How to stop pop-up ads on Android

Pop-up ads and redirects to scam websites can either occur randomly while browsing, or it can be the result of adware infection on your device. Both of these problems can be fixed, though one may be trickier than the other.

It is pretty easy to tweak your browser settings to stop ads popping up while browsing. However, dealing with an actual adware infection may require some deep cleaning and installing third-party antivirus software.

In this article, I'll show you how to stop pop-up ads from appearing on your Android device and answer some burning questions you may have about them.

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

1. Choose a reliable 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 on the antivirus app
5. You can also check browser and system settings to avoid pop-ups

Why do pop-up ads keep appearing on my Android?

One of the most common reasons is adware infection, but there can be other playing factors, too. Here are some possible reasons why you keep seeing pop-ups on your Android and how to fix them:

• Pop-up ads and redirects are allowed on your browser settings. In this case, if you find yourself on a sketchy website, it might redirect you to another, even sketchier one. Then, an ad will pop up and suggest you click on some link or download something. Do not click on anything, as this can lead to various malware infections. Read how to stop pop-up ads on your Android browser.
• Some kind of malware got downloaded and installed on your device. It most likely happened without your knowledge or permission when you unknowingly visited an infected website. If this malware happens to be ransomware, you’ll need to completely wipe your device and set it up anew. Read how to deal with ransomware attacks.
• You have visited a malicious website, and it changed your browser configuration without you knowing. Re-installing your browser should help, but make sure not to import any settings from the previous browser.

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The easiest way to guard your Android device against adware is to use a reliable antivirus software. TotalAV eliminates all types of malware, adware and viruses. It scans your whole system, detects threats, and either deletes or quarantines the affected files.

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How to stop unwanted pop-up ads for Chrome on Android

Say, you’re casually browsing. Suddenly, a flashing ad, such as LuckyWheel, pops up on your screen suggesting to download something or to click on a link. These kinds of ads are annoying, but because they pop up on your browser, the problem can be fixed by adjusting a couple of settings.

Follow this step by step guide to stop unwanted pop-up ads on Android Chrome browser:

1. Open the Chrome app on your Android device
2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings
3. In the settings menu, select Site settings
4. In site settings, tap on Pop-ups and redirects and turn them off
5. If you are receiving ad notifications as well, you can turn them off in Site settings >> Notifications

How to stop unwanted pop-up ads for Firefox on Android

If you prefer Firefox as your main browser, here’s what you need to do to stop pop-ups on it:

1. Launch Firefox browser
2. At the top right corner click on three vertical dots. In the pop-up menu click on Settings
3. In the Settings tab, scroll down to find Notifications and click on it
4. Simply turn on the toggle to block all notifications (afterward, there should be a message saying, "At your request, Android is blocking this app's notifications from appearing on this device")

How to get rid of pop-up malware on Android

If you clicked on a link in a pop-up ad and it caused a sudden influx of pop-up ads everywhere, it is most likely that your device got infected with adware.

To remove pop-up ad malware on your Android device, follow these steps:

Step 1: Reboot your device and find infected apps

Apps that get infected most often are free mobile games, camera filters’ and wallpaper apps.

1. Hold your power button until an option to turn off your device appears
2. Press and hold the power off button. Press OK on the “Reboot into safe mode” message
3. Once the device reboots, go to Settings >> Apps & notifications
4. Click See all apps and find the app that’s causing trouble
5. Uninstall the app or disable permissions for notifications and tracking and drawing over other apps

Step 2: Enable Play Protect and scanning on Google Play

1. Open Google Play and click on Settings
2. Go to Play Protect settings and enable scanning (Scan apps with Play Protect)
3. Scan your device

Step 3: Install antivirus software

Scan your device with a third party antivirus software, I recommend TotalAV Antivirus, and remove any threats that are found

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How to stop pop-up ads on Samsung

Pop-up ads appear on Samsung while you browse online, outside various apps, or even when your phone is locked. Good news is that stopping pop-up ads on Samsung is easy. For example, you can stop ads via Google Chrome. However, by following these simple steps, you can stop personalized ads on Samsung device:

1. Head to Settings on your Samsung
2. Tap on Samsung Account
3. Go to Privacy section
4. Click on Customization Service
5. Turn off the Customization Service

How to disable notification pop-ups on Android

You can also get annoying pop-up notifications coming from your Android apps. Disable these pop-ups in a few simple steps:

1. Launch the Settings on your Android device
2. Scroll down to find Apps & notifications, click on it
3. In the new tab you should be able to see Notifications, click on it
4. Here you’ll see all the apps that have recently sent you notifications. Disable your chosen options (if disabled, toggle should be grey, if allowed, toggle will be blue). That's it!

How do I know if I have adware on my Android?

It’s not always obvious, but if your Android device gets infected with malicious adware, in one way or another, you will know. Here are the most common signs your device has adware:

• Ads pop up in unusual places, for example system apps. These applications usually don’t display any kinds of ads, so if they suddenly appear, you probably have adware on your device.
• Inappropriate ads appear on mainstream websites and apps. For example, a graphic ad about “hot singles in your area” pops up on your school or work website.
• Your device installs unwanted applications without your permission.
• Your web browser runs abnormally slow or unexpectedly crashes.

It is worth mentioning that some Android devices, for example cheaper Xiaomi phones, sometimes display advertisements on their operating system. But these, even if annoying, are usually harmless.

How to prevent pop-up ads on Android

If you want to avoid pop-up ads on your Android device, keep an eye on these recommendations:

• Install an ad blocker app from the Google Play Store.
• Use a web browser with built-in ad-blocking.
• Adjust your Google Play Store settings to prevent ads from showing in your recommended apps or on your home screen.
• Only download from reputable sources and avoid installing new, untrustworthy apps.
• Disable notifications for apps that display ads.
• Clear your browser’s cache and cookies to remove ad-related data.
• Enable "Safe Browsing" in your Chrome settings to help protect against malicious ads and websites.
• Avoid clicking on ads or links that look suspicious. Most of them may lead to harmful sites that can damage your Android device.

Final thoughts

As annoying as pop-up ads and viruses are, we have now established that it is possible, and in some cases rather easy to get rid of them.

It doesn’t matter if it’s only your browser that got infected, or your Android device itself, this problem is totally solvable. By following quick and easy steps, you can tweak your browser settings, manually clean your device, or download antivirus software, like TotalAV, to get rid of pop-up ads once and for all.

I hope that this guide was helpful. If you have any questions, drop them off in the comments below and we’ll get back to you.

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