RethinkDNS
Open-source Android firewall and DNS-based ad, tracker and app connection blocker
HN commenters recommend it on Android for local, DNS-level ad and telemetry blocking with custom blocklists,123 which keeps working on mobile data and alongside a VPN.45 The main complaint is instability on GrapheneOS,6 where it can randomly stop and cut off internet access or ignore split tunneling rules.7
Why people recommend it
Blocklist adblocking · 3
Supports DNS-level ad and tracker blocking with blocklists such as Hagezi.
“For Android, I use Rethink with Hagezi blocklists, so they block also when I am on mobile data”
“I use it to block all manufacturer and OEM related apps that I cannot uninstall through adb or disable.”
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“The RethinkDNS app also lets you use DNS-level adblocking and a VPN at the same time.”
Works with VPN · 2
Being VPN-based, it blocks on mobile data and can run DNS adblocking alongside a VPN.
“For Android, I use Rethink with Hagezi blocklists, so they block also when I am on mobile data”
“The RethinkDNS app also lets you use DNS-level adblocking and a VPN at the same time.”
Local and trustworthy · 2
Filtering runs entirely on the device instead of through a third-party service.
“I use it to block all manufacturer and OEM related apps that I cannot uninstall through adb or disable.”
“There are local device-only resolver apps like”
Per-app firewall · 1
Can block IPs and stop specific apps, including OEM telemetry apps, from reaching servers.
“I use it to block all manufacturer and OEM related apps that I cannot uninstall through adb or disable.”
Essential tool · 3
Users call it fantastic software and an app they cannot do without.
“There are some apps I can't do without like ReThink DNS, NewPipe and other open source apps which I use regularly.”
“all in all it's a fantastic software, just doesn't work very stable for me.”
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Caveats and dissent
Stability issues · 1
One GrapheneOS user saw random stops, ignored split tunneling rules and lost connectivity.
“all in all it's a fantastic software, just doesn't work very stable for me.”
Sideloading restrictions · 1
A commenter worries that Google's planned sideloading restrictions could block apps like it.
“There are some apps I can't do without like ReThink DNS, NewPipe and other open source apps which I use regularly.”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- System-level ad-blocking in Android 2 mentions
- On non-rooted Android 17, ADB uninstall of system apps fails 2 mentions
- GrapheneOS has been ported to Android 17 and official releases are coming soon 2 mentions
- ChatGPT now knows what you do on other websites via ad collector 1 mention
- Motorola GrapheneOS devices will be bootloader unlockable/relockable 1 mention
Also written as Rethink DNS, Rethink. Data: rethinkdns.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 8
“Just use Rethink app”
“There are local device-only resolver apps like”
“For Android, I use Rethink with Hagezi blocklists, so they block also when I am on mobile data”
“all in all it's a fantastic software, just doesn't work very stable for me.”
“I use it to block all manufacturer and OEM related apps that I cannot uninstall through adb or disable.”
“Before rethink I used DNS66 which is similar.”
“There are some apps I can't do without like ReThink DNS, NewPipe and other open source apps which I use regularly.”
“The RethinkDNS app also lets you use DNS-level adblocking and a VPN at the same time.”