How do I get rid of Google pop-up ads on Android?
What are Google pop-up ads?
Google pop-up ads are advertisements that appear unexpectedly on your Android device while using apps or browsing the web. They are designed to grab your attention and often open new browser windows or tabs without permission.
Some common examples of Google pop-up ads include:
- Full screen ads that cover your device’s screen
- Ads that open the Google Play Store to a specific app download page
- Video ads that begin playing audio automatically
- Pop-under ads that open in background tabs
These disruptive ads are annoying because they interrupt what you’re doing on your device. They can be difficult to close or keep reappearing. Some even try to trick you into clicking by disguising themselves as system warnings or notifications.
The main goal of pop-up ads is to get you to engage with the advertisement in some way, often unintentionally. This earns money for the app developer and advertiser at the expense of your user experience.
Why do pop-up ads happen?
Pop-up ads are a form of advertising monetization for mobile application developers. They serve as a way for app creators to generate revenue from their free apps by forcing users to view and interact with advertisements.
The business model behind many free apps, especially free games, relies on pop-up ads. Developers integrate these disruptive ads into their apps to earn money when users view, click, or tap on the ads. This allows the developers to provide the apps for free while still profiting from them.
Some developers deliberately design aggressive pop-up ads that are difficult to close or block. These ads can appear randomly while using an app, at timed intervals, or during certain in-app actions. The frequent pop-ups coerce users into engaging with the ads unintentionally as a trade-off for using the free app.
Disable pop-up ads in app settings
Many apps that display pop-up ads will have notification settings you can adjust to disable pop-ups. Here’s how:
Open the Settings app on your Android device. Tap “Apps & notifications” and select the app that is showing pop-up ads.
In the app’s settings, look for a section related to notifications. There may be an option like “Block pop-up notifications” or “Disable pop-up ads” that you can turn off.
For example, in Chrome’s app settings go to “Notifications” and toggle off “Sites can send pop-up notifications.”
Disabling pop-up notifications in individual app settings is a simple way to stop annoying pop-up ads without installing any extra software. However, you’ll have to do this for each app that generates pop-ups.
Source: How to Stop Pop-Up Ads on Android
Use a Pop-up Blocker App
A simple way to stop pop-up ads is to install a dedicated pop-up blocker app. Here are 3 of the top options for Android:
AdBlock Plus
AdBlock Plus is one of the most popular ad blocker apps. It blocks pop-ups and banner ads in your browser as well as in many apps.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use
- Blocks pop-ups across many apps and sites
- Customizable filtering options
Cons:
- Can slow down web browsing
- Doesn’t catch every pop-up ad
Popup Blocker
Popup Blocker specifically targets pop-up ads in your browser. It runs in the background to stop pop-ups before they appear.
Pros:
- Lightweight app focused just on blocking pop-ups
- Works across Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers
- Easy one-click blocking
Cons:
- Only blocks browser pop-ups, not in-app ads
- Requires accessibility services access
Blokada
Blokada takes a comprehensive approach by blocking ads, tracking and malware across your whole device. It can stop pop-ups in apps as well as browsers.
Pros:
- Blocks ads system-wide
- Open source and frequently updated
- Custom whitelists to allow acceptable ads
Cons:
- Can be difficult to set up
- Uses VPN which impacts internet speed
Reset advertising ID
Every Android device has a unique advertising ID that allows apps and advertisers to track user activity and deliver targeted ads. The advertising ID is tied to your device and persists even if you uninstall apps. Resetting your advertising ID prevents advertisers from connecting your past and future activities, essentially giving your device a fresh start.
To reset your advertising ID on Android:
- Open Settings and go to Google > Ads.
- Tap “Reset advertising ID.”
- Confirm that you want to reset the ID when prompted.
Resetting the advertising ID prevents advertisers from serving targeted pop-up ads based on your prior browsing history and app usage. It’s recommended to reset the ID every few months for improved privacy. However, this is only a temporary solution as the ID will be regenerated and tracking will resume after resetting. Using a pop-up blocker or ad blocking browser provides more robust protection.
Source: تغيير المعرف الاعلاني الخاص بالموبيل اندرويد 2023 – YouTube
Clear app cache & data
Clearing an app’s cache and data can provide a temporary fix to stop pop-up ads from reappearing in that app. This removes the stored data that may be causing the pop-ups.
To clear an app’s cache and data on Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Select the app that is showing pop-up ads.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache and Clear Data.
This will delete the app’s cached files and clear any stored data. Be aware that it will also sign you out of the app and delete any customized settings.
Clearing cache and data provides temporary relief from pop-up ads, but they may return once the app starts rebuilding its data. For a more permanent solution, try adjusting the app’s notification settings or using a pop-up blocker.
Update Android OS
Latest Android versions like Android 12 and higher include improved ad blocking capabilities and privacy protections. Google has added features to help limit ad tracking and pop-ups for apps.
To update your Android OS version:
* Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update
* Check for available updates and install if available
* You may need to be connected to Wi-Fi for large updates
* Updates can take some time and will require restarting your device
* Your phone model needs to be supported with the latest Android version from the manufacturer
* You may need to factory reset your device after a major Android version update
Updating to the latest Android version can help reduce pop-up ads, but results may vary depending on your device model and apps installed. Check with your device manufacturer if the latest Android version is available for your phone.
Use Android’s Do Not Disturb mode
Enabling Android’s Do Not Disturb (DND) mode is an easy way to prevent pop-up ads and other interruptions while using your device. As Google notes, “Do Not Disturb silences your phone so you can focus on what matters”.
To enable DND on Android, open your device’s Settings app and tap Sound > Do Not Disturb. Here you can customize which notifications to block or allow – for example, you may want to allow calls or messages from certain People while blocking everything else.
You can also schedule DND to activate automatically during certain times, like overnight while you sleep. As Digital Trends explains, “You can set Do Not Disturb to turn on and off automatically by setting a schedule. This is useful for blocking notifications while you sleep.”
Overall, activating Do Not Disturb is an easy way to prevent pop-up ads from interrupting you while using your Android device. And with customization options, you can still receive important notifications when needed.
Get a custom ROM
One powerful way to block ads on your Android device is to install a custom ROM like LineageOS. Custom ROMs allow you to gain more control over your device’s software and settings, including enabling more aggressive ad blocking. Many popular custom ROMs come with built-in ad blocking capabilities or make it very easy to install a third-party ad blocker.
However, it’s important to understand the risks before installing a custom ROM. Flashing a custom ROM usually requires unlocking your bootloader, which can void your warranty. Installing custom firmware incorrectly can also potentially brick your device. Make sure to thoroughly research the process for your specific Android phone and proceed with caution.
If you understand the risks and still want to install a custom ad-blocking ROM, here are the general steps:
- Back up your data and settings.
- Unlock your bootloader, which will wipe the device.
- Download the custom ROM and tools like TWRP custom recovery.
- Boot into recovery mode and install the custom ROM .zip file.
- After first boot, install Magisk or other ad blockers as needed.
- Enjoy your ad-free custom ROM!
Custom ROMs like LineageOS allow deep customization and ad blocking capabilities for advanced Android users. But make sure you know the risks before flashing any unofficial firmware to your device.
Use a Different Browser
One option to help eliminate Google pop-up ads on Android is to use a different mobile browser besides Chrome. While Chrome does allow some ad blocking extensions to be installed, these may not catch or block all pop-up ads.
Alternative third party browsers like Firefox and Brave have built-in ad blocking capabilities that can more effectively filter out pop-up ads before they even have a chance to appear on your screen. For example, Brave browser utilizes a built-in ad blocker and pop-up blocker to prevent ads from loading in the first place.
Switching from Chrome to a browser like Firefox or Brave can greatly reduce the amount of pop-up ads encountered when browsing on an Android device. Their ad blocking features catch many more pop-ups than Chrome extensions alone. Using one of these alternative browsers is an easy way to deal with annoying pop-up ads without having to install any additional apps or plugins.