Native adblocking
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If you're running at least Android 9.0, adguard DNS works crazy as hell for most apps (not Duolingo i don't know why)
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@antoine-luboz Correct! Some open source VPN filter apps are also available.
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@sagrid do you have some name to give ?
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@remi-flores DNSfilter could be one from F-droid store.
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Blokada is also very good and needs no root etc
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@derDay how does it work, as a VPN? If so is it trustworthy? Does it consume much battery? I think we need real, native ad blocking tbh, I hate phones getting hot in an instant.
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@npro please check their website for further information: https://blokada.org (I would say yes, it's trustworthy)
I used blokada only for adblocking. and at my phone the battery consumption was negligible -
@derDay thx I'll check it.
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I think that's exactly what Vivaldi should be saving us from. I don't want to have to use third-party apps.
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@derDay I've been using it for months and it's working fine.
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I also use Blokade without problems of any kind, the impact on the system and battery is practically zero. It is reliable as virtually all OpenSource apps.
What I like is that it not only removes the ads on the web pages, but also in most of the installed apps (they can be selectively excluded in the configuration, if this causes a malfunction) -
Anyone who has voted for this request should go vote for the Support Extensions feature request. The only way you'll be able to block ads in Vivaldi is with extensions. Vivaldi Android is not going to implement ad blocking, Jon has made this clear. However, the core of Vivaldi's mission statement is user choice. "A browser that adapts to you, not the other way around." Vivaldi clearly understands that people want to block ads, and currently enables users to do so through extensions on the desktop.
This is actually preferable, let me explain. No browser, mobile or desktop, has built-in ad blocking functionality that is as effective as what can be done with existing extensions.
One thing we should define at the top is what do we mean by ad blocking? Jon is making the distinction between blocking ads and blocking trackers. However, I think many if not most users mean both. To the common user not well-versed in this technology, ad blocking doesn't mean solely the visual ads that are annoying but includes the trackers and scripts that are a threat to privacy and security. Many posts in this thread express the desire for both. Unless specificity is noted, the term
"ad blocking"
means both ads and trackers for the rest of this post, as it is the common understanding.The reality is that no browser has built-in blocking features that compare to extensions, regardless of platform. It is unrealistic to think that Vivaldi Android would build blocking functionality that matches what is already available from extensions, even if they were going to try.
Vivaldi is not a large team, especially compared to the Chrome or Firefox dev teams. Some much-needed revenue is generated through partnerships, that's why the Speed Dial is populated with certain links upon installation of Vivaldi.¹ While I trust Vivaldi, their customer focus is top-notch and they've never given any reason to lose the trust we've placed in them, this fact does create at least a perception of conflict of interest. Jon is aware of this and that's part of the reason why Vivaldi will not include ad blocking (specifically).
These are just some of the reasons, given the current state of technology, extensions are preferable to built-in ad blocking. But there are further reasons for Vivaldi to focus development efforts on support for extensions. Given the limited resources of Vivaldi and their obvious commitment to quality, it takes a good bit of time to create the browser its user base expects. Let's not forget the patience we had to exercise for Vivaldi Android, this beta isn't even a month old. Vivaldi rewards our patience with a stable browser that provides a unique level of flexibility & control.
In conclusion, extensions philosophically align with the core of Vivaldi's raison d'être. They bring a wide spectrum of additional functionality that users already enjoy on the desktop without having to dedicate resources to all the different features individually. Supporting extensions has the most votes out of all the feature requests for Vivaldi Android, including this one. Additionally, existing extensions provide superior ad blocking compared to any current native implementation on any platform.
If you want ad blocking in Vivaldi Android, please go vote for the Support Extensions feature request.
"A browser should adapt to you, not the other way around."
1: Not all the included default bookmarks are from sponsors. Vivaldi chooses bookmarks added with a new installation that they believe provide value, only some of them are sponsored.
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I will add to the chorus by saying that the only reason I do not have Vivaldi as default browser on Android is lack for an ad block. Until that happens, I find Brave to be the best option.
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As a second browser on Android I use Kiwi, it has many configuration options, almost like Vivaldi, and it supports extensions from the Chrome Store.
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@Catweazle
I also use kiwi on my phone. Finally, the browser got a lot of attention when extensions were suddenly possible. On my smartphone, a browser with an advertising filter (and its own filter list) is very important.
Vivaldi could do it similar to Samsung or Yandex and only allow ads filter apps from the Play Store. -
@sdtbluethink , well, less for the adblocker, I already use Blokada that does its job very well, but yes It would be desirable that Vivaldi can use extensions like Kiwi and others.
OK, time to time, it's still Beta. -
I can only confirm how important a native ad blocker is in a browser.
Vivaldi is wasting a great opportunity if the developers don't rethink their position and integrate support for native ad blockers.
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We need a native add blocking or extension support please...
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@derDay thanks mate.
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Ok, after almost 3 month with Beta, I have to say, that although it works great in all respects, the lack of ad blocking is playing my nerves and the Opera icon seems more and more tempting every day. VPN filtering eased it down a little (a lot...), but it's far from perfect solution. I keep using it as a primary and effectively only browser and I probably continue to do so for at least some more time (due to the VPN ad blocking, mostly), my willingness to recommend it as a mobile browser alone (= to somebody who doesn't use desktop V) is almost completely gone
I did supported the Extension request, but this seems to be more dedicated and topic specific thread. Plus there might be a chance that some simpler / easier specific support for ad block extension might be implemented before general extension support. That might feel non-systematic, but I personally think it would be worth it nevertheless.
I'm sorry, I'm probably somewhat frustrated and I've needed to write it down. (On the bright side, I do feel a little better looking at the Vb icon now again )
EDIT: what I mean is - sure, it is still beta, but it is so good already, that one can't stop thinking "if it only..." - with ad blocking, I'd be probably telling people around to at least try it already.