Are you tired of intrusive ads, pesky trackers, and potentially malicious websites disrupting your Browse experience on your iPad? What if I told you there's a simple, free, and effective way to gain more control over your online privacy and enjoyment, system-wide, without needing complex software? That's exactly what AdGuard DNS offers!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of adding AdGuard DNS to your iPad, step-by-step, transforming your internet usage. Let's dive in!
Understanding AdGuard DNS: Your Digital Shield
Before we get our hands dirty with settings, let's quickly understand what AdGuard DNS is and why it's so beneficial.
AdGuard DNS is a free, public DNS (Domain Name System) service offered by AdGuard. Think of DNS as the internet's phonebook. When you type a website address like "https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com" into your browser, your device asks a DNS server for the corresponding IP address (e.g., 172.217.160.142) to connect to the website.
What makes AdGuard DNS special is that it filters out requests to known ad, tracking, and malicious domains at the DNS level. This means that before your iPad even tries to connect to an ad server or a harmful website, AdGuard DNS intercepts the request and simply doesn't provide an IP address. The result? Fewer ads, enhanced privacy, and improved security across all your apps and Safari.
Key Benefits of Using AdGuard DNS:
- Ad Blocking: Say goodbye to annoying banners, pop-ups, and video ads.
- Privacy Protection: Significantly reduces tracking by blocking analytics and trackers.
- Enhanced Security: Helps protect you from phishing and malicious websites.
- System-Wide Protection: Works beyond just Safari, blocking ads and trackers in many apps as well.
- No App Installation Required (for basic setup): You can configure it directly in your iPad's settings.
- Improved Speed: With fewer ads and trackers loading, web pages often load faster.
- Parental Control (Optional): AdGuard offers a "Family Protection" DNS option that also blocks adult content and enforces safe search.
Now that you're armed with the knowledge of why you should do this, let's get to the how.
Step 1: Choose Your AdGuard DNS Server Address
The first and most crucial step is to decide which AdGuard DNS server you want to use. AdGuard offers several options, each with a slightly different focus:
- Default server: Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites. This is the most common and recommended option for most users.
- IPv4:
94.140.14.14and94.140.15.15 - IPv6:
2a10:a500::feand2a10:a500::1
- IPv4:
- Family protection server: Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites, plus it blocks adult content and enables Safe Search for popular search engines. Ideal for households with children.
- IPv4:
94.140.14.15and94.140.15.16 - IPv6:
2a10:a500::ffand2a10:a500::2
- IPv4:
- Non-filtering server: This server does not block anything. It simply provides a fast and zero-logging DNS service. Use this if you only need a private DNS and don't want any content filtering.
- IPv4:
94.140.14.140and94.140.15.150 - IPv6:
2a10:a500::cand2a10:a500::d
- IPv4:
For the vast majority of users, the Default server is the best choice. Take a moment to jot down or memorize the IPv4 addresses for your chosen server. We'll be using these in the next steps.
Step 2: Access Your iPad's Wi-Fi Settings
Now that you have your desired AdGuard DNS addresses, it's time to configure your iPad.
2.1 Navigate to Settings
- Tap the Settings app icon on your iPad's home screen. It typically looks like a set of gray gears.
2.2 Select Wi-Fi
- In the left-hand menu of the Settings app, tap on Wi-Fi. This will display a list of available Wi-Fi networks and the network you are currently connected to.
Step 3: Configure DNS for Your Connected Wi-Fi Network
This is where we'll actually input the AdGuard DNS addresses.
3.1 Tap the Information Icon
- Next to your currently connected Wi-Fi network, you'll see a small blue "i" in a circle icon. Tap on this icon. This will open the network's detailed information page.
3.2 Locate and Tap "Configure DNS"
- Scroll down on the network details page until you find the "Configure DNS" option. Tap on it.
3.3 Change DNS Configuration to "Manual"
- By default, your iPad's DNS configuration is likely set to "Automatic." We need to change this to "Manual" to add our custom DNS servers.
- Tap on "Manual".
3.4 Add AdGuard DNS Servers
This is the core of the process.
- You'll likely see a "DNS Servers" section. If there are any existing DNS servers listed (e.g., from your router or ISP), you can remove them by tapping the red minus sign next to each one, then tapping "Delete."
- Tap the green plus sign next to "Add Server."
- Carefully enter the first AdGuard DNS IPv4 address you chose in Step 1 (e.g.,
94.140.14.14). - Tap the green plus sign again to add another server.
- Enter the second AdGuard DNS IPv4 address (e.g.,
94.140.15.15). - If you're comfortable with IPv6, you can also add the IPv6 addresses by tapping the green plus sign again.
3.5 Save Your Changes
- Once you've entered both (or all) of your chosen AdGuard DNS server addresses, tap "Save" in the top right corner of the screen.
Step 4: Verify Your AdGuard DNS Setup
It's always a good idea to confirm that your new DNS settings are working as expected.
4.1 Reconnect to Wi-Fi (Optional, but recommended)
- Sometimes, simply toggling Wi-Fi off and on from the Control Center or within Settings can help ensure the new DNS settings are applied immediately.
4.2 Use the AdGuard Test Page
- Open Safari or any other web browser on your iPad.
- Go to the official AdGuard DNS test page:
https://adguard.com/en/test.html - On this page, you should see a confirmation that "AdGuard DNS is running!" with a green checkmark. If you see this, congratulations! You've successfully configured AdGuard DNS on your iPad.
Troubleshooting Tip: If the test page doesn't show AdGuard DNS running, double-check your entered DNS addresses for typos in Step 3. Also, ensure you tapped "Save."
Step 5: Enjoy an Ad-Free and More Secure Browse Experience!
That's it! You've successfully added AdGuard DNS to your iPad. You should now notice a significant reduction in ads across websites in Safari and many third-party apps. Your online privacy and security have also been enhanced.
Important Considerations:
- Wi-Fi Specific: This method of configuring DNS is specific to the Wi-Fi network you set it up on. If you connect to a different Wi-Fi network (e.g., at a coffee shop or a friend's house), you'll need to repeat these steps for that network if you want AdGuard DNS to apply there.
- Mobile Data: This method does not apply to cellular/mobile data. iOS does not allow manual DNS configuration for cellular connections without using a VPN or a specific app like the AdGuard app.
- AdGuard App (Paid Option): For more advanced features, system-wide protection on mobile data, and easier management, you can consider installing the AdGuard for iOS app from the App Store. While it's a paid app, it offers encrypted DNS (DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS), advanced filtering, and more granular control over what gets blocked. If you use the AdGuard app, its DNS settings will take precedence over the manual Wi-Fi settings.
- Configuration Profile (Advanced): AdGuard also offers downloadable configuration profiles that can configure encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT) for you. This is an advanced option and might be preferred if you want to quickly switch between different AdGuard DNS types (Default, Family, Non-filtering) without manual input, or if you want encrypted DNS without the full AdGuard app. However, a configuration profile will be ignored if you're using a VPN.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to AdGuard DNS on iPad, with quick answers:
How to check if AdGuard DNS is working on my iPad?
Visit https://adguard.com/en/test.html in your iPad's browser. If it shows "AdGuard DNS is running!", it's working.
How to remove AdGuard DNS from my iPad?
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the "i" icon next to your connected network, then Configure DNS, switch back to "Automatic," and tap "Save."
How to use AdGuard DNS on my iPad's mobile data?
To use AdGuard DNS on mobile data, you generally need to use the AdGuard app (paid) or a VPN service that allows custom DNS. iOS does not allow manual DNS configuration for cellular connections directly.
How to choose the best AdGuard DNS server for my needs?
- For general ad/tracker blocking: Use the Default server.
- For blocking adult content and safe search: Use the Family protection server.
- For just a private, fast DNS without any blocking: Use the Non-filtering server.
How to block ads in specific apps on my iPad with AdGuard DNS?
AdGuard DNS works system-wide, so it will block ads in many apps by preventing connections to ad servers. However, some apps embed ads in ways that DNS blocking can't always catch. For more comprehensive in-app ad blocking, consider the AdGuard app.
How to use AdGuard DNS with a VPN on my iPad?
When using a VPN, the VPN's DNS settings typically take precedence. If you want AdGuard DNS filtering with your VPN, you might need to configure AdGuard DNS within your VPN app's settings (if supported) or use the AdGuard app's "Full-Tunnel" mode.
How to fix internet connectivity issues after setting up AdGuard DNS?
Double-check the DNS addresses you entered for typos. If the problem persists, revert your DNS settings to "Automatic" and ensure your internet connection works normally before trying again.
How to update AdGuard DNS settings on my iPad?
There's no "update" process for the DNS settings themselves. AdGuard regularly updates its DNS servers' blocklists on their end, so you automatically benefit from the latest filtering without doing anything.
How to get more advanced ad-blocking features on my iPad?
For more advanced filtering, encrypted DNS (DNS-over-HTTPS/TLS), and detailed statistics, consider purchasing and installing the AdGuard for iOS app from the App Store.
How to set up AdGuard DNS for my entire home network?
To block ads for all devices on your network (including smart TVs, gaming consoles, etc.), you can configure AdGuard DNS directly on your home router. Consult your router's manual for instructions on changing DNS settings.
