How to stop pop-up ads on an Android phone: 9 easy fixes

Pop-up ads on Android can come from four places: websites, notification permissions, third-party apps, or adware. The good news is that most of them are preventable once you know where they're coming from.

In this guide, I walk you through how to stop pop-up ads on Android by identifying the source, blocking it at the root, and making sure it doesn't come back.

How to stop pop-up ads on an Android phone – quick guide

1. Choose a reliable security software, like antivirus – I recommend TotalAV, now 80% OFF
2. Download and install the antivirus app
3. Run a full scan
4. Enable ad blocking, if available
5. You can also check browser and system settings to avoid pop-ups and notifications

Find the source: where do pop-ups on Android come from?

Pop-up ads and unwanted notifications on your Android can appear due to multiple reasons. Use the table below to determine which reason is the most likely one in your case.

If the ads appear…	Most likely source	What to do
Only in Chrome or another browser	Website pop-ups or redirects	Block pop-ups in browser settings
As notifications on the lock/home screen	A website or app with notification permission	Turn off the sender’s notifications
Over the home screen or while using unrelated apps	A third-party app or app overlay	Identify and uninstall the offending app
Even after removing suspicious apps	Persistent adware, browser data, or an unresolved app issue	Use Safe Mode, scan with Play Protect, and clear browser data

For more detailed step-by-step instructions and solutions, continue reading.

How to stop pop-up ads on your Android phone: step by step

The method you need depends on where the ads are coming from. I recommend following these 9 fixes in order – you may find the problem solved after just the first or second step, or you might need to work through several to completely eliminate the ads.

1. Block pop-ups and redirects in Chrome

You can block most unwanted pop-ups and automatic redirects through Chrome’s built-in site settings. By turning this option on, you stop websites from opening new tabs, sending you to unrelated pages, or interrupting your browsing with intrusive ads.

To block pop-ups and redirects in Chrome on Android:

1. Open the Chrome app on your Android device
2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner

   

3. Select Settings

   

4. Go to Site settings

   

5. Select Pop-ups and redirects

   

6. Make sure pop-ups and redirects are not allowed

   

Once you disable pop-ups and redirects, you shouldn’t, in most cases, get them on Chrome without your permission. But remember that some legitimate websites, such as payment portals or booking services, may require pop-ups to work properly. If you find a trusted site not loading as expected, you can temporarily allow pop-ups to complete the task, then turn blocking back on.

2. Stop spammy website notifications

Not every annoying alert on Android is a traditional browser pop-up. In many cases, what looks like a pop-up may actually be a website notification that you previously allowed through Chrome, often without realizing it at the time.

That’s why simply blocking pop-ups and redirects may not stop these messages. I also recommend checking Chrome’s notification permissions and removing any sites you no longer want to hear from. Google notes that unwanted alerts can come from websites you subscribed to earlier.

To stop Chrome notifications from websites you no longer trust or want to hear from, do this:

1. Open Chrome
2. Tap on the three dots in the top-right corner

   

3. Go to Settings

   

4. Select Site settings

   

5. Click on Notifications

   

6. Review the websites that are allowed to send notifications

   

7. Here, you can block or remove any site you do not recognize, no longer use, or do not want alerts from; you can also turn off website notifications entirely

   

If you find the alerts coming from an installed app rather than a website opened in Chrome, manage them through your Android phone’s notification settings instead:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app – you can find it (the cogwheel icon) by swiping your notification shade down twice or simply typing “settings” in your phone’s search bar

   

2. Tap Notifications

   

3. Then, click on App notifications or the closest equivalent

   

4. Click on the app sending the unwanted alerts

   

5. Here, you can turn off nonessential or unwanted notifications

   

As I mentioned above, Android menu names can vary by phone manufacturer and Android version, but the goal is the same: find the responsible app and disable its notification permissions or individual notification categories. I recommend using these system-level controls when intrusive alerts originate from an app rather than Chrome.

3. Check Samsung Internet and Galaxy settings

If you use a Samsung Galaxy phone, the ads you’re seeing may be coming from Samsung Internet rather than Chrome. Samsung’s browser has its own pop-up blocker, so changing Chrome’s settings will not affect ads or pop-ups that appear while browsing in Samsung Internet.

To stop websites from opening pop-ups in Samsung Internet, follow these steps:

1. Open the Samsung Internet app
2. Tap the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines)
3. Select Settings
4. Tap Privacy dashboard
5. Turn on Block pop-ups

The browser also has an Ad blockers menu where you can browse, install, and manage compatible content-blocking extensions. Just bear in mind that some of these options may require a paid subscription.

If the unwanted alerts are appearing in your notification shade or on your lock screen, they may be coming from an app rather than your browser. To turn off unwanted Galaxy notifications, go to Settings > Notifications > App notifications (or the closest matching option), find the app behind the alerts, and turn off the notifications (or just the categories you don’t need).

If you're still seeing ads outside your browser, such as over your Home screen or while you're using completely unrelated apps, suspect a recently installed third-party app. I suggest reviewing your newest or recently updated apps first and uninstalling anything you don’t recognize, no longer use, or don’t trust.

4. Find and uninstall the app causing the ads

If you still keep seeing ads on your Android phone’s Home screen, Lock screen, or on top of other apps, I wouldn’t automatically blame the browser or the phone’s settings. A recently installed third-party app is often the real cause.

Some ad-supported or potentially malicious apps can use intrusive permissions to show ads even when you're not actively using them. I suggest reviewing any recently installed or updated apps, then removing anything you don’t recognize, no longer use, or don’t fully trust.

To identify the suspicious app, start by thinking about when the ads first appeared. Then check the apps you installed or updated shortly beforehand. Pay particular attention to:

• Apps you do not remember installing, no longer use, or cannot identify.
• Unfamiliar games and free utility apps, including flashlight, cleaner, battery-saver, QR-scanner, wallpaper, launcher, keyboard, or coupon apps.
• Apps installed from outside the Google Play Store.
• Apps with a vague or generic name, a blank or unusual icon, or no clear developer or publisher information.
• Apps that ask for permissions that do not match their purpose, such as a simple tool requesting broad access to notifications or displaying content over other apps.

It’s best to remove suspicious apps one at a time, then restart the phone and check whether the ads return. This makes it easier to identify the app responsible.

To uninstall the app causing pop-up ads, you should:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app
2. Click on Apps or Apps & notifications

   

3. Find the app you suspect is causing the ads and click on it

   

4. Tap Uninstall

   

5. Restart your phone and check whether the ads have stopped

Depending on your Android version, you may need to tap See all apps before the full app list appears. You can also usually remove an app more quickly by pressing and holding its icon on the Home screen or in the app drawer, then choosing Uninstall.

5. Remove risky special permissions

If ads appear over other apps, interrupt you, or show up outside your browser, check whether an installed app can display over other apps. This permission is legitimate for chat bubbles, screen filters, accessibility features, and call overlays, but suspicious apps can abuse it to show persistent ads.

To review which apps can display over other apps, do this:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app
2. Select Apps

   

3. Tap the menu icon, usually the three dots, or select Special app access

   

4. Choose Display over other apps, Appear on top, or Draw over other apps

   

5. Review the apps with permission enabled

   

6. Turn off access for any app you do not recognize or no longer need

   

7. If an app still seems suspicious, return to Settings > Apps and uninstall it

A legitimate app should have a clear reason for needing this access. For example, a messaging app may need it for chat bubbles, while a screen-dimming tool may need it to place a filter over the display. This detailed breakdown shows how fraudulent apps exploit this very permission to display unwanted ads after phone calls. A basic wallpaper app, a cleaner, a coupon app, or an unfamiliar game generally should not need to appear over every other app.

If the suspicious app will not uninstall, it may have device administrator access. Use the Settings search bar to find Device admin apps or Device administrators, then:

1. Select the suspicious app
2. Turn off or deactivate its administrator access
3. Return to Settings > Apps
4. Select the app and tap Uninstall

Device administrator access can stop an app from being removed normally. So, if the Uninstall button is missing or grayed out, it’s worth checking whether the app has this permission and revoking it first.

6. Use Safe Mode to confirm whether an app is responsible

Safe Mode is a useful way to narrow down the cause of persistent pop-ups or adware on Android. It temporarily starts your phone without downloaded third-party apps, so if the ads disappear while Safe Mode is active, an installed app is almost certainly responsible.

The exact button sequence differs by phone brand and Android version, but this is the usual approach you should follow:

1. Press and hold your phone’s power button
2. Touch and hold Power off until a Safe Mode option appears
3. Select Reboot in Safe Mode or Safe Mode

   

4. Use the phone briefly and check whether the ads return
5. Restart the phone normally when you have finished testing

In Safe Mode, downloaded apps do not run. Your phone’s preinstalled system apps will still work, but apps you installed from Google Play or elsewhere are temporarily disabled. If the pop-ups stop, this strongly suggests that a third-party app is causing the problem.

If pop-up ads disappear in Safe Mode, you know it’s a third-party app causing them. To remove them, go back to fix no. 4 I explained earlier.

7. Scan your phone and update its security settings

Seeing persistent ads does not necessarily mean your phone has a virus. As I mentioned earlier, they may be caused by browser notification permissions, an overly aggressive ad-supported app, or a suspicious app with special access.

If the ads continue after you remove unfamiliar apps and revoke unnecessary permissions, I recommend running a security scan and checking that your phone and apps are fully up to date.

Run Google Play Protect

Google Play Protect is Android’s built-in app security tool. It scans the apps on your phone, including those downloaded outside the Google Play Store, for potentially harmful or suspicious behavior. If it finds something risky, it will alert you so you can review the app and decide whether to remove it.

To check its status and run a scan:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your phone
2. Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner
3. Go to Play Protect
4. Click the settings icon
5. Make sure Scan apps with Play Protect is turned on
6. Go back to the main Play Protect screen and tap Scan

Play Protect also runs checks automatically in the background, so you do not need to scan every app manually. If it flags an app as potentially harmful, follow the on-screen guidance to remove it from your phone.

Update Android, your apps, and Chrome

Keeping your phone updated is a simple way to close known security gaps and get the latest protections for your apps and browser. An update will not always remove adware that is already installed, but it can help prevent further issues.

• Android: Open Settings and search for “Software update,” “System update,” or “Security update.” Install anything available.
• Apps: Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, choose Manage apps & device, then install any available updates.
• Chrome: Search for Google Chrome in the Play Store. If you see an Update button, tap it.

Android security updates fix known vulnerabilities, while Chrome updates include protections such as Safe Browsing. This can warn you before you visit a risky website or download a potentially harmful file.

8. Clear browser data if Chrome is still showing ads

If Chrome pop-ups will not stop after you block pop-ups, redirects, and unwanted notifications, clearing browser data can remove stored website data that may be contributing to the problem.

I recommend doing this later in the troubleshooting process, not as the first fix, because clearing cookies can sign you out of websites and reset some site preferences.

If pop-ups or unwanted ads keep appearing in Chrome, clearing its cookies and cached files can help. It removes stored website data that may be causing the problem. To clear Chrome’s cookies and cache, you should:

1. Open your Chrome browser
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner, then go to Settings
3. Go to Privacy and security > Clear browsing data
4. There, pick a time range – choose All time if the issue has been going on for a while, or a shorter period if it only started recently
5. Select Cookies and site data and Cached images and files
6. Click Clear data

Cookies help websites remember things like your settings and sign-in details, while cached files help pages load more quickly. Clearing them should not remove saved passwords unless you select that option, too.

9. Use an ad blocker, antivirus, or a VPN

If you've tried removing suspicious apps and adjusting permissions but ads keep showing up, a dedicated security or privacy tool may help. Ad blockers, antivirus apps, and VPNs take different approaches to reducing unwanted ads and protecting your phone.

Dedicated ad blockers can stop many website ads before they load, reducing the number of pop-ups and banner ads you see. Some work directly in Chrome, while others require you to use a different browser. Keep in mind that ad blockers won't stop ads from apps or notifications – they only target ads within web pages.

If you suspect adware is still hiding on your phone after removing suspicious apps, a dedicated antivirus app can scan for adware, malware, and potentially harmful software. Apps like TotalAV offer real-time scanning and can quarantine or remove threats that Google Play Protect might miss. However, antivirus apps work best as a second opinion after you've already cleaned up your apps manually – they're not a substitute for identifying and uninstalling the problem app yourself.

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and can block some ad networks from tracking you across websites. Reliable VPNs like NordVPN not only protect your privacy but can also reduce targeted ads by masking your location and browsing data. On Android, NordVPN’s Scam and phishing protection can also block some ads, trackers, and unsafe websites. Note that a VPN won't block pop-ups from apps on your phone – it only affects web traffic.

How to avoid pop-up ads in the future

You can’t stop every ad from appearing online, but a few small habits can prevent the more annoying – and potentially risky – ones from taking over your phone.

• I recommend you stick to Google Play or official websites when downloading apps. Apps from unfamiliar websites and third-party stores are more likely to come with unwanted extras.
• Give an app a quick once-over before installing it. Check the developer name, number of downloads, recent reviews, and the permissions it wants. A basic flashlight or wallpaper app probably doesn’t need access to your contacts, messages, or microphone.
• Be picky about website notifications. If a site you barely know asks to send notifications, it’s usually safest to click Block.
• Don’t take alarming pop-ups at face value. Messages saying “Your phone is infected” or “Clean your device now” are often trying to make you panic-click.
• Keep Android, your browser, and installed apps updated. It is not the most exciting bit of phone maintenance, but updates help close security gaps that malicious ads and websites can exploit.
• Clear out apps that have been sitting unused for months, especially free tools with a long list of permissions. Fewer apps means fewer chances for something unwanted to run in the background.

The general rule is simple: if an app, notification, or pop-up feels pushy, vague, or too good to be true, it is worth taking a second look.

Are Android pop-up ads dangerous?

Most pop-ups are more irritating than dangerous. They may be trying to sell something, drive traffic to another website, or persuade you to allow notifications. But some are built to do more than disrupt your browsing: they can lead to phishing pages, imitate security alerts, prompt unwanted downloads, or steer you towards apps that demand excessive permissions.

The pop-ups to watch out for are usually the dramatic ones. A message claiming your phone has been hacked, infected, or “seriously damaged” is designed to create urgency before you have time to question it. But remember, that does not automatically mean your phone has a virus.

If one appears, close the tab or browser rather than interacting with it. Never enter a password, card number, recovery code, or authentication code into a page you reached through an unexpected pop-up. If you need to check an account or service, open its official app or type its address into your browser yourself.

FAQ