Android phone keeps popping up ads? How to find and stop them
Ads that cover your home screen come from an app you installed, often a cleaner, flashlight or game. Here is how to find which one.
The fix
Find and remove the app
- 1
When an ad appears, open Recent apps.
The ad’s card often shows the app name or icon.
- 2
Uninstall any app installed just before the ads began.
Cleaners, battery savers, flashlights, VPNs and free games are common culprits.
- 3
Still not sure? Start in safe mode.
Hold Power, then touch and hold Power off. If ads stop, a downloaded app is responsible.
The fix
Take away its permissions
- 1
Open Settings › Apps › Special app access.
- 2
Tap Display over other apps and turn it off for apps you do not trust.
- 3
Check Device admin apps and turn off anything unfamiliar so it can be uninstalled.
The fix
Stop ads in Chrome and notifications
- 1
Open Chrome › Settings › Site settings › Notifications.
- 2
Remove sites you did not mean to allow.
- 3
In Site settings › Pop-ups and redirects, keep it blocked.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a virus?
Usually it is adware, an app that shows ads outside itself. It is annoying rather than dangerous, but remove it, since some also collect data.
Why do I get ads in my notifications?
A website was allowed to send notifications in Chrome. Open Chrome › Settings › Notifications and turn off sites you do not recognize.
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