Ads keep popping up on my phone. My Android device merely suggested I buy a brand-new Audi, displaying a full-screen pop-upwardly advertisement to persuade me.

As someone who prefers to continue all manner of promotional materials, social networks, and malware off his phone, this came as something of a surprise.

One of my apps is serving ads. Only which one is the malware? Here's how to end pop-up ads on Android.

Ads on Android: The Good Erstwhile Days

There was a time when ads on Android were big news. Remember Notification Area ads? They caused a bit of a tempest when information technology became apparent that promotional messages would presently kickoff appearing across the top of your phone's display, with AirPush and SlingLabs but two of the companies making it possible for ads to announced there.

Opting out was the best solution to gainsay this, although you might accept preferred to follow our solution to dealing with these Notification Area incursions.

With Notification Area ads (which tin even so impact users on older devices), information technology is straightforward to place the app responsible cheers to its icon appearing next to the ad in Android 4.ane and later.

Note that the screenshots in this commodity feature standard, non-adware serving apps.

How Do You Stop Pop-Up Ads on Android?

Discovered your phone displays an unnecessary book of ads, whether in an app or on the home screen? It's time to act.

The first thing you should do is shut all your apps. Use the usual method of swiping from the lesser and holding in the center of your screen to enter the Overview screen. Swipe each app card to the side to discard (or use the 10 button to clear all apps if your version of Android supports it). Depending on your Android version, these steps might vary.

You might also opt to restart your telephone, which may exist quicker.

Side by side, check the apps you lot've installed lately, around the time that the pop-ups get-go appeared. This might take some doing if you regularly install new apps and games.

When you spot likely offenders, head to Google Play and check the reviews of the app. Practice any relate to surprise ads? If and then, delete that app. Merely don't end there! Check all the apps you lot have recently installed.

How to Find Which App Is Serving Popular-Up Ads

In the course of my piece of work, I install apps that I wouldn't normally use. I'yard more discerning than most; notwithstanding, there is every chance that y'all're using apps that are displaying ads that you're putting up with, perhaps considering yous play a free game.

This is fair enough if the ads appear in the game.

Normal ads on Android games

Only what if the ads are popping up on the home screen with no warning? Putting it plainly, this is adware, a class of malware, and something that can take some work to trace.

As the Implementation Policies for the AdMob programme state:

"Ads should non be placed in a location that covers upwards or hides whatsoever expanse that users have interest in viewing during typical interaction. Ads should not exist placed in areas where users will randomly click or place their fingers on the screen."

Furthermore, Google does not look kindly at apps and games that spam the user with ads:

"Apps where interstitial ads are placed afterward every user action, including but not limited to clicks, swipes, etc."

You accept 2 options for spotting pop-upward ads.

Recent versions of Android have made it easier to find out what is running on your device and what permissions the app uses. When you spot a notification for an app you didn't realize was active, that's a proficient time to long-press the notification and tap the More button. The push button might have a unlike name depending on your telephone model.

This volition take you into the app'southward permissions screen, where you lot can toggle what access it has to your telephone'southward hardware and features (such as notifications).

Further options can be found via Settings > Apps > Permissions > Permissions. Specific steps will vary depending on your phone model. Alternatively, you can open the Settings app and search for Permissions in the top search bar.

From hither, you'll find full details for the app, which should reveal any associations; alternatively, yous might discover that the app isn't quite what you thought it was.

2. Check the Currently Open up Apps

As well as the notification area, yous tin check your open up apps to meet which one is serving the pop-ups.

When the pop-upwardly advert appears, swipe up from the bottom of your screen and hold your finger in the middle of your screen to view the Overview screen (on some devices yous can tap the Recent apps on the lesser bar instead). You lot'll exist able to view cards of recently opened apps.

Check for the unfamiliar app names. If you see one, long-printing its bill of fare and tap the Settings icon to go to the app'south page. Yous can then uninstall the app directly from the side by side page.

Also, remember steps on your specific Android device might vary, and that apps can ship notifications without being visible on the Overview screen.

Tin't Find the Offending App?

Peradventure the all-time option for anyone planning to employ their phone or tablet without having to factory reset is to employ an anti-adware tool, a utility designed to detect ad-serving malware.

Popup Ad Detector is probably the best place to start, a free app that will detect which apps are sending pop-up ads. It tin can detect different pop-upwardly ads, including lock screen ads, abode screen ads, notification bar ads, and apps that brandish ads over other apps.

With this app, once a pop-up ad is served to your abode screen, lock screen, notification bar, or on top of some other app, it will tell you lot the app responsible for that. From here, information technology'south simple to remove the offending software.

Download: Popup Ad Detector (Free, in-app purchases available)

If you're non already using a full mobile security app on your phone, this is the best solution for dealing with the ads. Options hither include ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Download: ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus (Free, in-app purchases available)

Download: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Free, in-app purchases available)

Advertising Network Detectors

You should as well consider using an ad network detector. These apps are designed to notice connections between your phone and known ad networks and cake them. This should put an end to pop-upward advertisements on your Android dwelling house screen.

Several strong options are bachelor, just nosotros believe you should take a expect at AppBrain Ad Detector and Mobile Security - Lookout (previously Lookout Security & Antivirus). Addons Detector, meanwhile, gives you the information to investigate what ads are existence displayed by which apps, also equally where they are served from. This might not be specially useful, but it'due south certainly worth being aware that the data is available.

Download: AppBrain Ad Detector (Complimentary)

Download: Mobile Security - Lookout (Costless, in-app purchases available)

Download: Addons Detector (Free, in-app purchases available)

For the best results, you lot should uninstall the app to go rid of the Android pop-upwards ads for good.

This is usually straightforward; open up Settings > Applications and look for the app yous want to delete. Next, tap the app and select Uninstall from the next page to remove it.

Alternatively, printing and hold on an app icon from the dwelling house screen or app drawer and select Uninstall. If it's a pre-installed app, removing it isn't straightforward. However, bank check out our guide on how to remove pre-installed Android apps without rooting your device for details.

Notwithstanding, you might prefer a more extreme solution. The first would exist to restore a backup of your telephone earlier the evil ad-serving malware was installed.

Alternatively, you tin can factory reset your Android phone to remove all apps and data from your telephone, wiping information technology and starting from scratch. This might be the preferred option for most, specially if you're peculiarly concerned by the ads that are beingness served.

Remember to dorsum up your Android device if you lot choose this route. Although extreme, resetting is a sure way of removing pop-up ads on Android for skillful.

Tips to Avert Pop-Up Ads on Android

Pop-up ads on your Android device are annoying. They use your data allowance and arrive the way when you're trying to use your phone. One way of avoiding pop-up ads on Android is by rigorously checking apps you want to install before striking the download push button, whether on Google Play Shop or through third-party marketplaces.

Read more than on how to cheque if an Android app is safe for download.

6 Ways to Check an Android App Is Safe to Download

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About The Author

Christian Cawley (1585 Articles Published)

Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Really Useful Podcast producer, with extensive feel in desktop and software back up. A correspondent to Linux Format magazine, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.

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