Advertising on Google Chrome on Android can turn surfing the Internet into a real nightmare: pop-up banners, automatic redirects to promotional pages, videos with loud music and “smart” ads that follow you across all sites. Even after clearing the cache and browser history, advertising often returns - and it is not always clear who is to blame: itself Chrome, installed extensions or malicious scripts on sites.

In this article we will examine 5 proven methods get rid of advertising - from standard browser settings to advanced methods using third-party tools. Important: some solutions require root-right, but most work on any smartphone without additional manipulations. We will also explain why advertising can appear even after it is turned off, and what to do if none of the methods helped.

We warn you right away: it is impossible to completely remove personalized advertising in Chrome without affecting the functionality of the browser - this is part of Google's business model. However, reducing its quantity to a minimum and making it less intrusive is quite possible. Let's start with the simplest methods.

1. Turning off personalized advertising in Google settings

The first step is to limit the collection of data about your preferences. Google uses information from your account, search history, and sites visited to show “relevant” ads. You can disable this function directly in the settings Android.

Do the following:

  • 📱 Open the application "Settings"** on your phone and go to the section Google → Google account management.
  • 🔍 Select the tab Data and personalization (may be called Privacy in new versions).
  • 🛑 Scroll to the block Advertising settings and click Disable ad personalization.
  • 🔄 Confirm the action by moving the slider to the position Off..

This method does not block advertising completely, but makes it less intrusive: instead of targeted ads you you will see random banners. We also recommend disabling Web and application activity in the same section - this will limit the collection of data about your actions in Chrome.

⚠️ Attention: After disabling personalization, some Google services (for example, YouTube or Google Maps) may start showing more generic ads. This is normal - this is how the replacement algorithm works.
📊 How often do you encounter annoying advertising in Chrome?
Constantly, on every site
Sometimes, on individual resources
Almost no advertising
Didn’t notice the problem

2. Setting up Chrome: blocking pop-ups and redirects

Many advertising banners appear thanks to scripts that automatically open new tabs or redirect to promotional pages. There are built-in tools to combat this. Google Chrome There are built-in tools to combat this.

How to set it up:

  1. Open Chrome and tap on the three dots in the upper right corner (⋮).
  2. Select Settings → Site settings.
  3. Scroll to the section Pop-up windows and redirects and set the switch to position Blocked.
  4. Go back and open Advertising —here you can disable the display of ads on sites with “intrusive advertising” (the function works based on user complaints).

Additionally, we recommend disabling Notifications from sites in the same menu - this will prevent push notifications with advertising from appearing even when the browser closed.

Disabled pop-up windows|Blocked redirects|Disabled notifications from sites|Enabled the "Blocking intrusive advertising" function-->

Please note: some legal sites (for example, banks or payment services) use pop-up windows for authorization. after blocking, important functions stopped working for you, add such sites to exceptions through Settings → Site settings → Pop-up windows → Add exception.

3. Using ad blockers (without root)

If built-in tools Chrome is not enough, you can install third-party blockers. The most effective solutions do not require root access, but have limitations:

Blocker Type Pros Cons
AdGuard App + VPN Filters ads in all browsers, low battery consumption Free version with limitations, may conflict with other VPNs
Blokada Local DNS Does not require VPN, blocks trackers Complicated setup for beginners, may break some sites
Brave Browser Alternative browser Built-in ad blocking, fast work Does not synchronize with Google account, not all extensions are supported

For installation AdGuard or Blokada:

  1. Download the application from Google Play.
  2. Launch and follow the setup instructions (usually requires permission to create VPN connection).
  3. Enable ad blocking in the main menu.
⚠️ Attention: Some blockers (for example, Blokada in aggressive mode) can break the operation of banking applications or services with protection from bots (for example, Avito or OzoneIf problems arise, add problematic sites to the white list.
What to do if the blocker does not work?

If after installation AdGuard or Blokada advertising still appears:

1. Check if blocking is enabled in the application settings.

2. Update the filters (in AdGuard: Settings → Filters → Update all).

3. Try changing the DNS server to 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 9.9.9.9 (Quad9) in the Wi-Fi/mobile network settings.

4. Delete the cache Chrome (Settings → Applications → Chrome → Storage → Clear cache).

4. Manual editing of the hosts file (for advanced users)

Method for those who are ready to delve into system files hosts allows you to redirect requests to advertising domains to an “empty” IP address, blocking their loading. Does not require root, but you need to carefully follow the instructions.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download a file hosts with current blocking rules (for example, from the site StevenBlack/hosts on GitHub).
  2. Connect your phone to the PC and copy the file to the device memory (or download directly to your phone).
  3. Install a file manager with access to system folders (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  4. Navigate to path /system/etc/hosts (permission to edit system files may be required).
  5. Make a backup copy of the original file, then replace it with the downloaded one.
  6. Reboot your phone.

This method blocks ads at the system level, so it will work in all browsers and applications. However, there are risks:

  • ⚠️ If you make an editing error, you can lose access to the Internet.
  • ⚠️ After updating Android the file hosts may reset.
  • ⚠️ Some applications (for example, games) may stop working.
💡

Before editing hosts check the file for duplicate lines - they can slow down page loading. Use a text editor with a search function (for example, Notepad++ on a PC).

5. Alternative browsers with built-in ad blocking

If Google Chrome is fundamentally unsatisfactory, consider browsers that are initially focused on privacy and ad blocking. The best options. for Android:

  • 🦁 Brave Browser —blocks ads and trackers by default, supports torrent client and built-in VPN (premium).
  • 🌍 Firefox Focus —minimalistic browser from Mozilla with automatic history deletion and ad blocking.
  • 🛡️ DuckDuckGo Browser —does not collect user data, blocks trackers and forces the use of a secure connection (HTTPS).

To switch from Chrome to an alternative browser:

  1. Install the selected browser from Google Play.
  2. Export bookmarks from Chrome (Settings → Bookmarks → Export) and import them into a new browser.
  3. Set up synchronization (if supported) through a developer account (for example, Firefox Account or Brave Rewards).

The disadvantage of alternative browsers is the lack of full synchronization with Google services (for example, Google Password Manager or Google TranslateHowever, if the priority is the absence of advertising, this compromise is justified.

💡

The browser Brave not only blocks ads, but also allows you to earn cryptocurrency for viewing “acceptable” advertising (optional). This is the only browser with such a function on the market.

6. Checking for viruses and malicious applications

If advertising appears even after all the manipulations, the reason may lie in malware. Some applications (especially those downloaded from third-party sources) install advertising SDKs that display banners on top of all windows. including Chrome.

How to check and clean your phone:

  1. Install an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light) and scan the system.
  2. Check the list of installed applications (Settings → Applications) for suspicious apps (for example, with names like System Update, Flash Player or Cleaner).
  3. Disable administrator rights for unknown applications (Settings → Security → Device administrators).
  4. Reset advertising settings in Google Play Services (Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Storage → Memory management → Reset advertising settings).

Be especially careful about applications that ask for permission to:

  • 📱 Overlay with other applications (can be used to display advertising on top of the screen).
  • 🔄 Autorun (malware can be launched when the phone is turned on).
  • 📡 Access to notifications (used to display advertising in the curtain).
⚠️ Attention: Some "cleaners" and "optimizers" (for example, Clean Master or DU Speed Booster) display advertising themselves. Remove them first.

What to do if nothing helps?

If you have tried all the methods, but the advertisement remains in Chrome check the following points:

  • 🔄 Update Chrome to the last one versions - older versions may have vulnerabilities that are exploited by advertising networks.
  • 📵 Check your Internet connection - some providers (especially mobile operators) embed advertising at the traffic level. Try using another APN or VPN.
  • 🛠️ Reset Chrome settings to factory settings (Settings → Reset settings).
  • 📱 Reset the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings).

If the problem persists, perhaps advertising is not shown through the browser, but through:

  • 📺 Widgets on the main screen (removed by long tap and select Delete).
  • 🔔 System notifications (check in Settings → Notifications → Notification history).
  • 🎮 Games or applications with built-in advertising (for example, Free Fire or AliExpress).

As a last resort, do resetting the phone to factory settings (don't forget to back up your data!). This will remove all malware and reset settings advertising.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about blocking ads in Chrome

❓ Why do banners still appear after disabling personalized advertising?

Google shows two types of advertising: personalized (based on your data) and contextual (based on the page content). Disabling personalization removes only the first type. Contextual advertising remains, but becomes less intrusive.

❓ Is it possible? block ads on YouTube in Chrome?

Built-in tools Chrome - no. To block ads on YouTube you need:

  • 🛡️ Special extensions (for example, uBlock Origin for the PC version Chrome).
  • 📱 Applications like Vanced (unofficial YouTube client with ad blocking).
  • 🔄 VPN with ad filtering (for example, AdGuard VPN).

Please note: using modified clients YouTube may violate the rules of the service.

❓ Why do ad blockers not work on some sites?

Some resources (for example, Forbes, Kinopoisk or Avito) use anti-adblock — scripts that detect blockers and ask to disable them. Solutions:

  • Disable the blocker for a specific site (in AdGuard: tap to the shield icon in the address bar).
  • Use a browser with built-in blocking (for example, Brave), which is more difficult to detect.
  • Try a different DNS (for example, dns.adguard.com).
❓ Is it safe to edit the hosts file?

Yes, if you follow the instructions and make a backup copy of the original file. Risks arise only when:

  • Deleting or damaging the file hosts (the phone will lose access to some sites).
  • Using outdated block lists (may contain errors).
  • Editing a file without write permissions (may cause a crash).

After editing, check the Internet by opening several sites.

❓ How to block ads in games and applications?

Advertising in applications (for example, in Pokemon GO or Among Us) is blocked differently than in the browser. Options:

  • 🛡️ Use Blokada or AdGuard in VPN mode - they filter the traffic of all applications.
  • 🔄 Buy the premium version of the game (if available).
  • 📱 Install a modified version of the application (APK without unnecessary water), but this violates the license agreement and may be unsafe.

For some games (for example, Brawl Starsthere are special patches that remove ads, but using them may result in an account ban.