Mobile gaming has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, but with its rise, in-game ads have become increasingly intrusive. Whether you’re dodging banners mid-race, forced to watch 30-second videos to unlock rewards, or accidentally clicking misleading pop-ups, ads can seriously harm your gaming experience. Thankfully, a new generation of ad blockers in 2025 is helping mobile gamers take back control.
In this article, we’ll explore the best ad blockers for mobile games this year, tested for performance, compatibility, and reliability. Whether you’re an Android or iOS gamer, these tools will help you enjoy uninterrupted gameplay.
1. AdLock
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: Free trial available, premium from $1/month
Best for: Seamless ad blocking in offline and online mobile games
AdLock takes the crown in 2025 for its powerful and non-intrusive ad-blocking capabilities. Unlike traditional ad blockers that rely on browser extensions, AdLock works system-wide, meaning it blocks ads in apps and mobile games, not just web content. In turn, it is perhaps the best ad blocker for iOS.
Key Features:
- Blocks all types of in-game ads: banners, video ads, pop-ups, and auto-play ads
- Works without root access on Android
- Saves bandwidth and battery life by preventing ad-related data usage
- Customizable filters to fine-tune what gets blocked
- No logs or tracking, preserving your privacy
AdLock is especially effective for mobile games that don’t require an active internet connection. Since it works at the DNS and network level, it can block ads before they even load, meaning fewer interruptions and faster loading times.
Why we recommend it: If you’re serious about gaming and hate being pulled out of the experience by annoying ads, AdLock is the most reliable solution in 2025.
2. Blokada 6
Platforms: Android, iOS (Lite version), Linux
Price: Free (Blokada 6), Premium VPN plan optional
Best for: Tech-savvy users who want a privacy-first solution
Blokada is an open-source ad blocker that’s gained a cult following among Android users. The latest version, Blokada 6, supports system-wide ad blocking using local DNS filtering, which is perfect for blocking in-game ads — even in free-to-play games packed with video ads.
Key Features:
- Free and open-source
- Blocks ads in all apps, not just browsers
- DNS-level filtering, efficient and lightweight
- Optional VPN features for enhanced privacy
- Minimal battery usage thanks to optimized design
Blokada 6 isn’t on the Google Play Store due to its deep blocking capabilities, but it’s easily available via its website or F-Droid. iOS users can use the limited Blokada Cloud version, which still blocks some ads but lacks full functionality due to Apple restrictions.
Pro tip: Combine Blokada with a custom DNS provider to block even more ad servers commonly used in mobile games.
3. AdGuard
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Price: Free basic version, Premium from $2.49/month
Best for: Power users with rooted Android devices
AdGuard is one of the most advanced and well-known names in the ad-blocking world. While the app works well on unrooted devices, its full potential is unlocked on rooted Android phones, where it can intercept and block ad traffic at the deepest system level.
Key Features:
- Blocks ads in apps and games
- Advanced tracking protection
- Custom DNS support and filtering rules
- Built-in firewall and parental control options
- Stealth Mode for added privacy
For mobile gamers, this means no more surprise banner ads during gameplay or waiting through reward-based video ads. The app also allows granular control over what to block, making it ideal for those who want to fine-tune their ad-blocking preferences.
Note: iOS users can still use AdGuard, but with limited functionality due to iOS restrictions (mostly browser-based blocking).
4. DNS66
Platforms: Android
Price: Free
Best for: Low-spec devices and users who want a simple setup
DNS66 is a lesser-known gem that uses a local VPN to block DNS requests to known ad-serving domains. It’s incredibly lightweight, doesn’t require root, and is perfect for gamers who want a minimalistic approach to ad blocking.
Key Features:
- No root required
- Works offline and online
- Blocks ads system-wide, including in games
- Uses minimal battery and RAM
- Easy to whitelist certain apps or domains
While it may lack the polish of premium apps, DNS66 gets the job done, especially for blocking persistent in-game ads that rely on domain calls.
5. NextDNS
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Price: Free for up to 300,000 DNS queries/month; premium starts at $1/month
Best for: Customization and cross-device syncing
NextDNS isn’t a traditional ad blocker — it’s a cloud-based custom DNS service that blocks tracking and advertising domains before they even reach your device. By configuring your mobile device to use NextDNS, you can block in-game ads globally.
Key Features:
- Massive blacklist of ad servers
- Block trackers, malicious domains, and analytics
- Works on both iOS and Android
- Syncs across devices
- Detailed logs and analytics dashboard
Gamers will appreciate that NextDNS works silently in the background, protecting your gaming sessions without additional apps. It’s especially useful if you’re playing online games and want to avoid trackers or malicious redirects.
Bonus: You can enable gaming-focused filters and whitelist specific game servers to avoid connectivity issues.
6. RethinkDNS + Firewall
Platforms: Android
Price: Free
Best for: Blocking ads while enhancing privacy
RethinkDNS is an up-and-coming tool in the ad-blocking space that functions as both a DNS-based ad blocker and firewall. It gives you fine control over how apps connect to the internet, making it ideal for mobile gamers who want to eliminate ad traffic without impacting gameplay.
Key Features:
- Firewall per app to restrict internet acces
- Blocks known ad/tracker domains
- Works without root
- Open-source and privacy-focused
- Real-time logs and analytics
It also includes real-time tracking of DNS requests, allowing users to spot sneaky ad servers used by game developers.
How to Choose the Right Ad Blocker for Mobile Games
Here are a few factors to consider when picking the best ad blocker for your needs:
- Compatibility. Make sure the tool works with your device (Android vs. iOS) and supports the kind of games you play.
- Root Requirements. Some apps like AdGuard offer deeper blocking on rooted devices. If you’re not rooted, opt for solutions like AdLock, Blokada, or DNS66.
- Offline vs. Online Games. Offline games are easier to block ads in. Online multiplayer games might rely on ad servers or DNS lookups, so cloud-based blockers like NextDNS work better.
- Battery and Performance. Lightweight blockers like DNS66 or RethinkDNS are great for older phones or long gaming sessions.
- Privacy. Open-source tools like Blokada and RethinkDNS ensure that your data isn’t being logged or sold.
Final Thoughts
Mobile games should be fun, not frustrating ad traps. In 2025, there will be more tools than ever to block unwanted interruptions and get back to gaming.
Whether you prefer open-source solutions like Blokada, high-performance options like AdLock, or customizable DNS services like NextDNS, there’s a perfect ad blocker out there for every type of mobile gamer.