Why are you getting pop-up ads?
If you’re suddenly seeing pop-up ads on your device, it might be because your browser’s pop-up blocker is switched off. This can happen due to an update, a technical glitch, or if you accidentally disabled the setting.
Websites often use pop-up ads and targeted ads to offer deals and promote actions like signing up for newsletters to generate revenue. Ads can also appear if you’ve visited sites with aggressive advertising strategies or accidentally granted permission to display notifications by clicking “Allow” on a pop-up.
However, an increase in pop-ups can also signal that your device has been infected with malware or adware.
Malware
A sudden increase in pop-up ads might be the result of malware on your device. Malware is harmful software designed to damage devices or data, with common types including viruses and ransomware. Viruses can flood your Android with pop-ups, while ransomware can lock you out of your device and its contents.
Malware may infiltrate your phone through fake apps, unsecured websites, downloads, or unpatched software vulnerabilities. If you’ve recently downloaded a new app and are now seeing pop-ups, remove that app. If the pop-ups cease, the app was almost certainly the problem.
To stay protected, keep your Android updated to block new ad threats. Also, run a malware scan to automatically detect and block malicious ad-spamming apps.
Adware
Adware can sneak onto your Android phone in various ways. Clicking on links from unsafe websites can redirect you to malicious pages where adware is installed. Sometimes, these links are part of a scam, disguised to look harmless, like a survey invitation.
Even apps, including some from official app stores, can spread adware. These apps often exist to serve ads because companies pay for their content to reach you. The more ads you see, the more money they generate for ad publishers. If your phone is bombarded with ads, use an adware cleaner tool to identify and remove the culprit.
Adware often sneaks in through free apps, downloads, or unsecured websites and floods you with annoying ads — even when you’re not actively browsing. Adware may also take advantage of push notifications to serve intrusive ads.
How to stop pop-up ads on your Android phone
All Android users should know how to stop unwanted pop-up ads on their device because it makes browsing smoother, keeps the device safer from malware or scams that can sneak in through ads, and helps the phone run better by saving data and battery life.
It’s good to know how to block ads on all your devices, but in this article we’re focusing on the device you typically use the most — your cell phone. Check out our easy-to-follow instructions on how to stop pop-up ads on your Android phone using Chrome and Firefox. And since we’re on the topic of smoother browsing, you’ll also find instructions on how to disable excessive notifications on your Android phone.
How to stop pop-up ads on Chrome on an Android phone
You can easily stop pop-up ads on the Chrome browser using its built-in settings:
- 1.Open Chrome on your Android phone and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
- 2.Select “Settings.”
- 3.Scroll down to “Site settings.”
- 4.Tap “Pop-ups and redirects.”
- 5.Set the toggle switch to the left. When this setting is off (set to the left), it blocks sites from showing pop-ups and redirects.
If you go back to “Site settings,” you’ll see the word “Blocked” right under “Pop-ups and redirects.”
How to stop pop-up ads on Firefox on an Android phone
Currently, you can only block pop-up ads on Firefox for desktop — the Firefox app for Android doesn’t yet include built-in pop-up blocking features.
While Firefox for Android doesn’t have a dedicated pop-up blocker, you can still reduce pop-ups and unwanted ads by enabling “Enhanced tracking protection”:
- 1.Open Firefox on your Android phone and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
- 2.Go to “Settings.”
- 3.Navigate to “Privacy and security” and tap on “Enhanced tracking protection.”
- 4.Set it to “Strict.”
How to disable notifications on an Android phone
Notifications alert you about updates, reminders, or messages from apps or websites you’ve given permission to send them. Apps like social media, messaging, or email platforms generate notifications, which show up on your lock screen, status bar, or notification panel. While they’re less disruptive than pop-ups, too many notifications can still get annoying if they’re not useful.
You can easily manage or turn them off in your phone or browser settings. And since we’re already talking about blocking pop-ups, let’s cover how to disable notifications too — they can be just as distracting!
Disable notifications for specific apps
You can disable notifications for specific apps on your Android phone with a few taps on the screen. We used a Samsung phone for the following steps and screenshots:
- 1.Open your phone’s “Settings” app and tap “Notifications.”
- 2.Tap “Included apps.”
- 3.Turn off notifications by toggling the switch for selected apps.
Disable website notifications in your browser
Disabling notifications in Chrome on your Android is a piece of cake:
- 1.Open Chrome and go to “Settings” > “Site settings.”
- 2.Tap “Notifications.”
- 3.Tap the arrow pointing down to the right of “Blocked.” Review the list of allowed sites and tap on the one you want to block or remove.
- 4.Turn off the toggle for Notifications to disable them entirely.
Disabling website notifications in Firefox on your Android is just as easy:
- 1.Open Firefox and tap the three-dot menu.
- 2.Select “Settings.”
- 3.Tap “Site settings.”
- 4.Select “Notification.”
- 5.Select “Blocked.”
Most common pop-up ads on Android phones
Pop-up ads come in many forms, but some are more common — and more frustrating — than others. Many of these ads can also be scammy, trying to trick you into clicking on malicious links or sharing personal information. Here are a few types you’re most likely to encounter on your Android phone.
“Claim your prize” pop-ups
“Claim your prize” pop-ups offer fake rewards like gift cards, cash, or tech gadgets to grab your attention. They often redirect you to malicious websites or ask for personal information, making them a common tool for scams.
Virus warning pop-ups
Virus warning pop-ups are simply a scare tactic – they pretend to be urgent security alerts, claiming your device is infected with a virus. They pressure you to download shady “antivirus” apps or contact fake support services with the goal of getting your data.
Survey pop-up ads
Survey pop-up ads appear as innocent surveys, asking for your feedback or opinion. However, they often trick you into sharing personal data or lead you to ad-heavy or potentially harmful sites.
“You’ve won” pop-ups
“You’ve won” pop-ups are a flashy variation of prize pop-ups, claiming you’ve won a lottery or contest you didn’t enter. A win-announcing pop-up ad may lure you in with the promise of money, but it typically ends up stealing your information or leading to scams.
Security update pop-ups
Security update pop-ups mimic system update alerts and claim your device software is outdated. They try to convince you to download suspicious apps or visit malicious websites, with the real aim of stealing your personal information or installing malware on your device.
Tips on how to avoid pop-up ads on Android phones
Pop-up ads can be annoying and even harmful, but there are simple steps you can take to keep them off your Android device. Here are some practical tips to help you avoid them:
- 1.Check websites. Stick to trusted URLs with valid SSL certificates (look for “https” and a padlock icon in the address bar) to avoid malicious pop-ups. If you open a website and see it doesn’t have a padlock or “https,” don’t interact with its content.
- 2.Check the download count. Before installing an app, review how many users have downloaded it and their ratings. Popular apps with a high download count and ratings are less likely to include adware.
- 3.Use the Google Play Store. Always download apps from the official Google Play Store to reduce the risk of installing pop-up-heavy or malicious apps.
- 4.Use an ad blocker. Installing a reliable ad blocker is among the best ways to stop pop-ups from appearing in your browser or apps and have some piece of mind. For example, NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature includes an ad blocker that works on all your devices and browsers, so you can surf the web without unnecessary pop-ups, banners, and ads.
- 5.Use a link checker tool. Before clicking on unfamiliar links, use a trustworthy link checker to verify their safety. These tools analyze URLs for potential threats like malware or phishing scams and help you avoid websites that could trigger unwanted ads.
- 6.Avoid clicking “Allow” on notifications. Be cautious when websites ask to send notifications because they may lead to unwanted ads. Websites may use your consent to push spammy or promotional content directly to your device.
- 7.Keep your software updated. Regularly update your Android system and apps to patch vulnerabilities that adware might exploit.
Stopping pop-up ads and notifications is just one part of keeping your device safe. Tools like VPNs and antivirus software can offer additional layers of protection. A VPN can shield your online activity from trackers and intrusive ads by hiding your IP address, while antivirus software helps detect and remove malware that often generates pop-ups. To learn which tool is best for you, check out our comparison of a VPN vs. an antivirus.
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