Intrusive advertising on an Android smartphone can ruin the impression of even the most productive device. Pop-up banners in games, advertising notifications in the status bar, spoofed links in the browser - all this is not only annoying, but also Security Threats. According to Kaspersky, in 2026, 68% of mobile threats were associated with adware masquerading as legitimate applications.

Many users mistakenly believe that advertising is a necessary evil of free applications. In fact, even in the free versions of most apps you can significantly reduce the number of impressions, and system notifications from advertising are completely deleted forever. The main thing is to understand the sources of the problem and act comprehensively.

In this article we will analyze all current ways to combat advertising on Android in 2026including methods for devices without root access, instructions for cleaning the system from ad viruses, and even radical solutions for advanced cases. No universal “magic buttons” - only proven technical techniques with explanations of why they work.

📊 How often do you get annoyed by advertising on your smartphone?
Constantly, it's a nightmare
Sometimes, in some applications
There are almost no advertisements
I don’t notice advertisements

1. Sources of advertising on Android: where does the garbage come from

Before blocking advertising, you need to understand its origin. All sources are divided into three categories, and each requires its own approach to cleaning.

Legitimate advertising is built into applications (for example, in Facebook or AliExpress) and is shown according to the developer's rules. It can be reduced, but completely removed only by a paid subscription or APK modification. This least dangerous type, since such ads undergo moderation in Google Play.

Much worse Advertising notificationsthat supposedly come from system services (Android System, Download Manager). Their source usually becomes:

  • 📱 Fake applications from third-party stores (for example, modified versions WhatsApp or TikTok)
  • 🔗 Advertising SDKs, built into seemingly harmless utilities (flashlights, cleaners cache)
  • 📲 Clicker virusesthat simulate clicks on banners in the background

The most insidious type is embedded advertising at the firmware level. It affects budget smartphones from Xiaomi (advertising in MIUI), Realme, Oppo and some other brands. Such ads can appear even on a locked screen.

⚠️ Attention: If advertising appears in the browser Chrome when opening new tabs or redirects to strange sites - your device is infected adware (adware). Such software is often disguised as updates for Android or “Internet boosters”.

2. can be disabled without apps

Start by checking the system settings - often advertising penetrates through legal channels that users accidentally allow.

Open Settings → Applications → Application permissions → Special access and check the following items:

  • 📌 Show on top of other windows —disable for all suspicious applications (especially with names like System Update or Device Health)
  • 🔔 Notifications —prohibit showing notifications for applications that you have not installed (for example, com.android.fmradio on devices without FM module)
  • 🔄 Autostart —limit background activity for little-used apps

Pay special attention to the section Settings → Google → AdvertisingHere you can:

  1. Disable personalized advertising (this will not remove banners completely, but will make them less intrusive)
  2. Reset advertising ID (analogue of cookies in the browser)
  3. View the list of applications that used your advertising profile

On devices Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO additionally check: 

Settings → About phone → Advanced → Advertising services

Options are often hidden here to disable system advertising in MIUI (for example, in the menu Recommendations or Msa).

Disable display on top of other windows for unknown applications|

Prohibit notifications from Android System and Download Manager|

Reset advertising ID in Google settings|

Check the "Advertising Services" section on Xiaomi-->

3. Cleaning the system from adware: step-by-step guide

If the basic settings did not help, then adware is installed on the device. Start by checking the list of applications:

Go. in Settings → Applications → Show all applications and sort the list by installation date. Pay attention to apps with suspicious names:

  • 🚩 com.system.update, android.update — fake updates
  • 🚩 com.sec.android.app.launcher (if you don’t have Samsung)
  • 🚩 Any applications with names in Chinese or a random set of letters

For a deep scan, use Safe Mode (safe mode). Press the power button, then hold your finger on the option Turn off - a prompt will appear to switch to safe mode. Only system applications work in this mode. If the advertising has disappeared. - one of the applications you installed is to blame.

If manual cleaning does not help, use specialized utilities:

Application Functions Features
Malwarebytes Scanning for adverts and spyware Free version is limited to manual scanning
AdGuard Ad blocking at the DNS level Requires VPN settings (does not work on some firmware)
Bitdefender Real protection against phishing and malicious sites Paid subscription after the trial period
⚠️ Attention: Some "cleaners" (for example, Clean Master or DU Speed Booster) themselves show advertising and collect data. Use only proven antiviruses with a good reputation.

4. Blocking ads in the browser: Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet

Browser advertising is a separate headache.

For Google Chrome:

  1. Open Settings → Privacy and Security → Site Settings → Advertising and disable personalized advertising.
  2. Install the extension uBlock Origin (available via Yandex Store or Kiwi Browser).
  3. In the address bar, enter chrome://flags/#enable-site-per-process and activate the flag - this isolates advertising scripts.

For Mozilla Firefox:

  • 🦊 Activate built-in protection against tracking: Settings → Privacy → Enhanced protection
  • 🦊 Install add-ons uBlock Origin i Privacy Badger
  • 🦊 Enter in the address bar about:config, find the parameter privacy.trackingprotection.enabled and set the value true

On devices Samsung a browser is installed by default Samsung InternetTo remove ads:

  1. Open Browser Settings → Content Blocker and activate the built-in blocker.
  2. Add custom filters from the list EasyList or AdGuard.
  3. Disable "Personalized news" in the main menu browser.
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If advertising appears even on the main browser screen (when opening a new tab), try changing the default search engine to DuckDuckGo or Startpage —they do not show targeted advertising.

5. Radical methods: disabling system advertising and changing DNS

If the previous methods did not work, it’s time to move on to more serious measures. These methods require caution, but give maximum effect.

Change DNS blocks advertising at the network level. The most effective DNS servers for blocking ads:

  • 🔒 AdGuard DNS: 176.103.130.130 i 176.103.130.131 (blocks ads and trackers)
  • 🔒 NextDNS: 45.90.28.167 (with custom filters)
  • 🔒 Cloudflare Family: 1.1.1.3 (blocks malicious sites)

To change DNS on Android:

  1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Private DNS
  2. Select "Private DNS Provider Hostname" and enter dns.adguard.com
  3. Save the settings and restart the device

For devices with MIUI (Xiaomi) there is a special trick to disable system advertising: 

Settings → About phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to enable the mode developer)

Settings → Advanced → For developers → Disable "Show ads in MIUI"

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo/Realme) advertising can be disabled via ADB commands. Connect your phone to your PC and run: 

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.heytap.browser

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.oppo.oshare

⚠️ Attention: ADB commands disable system components. Improper use may result in unstable operation of the device. Before executing make a backup copy via adb backup.

Games and applications with built-in advertising are a different story. Developers have every right to monetize their products, but sometimes the advertising becomes truly unbearable. Here's what you can do:

Legal methods:

  • 🎮 Buy premium version applications (often costs 100-300 rubles, but eliminates advertising forever)
  • 🎮 Take advantage trial versions (for example, Google Play Pass gives access to games without unnecessary water)
  • 🎮 Look for applications with alternative monetization (for example, ProtonMail offers a free tariff without excess water)

Semi-legal methods (at your own peril and risk):

  • 🛠️ Use modified APK (for example, from the site APKMirror or Mobilism). Be careful: such files often contain viruses!
  • 🛠️ Install Lucky Patcher to remove license checking (does not work on all devices and may lead to account ban)
  • 🛠️ Configure blocking via VPN (for example, Blokada or NetGuard)

To block ads in specific games (for example, Subway Surfers or Candy Crush) you can use hosts file. Download a ready-made file with blocking rules (for example, adaway-hosts.txtand replace the system one /etc/hosts via Root Explorer or ADB.

⚠️ Attention: Using modified APKs and tools like Lucky Patcher violates the user agreement. Google PlayYour account may be blocked and your device may lose its warranty. These methods are only suitable for experienced users who understand the risks.
How to check APK for viruses before installation

1. Upload the file to the site VirusTotal.com

2. Check antivirus reports (there must be at least 50 “clean” scans)

3. Pay attention to comments from other users

4. in sandbox (for example, through Shelter or Island) for testing

7. Extreme measures: reset to factory settings and flashing

If the advertising has penetrated too deeply and no methods help, radical solutions remain. They should be used only in the case of complete inoperability the device due to advertising viruses.

Factory reset will remove all data from the device, including viruses:

  1. Save important files on your PC or to the cloud
  2. Record the list of installed applications (you can via adb shell pm list packages)
  3. Make sure you have access to your account Google to reactivate

To reset: 

Settings → System → Reset settings → Delete all data

On some devices (for example, Samsung) the path may be different: Settings → General management → Reset.

If the reset did not help (for example, advertising is built into the firmware), it remains flashing. To do this you will need:

  • 📱 Official firmware for your model (download only from the website manufacturer!
  • 📱 app for firmware (Odin for Samsung, Fastboot for Google Pixel, Mi Flash for Xiaomi)
  • 📱 Unlocked bootloader (on some devices this resets the warranty!)

Instructions for firmware vary greatly depending on the model. For Samsung the process looks like this:

  1. Download the firmware from the site Sammobile.com (check the version!
  2. Unpack the archive and run Odin
  3. Connect the phone in the mode Download Mode (press Volume Down + Power + Home)
  4. B Odin select the firmware files (BL, AP, CP, CSC) and press Start
⚠️ Attention: The wrong firmware can turn the phone into a “brick”. If you have never done this before - it’s better to contact a service center. Details of the process may vary depending on the model and version of Android.
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Resetting to factory settings removes all dataincluding viruses, but does not help if advertising is built into the firmware itself. In this case, flashing or installation is required. custom version of Android (for example LineageOS).

8. Prevention: how to avoid ads in the future

The best way to deal with advertising is to prevent them from appearing. Follow these rules to keep your device clean:

When installing applications:

  • 🛡️ Download apps only from the official store (Google Play or Galaxy Store)
  • 🛡️ Before installing, read reviews (especially negative ones) and check permissions applications
  • 🛡️ Avoid apps with suspiciously high ratings and few reviews

Security settings:

  • 🔒 Disable installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources)
  • 🔒 Update regularly Android and Google Play Protection
  • 🔒 Use antivirus with the real-time scanning function (for example, Bitdefender or ESET)

Alternative solutions:

  • 🌐 Switch to alternative services without excess water (for example, NewPipe instead of YouTube)
  • 🌐 Use browsers with an ad blocker default (Brave or Kiwi Browser)
  • 🌐 Configure family sharing to Google Playto limit the installation of suspicious applications

If you often install APKs from third-party sources, create isolated profile using Shelter or IslandThese applications allow you to sandbox suspicious software, limiting its access to it. system.

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Even the most reliable ad blocking methods require regular updatesAdvertisers are constantly coming up with new ways to bypass blockers, so check your settings every 2-3 months.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about fighting advertising on Android

Is it possible to remove ads on Android without root access?

Yes, most of the methods in this article (changing DNS, setting up the browser, cleaning viruses) do not require root, however, to deeply block system advertising (for example, in MIUI) superuser rights give you more options.

Why do advertisements still appear after removing the virus?

Probably, the virus managed to infiltrate system applications or changed the firmware settings. Try:

  1. Check Settings → Applications for recovered viruses
  2. Reset network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth)
  3. Perform a full reset to factory settings

How to remove ads in games from Gameloft or King (Candy Crush)?

There are several options for legally removing ads in games:

  • Buy premium account in the game (often costs 100-300 rubles per month)
  • Use modified APK (risky, can lead to a ban account)
  • Customize blocking via VPN (for example, Blokada with custom rules)
  • Play in offline mode (some games show ads only when connected to the network)

For Candy Crush and similar games a trick also works: turn off the Internet for 5-10 minutes during the game - sometimes advertising disappears for several hours.

Does turning off personalized advertising in Google settings help?

Turning off personalized advertising (Google Settings → Advertising) does not remove banners completely, but it makes them less intrusive. You will stop seeing targeted ads based on your interests, however:

  • The total number of advertisements will not decrease
  • In some applications (for example, Facebook) Google settings do not work - they have their own targeting system
  • The advertising ID will still be used for analytics (just without being linked to your profile)

To really reduce advertising, this needs to be combined with other methods (DNS blocking, virus cleaning).

Is it possible to recover deleted system applications after blocking via ADB?

Yes, system applications disabled via ADB can be returned. To do this, follow. command: 

adb shell pm enable application package

For example, to return com.heytap.browser to Oppo, enter: 

adb shell pm enable com.heytap.browser

If you deleted the application completely (via pm uninstall), it can only be restored by flashing it or resetting it to factory settings.