[](#installation)
[](/LICENSE)
[](https://git.frostnerd.com/PublicAndroidApps/smokescreen/commits/master)
---
# About
Nebulo is a free, open-source, no-root, light-weight dns-over-https, dns-over-tls, and dns-over-http-over-quic client for Android with emphasis on privacy and security. Nebulo is fast, highly-customizable, ad-free, efficient on the battery, contains zero analytics / tracking. Goto [installation](#installation) and set it up on your Android device.
# My mission
My mission is to provide access to dns-over-tls and dns-over-https as a tool against censorship and tracking. Many countries block controversial or government-critical websites using DNS which can possibly be circumvented using either of those protocols.
The second topic, tracking, is nearly as important as the topic of censorship. Many ISPs use their own DNS servers as a way of tracking their users. Using DoH/DoT puts an end to this by encrypting the vulnerable DNS queries.
# How it works
Nebulo uses the VPN API of the Android system to create a dummy VPN which intercepts all packets for the dns servers of your device. This dummy VPN is __not__ a real VPN and does not tunnel your packets - it only handles dns packets. As only one VPN can be activate at any given time you have to decice between using Nebulo or a real VPN.
## Non-VPN mode
Look for it in the [FAQ](FAQ.md).
## What this is based on
Nebulo is a completely original piece of software. It doesn't use any other dependency under the hood for the dns capabilities. Check the [dependencies](https://git.frostnerd.com/PublicAndroidApps/smokescreen/blob/master/app/build.gradle#L100) to see what is used for everything build around DoH/DoT.
## Incompatibilities, compatibilities, and possible problems
- No other VPN can be active when Nebulo is running (at least when not running in Non-VPN mode mentioned above).
- Nebulo works fine with non-VPN firewalls in place (such as AFWall+), but changes in firewall profiles [could break the VPN](https://git.frostnerd.com/PublicAndroidApps/smokescreen/issues/84), requiring a restart of Nebulo.
- Other means of ad-blocking, like modifying the `/etc/hosts` file manually or using the AdAway app works alongside Nebulo just fine; though, the AdGuard app doesn't (that is, Nebulo does not receive any DNS queries when AdGuard's running).
## Core features
* Encrypted DNS using dns-over-https, dns-over-tls, and dns-over-http-over-quic protocols.
* Customizable in-memory DNS cache with configurable cache-expiry.
* Preset list of privacy-respecting DNS servers.
* Add any DNS server.
* DNS speed test.
* DNS query logging.
* DNS blocklists.
* Blocklist rules can be imported from remote URLs or on-device files (supports 4 different formats).
* Blocks domains with _unspecified IPs_, `0.0.0.0` and `::0000`.
* Automagically protects from [CNAME cloaking](https://webkit.org/blog/11338/cname-cloaking-and-bounce-tracking-defense/).
* Advanced settings:
* Disable IPv4 / IPv6.
* Allow captive portals.
* Allow search domains on the current network.
* ... and more.
# FAQ
For a growing collection of frequenty asked questions, [take a look here](FAQ.md).
# Help wanted
Translations are important to reach as broad of an audience as possible and for non-english speakers to be able to use the app to its full extent.
[Head over to the translation guide](TRANSLATING.md) to see how you can help!
# Installation
The app is distributed over Google Play Store, a custom F-Droid repo, and as a standalone `.apk` file.
## Play Store
[Download the latest version](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frostnerd.smokescreen) from Google Play Store.
## F-Droid
Search for Nebulo and download it from [the Aurora Store](https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/auroradroid), which is a F-Droid mirror; or follow these steps if you're using F-Droid:
1. [Click to add Nebulo](https://fdroid.frostnerd.com/fdroid/repo?fingerprint=74BB580F263EC89E15C207298DEC861B5069517550FE0F1D852F16FA611D2D26) to your F-Droid.
- Or, add it manually, `fdroid.frostnerd.com/fdroid` with fingerprint `74BB580F263EC89E15C207298DEC861B5069517550FE0F1D852F16FA611D2D26`.
- Or, add it by [scanning this QR-Code](material/fdroid_qr.jpg).
2. (Optional) For older versions of Nebulo, [click to add this repositorty instead](https://fdroidarchive.frostnerd.com/?fingerprint=74BB580F263EC89E15C207298DEC861B5069517550FE0F1D852F16FA611D2D26).
- Or, add it manually, `fdroidarchive.frostnerd.com` with fingerprint `74BB580F263EC89E15C207298DEC861B5069517550FE0F1D852F16FA611D2D26`.
3. Update your repositories (by pulling down to refresh F-Droid).
4. Search for Nebulo and download to install the app.
## Binary
- Grab the _latest_ `.apk` file from [the Nebulo telegram group](https://nebulo.app/community).
- Grab a _signed_ build [on GitLab](https://git.frostnerd.com/PublicAndroidApps/smokescreen/-/jobs/artifacts/master/raw/app/build/outputs/apk/normal/release/app-normal-release.apk?job=build_release).
- The _signed_ builds aren't always the _latest_ or _stable_, but are merely signed _development_ builds.
# Community
[Join the Nebulo community](https://nebulo.app/community) to ask for help or connect with the developer. Head over to [the announcements channel](https://nebulo.app/updateChannel) to get updates on upcoming releases and features.