How to permanently remove pop-up windows on Android 11: a complete guide

Pop-up windows on Android 11 can turn using a smartphone into a real nightmare: advertising, notifications from applications, system alerts and even malicious banners block the screen at the most inopportune moment. If you are tired of constant interruptions, this article will help you figure out how to completely disable pop-up windows at the system level, individual applications, and even through hidden developer settings.

Unlike previous versions, Android 11 made changes to the mechanism of pop-up windows (so called overlay windows), which made it difficult to block them using standard methods. Here we will look at unique ways for Android 11that do not work on newer or older versions of the OS, including disabling through ADBaccessibility settings and even manually editing configuration files for advanced users.

It is important to understand that not all pop-ups are the same: some appear due to viruses, others due to aggressive advertising in applications, and others are system notifications. We will analyze each case separately so that you can choose the most effective method specifically for your situation.

1. Disabling pop-ups in application settings

The easiest way to start fighting pop-ups is to check the permissions for each application. Many apps (especially games, social networks and Chinese utilities) request the right to show windows on top of other applications. Here's how to fix it:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Select Special access → Show on top of other applications (on some firmware the item may be called "Other permissions" or "Accessibility permissions").
3. In the list, find applications that are allowed to show pop-up windows, and disable the slider for each.

Pay special attention to little-known applications with suspicious names - they are often the source of advertising banners. If you are not sure whether an application needs this permission, check its functionality: for example, Google Maps uses overlays for navigation, and Viber for chats.

Disable displaying on top of others for unknown applications|

Check games for adware modules|

Delete applications with suspicious permissions|

Reboot the phone after changes-->

If pop-up windows continue to appear after disabling permissions, then their source lies deeper - perhaps it is a system notification or a virus. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

2. Blocking notifications from specific applications

Some pop-up windows are actually high priority notificationsthat expand to full screen mode. To turn them off:

1. Press the notification from the problematic application with your finger and select Disable notifications (or "Notification settings").
2. In the notification settings menu, disable option Pop-up notifications or Show as pop-up window.
3. To disable it completely, you can select a notification category (for example, "Advertising" or "Alerts") and block it.

On Some firmware (for example MIUI or ColorOS) the path may differ. If the standard method did not work, try:

• 🔍 Go to Settings → Notifications → Advanced → Pop-up notifications and disable unnecessary ones.
• 📱 Use built-in brand tools (for example, "Block notifications" in Samsung One UI).
• 🚫 Add an application to the notification blacklist (available at Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme).

3. Using the "Do not disturb" mode

If pop-up windows appear at the most inopportune times (while playing games, watching videos or sleeping), you can use the mode Do not disturb. IN Android 11 it has become more flexible and allows you to configure exceptions:

1. Go to Settings → Sound → Do not disturb.
2. Select Chart and set automatic turn on (for example, at night).
3. In the section Exceptions mark which notifications can be shown (calls, alarms) and which ones can be blocked.
4. Activate the option Hide visual interruptions - this will disable pop-up windows, but will keep notifications in the panel.

Do not disturb mode does not block system windows (for example, notifications about charging), but effectively removes ads and notifications from third-party applications. For maximum effect, combine it with disabling permissions described in the first section.

Advertising banners|

Game notifications|

System alerts (battery, Wi-Fi)|

Windows from viruses/malware-->

4. and malicious applications

If pop-up windows appear even after disabling all permissions, there is a high probability that your smartphone is infected with Adware (advertising virus) or Trojan. Such apps are often disguised as useful utilities (optimizers, launchers, VPNs) and display advertisements on top of all windows.

To detect and remove them:

1. Check the list installed applications v Settings → Applications. Pay attention to apps with unfamiliar names or without icons.
2. Use an antivirus: Malwarebytes, Kaspersky or Bitdefender work well with adware. Download them only from Google Play!
3. Check administrator rights: some viruses get admin rights, which prevents their removal. Go to Settings → Security → Device administrators and uncheck suspicious applications.
4. Delete cache and browser data: if advertising appears in Chrome or other browsers, clear their data in Settings → Applications → Browser → Memory.

If the virus is not removed using standard methods, try safe mode:

• 🔄 Press and hold the power button until the option appears Safe Mode.
• 🗑️ In safe mode, remove suspicious applications.
• 🔁 Restart your phone - the virus should disappear.

What to do if the virus has blocked the settings?

If the malicious app blocks access to the settings or does not allow itself to be deleted, try:

1. data-i="136">via the quick settings panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen). Settings → Applications through the quick settings panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).

2. Use ADB for forced removal (instructions in the next section).

3. settings (as a last resort, it will delete all data!).

After removing the virus, it is recommended to change passwords for important accounts (especially if you entered them during infection) and check the phone for other threats.

5. Disabling pop-ups via ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods did not help, you can use USB debugging (ADB) a tool for advanced users. This method allows to forcefully disable the display of windows on top of other applications even for system processes.

You you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB Tools.
• 📱 Smartphone with USB debugging on (turns on Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).
• 🔌 USB cable for connection.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to the computer and confirm permission to debug.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   Your device serial number should appear.

4. To see a list of applications with overlay permissions, do:

   adb shell dumpsys window | grep mCurrentFocus

5. To disable permissions for a specific application (for example, com.example.app) use:

   adb shell pm revoke com.example.app android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW

If you don't know the exact package name problematic application, find it using the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

After completing the commands, restart your phone. If the pop-ups disappear, then the problem was in one of the disabled applications. If not, try repeating the process for other packages.

6. Setting up accessibility features for blocking windows

Few people know, but Android 11 there is a hidden function that allows you to block pop-up windows through Accessibility Settings. This method is especially useful if windows appear due to system processes (for example, Google Play Services).

How it works:

1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Accessibility Services.
2. Enable the option Filtering notifications (on some firmware it may be called "Notification Services").
3. Select Filter settings and add applications that show pop-up messages to the blacklist windows.
4. Activate the option Block overlays (if available).

On firmware MIUI, Flyme or EMUI this section may be called differently. For example, on Xiaomi the path is: Settings → Special features → System settings → Notification filter.

This method does not blocks system notifications (for example, about low battery), but effectively removes advertisements and windows from third-party applications. If the option is inactive, then your firmware does not support this function - try other methods.

7. Reset the settings to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods helped, and pop-up windows continue to ruin your life, the last option remains. — resetting the phone to factory settings. This will delete all data, applications and settings, returning the phone to its out-of-the-box state.

Before resetting, be sure to:

• 📱 Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
• 🔐 Remember or write down passwords for accounts (Google, social networks, banks).
• 📋 Check whether the phone is linked to the account Google (after resetting, you may need to enter your login/password).

Instructions for reset:

1. Open Settings → System → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data (reset to factory settings).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Resetting is a radical method, but it is guaranteed to remove all viruses and reset the permission settings. After it, the phone will work like this. as quickly as on the day of purchase.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a comparative table of all methods:

Method	Complexity	Efficiency	Suitable for	Cons
Disable application permissions	⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Advertising, notifications from games	Does not remove system permissions windows
Blocking notifications	⭐	⭐⭐	Annoying alerts	Does not work with viruses
Do not disturb mode	⭐	⭐⭐	Night alerts	Does not block system windows
Removing viruses	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Adware, Trojans	Requires antivirus
ADB commands	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	System overlays	Risk of disrupting the operation of the OS
Special features	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Notification filtering	Not on all firmware
Reset settings	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Running viruses	Deletes all data

For most users, a combination of the first three methods is enough. If the problem is more serious (viruses or system windows), you will have to use ADB or reset.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about pop-ups windows on Android 11

Why do pop-up windows still appear after disabling permissions?

Probably, they are shown by a system application (for example, Google Play Services) or a virus with administrator rights. Check the list of device administrators in the security settings and try the method with ADB.

Is it possible to disable pop-ups without root?

Yes, all the methods in this article work without root. However, some system applications may require ADB or resetting the settings.

How to distinguish a virus window from a regular notification?

Virus windows usually:

• 🔴 Appear on top of all applications, including settings.
• 📢 Contain advertising (“You have won a prize!”, “Your phone is infected!”).
• 🔒 Do not disappear after clicking on the cross.
• 🕵️ They come from unknown applications.

Why did pop-up windows appear again after updating to Android 11?

The update resets some application permissions. After the upgrade, check:

• 🔄 Permissions to display on top of other windows. (Settings → Special access).
• 📦 List of installed applications for suspicious ones.
• 🛡️ Antivirus settings (if you use).

Is it possible to return pop-up windows for the necessary applications (for example, a navigator)?

Yes, just return the permission to display on top of other windows in the application settings. For navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator) this is necessary to display the route on top of other applications.