Brave for Android Now Lets You Tap to Remove Annoying Page Elements

Brave Software has rolled out a new privacy feature in version 1.78 of its Android browser, giving users the ability to manually block unwanted page elements with a simple tap.

This enhancement extends the browser’s existing ad and tracker-blocking capabilities by allowing finer, user-controlled customization of web content visibility.

Brave Software is known for developing a privacy-first browser that blocks online surveillance by default. With over 60 million monthly active users as of 2025, the company positions itself as a secure and user-centric alternative to mainstream browsers.

The new feature, dubbed Block Elements, was already available on the desktop version of Brave, but the Android implementation introduces a more streamlined and intuitive interface tailored for mobile interaction, aligning with the company’s broader focus on usability in privacy tools.

Brave's Shields feature has long been central to its privacy model, automatically blocking third-party trackers, ads, cookie consent banners, and intrusive “open in app” prompts. With the addition of manual element blocking, users can now remove visual distractions like persistent promo banners, clickbait sidebars, or other page components that evade standard filter lists.

Using the new Block Elements feature on Android is straightforward:

• Tap the Shields icon in the address bar.
• Go to Advanced controls, then tap Block element.
• Select the unwanted element directly on the page.
• Confirm by tapping Block Elements.

These customizations are enforced by adding cosmetic filter rules on a per-site basis. Users can manage or inspect these rules via the Manage filters option during element selection or by navigating to brave://settings/shields/filters. Additionally, the browser offers an easy way to undo all changes for a given site — simply tap Clear all blocked elements in the Shields panel.

On the desktop version, users access this feature by right-clicking a page, choosing Block elements, and interacting with a similar selection interface. Advanced users on desktop can refine their blocking by selecting elements at the same DOM level or reviewing the generated rules via the Show rules option.

The company cautions that overly aggressive element blocking may break site functionality. In such cases, users can restore the original layout by clearing the custom rules.

To make the most of Brave’s Block Elements feature without compromising site usability, users should block only static, non-functional elements like banners or sidebars, and revert to using the Clear all blocked elements option if a site becomes unreadable or unresponsive.