I have used AdGuard’s free DNS for years on my iPhone (by installing their profile). I’ve now added the AdGuard actual app and paid for premium There is an option in there to enabled DNS protection, but when I do so it says it wants to add a VPN. Is this necessary?
It scared me off as I’d always though a VPN would slow my internet speed down, is that right?
It adds a vpn profile to loop back to the app so it sends all your traffic out through their dns servers if that makes sense.
The free Adguard DNS works fine but it’s limited in the sense that it blocks only what AdGuard deems to block. There is zero customization. It’s a decent “set it and forget it” option but if you want to see a log of connections and block things yourself (individual items or use block lists) you’ll need the premium app version which it sounds like you now have.
It uses a VPN because Apple doesn’t let you alter DNS or hosts or etc on an iPhone so the VPN filters that content out for you. It may use some additional battery but shouldn’t slow down your internet. Most adblockers on mobile need to make use of this method so it’s not uncommon. It all runs locally so no delays or speed issues. Not like a “real” VPN that is routing your data to some other global location.
If you don’t like the idea of VPN or of having an app on the phone controlling the adblocking, you can also pay for Adguard’s premium DNS, which functions in the same way as their public DNS but gives you customized control over blocking akin to the app. That has another benefit of being able to be used across devices that wouldn’t otherwise support blocking (like smartTVs, etc).
My experience has been better using the “native” option in the iOS app. This works a lot like installing the profile from the website, but then you can make all kinds of adjustments within the AdGaurd Pro app, like disabling it for a particular WiFi if necessary, or even trying a different DNS provider. It has virtually no impact on battery life, the only thing you miss out on are the stats.
To have it always on no matter cellular or WiFi
no ‘Root’ access?..
I have never had an iPhone, so don’t know how the security mechanisms are setup on there… but without root/master control, even Android phones require VPN.
actually it fast internet browsing, it’s filter ur htttps connection…that’s why VPN required
So will that slow my speeds generally? And is there much benefit to it over the free DNS method by installing the profile?
This was super super helpful! Thank you so much, that explained it nicely in ‘simple’ terms for me.
Really sorry, but what does that mean?
You do get a slight hit to latency and speed depending on where is the server your connection is being routed through.
You get all the traffic information by using the vpn profile, you could set your phone dns to AdGuards but you won’t get the details or the pretty graphs
‘Rooting is the process by which users of Android devices can attain privileged control (known as root access) over various subsystems of the device, usually smartphones.’
‘Jailbreaking or rooting means removing software restrictions that are intentionally put in place by the device manufacturer. This process, basically, opens a door of a locked-down electronic device to install software other than what the manufacturer has made available for that device.’
Ah ok, so I’m thinking to someone like me who isn’t really interested in all that there’s no benefit then, is that right? I’ve had the AdGuard DNS profile installed for years and it seems to have been fine.
Totally lost here, sorry. I’m not on Android if that’s relevant.
Correct. You can install only the profile (like you’re used to) or you can set in the app to use native iOS implementation.
maybe your phone needs privileged security access to your phone that it isn’t getting and needs the VPN to deliver the same service
Thank you, this was very helpful.