How to block ads in Spotify in April 2018 and beyond

Here we are, folks. April 2018 are going to stock market and it starts to block modified mobile clients.

Right now (April 2018), there is no modified version which would work, so you can stop looking. I would find out one, it would be matter of time, when it would stop working.

Like a bonus, Spotify Ltd. blocks the IMEI of devices with modified clients, so that is the reason why the application doesn’t even work after reinstallation.

So how we can overcome this problem?

Right now, there is only one solution: Use the same approach as on PC – an official Spotify application together with application which blocks commercial in whole system.
It is a little bit complicated with Android but there are quite good applications which give an opportunity to block custom domains via your own VPN which is established at your phone itself.
The best solution if you are willing to pay something is AdGuard. A free alternative is AdClear.

For my readers: You can use a coupon for 30 % off – GET30OFF – (applies to one year subscription).
So how you can block the ads in the official Spotify? You must build up a user filter with your custom rules which targets Spotify ads domains.
I prepared Spotify rules list, so if you download this TXT file, you can easily import this rules to AdGuard. This list up-to-date and I will keep it that way, aka play a cat and mouse game with Spotify with Ltd. 🙂

Import of rules to AdGuad:

Go to Menu (left top corner) -> User filter -> User filter menu (right left corner) -> Import -> Navigate yourself to downloaded file and import rules.
You can see about 40 rules after successful import.

If your search in Spotify doesn’t work, disable the rule: ||spclient.wg.spotify.com*

Now, when you install the official Spotify application, ads will be blocked by AdGuard.
This solution blocks only ads, it doesn’t allow you disable the most annoying feature of the Spotify free version – random (shuffle) playing, but better than nothing, right?

Step by step procedure:

1. Uninstall modified Spotify application.
2. Install AdGuard or similar application for ads blocking.
3. Import Spotify rules stated above.
4. Install the official Spotify application but don’t run it!!!
5. Find system information about the official Spotify application.
6. Delete cache and memory of the official Spotify application.
7. Uninstall the official Spotify application.
8. Install it again from Google Play store.
9. Run the official Spotify application.
10. Create a new account for the official Spotify application or use your current profile from the modified Spotify application.
11. Play music.

Official Spotify app doesn’t work (Updated)

If your official Spotify doesn’t work, you have only limited options – use a different music provider (Deezer, SoundCloud) or use the step by step procedure stated above. And when I mean steb-by-step I mean really step by step! This will fix the problem.

Spotify on PC

If you want to block ads in your desktop PC Spotify, download this file, unzip it and run file Block ads.ps1. It will insert same set of rules to your Windows which prevents desktop Spotify to play ads.

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