How to Remove Annoying Ads in Modern Combat 5 on Android – No Root, No Scripts Needed

 

If you're a fan of Modern Combat 5: Blackout (one of the longest-running mobile FPS titles out there), you probably love the fast-paced multiplayer action… but hate the aggressive ad interruptions. Those video ads that pop up literally every time you tap the menu, finish a match, or even try to change a loadout can turn an enjoyable session into a frustrating experience.The good news? There's a super simple workaround that blocks most (if not all) of those in-game ads without rooting your phone, installing shady APKs, running Lucky Patcher/Game Guardian scripts, or using any modded files. The method comes from a short but popular tutorial by xonoom on YouTube (video: "Remove ads in Modern Combat 5 | NO ROOT | NO SCRIPT").The Trick: Use AdGuard's Private DNSThe entire solution relies on Android's built-in Private DNS feature (introduced in Android 9 and available on basically every device since then). By pointing it to AdGuard's public DNS server, your phone starts filtering ad domains at the network level — including many of the ad requests Modern Combat 5 makes.Here's exactly how to set it up:

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.
2. Go to Network & internet (or Connections → More connection settings on Samsung/One UI devices).
3. Tap Private DNS.
4. Select Private DNS provider hostname.
5. Enter this exact hostname: dns.adguard.com
6. Tap Save.

That's literally it. No apps to install, no restarts required in most cases — the change usually takes effect within seconds.Now launch Modern Combat 5 and test it out. Players report that intrusive full-screen/video ads during menu navigation drop dramatically or disappear completely.Does It Really Work?The video was uploaded in mid-2024, but the method still holds up because:

• AdGuard DNS continues to maintain a strong blocklist for mobile game ads
• Gameloft hasn't (yet) moved all Modern Combat 5 ad traffic to non-blockable methods like on-device rendering or custom servers that bypass DNS filtering

Many users in the comments thanked the creator and confirmed it worked for them. A few even called it a game-changer for enjoying the title again.Potential Downsides & Things to Watch ForNo solution is perfect. Here are the most common things players mentioned:

• Certain brands/models break internet — Some Oppo/Realme phones apparently lose connectivity when using dns.adguard.com. If that happens to you, try the family-safe variant instead: family.adguard-dns.com (it still blocks most ads but is less aggressive).
• Multiplayer fairness — Obviously this is just ad-blocking — it doesn't give any gameplay advantage (despite what some salty comments might imply).
• Not 100% ad-free — Some rewarded ads (watch for gold/guns) or launcher banners might still slip through because they're served differently.
• In different cases — Other apps and games on your phone that prioritize showing ads might not work correctly or could stop working completely. Meanwhile ads can still show up on YouTube, Facebook, and similar platforms because they deliver ads from their own servers — just like they do with regular content. That’s why it’s basically impossible to block them completely.  
   

Alternatives If Private DNS Doesn't Cut ItIf ads are still unbearable after this tweak, other popular (but more involved) options include:

• Using a wider blocklist via RethinkDNS or AdAway (requires VPN slot or root)
• Playing the game in airplane mode + offline modes only (no multiplayer though)
• Switching to a different FPS title that respects your time better (sad but sometimes necessary)

Final ThoughtsFor a zero-effort, zero-risk fix, changing your Private DNS to dns.adguard.com is currently one of the cleanest ways to enjoy Modern Combat 5 without constant ad rage-quits. Huge thanks to xonoom for sharing such a straightforward method back in 2024 — it's still helping players today.Have you tried this trick? Did it kill the ads for you, or did you run into any weird side effects? Drop a comment below — especially if you're playing on a newer Android version or specific brand.Keep fragging (ad-free), soldiers!