Tired of seeing ads on your Android TV and being tracked in the background? Here’s how using Private DNS on Android TV I took control of my Android TV.
Why I Did This: Privacy, Control, and a Cleaner TV Experience
Like most people, I bought an Android TV to enjoy streaming content like movies, shows, YouTube, and more. But what I didn’t sign up for was the constant stream of ads and the unseen tracking happening in the background.
From:
- Banner ads on the home screen
- Unskippable pre-roll ads
- Apps quietly collecting data I never agreed to share
It felt like my TV was watching me, more than I was watching it.
So I decided to change that. By using a Private DNS to block ads and trackers before they ever reach the device.
Why Private DNS?
Comparison: Private DNS vs. Other Ad Blocking Methods
| Feature | Private DNS | Pi-hole | Ad Blocker Apps | VPN-based Ad Blockers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ad blocking level | System-wide DNS-level | Network-wide | Browser/app-specific | Depends on provider |
| Blocks trackers | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Works on Android TV | Yes | Needs router setup | No | Maybe (if sideloaded) |
| Needs root access | No | No | Often Yes | No |
| Customizable filters | Yes | Yes | Some | Rarely |
| Installation difficulty | Medium (ADB) | High (network config) | Low | Low to Medium |
| Can bypass app ads | Partially | Partially | No | Partially |
| Free option available | Yes | Yes | Varies | Varies |
What Is NextDNS?
NextDNS is a privacy-focused DNS service that allows you to:
- Block ads system-wide
- Prevent trackers from collecting data
- Enforce parental controls and filtering
- Encrypt your DNS traffic (via DNS-over-TLS or DoT)
It’s like a firewall for your internet requests. Smart, customizable, and private.
How I Set Private DNS on Android TV (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
Step 1: Enable Developer Options
- On your Android TV, go to:
Settings → Device Preferences → About - Scroll to Build and press it 7 times until you see “You are now a developer.”
- Go back to Settings → Developer Options
- Enable:
- USB Debugging
- Network Debugging (for wireless ADB)
Step 2: Connect to the TV via ADB
You can do this from either your PC or a phone with an ADB app (like Bugjaeger or LADB).
Option A: From PC (Recommended)
- Find your Android TV’s IP Address:
Settings → Network & Internet → [Your Wi-Fi] → IP address - On your PC, open Terminal or Command Prompt
- Connect via ADB
- Accept the prompt on your TV screen to allow the connection
Option B: From Phone (ADB App)
- Use an ADB app like ABD SHELLor LADB
- Connect to the TV via Wi-Fi using the IP address
- Start a shell session
How to connect ?
Start a session in command prompt if on PC or in shell session if using an app & enter following command.
adb connect <TV_IP>:5555
Example: adb connect 192.168.1.42:5555Step 3: Configure NextDNS (Private DNS Over TLS)
Before setting up, it’s important to understand that the hostname you enter for Private DNS:
- Must be a fully qualified domain name for example:
abcd1234.dns.nextdns.iowhereabcd1234is your unique NextDNS Configuration ID. - Cannot be a numeric IP address or just a short name.
- Must have a valid TLS certificate matching the hostname, or Android TV will reject the configuration or silently fall back to default DNS.
How to Set the Private DNS Hostname & DNS-over-TLS
Get your NextDNS Configuration ID from https://my.nextdns.io, then run these commands:
adb shell settings put global private_dns_mode dns.nextdns.io
adb shell settings put global private_dns_specifier abcd1234.dns.nextdns.ioReplace abcd1234 with your actual config ID.
Step 4: Verify the Settings
Run these commands to confirm the settings took effect:
adb shell settings get global private_dns_mode
adb shell settings get global private_dns_specifier
You should see output like:
dns.nextdns.ioabcd1234.dns.nextdns.io
Step 5: Test if NextDNS Is Working
Option A: NextDNS Test Page
- Open a browser on your Android TV (e.g., Puffin, Firefox).
- Visit:
https://my.nextdns.io - You should see:
This device is using NextDNS with this configuration: abcd1234
Option B: DNS Leak Test
- Visit:
https://www.dnsleaktest.com - Run the Standard Test.
- Look for NextDNS or your configured DNS provider in the results.
Optional: Disconnect ADB
Once you’re done, run:
adb disconnect
What Changed After I Set This Up?
After switching to NextDNS:
- No more home screen ads
- Fewer (or no) ads inside streaming apps
- Faster loading times. No ad servers to connect to
- Less tracking. Apps can’t phone home to known telemetry servers
- Full control via the NextDNS dashboard. Blocklists, logs, filters, and more
It genuinely feels like I got my TV back.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about skipping ads, it’s about digital ownership.
Your smart TV shouldn’t be smarter than you or at least not at your expense.
With a few commands and a free NextDNS account, you can dramatically improve privacy, speed, and your viewing experience.
If you’re serious about online privacy and tired of ads, do this today. It’s worth it.
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