Have you unlocked your phone, but instead of your usual desktop, you see annoying banner ads, pop-ups, or even full-screen ads? This is a common problem on devices Android, which is not only annoying, but can also indicate a virus infection or incorrect operation of system applications. Most often, advertising appears due to installed malware, changed browser settings, or even firmware with pre-integrated advertising modules (especially on budget smartphones).

In this article we will analyze all possible reasons the appearance of advertising after unlocking the screen and suggest 7 proven ways to remove it from simple settings to radical measures like resetting the factory settings. It's important to understand that some methods require administrator rights or even unlocking the bootloader, so we'll explain in detail how to proceed safely without bricking your phone. If you are not confident in your skills, start with the most harmless options and gradually move on to more complex ones.

1. Checking for viruses and malicious applications

The first thing to do is check your phone for viruses. Unblocking ads often appear due to Trojans that disguise themselves as legitimate applications (for example, flashlights, optimizers or games). These apps can install additional modules that show advertising even on a locked screen.

To scan, use Dr.Web Light, Malwarebytes or the built-in Google Play Protect (you can find it in Settings → Security → Google Play Protect). Please note: some viruses block the installation of antiviruses! If you cannot download the app, try doing it in safe mode (press and hold the power off button until the option appears).

  • 🔍 Scanning in Safe Mode: Reboot the phone while holding the button Power → select “Safe Mode”. Only system applications work in this mode, which will help identify the virus.
  • 📱 Manually checking installed applications: Go to Settings → Applications and sort apps by installation date. Remove suspicious ones (especially those that you did not install).
  • 🛡️ Google Play Protect: Enable it in the security settings and wait until the scan is completed. The service automatically removes some types of malware.
⚠️ Attention: Some viruses imitate system notifications about a “critical error” or “need to update.” Never click on such banners - they often lead to phishing sites or install additional software.
📊 How often do you encounter advertising on Android?
Constantly
Sometimes
It used to be, but I removed it
Never

2. Removing advertising notifications through settings

If advertising appears in the form Pop-up notifications (for example, “You won an iPhone!” or “Your phone is infected”), the problem may lie in the permissions for displaying notifications. Many legitimate applications (even from Google Play) abuse this feature by bombarding the user with spam.

To disable such notifications:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications and notifications → Notifications.
  2. Find the “Latest notifications” or “All applications” section.
  3. Disable notifications for suspicious apps (for example, Clean Master, DU Battery Saver, little-known games).
  4. To completely block advertising notifications, go in Settings → Google → Advertising and disable the “Personalized Advertising” option.

If you see unfamiliar names in the list of applications (for example, com.android.fmradio, but you do not have FM radio), this may be a malicious service. Try disabling it, but be careful: some system processes are critical to the operation of the phone.

Check the list of recent notifications in settings|Disable notifications for suspicious applications|Uninstall apps with low ratings on Google Play|Disable personalized advertising in Google settings-->

3. Resetting browser settings and clearing cache

Advertising on the locked screen sometimes appears due to malicious extensions in the browser or changed home pages. Even if you do not use Chrome or Samsung Internet, some viruses can override system settings, forcing the browser to open advertising sites in the background.

To return everything to its original state:

  1. Open your browser and go to its settings (usually through three dots in the upper right corner).
  2. Find the "Reset settings" or "Restore settings to default" section.
  3. Clear cache, cookies and site data. In Chrome this is done in Settings → Privacy → Clear history.
  4. Delete all extensions (if any).

If advertising appears as pop-up windows even when the browser is closed, check the settings Accessibility (some viruses have a function to show windows on top of other applications). Go to Settings → Accessibility → Window overlay and disable rights for unknown apps.

Browser Path to reset settings Additional actions
Google Chrome Settings → Reset settings Remove all extensions, disable synchronization
Samsung Internet Settings → Personal data → Delete data Disable "Quick access" on the main screen
Opera Settings → Clear data Disable "News feed" in the home page settings
UC Browser Settings → Advanced → Clear data Remove the application completely - it is known to display ads

4. Disabling administrative rights for suspicious applications

Some viruses and adware get administrator rights, which prevents them from being removed using standard methods. If you are trying to uninstall the app, but the system displays the error “Administrator deactivation required,” follow these instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → Security → Device Administrators (on some firmware the path may differ: Settings → Lock screen and security → Other security settings → Phone administrators).
  2. In the list, find suspicious applications (for example, Device Test, System Updateunknown services).
  3. Uncheck the box next to them and confirm action.
  4. Now you can remove the app in the usual way through Settings → Applications.

It is especially dangerous if applications with names like “Android System”, “Google Services” or “Update Service” have administrator rights - these can be disguises for viruses. Before deleting, check the name on Google so as not to disable a critical system process.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi, Huawei), there may be legitimate system applications like Find My Devicein the administrator list. Do not disable them if you are not sure of the consequences!
What to do if there is no "Device Administrators" item?

On some firmware (for example, EMUI from Huawei or MIUI from Xiaomi), the path may differ. Try:

1. Enter the word “administrator” in the settings search.

2. Go to "Advanced settings" → "Privacy and security".

3. Use an application like App Inspector to search for applications with administrator rights.

5. Removing ads via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods did not help, and ads continue to appear, you can try remove malicious packages via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires working with the command line and can lead to unstable operation of the system if done incorrectly.

You will need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
  • 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).
  • 🔌 USB cable for connection.

Instructions:

  1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm permission for debugging.
  2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter:
adb devices

If the device is displayed in list, run the command to search for malicious packages:

adb shell pm list packages | grep -i "ad,sponsor,offer,push"

This will display a list of applications that have advertising-related keywords in their names. Copy suspicious names (for example, com.ad.service) and delete them:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.ad.service

Be extremely careful: deleting system packages can lead to phone malfunction. Before executing the commands, it is recommended to create a backup copy of your data.

💡

If you are not sure about the name of the package, check it on Google or on forums like XDA Developers. For example, the package com.qualcomm.atfwd is a system package, and com.adupdater is most likely an advertising module.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods helped, the only option left is full reset of the phone. This is a radical solution that will remove all data, including viruses and adware, but also erase photos, contacts and installed applications. Before resetting, be sure to:

  • 📤 Make a backup copy of important data (via Google Account, Samsung Cloud or manually on a PC).
  • 🔐 Remember or write down the passwords for your accounts (they will be required after the reset).
  • 📱 Make sure that the phone is charged at least 50% (reset may take 10-30 minutes).

Reset instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings (on some phones: Settings → General → Reset).
  2. Select “Erase all data” or “Reset to factory settings.”
  3. Confirm the action (entering may be required PIN code or pattern).
  4. After reboot, set up the phone as new, but do not restore data from a backup copyif it was created after the ad appeared (the virus may return!).
⚠️ Warning: On some devices (for example, Samsung s Knox) a reset may lead to blocking of the function Samsung Pay or other protected services. Check this information before proceeding.
💡

A factory reset is the only way to be sure to remove all viruses and adware, but it also erases all user data. Use it only if other methods have not helped.

7. How to prevent advertising from appearing in the future

To prevent advertising from appearing again, follow these simple rules:

  • 🛡️ Install applications only from Google Play (avoid third-party stores like APKMirror or Aptoideif you are not sure about the security file).
  • 📥 Read reviews and ratings before installation. Applications with a rating below 4.0 and a small number of reviews often contain advertising modules.
  • 🔍 Check permission requests. If the flashlight asks for access to SMS or contacts, this is suspicious.
  • 📵 Disable installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
  • 🔄 Update your software regularly. Manufacturers release security patches that close vulnerabilities exploited by viruses.

You should also avoid “optimizers”, “cache cleaners” and “accelerators” - many of them are themselves sources of advertising. Instead, use the built-in tools Android (for example, Settings → Storage → Cleanup).

If you often encounter advertising, consider installing ad blocker at the DNS levelfor example, Blokada or AdGuard. These applications filter traffic and block ad servers, but they may require a VPN connection to work.

📊 How did you remove ads on your phone?
Deleted a malicious application
Reset settings
Used ADB
Disabled notifications
Other

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about advertising on Android

Can advertising on appear on the locked screen due to the firmware?

Yes, some budget smartphones (especially from little-known brands) come with pre-installed advertising modules in the firmware. In this case, you can remove advertising only by flashing on the custom version Android (for example, LineageOS). occur for several reasons: Samsung, Xiaomi or Google usually do not contain hidden advertising.

Why do ads still appear after the virus is removed?

This can happen for several reasons:

  • The virus has not been completely removed (associated services or files remain).
  • Advertising is not shown by a virus, but legitimate application (for example, Facebook or AliExpress can send push notifications).
  • Installed on the phone advertising SDK (for example, StartApp or AppLovin), which is integrated into several applications.

Try scanning the phone again or check the list of installed apps for duplicates (some viruses disguise themselves as popular applications, adding extra characters to the name).

Is it possible to remove advertising without reset settings?

In most cases, yes. Start with search for malicious applications, then check notification settings and administrator rights. Only if these methods do not help, proceed to more radical measures like ADB or reset. According to statistics, ~80% of cases of advertising are associated with installed apps, and not with system errors.

Why do advertisements appear even in safe mode?

If an advertisement is shown in safe mode, this means that its source is system application or firmware. In this case:

  1. Try to disable suspicious system services via ADB (see section 5).
  2. Check if your phone advertising version (for example, some models Xiaomi for the Chinese market contain built-in advertising).
  3. Consider flashing to a clean version Android (but this will void the warranty and require unlocking the bootloader).
How to protect your phone from advertising in the future?

In addition to the basic rules (installation only from Google Play, checking permissions), it is recommended:

  • Use antivirus with real-time protection (for example, Bitdefender or Kaspersky).
  • Disable automatic application updates to Google Playto avoid installing updates with adware.
  • Check regularly list device administrators and special permissions.
  • Do not connect to public Wi-Fi without a VPN (some networks replace traffic and show ads).