How to permanently remove advertising on Android 6: from simple settings to deep cleaning

Android 6.0 Marshmallow is still one of the most common versions of the system on budget smartphones, tablets and even some Smart TVs. But along with convenience, users often encounter annoying advertising - banners in games, pop-up windows in the browser, advertising push notifications in the notification shade, and even built-in ads in system applications. Unlike new versions of Android, where Google has tightened control over advertising SDKs, many loopholes remain open. Marshmallow many loopholes remain open.

The problem is aggravated by the fact that manufacturers of budget devices (for example, Lenovo, ZTE, Alcatel or little-known Chinese brands) often integrate their own advertising modules into the firmware, which cannot be removed using standard means. This article covers all possible methods from basic settings to advanced technical solutions, including working with ADB and receiving root access. We will also look at which methods are safe for beginners and which require caution.

Important: some methods may conflict with Google Play policies or manufacturer terms. If you are using a device with a corporate profile or linked to a work account, some actions may be blocked by the administrator.

1. Basic Android 6 settings: what you can disable without risk

Before resorting to drastic measures, check your system settings. There are built-in tools for limiting advertising, but they are often hidden or not obvious. Android 6.0 There are built-in tools to limit ads, but they are often hidden or not obvious.

Start with notifications: Many advertising messages come through Google services or third-party applications. Go to Settings → Sound and notifications → Notification manager. Here you can disable notifications for specific applications. Pay attention to apps like Clean Master, UC Browser or APUS Launcher - they are known for aggressive advertising.

Check next application permissions. A Android 6.0 granular permission system has appeared, but many users ignore it. Go to Settings → Applications, select the suspicious application and disable permissions for:

• 📱 Display on top of others windows (used for pop-up ads)
• 🔔 Notifications (advertising push notifications)
• 🌐 Internet access (blocks loading of advertising banners)
• 📍 Geolocation (targeted advertising by location)

Pay special attention to applications with rights device administrator. Some viruses and adware SDKs disguise themselves as system services. Check the list in Settings → Security → Device administrators and delete suspicious entries.

2. Clearing the cache and data of advertising services

Android 6.0 actively uses Google services to display personalized advertising. Even if you have not installed suspicious applications, the system can collect data about your preferences through Google Play Services i Google Advertising ID.

To reset the advertising profile:

1. Go to Settings → Google → Advertising.
2. Click Reset advertising ID.
3. Disable the option Personalized advertising.

This will not remove all advertising, but will make it less intrusive. For deeper cleaning:

• 🧹 Clear cache and data Google Play Services (Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Storage).
• 🔄 Reboot the device after cleaning.
• 🚫 Disable auto-update for Google Play Services v Google Play Market (if the system version allows).

If after these steps advertisements continue to appear, the problem may be in pre-installed system applications. Many manufacturers integrate their advertising SDKs into the firmware (for example, Xiaomi c MIUI, Huawei c EMUI). In this case, more radical measures will be required.

3. Blocking ads through a hosts file (without root)

One ​​of the most effective ways to block ads at the system level is to edit the file hosts. This method intercepts requests to ad servers and redirects them to a non-existent address. In Android 6.0 this can be done without root access, but you will need a computer and ADB.

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and install drivers for your device.
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About phone → Number assembly (press 7 times, then return to Settings → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command:

   adb devices

   (your device should be displayed).

4. Download the current hostsfile for blocking ads (for example, with GitHub) and place it in the folder with ADB.
5. Run the commands:

   adb shell
   su
   mount -o rw,remount /system
   cp /sdcard/hosts /system/etc/hosts
   chmod 644 /system/etc/hosts
   mount -o ro,remount /system
   exit
   exit

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

1. Check if USB debugging is enabled in the developer settings.

2. Install original drivers from the manufacturer (not universal ones).

3. Try a different USB cable (preferably original).

4. Restart the PC and device.

5. If you are using Windows, try running ADB as an administrator.

This method blocks most advertising networks, including:

Advertising network	Blocked?	Example applications
Google AdMob	✅ Yes	Most free games
Facebook Audience Network	✅ Yes	Applications with authorization via FB
Unity Ads	✅ Partially	Games on the Unity engine
Built-in SDK (Miui, EMUI)	❌ No	Xiaomi/Huawei system applications

Important: After updating the system, the hosts file will be reset. You will have to repeat the procedure or use automatic solutions like AdAway (requires root).

4. Using specialized applications

If manual methods seem complicated, you can use third-party apps. The following solutions work: Android 6.0 The following solutions work:

Without root access:

• 🛡️ Blokada — creates a local VPN and filters advertising requests. Does not require root, but may conflict with other VPN applications.
• 🚫 DNS66 — blocks advertising at the DNS level. Works similarly to Pi-hole, but locally on the device.
• 🔍 NetGuard —firewall with the ability to block domains. You can manually add lists of advertising hosts.

With root access:

• 🧨 AdAway —automatically updates the hosts file and blocks ads at the system level.
• 🔧 Xposed Framework + modules (for example, MinMinGuard)—for deep customization.
• 🗑️ SD Maid —removes residual advertising SDK files after uninstalling applications.

When choosing an application, consider:

⚠️ Attention: Some anti-advertising apps (for example, AdGuard) require installation of a user certificate. This may cause problems with the operation of banking applications and services with SSL verification (for example, Government Services or Sberbank Online).

For maximum efficiency, combine methods. For example, you can use Blokada to block network advertising and manually disable notifications in the settings.

5. Removing system advertising applications (requires root)

If the previous methods did not help, the problem may lie in pre-installed system applications. Many manufacturers integrate their advertising SDKs into the firmware, which cannot be removed using standard means. To remove them, you will need root access.

Popular “culprits” of advertising in firmware:

• 📱 com.android.browser — a standard browser with advertising on the main page.
• 🛒 com.xiaomi.mipicks — Xiaomi accessories store with aggressive advertising.
• 📰 com.huawei.android.totemweather — Huawei weather widget with banners.
• 🎮 com.gameloft.* — pre-installed games with advertising.
• 📡 com.qualcomm.atfwd — Qualcomm service, sometimes used to display advertising.

To remove:

1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk or SuperSU).
2. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
4. Find the folders with the names of advertising applications (see the list above) and delete them.
5. Clear the Dalvik cache (Settings → For developers → Clear the Dalvik cache).

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system applications can lead to unstable operation of the device! Before deleting, make a backup copy via TWRP or Titanium Backup. Some applications (for example, Google services) are critical for the operation of the system.

If you are not sure, you can not delete the application. using freeze application using Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher. This is safer, as it allows you to return everything back.

6. Alternative firmware: a radical solution

If your device is flooded with advertising on system level (especially relevant for cheap Chinese smartphones), the only reliable solution may be flashing pure Android or custom firmware like LineageOS.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🧼 Complete absence of built-in advertising and bloatware.
• 🔄 Regular security updates (even for old devices).
• ⚡ Improved performance due to optimization.
• 🛠️ Possibility of fine tuning (for example, disabling unnecessary Google services).

Firmware instructions:

1. Check support for your device on the website LineageOS or XDA Developers.
2. Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
3. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
4. Make a complete backup of the current system.
5. Flash custom firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Attention: Flashing custom software will void the warranty and may lead to a “brick” of the device On some models (for example, Samsung With Knox) this is irreversible. Before installing the firmware, read the reviews from users of your model!

After installing a clean firmware, there will be no advertising in principle, but you will have to manually configure the system and install applications again.

7. Additional measures: browsers, launchers and DNS

Even after all the manipulations, advertising can leak through the browser or individual applications. Here's what else you can do:

Browsers with ad blocking:

• 🦊 Firefox + extension uBlock Origin.
• 🛡️ Brave Browser —blocks ads and trackers by default.
• 🌐 Kiwi Browser —supports Chrome extensions.

Change DNS:

Use DNS servers that block ads:

• 🔒 AdGuard DNS: 176.103.130.130 i 176.103.130.131
• 🛡️ Cloudflare Family: 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3
• 🚫 NextDNS (requires registration, but allows you to customize filters).

To change DNS on Android 6.0:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi (or Mobile network → Access points).
2. Tap and hold your network, select Change network.
3. Enable Additional parameters and select Static IP.
4. In the fields DNS 1 and DNS 2 enter addresses from the list above.

Alternative launchers:

Some launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to hide advertising widgets and notifications that are integrated into the standard interface.

8. What to do if there is advertising. returns

If after all the manipulations the advertisement continues to appear, check the following points:

• 🔄 Application updates: Some apps (for example, Facebook or Instagram) try to roll back to an older version or disable auto-update.
• 📦 New installations: Check recently installed applications. Sometimes advertisements come from seemingly harmless utilities (for example, flashlights or currency converters).
• 🔧 Resetting hosts: After updating the system, the file hosts is reset. method with ADB, repeat the procedure.
• 🛠️ Viruses: Some Trojans show ads even on blocked sites. Check the device via Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.

If the problem is system advertising (for example, banners in the settings or on the lock screen), most likely it is built into the firmware. In this case, the only thing that will help is:

• Flashing to a custom version of Android.
• Use Xposed Framework with the module NoAds (requires root).
• Contacting manufacturer support (unlikely to help, but you can try).

As a last resort, you can consider buying a new device. Modern smartphones Android 10+ have stricter restrictions on displaying advertising, especially if they participate in the app. Android One.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible? disable advertising without root?

Yes, but not all. Without root you can:

• Block notifications from applications.
• Use Blokada or DNS66 to filter traffic.
• Edit hostsfile via ADB.
• Delete the cache of advertising services.

However, remove system advertising (for example, in firmware Xiaomi or Huawei) without root impossible.

Why did the advertising return after resetting the settings?

Resetting to factory settings returns all system files, including:

• Original hostsfile (if you edited it).
• Pre-installed advertising applications.
• Settings Google Advertising ID.

You will have to repeat all the steps to block ads. To avoid this in the future, make a backup copy of the edited hostsfile and save the list of disabled applications.

Is it safe to use ADB to edit hosts?

Yes, if you follow the instructions and do not change other system files. However:

• Always make a backup of the original hostsfile (adb pull /system/etc/hosts).
• Do not edit the file manually - use verified lists of hosts (for example, with GitHub).
• After changes, check the Internet operation - errors in hosts may block access to some sites.

How to block advertising in a specific game (for example, in Free Fire or PUBG Mobile)?

To block ads in games:

1. Use Blokada or AdGuard with game mode enabled.
2. Disable the Internet for the game in the firewall settings (for example, via NetGuard). Minus: online modes will not work.
3. Install a modified version of the game (APK) without unnecessary water. Risk: the account may be banned for cheating.
4. Purchase a premium account in the game (if available).

In games on Unity or Unreal Engine advertising is often built into the engine, and blockers are unstable.

Legal questions: is it possible to complain about advertising in applications?

Yes, but the effectiveness depends on the case:

• 📱 Google Play: You can complain about an application through a page in the market (Flag → Spam or inappropriate contentIf advertising violates the rules (for example, is shown in the background), the application may be deleted.
• 🏛️ Rospotrebnadzor (for Russia): If an advertisement is misleading or violates the Law "On Advertising", you can file a complaint through department website.
• 📧 Manufacturer support: For system advertising (for example, in firmware Xiaomi), you can write to brand support with a request to disable advertising.

In practice, complaints rarely lead to quick results, but mass requests can force developers to remove the most annoying ones banners.