We’ve been getting ads on cable TV for way too long. Smart TVs were going to change that with on-demand content, which was supposed to eliminate ads. However, platforms like Hulu and Netflix are pushing for ads even for paying users. And then there are other in-app ads. These days, if you screen, it automatically means it’s free real estate for advertisers to serve you ads.
You can block them in several different ways, and AdGuard has a solution for each. If you’ve read our AdGuard review, you’ll know that AdGuard supports a wide range of devices.
And then there are dedicated VPNs with ad-blocking add-ons like Surfshark.
Block Ads on Smart TV using AdGuard
Now, there are three ways you can block ads on smart TVs using AdGuard. Or maybe four. But let’s talk about the three main ones, first.
AdGuard App
The AdGuard TV app is a full-featured, sideloadable app that runs on Android TV, Google TV, and Nvidia Shield.
It filters traffic at the system level using a local VPN. Which allows it to block ads inside apps, browsers, and even some streaming services in real-time. Since it’s not allowed on the Google Play Store, you’ll need to install the APK manually. But it’s safe, lightweight, and maintained by AdGuard.
Use this if you have an Android-based TV or device and want the most accurate, app-level blocking. Especially useful if you’re seeing ads in free streaming apps, games, or third-party browsers.
Note: It does require a paid plan for full access, but it’s a one-time thing if you grab the lifetime license.
AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS is a cloud-based DNS service that filters ad and tracker domains before they ever reach your device.
Once you set AdGuard DNS as your primary DNS on your TV, it quietly intercepts and blocks requests to known ad and tracking domains. Think of it like redirecting junk mail before it even gets to your inbox. You don’t install anything, it just works on the network level.
You should use this if you can’t install an app on your TV (Apple TV, Samsung, LG, Firestick, etc.). Also great for people who want a plug-and-play option without dealing with sideloading or subscriptions. It’s completely free for personal use. If you want stats and custom rules, you can upgrade to a private DNS.
If you want to know how well it performs, read How Adguard DNS Effectively Blocks Ads Across Android, iOS, Windows & Mac
AdGuard Home
AdGuard Home is self-hosted DNS server that you run on your own hardware (Raspberry Pi, Mac, Linux box, etc.).
AdGuard Home acts as your personal DNS server. You can configure your router or devices to use it instead of something like Google or Cloudflare. It blocks ads, trackers, malware domains and lets you create custom rules, device-level filters and logs, all locally.
If you’re comfortable with some DIY setup and want full control over your network this is a great option. It’s great for households with multiple Smart TVs and devices, or if you’re privacy-conscious and don’t want DNS traffic going through a third party.
Bonus: AdGuard-Compatible Routers
Some advanced routers come with native support for AdGuard Home or allow you to install it directly. It’s basically the same as AdGuard Home, but built into your router’s firmware. This lets you block ads across your entire network without needing extra hardware.
How to Block Ads on Android TV with the AdGuard App
If you have an Android TV or a device like Google TV or Nvidia Shield, AdGuard’s app is the best way to block ads: across apps, browsers and even inside some streaming services. It’s the only method that gives you real-time, on-device filtering with zero router tweaks.
However, you won’t find it on the Play Store. But don’t worry, it takes less than 5 minutes to sideload and you don’t need to be a developer to do it.
Here’s how to get it up and running:
- On your Android TV, open Apps and go to Get More Apps
- Scroll down to Tools
- Find and install the TV Bro browser
- Open TV Bro and enter this link in the address bar: agrd.io/tvapk
- It’ll start downloading the AdGuard TV APK
- Once the download’s done, tap the top menu icon and open the Downloads
- Select adguard_tv.apk from the list
- If you see a warning about unknown sources, go to Settings and allow installs from TV Bro
- Hit Install, and the app should show up in your app list
Once installed, open the AdGuard app, sign in and activate the ad-blocking service. You’ll need a paid subscription for full functionality, but if you already use AdGuard on other devices, it carries over here too.
Block Ads on Smart TV using Surfshark or NordVPN
Surfshark CleanWeb is the easiest way to block ads on a smart TV. It supports a wide range of devices and platforms, including Fire OS, tvOS, GoogleTV, and more.
All you need is an active Surfshark plan that comes with the dedicated ad blockers, install the app on your smart TV, and enable the ad blocker.
Use AdGuard DNS to Block Ads on Android TV
Don’t want to sideload anything? AdGuard DNS is the next best thing. It works across almost every Android-based platform, including Google TV and Nvidia Shield, and it doesn’t require an account or a subscription.
Here’s how to apply AdGuard DNS on your Android TV:
- Open Settings or Device Preferences
- Go to Network & Internet
- Select your current Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection
- Scroll to IP Settings, switch it to Static
- Enter the following:
- Your IP address (visible in Network details)
- Gateway: usually your router IP (e.g. 192.168.0.1)
- Prefix: 24
- DNS 1: 94.140.14.14 or 94.140.14.15
- DNS 2: 94.140.15.15 or 94.140.15.16
- Save and back out
That’s all it takes. You’ll now see fewer banner ads, popups, and in-app annoyances, especially in third-party apps.
How to Block Ads on Apple TV with AdGuard DNS
Apple TV is locked down tight. You can’t sideload apps or install system-wide blockers. But what you can do is use AdGuard DNS to block ad domains before they ever reach your screen.
To apply AdGuard DNS on Apple TV:
- Go to Settings > Network
- Choose your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network
- Tap Configure DNS > switch to Manual
- Input either:
- Ad blocking: 94.140.14.14 or 94.140.15.15
- Family protection: 94.140.14.15 or 94.140.15.16
- Hit Done to apply changes
And no more random banners on your home screen or third-party apps.
How to Stop Ads on Samsung Smart TVs Using AdGuard DNS
Samsung TVs don’t give you many tools for ad control, but DNS-based blocking works like a charm. Since you can’t install third-party apps, this is one of the cleanest solutions.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Open Settings > Network
- Tap Network Status > IP Settings
- Scroll to DNS Setting and choose Enter Manually
- Input:
- Ad block DNS: 94.140.14.14 or 94.140.15.15
- Family-safe DNS: 94.140.14.15 or 94.140.15.16
- Save your changes and restart the TV
From here on out, your Samsung will filter ads at the network level. Easy win.
Block Ads on LG Smart TV with AdGuard DNS
LG’s webOS is one of the better Smart TV interfaces out there—smooth, minimal, and intuitive. The last thing you want is for it to get cluttered with banner ads or auto-playing promos. Luckily, AdGuard DNS works well here, too.
To configure it:
- Go to Settings > All Settings > Network
- Select your Wi-Fi connection and open Advanced Settings
- Hit Edit
- Disable Set Automatically
- Enter your preferred DNS:
- Ad blocking: 94.140.14.14 or 94.140.15.15
- Family filter: 94.140.14.15 or 94.140.15.16
- Click Connect
And that’s it, ads are now filtered at the network level, without needing to mess with firmware or apps.
Block Ads on Firestick & Fire TV with AdGuard DNS
Fire OS is a bit less friendly when it comes to DNS changes, but with a few extra steps, you can still apply AdGuard’s ad filtering. This method works on Firestick, Fire TV Cube, and newer Fire TVs.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Network
- Write down your current IP address, Gateway, and Subnet Mask
- Return to Settings > Network
- Select your network and tap the menu button (three lines) > Forget
- Reconnect to the same network but select Advanced
- Fill in:
- Your saved IP address
- Gateway
- Subnet: 24 (if 255.255.255.0) or 32 (if 255.255.255.255)
- DNS 1: 94.140.14.14 or 94.140.15.15
- DNS 2: 94.140.14.15 or 94.140.15.16
- Save and you’re done
You should now see fewer ads across apps, especially in sideloaded streaming platforms or browsers.
Note: The DNS shared here are all public DNS. They are not encrypted. If you need a private IPv4 DNS, you might want to sign up for an AdGuard DNS subscription.
How to Turn Off Targeted Ads on Android TV
Okay, maybe you’re not trying to block every single ad, just the ones that feel a little too personal. If you’d rather not have your TV guessing what you want based on your past behaviour (or location), there are a few settings you can tweak to limit the tracking.
Here’s how to make Android TV a little less nosy:
Reset Your Advertising ID
Google assigns a unique ad ID to your TV, which helps advertisers build a profile around your habits. You can’t turn it off entirely, but you can reset it. Which wipes all the data attached to it.
- Open Settings
- Scroll to Device Preferences
- Tap on Legal Information
- Go to Ads
- Select Reset Advertising ID
This gives you a fresh slate and stops advertisers from using your old activity to target you.
Disable Ad Personalisation
Resetting the ID is a start, but unless you turn off personalisation, Google will just start rebuilding your profile. To stop that:
- Go back to Device Preferences > Legal Information > Ads
- Toggle Opt out of Ads Personalisation to On
Once enabled, apps are asked not to use your info to tailor ads. Some will respect it, some won’t, but it’s worth doing.
Turn Off Location-Based Ads
Android TV can serve ads based on where you are, which is why you might keep seeing restaurant or service ads for your area. To put an end to that:
- Head to Device Preferences
- Select Location
- Set Location Status to Off
This disables all location access system-wide. Which will prevent location based ad targeting.
Disable Usage & Diagnostics Sharing
It’s not confirmed whether this feeds into ad profiles, but this setting shares system data with Google, so turning it off is a good move for privacy in general.
- Go to Device Preferences
- Scroll to Usage & Diagnostics
- Toggle it Off
Final Thoughts
Look, ads are everywhere now. And while you might’ve ditched cable for the freedom of streaming, modern Smart TVs found a way to sneak them back in, sometimes in the UI, sometimes inside apps, and sometimes even in your browser.
But, you’ve got options. Whether you’re just setting up AdGuard DNS to block the basics, running the full AdGuard app on Android TV, or going full nerd with a local AdGuard Home setup, you’re not stuck with those ads. You get to choose what your screen shows you, and more importantly, what it doesn’t.
And even if you’re not ready to block everything, turning off tracking and personalisation is a great first step. Your TV shouldn’t be watching you back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AdGuard DNS work on all Smart TVs?
Yes, AdGuard DNS works on all smart TVs as long as your Smart TV lets you change DNS settings, AdGuard DNS will work. This includes Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Samsung Tizen, and LG webOS. And even for the devices that don’t allow changing DNS, you can always use AdGuard Home at a network level.
Can I block YouTube ads on Smart TV on Smart TV?
Not entirely. YouTube serves ads from the same domain as video content, which means it’s very difficult to get rid of YouTube ads on a smart TV, unless you can settle for using YouTube on a smart TV web browser.
Is AdGuard DNS free to use on Smart TV?
Yes, the public version of AdGuard DNS is completely free for personal use. You can upgrade to a private DNS for more features like stats, filtering logs, and device-specific rules. Even then, it has a basic free tier
Does using AdGuard DNS slow down my internet?
Nope. In fact, it can make browsing faster by blocking ad scripts before they load. It filters requests at the DNS level, so it’s extremely lightweight.
What’s the best way to block ads on Android TV?
If you’re on Android TV, the most effective method is using the AdGuard app. It blocks ads in real time across apps and browsers, but it requires sideloading and a paid subscription. If you prefer a free method, AdGuard DNS is still a solid option.