this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2025
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17
Is there an equivalent to a HOSTS file for the Android platform? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago by JeeBaiChow@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
8 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Would like to filter out some domains beyond the AdBlock lists. Any help/ recommendations much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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[–] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yes. When I used to mod Android phones, we used AdAway to fix the HOSTS file.

The HOSTS file exists on pretty much everything. iPhone, Android, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Mac, PC. Most of those don't let you edit it, though.

And on Android without root, just like on an iPhone, it's down to DNS filtering. You need root to edit the HOSTS file.

For platforms you can't edit the HOSTS file on, you can run your own DNS server (I have no experience doing this, but, it can be done) and block ads there, and route your locked-down machines through that. I think a Pi-Hole does that (Raspberry Pi computer running custom router software for blocking ads/trackers).

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Yeah. A Pihole can do the DNS server part. Easy to set up too. Then just set the DNS for your wifi ID, some also set a VPN on their devices to route back to their home network (or something like Tailscale) when they are out and about. Though I admit when I'm out and about I just let my VPN handle the DNS.

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 6 points 1 week ago

If you don't have root, editing android's host file is tricky (if not impossible).

If you can't root, try an alternate DNS service, or a VPN-based one like ReThink DNS.

[–] lemmyhavesome@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You can use a DNS level ad blocker like Pi-hole on your home network.

[–] JeeBaiChow@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Would it be possible to have a micro DNS on your phone? So it looks up locally first, where I can have my block entries, then defers to the internet one if there is none?

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago

In theory you could run pihole in docker on a phone. Dunno how feasible that is.

[–] DirigibleProtein@aussie.zone 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I used to do this, but haven’t run Android for a few years. This looks right:

https://www.howtogeek.com/140576/how-to-edit-the-hosts-file-on-android-and-block-web-sites/

[–] JeeBaiChow@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Ah yes, there it is. So I need to root my device.