Why ads pop up on Android phones and how to permanently remove pop-ups from the desktop

You open your phone to check messages or launch an application - and instead you are faced with an annoying banner “You won an iPhone!” or “Your battery is infected with viruses!” Pop-up ads on Android desktop are not just annoying: they slow down your device, waste your bandwidth, and can be a security risk. But why does it appear even on new smartphones? And how to get rid of it once and for all?

The reasons for the appearance of advertising lie in three key factors: installed applications (including legitimate ones, but with aggressive monetization), system services (especially on budget devices from little-known brands) and virus software, penetrated through third-party APKs. In this article we will analyze all possible advertising sources from hidden functions in MIUI or ColorOS to malicious scripts, and also give step-by-step guide for cleaning your phone without data loss. Spoiler: in 80% of cases the problem is solved without resetting to factory settings!

It is important to understand: if advertising appears only in the browser (for example, in Chrome or Yandex Browser) - this is a separate story, and we also touch on its solution. But our main focus is banners that pop up on top of all windowsincluding the desktop, application menu and even the lock screen. Such cases require an integrated approach.

1. Why ads appear on the Android desktop: 5 main reasons

Before removing ads, you need to understand their source. Here are the key “culprits”:

• 📱 Firmware from the manufacturer. Many budget smartphones (Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo, Samsung with shell One UI) integrate advertising modules into system applications. For example, in MIUI advertising can be shown in Security, Themes or even in Settings.
• 🎯 Apps with aggressive monetization. Even legitimate apps (for example, some launchers) can show ads on the desktop through notifications or overlays. Malware that enters through pirated APKs (for example, hacked games or “free” versions of paid apps) often adds advertising banners on top of all windows. ES Explorer, UC Browser, some launchers) may show ads on the desktop through notifications or overlays.
• 🦠 Adware (advertising viruses). Malware that enters via pirated APKs (such as hacked games or “free” versions of paid apps) often adds advertising banners on top of all windows.
• 🔄 System application updates. Sometimes, after updating standard services (for example, Google Play Services or Android System WebView), pop-up windows begin to appear.
• 📡 Push notifications from sites. If you have ever allowed notifications to be shown to any dubious site, it can send advertisements directly to the lock screen.

The most insidious case is when advertising is disguised as system messages. For example, the banner “Your phone is infected!” may imitate an alert from Google Play Protection, although in fact it is phishing pagetrying to trick you into installing malware.

⚠️ Attention: If advertising appears even in safe mode (we'll talk about it below), this almost guarantees that the virus has penetrated the system files. In this case, you may need to flash the device.

2. How to determine which application is showing ads: step-by-step diagnostics

Before deleting everything, you need to figure out the specific source of advertising. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Checking through “Recent Apps”

When the advertising banner appears, quickly open multitasking menu (swipe up with a delay or the “Recents” button). Sometimes advertising comes from an application that visible in this list (for example, Clean Master or APUS Launcher). Remember its name and delete it.

Method 2: Monitoring through “Settings → Applications”

Go to Settings → Applications → All applications and sort the list by installation date. Pay attention to apps installed in recent days - especially those that you do not remember or that have suspicious names (for example, Settings → Applications → All applications Installation date System Update, Flash Player, Battery Saver Pro).

Method 3: Using ADB to search for adware packages

For advanced users: connect the phone to the PC, turn on USB debugging and run the command:

adb shell dumpsys window | grep mCurrentFocus

This command will show which application is currently active. If advertising pops up on top of all windows, a package may appear in the output. type com.ad.service or com.push.notification.

3. Android

If you suspect that a third-party application is showing ads, first start the phone in safe mode. In this mode, only system apps work, so if the advertising disappears, one of the applications you installed is to blame.

Step 1: Launch safe mode

The method depends on the phone model:

• 📱 On most devices: hold the power button, then hold your finger on the “Turn off” option until the prompt to switch to safe mode appears.
• 🤖 On Samsung: turn off the phone, then turn it on with the volume down button down.
• 🍎 On Xiaomi/Redmi: hold the power button and select "Restart in safe mode."

Step 2: Check for advertising

In safe mode, work with the phone for 5-10 minutes. If there is no advertising, the problem is in one of the installed applications. If it remains, it is the fault the system or a virus in the firmware.

Step 3: Removing suspicious applications

Return to normal mode and remove:

1. All apps installed in the last 2-3 weeks.
2. Applications with suspicious names (for example, Super Cleaner, Battery Doctor, Flash Player 2026).
3. Launchers (if you are not using standard).

⚠️ Attention: Some viruses disguise themselves as system applications (for example, com.android.system). Removing them manually is dangerous - this can lead to system crash. Instead, use an antivirus (see section 5).

4. Disabling advertising in system applications (for Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, etc.)

Smartphone manufacturers often embed advertising in their shells. For example, Xiaomi shows banners in Security, Themes and even in Settings, and Samsung can add advertising notifications from Samsung Free or Bixby. Here's how to disable it:

For Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI)

1. Open Settings → About phone and tap several times by MIUI versionsto activate Developer mode.
2. Return to Settings → Advanced → Accessibility → Developer Mode and enable USB debugging.
3. Install the app on your PC MIUI Hidden Settings (available on GitHub) and connect the phone. In the section Advertising disable all switches.

Alternative method (without a PC):

• 🔧 Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications → All applications.
• 🔍 Find msa (or com.miui.systemAdSolution) and disable it.
• 🔍 Find Security (com.miui.securitycenter) → Notifications → disable advertising notifications.

For Samsung (One UI)

Disable:

• 📱 Samsung Free: swipe left on the main screen → tap on gear icon → disable automatic notifications.
• 🤖 Bixby: Settings → Advanced → Bixby → disable all options.
• 🔧 Samsung Push Service: Settings → Applications → Samsung Push Service → Notifications → disable.

For Realme/Oppo/ColorOS

Go to Settings → Privacy → Advertising Services and disable:

• 🎯 Personalized Advertising.
• 📊 Usage Data Collection.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (Huawei, Honor), disabling advertising may require root access or use ADB. If you are not sure, skip this step so as not to disrupt the operation of the system.

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

5. Removing viruses and adware using antiviruses and manual cleaning

If advertisements appear even after removing suspicious applications, your phone is most likely infected adware (advertising virus). Here's how to find and remove it:

Step 1: Antivirus scan

Install one of these applications (they are free and effective against adware):

• 🛡️ Malwarebytes (specializes in adware and spyware).
• 🔍 Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus (detects even hidden ones threats).
• 📱 Bitdefender Mobile Security (lightweight and fast scanner).

Run Full scan and remove all detected threats. Pay attention to files with names like:

• com.ad.service
• com.push.notification
• com.system.update

Step 2: Manually checking application permissions

Adware often requests permissions for:

• 📲 Display on top of other windows (SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW).
• 🔔 Sending notifications.
• 🔄 Autostart.

You can check permissions in Settings → Applications → Permissions. Sort applications according to these criteria and revoke permissions from suspicious apps.

Step 3: Clear cache and browser data

If advertising appears in Chrome or another browser:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Browser.
2. Click Clear cache and Clear data.
3. In your browser settings, disable notifications from sites (Settings → Sites → Notifications).

6. Radical methods: resetting settings and flashing

If none of the above helped, extreme measures remain. They should be used only if advertising completely paralyzes the phone's operation or clearly indicates a deep infection of the system.

Method 1: Reset to factory settings

This will delete all data from the phone, therefore make a backup first (photos, contacts, messages). Then:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action.

After the reset do not restore data from the backup copyif it was created after infection, the virus may return!

Method 2: Flashing via Fastboot or Recovery

If the reset did not help, it means that the virus has embedded itself in the system files. In this case, only full flashingwill help. The instructions depend on the phone model:

• 📱 For Xiaomi: download the official firmware from the website en.miui.com and flash it via Mi Flash Tool.
• 🤖 For Samsung: use Odin and official firmware with Sammobile.
• 🍎 For other brands: look for instructions on the forums 4PDA or XDA Developers.

⚠️ Attention: Flashing will reset the IMEI and may void your warranty if the phone is not officially unlocked. If you are not sure, contact the service center.

7. How to prevent advertising in the future: 5 safety rules

To prevent advertising from returning, follow these recommendations:

• 🔒 Install applications only from Google Play. dubious sites (for example, apkpure.com, uptodown.com).
• 📋 Read reviews before installing. If a app has 2-3 stars and a lot of complaints about advertising, do not install it.
• 🛡️ Use DNS filtering. Set in the Wi-Fi or mobile network settings DNS 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 9.9.9.9 (Quad9) - they block advertising domains.
• 🔍 Regularly check application permissions. to notifications and display on top of windows unnecessary apps.
• 📱 Update Android. New versions close vulnerabilities that are used by adware.