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To use PIA MACE, connect to the PIA VPN, then turn on the feature in the app’s Settings > Privacy section. On Android, Android TV, and Fire TV, the toggle is also under Privacy; iOS instructions are different and cover Safari content blocking rather than a general system-wide MACE switch.
What PIA MACE does
MACE is a DNS-based feature built into the PIA VPN app. When a device requests an unwanted domain, MACE can return a non-routable address instead of allowing the request to reach that domain. PIA describes it as blocking domains associated with ads, trackers, and malware. It works at the domain-request level, so it does not guarantee removal of every ad or block every tracker, and it is not a replacement for dedicated security software. PIA’s MACE overview says the VPN must be connected for the feature to work.
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Turn on MACE by platform
Windows 10 and 11
- Connect to PIA VPN.
- Open the app’s three-dot menu and choose Settings.
- Select Privacy and check PIA MACE. PIA’s Windows guide says MACE is disabled by default. See PIA’s Windows instructions.
macOS
- Connect to PIA VPN.
- Open the three-dot menu, choose Settings, then select Privacy.
- Check PIA MACE. PIA’s guide describes it as disabled by default. See PIA’s macOS instructions.
Linux
- Connect to PIA VPN.
- Open the app menu, select Settings, and open Privacy.
- Check PIA MACE. PIA’s feature overview describes this route for desktop apps.
Android
- Connect to PIA VPN.
- Open the hamburger menu, choose Settings, then tap Privacy.
- Toggle PIA MACE on. PIA says its DNS filtering can cover requests from browsers and other apps on the device. See PIA’s Android instructions.
Android TV and Fire TV
On Android TV, open the app settings and go to Privacy to switch on MACE. PIA’s Android TV guide gives the platform-specific steps.
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On Fire TV, open the gear icon from the dashboard or location screen, then choose General Settings > Privacy > PIA MACE. See PIA’s Fire TV instructions.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
TP-Link ER605, Wired Gigabit VPN Router | Up to 3 WAN Ethernet Ports + 1 USB WAN, SPI Firewall SMB Router, Omada SDN Integrated, Load Balance, Lightning Protection
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
iPhone and iPad
Do not look for the same general MACE toggle described for the other listed platforms. PIA’s iOS instructions describe enabling the Safari content blocker, which applies to Safari content rather than providing a system-wide MACE switch. Follow PIA’s iOS setup guide and iOS settings guide for the current Safari steps.
Quick Recap
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SaleBestseller No. 4
Best Value
Sale
TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Gigabit Internet Router for Home | EasyMesh, VPN Clients & Server, HomeShield, OFDMA, MU-MIMO, USB 3.0, Secure by Design - Archer AX55
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Rank #4
Sale
GL.iNet GL-BE3600 Slate 7 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router Touchscreen 2.5G | Touchscreen toggles VPN or AdGuard, 1-inch mini size, ideal for hotel, cruise, RV, business trip, plane connectivity
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Rank #3
Sale
ASUS RT-AX1800S Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router, Subscription-Free Network Security, Parental Control, Built-in VPN, AiMesh Compatible, Gaming & Streaming, Smart Home
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Rank #2
GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 Opal Travel Router, AC1200 Dual-Band Wi-Fi | AC1200 dual-band Wi-Fi, 3 gigabit ports, OpenWrt with OpenVPN and WireGuard, 30+ VPN services, pocket 145g
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
If the MACE setting is missing
- Confirm that you are using the PIA VPN app on a platform PIA lists for MACE: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Android TV, or Fire TV. iOS documentation covers Safari content blocking instead. Check PIA’s platform overview.
- Update to the latest PIA app before changing settings; labels and screen layouts can change between versions. PIA’s desktop settings guide recommends installing the latest app.
- Reconnect to the VPN and check the relevant platform guide if the option still is not visible. Do not assume the feature is working merely because the setting was enabled: PIA says MACE requires an active VPN connection.
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