide range of platforms already, including major operating systems and browsers, and now also for Android TV.
If you have a TV that runs Android, or use a media device, such as Amazon's Fire TV 4K Max, then you may now install AdGuard for Android TV on the device. Setup is not as straightforward as pointing to the app and installing it, but that is because of platform restrictions.
First the basics. AdGuard for Android TV is available for all AdGuard users. If your plan allows you to install AdGuard on another device, you may use it to enable the ad-blocking solution on your TV.
Tip: you may purchase a personal or family lifetime license on Ghacks Deals for up to 76% off. The personal license allows installation on up to 3 devices, the family license on up to 9.
As far as features are concerned, AdGuard for Android TV blocks popups, banner ads and other unwanted content on home screens and elsewhere in apps that you run. Apart from that, it is also protecting DNS using DNS-over-HTTPS and other solutions, and limiting tracking.
The solution works automatically once installed. Please note that it uses a virtual VPN connection to control traffic that flows to the device.
Setting up AdGuard for Android
You may need a new app to download the AdGuard APK file to the Android TV device. I used Downloader for that, but AdGuard recommends TV Bro instead. The process is almost identical.
- Download the TV Bro application to the device. Since it is a Google Play app, it should be available.
- Type https://agrd.io/tvapk in the address and press the load option. This starts the download of the AdGuard for Android TV APK file.
- Select Downloads in the browser and then the downloaded file.
- A warning is displayed. You need to allow the browser to install the APK file.
- Select Downloads again and select the downloaded file to start its installation.
- A system dialog should be displayed that has an "install" option. Select install and wait for the installation to complete.
- Select Done to complete the installation. You may be able to open the app right away, but you also find it listed under installed apps on the device.
AdGuard for Android TV requires a valid license. You may sign-in to an existing account or type a license code instead.
Open the app once verified, toggle the Protections status to On and allow it to function as a VPN service. Once done, you may configure some settings. There is the option to whitelist content; this can be useful if you run into issues launching apps or specific features of apps when AdGuard runs on the device.
Here is a video that AdGuard posted that shows how to install the solution:
Closing Words
Streaming services and makers of TV streaming solutions, such as Amazon, push ads more and more to their services. While it is one thing to introduce ad-powered plans, which are optional, it is another to show ads on home screens or for existing users who did not sign-up for ad-powered plans.
Now You: Ad-blocker for TV, do you think that is the future?
I have AdGuard running on my WiFi 6 router with DNS over HTTPS enabled. It works great across all of my devices.
Nice tip. Thanks
My Android TV (Sony TV, Nvidia Shield Android TV) doesn’t have ads.
I installed AdGuard for AndroidTV on my MIbox4S following the instructions and was eventually able to get it configured and running. In the past the only time I see ads has been in Youtube and Apps like MAX, Paramount, Prime etc. After loading and getting AdGuard running I see all the same ads … Absolutely no change in Ads. I switched back to AdGuard and it thinks it has intercepted and blocked ads but NADA; ads continue as before. I found a recommendation saying to run Youtube in a browser under AndroidTV but when I do that the ad content continues as before. As near as I can determine as of this date, Jan 24, 2024, Adguard for Android TV does not have any effect on ads in Youtube or any other of the Apps I use. I won’t be buying a license after my 7 day trial.
Similar to every other smart device, Smart TVs is another way to track you, steal your data, and display advertisements. I’d never give internet access to my television. Buying a microcomputer with an operating system and connecting it to my TV would be my decision. I can now block all the crap easily through Linux or Windows.
The fact that this kind of software is being made fills me with dread. Is the ad situation that bad on Android TVs?
I was at my Aunt’s house this week, getting ready to fly home. She was in the bedroom napping, before taking me to the airport. Dad was in the front room watching TV. Dad is an older guy, so his hearing isn’t great. He had tuned the volume to an acceptable level, just enough so that he could comfortably hear the TV without disturbing her. And each time the program went to a commercial brake, the volume literally doubled. I’m not joking. I’m familiar with the mastering process for movies, where the voices aren’t as loud so that they can crank up the loud parts. But the difference here, was MUCH greater than that. Even the louder parts of the show were nothing compared to the commercials.
It was f***ing loud. So, all advertisers can go f*** themselves.
Advertisers have been doing this almost since the beginning of time but I totally agree with you.
Advertisers like to cry but the truth is they are the ones that are always upping the stakes or becoming more greedy which is when people turn to other means much to the same as streaming services as a whole.
Adblocking on TV will become much more relevant soon as streaming services are phase out add free services.
While they are getting harder to find and generally do not come in sizes larger than 43 inches. There are still non-smart led tvs available.
The placeing of ads on the home screen, is ust another step, it will not be long before thetv will jus “wake up” and display ads while it is in what used to be know as “turned off”.