Pop-up windows and banners blocking the desktop are one of the most common problems of modern smartphone users. Often, such intrusiveness does not arise due to viruses in the classical sense, but because of the permissions that you accidentally gave to applications when installing them. Advertising spam can appear even on a locked screen, causing the device to slow down and quickly discharge.
There are several ways how Android can be cleared of this scourge. In some cases, it is enough to simply disable notifications in the browser settings; in others, a more in-depth analysis of installed apps will be required. In this article, we will look at proven methods for blocking annoying banners on different versions of the operating system.
Do not panic and immediately take your phone to a service center. In 90% of cases, the problem is solved on its own in 5-10 minutes. The main thing is to act consistently and carefully check the list of installed utilities. Below are detailed instructions that will help you restore the comfort of using your gadget.
Disable advertising notifications in the browser
Most often, the web browser becomes the source of sudden pop-ups. You may have accidentally clicked “Allow” on a site with questionable content, and now it sends push notifications with casino or betting advertisements. To stop this, you need to go to the settings of your main browser.
Find the section Settings → Notifications → Sites. There will be a list of all the resources that you have given the right to harass you. Study it carefully and remove all unfamiliar domains. For Google Chrome the path looks like this: menu (three dots) → Settings → Notifications.
After clearing the list, it is also advisable to enable built-in protection against malicious sites. This feature is often hidden in advanced privacy settings. Activation safe browsing will prevent accidental subscription to spam in the future.
If you do not use the built-in browser, check the settings of all installed browsers, including Opera, Yandex and Samsung Internet.
Identification and removal of malicious applications
Sometimes advertisements are generated by a hidden application that doesn’t even have an icon in the menu. Such apps are disguised as system utilities or simply have an empty name. To find the culprit, you need to carefully study the list of installed software.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Scroll to the very end of the list and to the very beginning. Look for apps without a name or with a transparent icon. Often, such “invisible” ones are located at the end of the list, since they were installed last.
If you find a suspicious element without a name, immediately click on it and select the button Delete. If the button is grayed out, first disable administrator rights for this application in the Security section. Only after this will deletion become possible.
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Setting up private DNS to block ads
One of the most effective methods of combating banners is changing DNS settings at the system-wide level. This method does not require the installation of third-party software and works in all applications and browsers simultaneously. It redirects requests to advertising servers to “nowhere.”
In modern versions Android 9 and higher, this function is built into the network menu. Follow the path Settings → Connections → Other connection settings → Private DNS. Select the "ISP Hostname" option and enter the blocker address.
Enter the following command in the input field: dns.adguard.com. After saving the settings, the phone may require a reboot. This method blocks advertising requests before they reach your screen.
| DNS Type | Server Address | Efficiency | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Automatic | Low | None |
| AdGuard DNS | dns.adguard.com | High | Low |
| Cloudflare | 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com | Medium | Low |
| Google DNS | dns.google | Low | Low |
What to do if DNS does not work?
If after entering the address the Internet stops working, your ISP may be blocking third-party DNS. Try restarting your router or temporarily disabling this feature.
Resetting advertising and ID settings
Advertising networks use your device's unique identifier to target content. Resetting this ID will not remove ads completely, but will make them less personalized and intrusive. This is a useful procedure for increasing privacy.
Open your phone settings and find the section Google → Advertising. Here you will see two important options: "Remove Ad ID" and "Disable Ad Personalization." It is recommended to use both functions in turn.
After completing these steps, advertising algorithms will begin to collect data about you again, but without reference to your past purchase history and interests. This can temporarily reduce the number of relevant but annoying offers.
Regularly resetting the advertising ID (once every 1-2 months) helps reduce targeting accuracy and reduce the amount of spam.
Using anti-virus scanners
If manual methods do not help, a serious ad virus may have settled on the device or Trojan In this case, specialized protective equipment is required. A standard system scanner may not be enough to detect complex threats.
It is recommended to install a proven antivirus, for example Kaspersky, Dr.Web or Malwarebytes. Run a full system scan. These apps are capable of finding hidden miners and adware that masquerade as system processes.
Once threats are detected, follow the application's instructions to remove or quarantine them. Don't ignore risk warnings, even if your phone is working properly. Hidden processes can steal your data in the background.
⚠️ Attention: Avoid installing several antiviruses at the same time. They can conflict with each other, causing severe system slowdowns and false alarms.
Radical measures: resetting to factory settings
When none of the methods helps remove pop-up windows, the last option remains - a complete reset of the device. This procedure will return the phone to the state it was in when you purchased it, deleting all data and applications.
Before you begin, be sure to back up your contacts, photos and important documents. Resetting will destroy all information in the internal memory. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Delete all data.
After rebooting, the phone will be clean. Be careful to install applications only from the official store Google Play. Avoid downloading APK files from dubious sites, as they most often contain malicious code.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure you remember the password for your Google account. After the reset, the phone will require its input to confirm ownership (FRP protection).
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface may vary slightly depending on the smartphone model (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel) and the manufacturer's shell version. If you do not find the menu item, use the search in settings.
After resetting, do not restore all applications at once from a backup copy. Install them one by one to identify the culprit of the advertisement if the problem recurs.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why do advertisements appear even when I am not using the phone?
This is a sign of a malicious application that has permission to display on top of other windows. It activates in the background. You need to find and remove a app with suspicious access rights.
Is it safe to use DNS to block ads?
Yes, using public DNS servers such as AdGuard is completely safe. This is a standard network setup that does not require root access and does not violate the device's warranty.
Can advertising be a virus?
Advertising itself is not a virus, but the way it is delivered is often associated with malware. If banners block the interface and do not close, most likely there is a Trojan in the system.
How to remove advertising in specific applications, for example, in games?
In-game advertising can only be removed by purchasing a premium version or turning off the Internet during the game. System DNS blocking methods may interfere with the game's online functionality.
What to do if the "Delete" button is inactive for an application?
The application may have device administrator rights. Go to Settings → Security → Device administrators, uncheck the suspicious app, and then remove it in the usual way.