How to Block CNN Ads on Any Device
CNN’s website and app are some of the most ad-heavy news properties on the internet — autoplay video ads, fullscreen banners, sticky overlays, and tracking scripts that slow the page to a crawl. There’s no official way to turn them off. This guide covers what actually works, on every platform.
Read CNN Without Ad Distractions
Skip autoplay videos and banners — AdLock keeps your news clean and private
Why CNN Ads Are So Disruptive
CNN doesn’t offer a paid tier that removes ads. Since CNN+ was shut down in April 2022, the site runs entirely on ad revenue — which is why the ad load is so heavy. On desktop you’ll hit banner takeovers, sticky sidebar ads, and mid-article autoplay video. On mobile the situation is often worse: the ads can cover most of the viewport before you’ve finished reading the first paragraph.
There’s no browser setting or in-app option to fix this. You need a tool that intercepts the ad requests before they reach the page.
Read Also: How to Block Daily Mail Pop-Ups & Ads
How to Block Ads on CNN (All Platforms)
Desktop: standalone app vs. browser extension
The AdLock desktop app for Windows and macOS works at the network level, outside the browser. It intercepts ad requests from every browser and every app on the machine — no per-browser setup needed. HTTPS filtering is what catches CNN’s video ads and tracking scripts specifically, so that’s worth enabling during setup.
The AdLock Chrome extension is a lighter option — free, installs in seconds, blocks banners and pop-ups on CNN.com. One thing to know: Chrome’s Manifest V3 update limits what browser extensions can do in real time. That’s a Chrome-level restriction that affects all extensions, including ours. If you find the extension misses some ads, the standalone app doesn’t have that constraint.
Android: block CNN ads across the app and browser
The CNN Android app serves its own ad stack — browser-only solutions won’t touch it. AdLock for Android routes traffic through a local VPN, so it filters ads from every app, not just browsers. Setup takes a few minutes:
- Download AdLock from Google Play (AdLock: Adblocker & Privacy) or directly from adlock.com
- Activate your license
- Install the CA certificate when prompted — this is what enables HTTPS filtering and catches encrypted ad requests
- Turn on ad blocking
Once that’s done, CNN ads in both the app and Chrome for Android are blocked. You can also stop autoplay video ads on Android — the same filtering catches those too.
iPhone and iPad: block CNN ads in Safari and other browsers
iOS restricts system-wide filtering more tightly than Android, but AdLock for iPhone covers the main bases. The app installs a content blocker that works in Safari and can use DNS-level filtering to catch ad requests from other browsers and apps. Steps:
- Download AdLock from the App Store
- Enable the Safari content blocker in Settings → Safari → Extensions
- Optionally activate Full protection inside the app for broader app-level blocking
CNN.com in Safari will load noticeably faster once the ad and tracker requests are cut. Full in-app blocking depends on the Full protection option being active.
What about CNN’s adblock detection?
CNN runs anti-adblock scripts that can show a message asking you to disable your blocker. Whether you see it depends on which blocker you’re using and how CNN’s current detection is implemented. Network-level and DNS-level blockers work differently from browser extensions — ad requests are filtered at a different layer — but CNN updates its detection scripts periodically, so results vary. If the message appears, the standalone app is generally a more capable option than a browser extension, since it operates outside the browser entirely.
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Final Thoughts
CNN doesn’t offer an ad-free subscription, and there’s no browser toggle to shut the ads off. An ad blocker is the only practical option, and the standalone AdLock app gives the most complete coverage — across browsers, the CNN app, and every other app on your device. The browser extension is a fine starting point if you only read CNN on desktop and want something free and instant.
Read CNN Without Ad Distractions
Skip autoplay videos and banners — AdLock keeps your news clean and private
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop ads on the CNN website?
Install an ad blocker. The AdLock standalone app blocks CNN banner ads, autoplay video ads, and tracking scripts at the network level — before they load. The free Chrome extension covers banners and pop-ups if you only need desktop browser blocking.
Why does CNN have so many ads?
CNN’s content is free, so ad revenue is its primary income source. The site runs multiple ad formats simultaneously — display banners, video pre-rolls, sponsored content, and tracking scripts — which is why the ad load feels heavier than on many other news sites.
Can I get CNN without ads by subscribing?
No. CNN+ was discontinued in April 2022 and there’s currently no paid tier that removes ads from CNN.com or the CNN app. An ad blocker is the only way to get an ad-free experience.
How do I block CNN ads on Android?
Install AdLock for Android, activate HTTPS filtering, and install the CA certificate. This filters ads from the CNN app and any browser you use — not just Chrome.
How do I block CNN ads on iPhone?
Download AdLock from the App Store and enable the Safari content blocker in Settings → Safari → Extensions. For broader coverage beyond Safari, activate Full protection inside the app.
Why does CNN say my ad blocker was detected?
CNN runs scripts that check for blocked ad requests. Whether they trigger depends on the blocker you’re using and CNN’s current detection implementation. The standalone AdLock app works at the network level and operates differently from browser extensions, but CNN updates its scripts regularly — results can vary. If you’re seeing the detection message, switching from the browser extension to the desktop app is worth trying.
Does blocking CNN ads slow down page loading?
The opposite. CNN’s pages load significantly faster without ad and tracking scripts. Those scripts are among the main reasons CNN.com is slow on mobile connections.
