Intrusive advertising on an Android smartphone can spoil the impression of even the most powerful device. Banners in games, pop-up windows in the browser, advertising notifications in the curtain - all this is not only annoying, but also consumes traffic and battery power. Unlike iOS, where Apple tightly controls the ecosystem, Android gives more freedom... and more loopholes for advertisers. slows down the system, consumes traffic and battery power. Unlike iOS, where Apple tightly controls the ecosystem, Android gives more freedom... and more loopholes for advertisers.

The problem is aggravated by the fact that there can be several sources of advertising on Android several simultaneously: from harmless banners in free applications to malware that replaces advertising blocks to phishing pages. In this article we will look all possible methods of removing advertising from basic settings to advanced methods for experienced users. It is important to understand that there is no universal solution: the effectiveness of each method depends on the specific source of advertising and the model of your phone.

1. Diagnostics: determine the source of advertising

Before you start deleting, you need to understand what exactly shows advertising on your device. Sources can be divided into three categories:

  • 📱 System applications and bloodware - pre-installed apps from the manufacturer (for example, Mi Browser on Xiaomi or Samsung Free on Samsung gadgets), which show advertising even without your consent.
  • 🦠 Malware - viruses, trojans or adware that penetrated the device through third-party APK files or vulnerabilities in the system.
  • 🎮 Apps & Games - legal apps that are monetized through advertising (for example, free versions AliExpress, PUBG Mobile or TikTok).

How to determine the culprit?

  1. Check whether advertising appears in a specific application (for example, only in a browser or game) or system (pop-ups on top of all windows).
  2. Open Settings → Applications and sort apps by installation date. Unknown applications with suspicious names (for example, "System Update" or "Flash Player") are the first candidate for removal.
  3. Use adb logcat (for advanced users) to track which application is generating advertising requests.
📊 Where do you most often see ads on your phone?
In games
In the browser (Chrome, Yandex, etc.)
In notifications (curtain)
In system applications (calendar, weather)
I don’t know where it comes from

Attention! If advertising appears even in Safe Mode (started by holding the power button), this is almost guaranteed malware or system adwareIn this case, radical measures will be required - resetting to factory settings or flashing.

2. Removing advertising in the browser: Chrome, Yandex, Opera

Browsers are one of the main sources of intrusive advertising. Even legal sites can display banners, pop-ups or redirect to advertising pages:

2.1. browser

  • 🔍 Google Chrome: go to Settings → Privacy → Pop-up blocker and activate the option. For full blocking, install the extension uBlock Origin (required Chrome for Android version 100+).
  • 🦊 Yandex Browser: the built-in blocker is enabled in Settings → Ad blocking. Additionally, you can activate "Protection against fraudulent sites".
  • 🌐 Opera: has a built-in VPN and ad blocker (Settings → Ad blocking). Also supports extensions from Opera Add-ons.

2.2. Alternative browsers with ad blocking

If standard methods do not help, try browsers that are initially privacy-oriented:

  • 🛡️ Brave Browser —blocks ads and trackers by default, supports Tor mode.
  • 🚀 Firefox Focus —minimalistic browser without history and ads, but without tab support.
  • 🔒 DuckDuckGo Browser —automatically blocks trackers and improves privacy.

☑️ Checking the browser for advertising

Completed: 0 / 4

Warning! Some sites (for example, YouTube or Twitch) can block access if they detect an ad blocker. In this case, you will have to either disable the blocker on these resources, or use paid versions of services (For example, YouTube Premium).

3. Removing advertising in games and applications

Free games and apps are often monetized through advertising. There are several ways to completely remove them ways:

3.1. Purchasing a premium version

The most legal and reliable method is to pay for ad-free version applications. For example:

  • 🎮 In PUBG Mobile you can buy "Royale Pass", which removes some of the advertising.
  • 📱 In AliExpress premium subscription ("AliExpress Select") disables banners.
  • 🎵 In Spotify or YouTube Music a paid subscription removes audio advertising.

3.2. Use of modified APKs (at your own risk!)

For some applications there are modified versions (mod APK), in which advertising is disabled. For example:

  • 🔧 Lucky Patcher — allows you to remove ads from installed applications (root access is required).
  • 📦 Revanced — patches official APK files (for example, YouTube or Reddit, removing advertising and adding premium features.
Risks of using mod APK

Modified APKs can contain malicious code, steal data or block accounts (for example, in games with online mode, Google Play Protect will constantly warn about the threat, and). some applications (for example, banking) may stop working.

Attention! The use of mod APK breaks User Agreement accounts in games (for example, Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars) may be banned for using unofficial ones clients.

3.3. Limiting advertising through Google settings

Google allows you to partially control personalized advertising:

  1. Go to Settings → Google → Advertising.
  2. Disable the option "Personalized advertising".
  3. Reset "Advertising ID" (this will not remove advertising completely, but will make it less intrusive).

4. Fighting system advertising (bloatware)

Many manufacturers (especially Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei) install on phones pre-installed applications with advertising (bloatware). They cannot be removed using standard means, but can be disabled or blocked.

4.1. Disabling unnecessary system applications

Instructions for most Android devices:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show system".
  3. Look for suspicious applications (for example, Mi Video, Samsung Push Service, Huawei AppMarket) and select "Disable" or "Uninstall updates".
💡

On some phones (for example, Xiaomi), advertising in system applications can be disabled via Settings → About phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to unlock "Advanced settings", then find the option "Personalized recommendations" and disable it).

4.2. Using ADB to remove bloatware

For experienced users: using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) you can completely remove system applications. Procedure:

  1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).
  2. Connect the phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app

    (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the application, for example, com.miui.weather2 for weather with Xiaomi).

Warning! Removing system applications can lead to unstable operation phone or errors during the update. Before the procedure, make a backup copy through adb backup or TWRP.

4.3. List of common bloatware by brand

Brand Application Batch name (for ADB) Is it possible disable?
Xiaomi Mi Browser com.android.browser Yes
Samsung Samsung Free com.samsung.android.app.spage Yes (but will return after updating)
Huawei Huawei AppGallery com.huawei.appmarket No (critical for the system)
Realme/Oppo Theme Store com.heytap.theme Yes

5. Removing malware (adware and viruses)

If advertisements appear outside the browser and applications (for example, pop-ups on the desktop or in the lock screen), your device is most likely infected with adware a type of malware that specializes in displaying advertisements.

5.1. Signs of adware infection

  • 🚨 Advertising appears even in safe mode.
  • 📱 Appears on the desktop unknown shortcuts (for example, "You won an iPhone!").
  • 🔋 The battery is draining much faster normal.
  • 📡 mobile data traffic inexplicably grows.

5.2. Step-by-step cleaning of viruses

  1. Install an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes, Kaspersky or Bitdefender) and perform a complete scanning.
  2. Check the list of installed applications in Settings → Applications. Remove everything suspicious (especially apps with names like "Flash Player", "Clean Master" or "Super Battery").
  3. Reset Google advertising settings v Settings → Google → Advertising → Reset ID.
  4. Disable installation from unknown sources v Settings → Security.
💡

If the antivirus does not find threats, but advertising remains, check your phone for the presence of applications with administrator rights (Settings → Security → Device administrators). Adware often disguises itself as system services with extended rights.

5.3. Radical measures: reset to factory settings

If nothing helps, the last option remains - full reset:

  1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages).
  2. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
  3. Select "Delete everything" and confirm the action.

Attention! After the reset do not restore data from a backup copyif it was created after infections may remain in the backup Better transfer your files. selectively.

6. Root access and custom firmware: for advanced users

If you are ready to take radical steps measures root access and custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) allow you to completely get rid of advertising at the system level. However, this requires technical skills and voids warranty.

6.1. Installing Magisk and ad blocking modules

Using Magisk (a tool for managing root access) you can install modules that block ads at the system level:

  • 🔧 AdAway — blocks adware domains via file hosts.
  • 🛡️ Blokada — creates a local VPN tunnel to filter traffic.
  • 🚫 App Systemizer — allows you to turn user applications into system ones (useful for ad blockers).

6.2 Flashing to a custom OS without bloatware

Firmwares like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or CalyxOS are devoid of pre-installed advertising and offer more control over the system. However, the installation process includes:

  1. Unlocking the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
  2. Installing custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
  3. Firmware of a new OS via recovery.
Risks of custom firmware

Unofficial firmware may contain vulnerabilities, not support some functions (for example, NFC or camera) or lead to briku (complete inoperability) of the device. The manufacturer's warranty is void.

Warning! On some models (for example, Samsung c Knox) unlocking the bootloader the flag is irreversibly triggered RMM/Knox, which makes it impossible to use Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and other protected functions.

7. Additional measures: DNS, VPN and host file

If you do not want to install additional applications or obtain root access, you can block advertising at the network level.

7.1. Changing the DNS server

Some DNS servers filter advertising domains. For example:

  • 🌍 AdGuard DNS: 176.103.130.130 And 176.103.130.131.
  • 🛡️ Cloudflare Family: 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3 (blocks malware). and adult content).
  • 🔒 NextDNS: allows you to create custom filters (registration required).

How to change DNS on Android:

  1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Private DNS.
  2. Select "Private DNS Hostname" and enter the address (for example, dns.adguard.com).

7.2. Using a VPN with ad blocking

Some VPN services have built-in ad blocking:

  • 🔥 Proton VPN (free plan with limited traffic).
  • 🛡️ Windscribe (blocks trackers and ads).
  • 🚀 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare (simple interface, but limited functionality).

7.3 Editing. hosts file (without root)

For devices without root access you can use applications like DNS66 or PersonalDNSFilterthat emulate changing the hostsfile via VPN. This allows you to block advertising domains without making deep changes to the file. system.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about advertising on Android

❓ Why does advertising remain after deleting an application?

Probably, advertising is shown other source: either another application or a system one process. Check:

  1. List active services in Settings → Applications → Three dots → Show system → Running.
  2. Suspicious apps have administrative rights ( Settings → Security → Device administrators for suspicious apps (Settings → Security → Device Administrators).
  3. Settings notifications (Settings → Notifications → Latest notifications).

If all else fails, try DNS-level blocker (section 7).

❓ Is it possible to remove advertising on YouTube without Premium?

Yes, but this officially violates terms of use service Options:

  • 📱 Use YouTube Vanced (outdated but working mod APK).
  • 🖥️ Watch through a browser with an ad blocker (for example, Brave or Firefox s uBlock Origin).
  • 🔧 Install Revanced (patched version of YouTube without unnecessary water).

Risk: Google is actively fighting such methods, so applications may stop working after updates.

❓ Why did advertising appear again after updating Android?

Manufacturers often recover deleted system applications after updating the OS. Solutions:

  • 🔄 Re-disable unnecessary applications (section 4).
  • 📵 Use ADB for data-i="354">(command complete removal (team pm uninstall -k --user 0).
  • 🚫 Install custom firmware without bloatware (section 6).

Tip: Disable automatic system updates in Settings → System → Software updateif not want ads to return.

❓ Is it safe to use Lucky Patcher?

Lucky Patcher is a popular application to remove advertising and hack paid functions, but it has serious risks:

  • 🛡️ Security: The application requires root access, which allows access to system files. Some antiviruses (for example, VirusTotal) detect suspicious code in it.
  • 🎮 Account ban: In games with an online mode (for example, Clash Royale or Free Fire) use of Lucky Patcher leads to permanent blocking.
  • 📱 System instability: Incorrect use can lead to cyclic reboot or damage to system files.

Alternative: To remove It is better to use advertising Revanced or AdGuard - they are safer and do not require such deep interventions.

❓ How to remove ads in Miui (Xiaomi), EMUI (Huawei) or One UI (Samsung)?

Manufacturers are actively introducing advertising into their shells. Ways to combat:

Manufacturer Advertising source Solution
Xiaomi (MIUI) System applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video) Disable in Settings → About phone → MIUI version (7 taps → "Personalized recommendations" → turn off)
Samsung (One UI) Samsung Free, Samsung Push Service Disable via ADB: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.spage
Huawei (EMUI) Huawei AppGallery, HiCare Uninstall updates in Settings → Applications or use Huawei Ads Remover (requires root)

Important: On new versions of MIUI (14+) and One UI (5+), some methods may not work due to stricter manufacturer policies.