Pop-up ads are annoying and intrusive. They can interrupt your browsing experience, consume your data, and even expose you to malware. If you want to get rid of pop-up ads on your Android phone, you have several options. Here are some of the most effective ways to stop pop-up ads on your Android phone.
Check for Malware
Sometimes, pop-up ads are caused by malware that has infected your phone. Malware can also harm your phone’s performance, battery life, and security. To check for malware, you can use Google Play Protect, which is a built-in feature that scans your apps for harmful behavior. To use Google Play Protect:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner.
- Tap Play Protect.
- Tap Scan to start scanning your apps for malware.
- If any malware is detected, follow the instructions to remove it.
You can also use a third-party antivirus app to scan your phone for malware. Some of the popular antivirus apps for Android are Avast, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky.
Block Pop-Ups in Your Browser
Most pop-up ads appear when you browse the web using your phone’s browser. To block pop-ups in your browser, you can change the settings of your browser or use a browser that has a built-in ad blocker. Here are some of the common browsers and how to block pop-ups in them:
- Chrome: Chrome is the default browser for most Android phones. To block pop-ups in Chrome:
- Open the Chrome app on your phone.
- Tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) at the top right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Site Settings.
- Tap Pop-ups and redirects.
- Toggle the switch to off to block pop-ups.
- Firefox: Firefox is another popular browser for Android that has a built-in ad blocker. To block pop-ups in Firefox:
- Open the Firefox app on your phone.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal bars) at the bottom right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Privacy and security.
- Tap Enhanced Tracking Protection.
- Select Standard or Strict to block pop-ups.
- Opera: Opera is a browser that has a built-in ad blocker and a data saver mode that can reduce the amount of ads and data usage on your phone. To block pop-ups in Opera:
- Open the Opera app on your phone.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Ad blocking.
- Toggle the switch to on to block pop-ups.
Uninstall or Disable Problematic Apps
Some apps may display pop-up ads on your phone even when you are not using them. These apps may be malicious or just annoying. To stop pop-up ads from these apps, you can uninstall or disable them from your phone’s settings. To uninstall or disable problematic apps:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Tap Apps or Applications.
- Find and tap the app that is causing pop-up ads on your phone.
- Tap Uninstall or Disable to remove or deactivate the app.
You can also check the reviews and ratings of the apps before installing them to avoid downloading apps that have pop-up ads.
Conclusion
Pop-up ads are not only irritating but also potentially dangerous for your phone’s security and performance. To stop pop-up ads on your Android phone, you can check for malware, block pop-ups in your browser, or uninstall or disable problematic apps. By following these steps, you can enjoy a smoother and safer browsing experience on your phone.