Have you noticed that advertising banners, pop-ups, or even full-screen ads have begun to appear on your smartphone screen? This is not just annoying - often such “notifications” signal that the device is infected or excessive activity of installed applications. In 2026, the problem became even more pressing: according to adware viruses or excessive activity of installed applications. In 2026, the problem became even more pressing: according to Kaspersky, every fifth Android user encounters unwanted advertising every month.

The reasons may vary: from harmless but annoying applications to malware that steals data in the background. In this article we will look all possible sources of advertising on Android and give step-by-step guide for eliminating them from manual cleaning to using specialized tools. Important: some methods require superuser rights (root), but most solutions work without them.

1. Check installed applications: who is to blame for the advertising?

The first step is to identify the “culprit” of advertising pop-ups. Most often this is:

  • 📱 Free games and utilities (especially from third-party sources, not Google Play). For example, Clean Master, DU Battery Saver or little-known launchers.
  • 🔍 Applications with suspicious permissionsthat request access to “display on top of other windows” (android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW).
  • 📦 Pre-installed apps from the manufacturer (so called bloatware), which cannot be removed using standard means.

How to find suspicious software?

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system processes.
  3. Sort the list by installation date - viruses are often disguised as fresh updates.
  4. Check applications with permissions Overlay on other windows c section Special access.
📊 Where do advertisements most often appear on your phone?
From the browser (pop-up windows)
From installed games
From system applications
I don’t know, but it is there
Another option

If you find an application with a suspicious name (for example, com.system.update or android.service.ads), but you can’t remove it, try disable (the "Disable" or "Uninstall updates" button). For system applications, you may need ADB (more on this below).

⚠️ Attention: Some viruses disguise themselves as system services (for example, Google Play ServicesBefore deleting, check the name on the Internet - real system processes cannot be deleted!

2. Disable advertising in the browser and system settings

If advertising appears only in the browser (Chrome, Samsung Internet, Yandex Browser), the problem lies in the site settings or extensions. Here's what to do:

  • 🌐 Enable ad blocker:
    • In Chrome: go to Settings → Privacy → Ad blocking (if the option is available).
    • In Samsung Internet: activate Settings → Content blockers and add the extension AdGuard.
  • 🔗 Reset website settings:
    • In Chrome: Settings → Site settings → Reset settings.
    • Remove permissions to display notifications for suspicious sites (section Notifications).
  • 🛡️ Check extensions: remove all unknown plugins in section Settings → Extensions.

For system advertising (banners on the desktop or in the notification shade):

  1. Go to Settings → Google → Advertising.
  2. Disable the option Personalized advertising.
  3. Reset Advertising ID ("Reset" button).
💡

If advertising appears when you unlock the screen, check the application Lock Screen or Wallpaper in the list of installed apps. Viruses are often disguised as wallpaper or. widgets.

3. Remove adware viruses using an antivirus

If manual checking does not help, use specialized utilities. The best options for Android in 2026:

Antivirus Free version Effectiveness against adver viruses Requires root?
Malwarebytes Yes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ No
Kaspersky Internet Security No (30-day trial) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ No
Bitdefender Mobile Security Yes (with restrictions) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ No
Adware Cleaner (from Trend Micro) Yes ⭐⭐⭐ No

Scanning instructions:

  1. Install the selected antivirus from Google Play.
  2. Run full scan (not fast!).
  3. Remove all detected threats, especially those marked Adware, Riskware or PUP (Potentially Unwanted app).
  4. Restart the device.
⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (for example, 360 Security or Clean Master) show advertising themselves. Use only proven solutions from the table above.

☑️ Preparing for virus scanning

Done: 0 / 4

4. Use ADB to remove system viruses (without root)

If advertising appears on pre-installed application (for example, com.android.bips on Xiaomi or com.sec.android.app.launcher on Samsung), it can be removed via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works without superuser rights, but requires connection to a PC.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download ADB Tools for Windows/Mac/Linux.
  2. Enable on your phone Developer mode (tap on the build number 7 times in Settings → About phone).
  3. Activate USB debugging in the developer settings.
  4. Connect the phone to the PC and run the commands in the terminal: 
    adb devices

    adb shell
    

    pm list packages | grep "suspicious_name"
    

    pm uninstall -k --user 0 package name

Examples of packages that often show ads:

  • com.miui.analytics (Xiaomi)
  • com.samsung.android.app.spage (Samsung)
  • com.huawei.android.hsf (Huawei)
  • com.android.bips (universal adver package)
What to do if ADB does not see device?

1. Check if the drivers for your phone model are installed on your PC.

2. Try another USB cable (original).

3. In the developer settings, enable the option "Allow USB debugging (charging only)".

4. Restart your phone and PC.

5. Reset your phone to factory settings

If all else fails, the only option left is hard reset (hard reset). This will delete all data, including viruses, but photos, contacts and applications will also be erased. Be sure to make a backup copy!

How to reset settings:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
  2. Select Delete all data (factory reset).
  3. Confirm the action (you may need to enter a PIN code).
  4. After After rebooting, set up the phone as new.

Important: on some devices (for example, Xiaomi or Realmepre-installed applications remain after the reset. They will have to be deleted separately via ADB or disabled manually.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI (Xiaomi), ColorOS (Oppo) and EMUI (Huawei), after a reset, advertising in system applications may return. In this case, only flashing custom software will help (for example, LineageOS) - but this requires unlocking the bootloader and skills.
💡

A factory reset is the most reliable way to get rid of ads, but it should be the last option. Always try gentler methods first!

6. Configure DNS to block ads at the network level

If advertising appears in the browser or some applications, it can be blocked at the level DNS server. This will not remove viruses, but will stop loading advertising banners.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile network (or Wi-Fi).
  2. Tap on the active connection and select Additional settings.
  3. In the field DNS enter one of the addresses:
    • 1.1.1.3 (Cloudflare Family - blocks ads and malicious sites)
    • 94.140.14.15 (AdGuard DNS)
    • 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS - does not block ads, but speeds up loading)
  • Save the settings and restart the phone.

    • For permanent blocking on all devices in your home network, configure DNS on the router. This is especially true if advertising appears on. several gadgets.

    7. How to prevent advertising from appearing in the future

    To prevent advertising from returning, follow simple rules:

    • 🛡️ Install applications only from Google Play (risk of viruses in 10 times lower than in third-party stores).
    • 🔍 Check the reviews and rating before installation. Applications with a rating below 4.0 and a small number of reviews often contain adver packages.
    • 📋 Read permissions when installing If the messenger asks for access to SMS or calendar, this is. suspicious.
    • 🔄 Update software regularly. New versions of Android close vulnerabilities that viruses exploit.
    • 🚫 Do not click on suspicious links in SMS, instant messengers or pop-up windows.

    For additional protection:

    • Use ad blocker at the VPN level, for example Blokada or AdGuard VPN.
    • Configure Google Play Protect (turns on automatically, but you can run a manual scan in the security settings).
    • Disable installation of applications from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
    ⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) add advertising to their own services (for example, in Mi Browser or AppGalleryThe only way to get rid of it is to use alternative applications (for example, Chrome instead of Mi Browser).
    💡

    If you often install APK files from the Internet, check them through the service before installing. Download the file to site, and it will scan it with 70+ antiviruses. VirusTotal. Upload a file to the site and it will scan it with 70+ antiviruses.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about advertising on Android

    ❓ Why do ads still appear after removing the virus?

    Probably, the virus managed to add tasks to Scheduler or replaced system files. Try:

    1. Check Settings → System → Task Scheduler and delete suspicious tasks.
    2. Use Malwarebytes in Root scan (if you have root access).
    3. Reset to factory settings.
    ❓ Is it possible to remove ads without resetting the phone?

    Yes, in most cases a combination of methods helps:

    1. Removing suspicious applications.
    2. Antivirus scanning (Malwarebytes or Kaspersky).
    3. Blocking via ADB or changing DNS.

    A reset is needed only if a virus has embedded itself in system files.

    ❓ Why does advertising appear even on a locked screen?

    This is a sign adware virus with overlay rightsIt uses the resolution SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW to display on top of all windows. To remove:

    1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special access → Overlay on other windows.
    2. Disable rights for all suspicious applications.
    3. Remove the virus through an antivirus or ADB.
    ❓ How to remove advertising on Xiaomi/Redmi phones?

    On devices Xiaomi advertising can be built into the firmware MIUITo disable:

    1. IN Theme settings disable Recommendations.
    2. In Browser settings (Mi Browser) disable Personalized news.
    3. Uninstall applications com.miui.analytics and com.xiaomi.midrop via ADB.
    4. Use an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).

    On some models (Redmi Note 10/11), advertising returns after updating MIUI. In this case, only firmware custom software will help..

    ❓ Is it safe to use ad blockers?

    Yes, but with reservations:

    • 🔹 System blockers (for example, in Samsung Internet) are safe - they are built into the firmware.
    • 🔹 Third-party VPN blockers (AdGuard, Blokada) are reliable, but can slow down the Internet.
    • 🔹 Root blockers (for example, AdAway) are effective, but require unlocking the bootloader, which can deprive guarantees.

    Avoid little-known blockers - some show ads themselves.