How to use Blokada 5 Networks feature?

Guides Android
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What is the Networks feature?

The Networks feature introduced in Blokada 5.7 for Android allows you to configure Blokada differently for specific networks (WiFi or mobile). When enabled, Blokada will switch its configuration whenever your device connects to a given network.

For example, you may configure Blokada to use network’s default DNS servers when connected to your work WiFi, and switch to Blokada DNS on any other network. This way, you may fix connectivity problems on restricted networks, and at the same time stay protected and encrypt DNS on other networks.

You may also apply more complex configuration scenarios.

This feature is meant for advanced users, and for users having problems with connectivity on particular networks. Also, please note that Blokada 5.7 is the first release of this feature, and should be considered beta, which means that despite our extensive testing, it may not work properly in some scenarios.

How to use the Network feature?

Starting with Blokada 5.7, you may check the current configuration of Blokada in two places: the home screen (tap the ads counter text), and the notification. This way you can always confirm that your changes are applied properly.

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You’ll find the Networks feature under the Advanced section tab.

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Default configuration

By default, only the “All networks” configuration is active, which is basically the default configuration of Blokada 5. You may change it if you wish so, and this change will apply to all networks.

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Change settings for a specific network type

You may overwrite the default configuration described above, for a specific network type. For example, if you wish to use network DNS on any mobile network, but stick with the encrypted Blokada DNS on other networks, this video shows how to do so.

Change settings for a specific network

To configure settings for a specific network (and not just network type), you’ll need to grant permissions that allow Blokada to read network names. Sadly, this may cause Android to display a scary looking notification about location access from time to time. In reality, Blokada will only read the network name, and not access your location.

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Once the permissions are granted, Blokada will immediately recognize the network you are connected to, and allow you to set a configuration for it.

And that’s it! We hope this guide helped you understand how to use the new Networks feature. As always, we are looking forward to your feedback.

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Yes, those changes are only applicable to Android right now.

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Hi, is there a way to not use disable blokada’s internal VPN entirely on certain Networks? I have Adgaurd Home running on my home network and a centrally managed system there is more interesting. When going outside, I do use blokada.
Current I solve this by sticking to v4 of blokada and using Automate to handle automatic enable and disable blokada depending if I’m on my home network or not.
It would be nice if this came built-in with the Networks feature

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Yes you just choose “Prefer network DNS”.

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Seems like the blocklist configuration still is active when I do that, and Adguard Home doesn’t handle or see those blocked requests. I assume that’s intentional?
Or I’m having a brainfart and it does skip the blokada blocklist?

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You are correct, the blocklist configuration is still active in that case.

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In that case, an option to skip/disable the blocklists would be nice addition to the Networks feature :slightly_smiling_face: (and then I can say goodbye to v4 entirely :wink:)

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I signed up to tell you because of how Blokada have handled this (and seeing other blokada answers) I am now looking for different ad blocker software even though I was completely happy with yours. There are many legitimate use cases for not wanting my DNS hijacked, and you know them because V4 allowed you to bypass this “feature”. Resisting to the point that you still force me to only “prefer” my own DNS suggests to me that you have an ulterior motive for forcing this feature on me.
Thanks but no thanks.

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Hi there,
The network feature enables you to use your default dns as well.
Am I misunderstanding your remarks here? :slight_smile:

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The “prefer” part is only because of technical reasons. V4 would simply cut you out of the Internet if you messed up the settings.

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Hi,
Please note that we cannot provide ETAs at this point.
You may want to check our github to see what’s definitely being worked on. Everything else is up to discussion.
An implementation of custom dns settings will be implemented at some point.
DoT is not planned

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Hello,
will there be an option to use the network DNS Feature with an activated VPN Connection? Or do we have to wait till an custom DNS Configuration is possible?
At Home I use an raspberry with pihole activated. The pihole is configurated to spread the DNS requests to various Providers. An option in blokada to use the network DNS with the blokada VPN connection of the device activated would be very useful in this case.

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Unfortunately it is technically impossible to use network DNS in VPN, since the local DNS servers cannot be resolved within the VPN network.

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I would very much like to be able to customise the Blokada VPN settings per network, to enable/disable VPN automatically upon network change as well as to set a default VPN location on a per-network basis.

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/i need link

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Dear Karol, I just saw that I can use a DNS Server from the list instead of the Blokada DNS in Blokada Plus mode (switch off at the bottom of the server list). Is there any disadvantage of doing it like that, assuming that the chosen Server accepts DoH?
Thank you.
Regards
Wolf

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In Plus mode, DoH is unnecessary and may slow down your connection. The Plus mode already encrypts all your traffic. That’s why Blokada DNS is not using Doh when under Plus mode.

You are free to choose another DNS if you wish. Depending on your location, another choice may be a bit faster for you, since we are still expanding our network. But in that case I would recommend to disable DoH (it’s the “Encrypt DNS” option in Networks).

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Nice.