How to stop pop-up ads on your Android phone

When you’re shopping online for a vacation destination or a birthday gift, you don’t want to be interrupted by an ad popping up on your phone’s screen. Pop-up ads are annoying, and worse, they may even contain malicious software, which could help hackers steal your identity, snatch money out of your bank account, and harm your Android™ phone. Fortunately, it’s easy to block these unwanted ads—we’ll show you how. 

At Asurion, we repair and protect the tech you love. We also help you keep your favorite devices working their best whether you want to fix an Android phone that won’t ring or keep your battery from draining. Here’s our guide on how to stop pop-up ads on your Android phone. 

Why do pop-ups appear on Android devices?

Pop-up ads usually get access to your phone when you download apps or visit certain websites and give them  your personal information. The main offenders are free apps, which make their money solely from ads. The advertisers then pepper you with notifications to try to get you to click on the message and buy their product. 

What are the risks of unwanted pop-ups? 

Some pop-up ads simply make surfing the web unbearable while others are harmful. Hackers may be trying to steal your personal data by sending pop-up ads to your phone. Never click on a suspicious link like a loud, flashing, virus alert or a too-good-to-be true message that you just won $1 million. Also, make sure you never download an attachment from a source you don’t recognize; it could be a phishing attack. 

What to do if a pop-up ad appears on your Android phone

Follow these troubleshooting steps to stop pop-up ads on your phone.

Uninstall suspicious apps

Are you suddenly getting a flurry of pop-ups? If so, an app you’ve recently downloaded or updated is likely the culprit. Uninstall it and see if you get fewer pop-up ads.

Another way to find the source of pop-ups: open your Google Play™ Store app, and go to Menu > Play Protect to scan for any problematic applications. If you see the message, “No harmful apps found”, you’re OK. If the scan detects any issues, it will let you know to delete that app. 

Adjust browser settings 

Sometimes, pop-ups will find their way to your phone through your web browser. Whether you’re using Chrome®, Firefox®, or another option, you can limit the pop-ups by adjusting your browser settings. Or even better, if you’re wondering how to get rid of pop-up ads completely, you can do so by turning on your browser’s built-in pop-up blocker. Here’s how: 

1. Open your browser’s settings. 
2. Look for Site Settings or Advanced Settings.
3. Find the option for pop-ups and set it to limit or block pop-ups.

Reset your browser

If you’re still getting pop-up ads, try resetting your browser to its default settings. Doing so will remove any unwanted extensions or settings that might be letting ads pop-up on your phone. Steps may vary, depending on your device.

How to reset your browser on Chrome: 

1. Open Settings. 
2. Go to Apps > Chrome > Storage > Manage storage.
3. Tap Clear all data, then OK. 

How to reset your browser on On Firefox:

1. Open Settings. 
2. Tap Clear private data.
3. Choose the type of data (downloads, open tabs, etc.) to clear. 
4. Tap Clear Data. 

Update your Android system and apps  

Updating your phone’s operating system and its apps is important. It not only gives you the latest fixes for bugs and security issues, it can also help fight against unwanted pop-ups. 

How to update your Android phone: 

Go to Settings > Software Update > and check for any available updates. Steps may vary depending on your model.

How to update your apps

1. Open the Google Play Store app. 
2. Tap the profile icon at the top right. 
3. Tap Manage apps & device. Look for apps labeled with Update Available. 
4. Tap Update. 

Want to block spam texts on your Android phone, too? Check out our guide on how to stop spam text messages.