How to Block Annoying Ads and Popups on Android

You are watching a video, then one big advert covers the whole screen. You try to close it, and another one opens. If this is happening on your Android phone, you are not alone. Many people in Nigeria deal with this every day, especially on cheap apps and free browsers. The good news is that you can block most ads and popups on Android without installing anything risky. This guide shows you how to block ads on Android step by step.

Why ads keep popping up on your phone

Most popups come from two places: websites that open new windows, and apps that send notifications. Some free apps also show full screen ads between screens. Once you know where the ad is coming from, it becomes much easier to stop it.

Ads also cost you more than patience. Every ad loads data, and heavy ad pages can slow down your browser. Blocking them saves data and makes your phone feel lighter, which is good news if you are on a tight bundle.

Step 1: Block popups in Chrome

Chrome already has a setting that stops most popups and redirects. It is the first thing to check:

1. Open Chrome settings. Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap Settings.
2. Go to site settings. Scroll down and tap Site settings, then tap Popups and redirects.
3. Turn off the option. Make sure the setting is set to block popups and redirects. Sites that need popups will ask you first.

Google explains the browser controls on its official Android support page: Google Android help.

Step 2: Stop apps from sending ad notifications

Some apps keep pushing ads through notifications, even when you are not using them. You can turn them off one by one:

• Open the app info. Go to Settings, tap Apps, then choose the app that keeps sending ads.
• Tap Notifications. Turn off the notification category that carries the ads, or turn off all notifications for that app.
• Check the lock screen. Make sure the app is not allowed to show content on your lock screen.

Step 3: Turn off site notifications in Chrome

Many websites ask for permission to send notifications. Once you tap allow, they can send you ads even when Chrome is closed. You can check the list and remove sites you no longer want:

1. Open site settings. In Chrome, go to Settings, then Site settings.
2. Tap Notifications. You will see every site that has permission to send you alerts.
3. Remove the sites. Tap the site you do not trust, then choose Block or Clear permission.

Step 4: Use Private DNS to block ad domains

Android has a Private DNS setting that can block some ad domains at network level. It works across many apps, not only Chrome. The setup depends on your phone brand, but the menu is usually under Settings, then Connections, then Private DNS. Pick the option to use a private DNS provider and enter a hostname from a DNS service you trust. Test a few websites afterward, because some ad blocking DNS services can break certain pages.

Keep this step optional. If a popular app stops loading after you change the setting, switch the setting back to automatic and the problem usually goes away.

Step 5: Remove apps that flood you with ads

Sometimes the easiest fix is to delete the app. Free games and fake cleaner apps are the usual culprits. Check the list of apps you rarely open, and uninstall anything that shows full screen adverts without warning. You can also read reviews on the Play Store before you install a new app, especially if the reviews mention a lot of ads.

Tips to keep your phone clean

• Use one browser. Stick to one browser so you only have one set of popup settings to manage.
• Check permissions monthly. Look at notification permissions once a month and remove what you no longer need.
• Avoid mod apps. Modded apps often hide their ads and their risks. Stick with official downloads.

For more ways to speed up your phone while you clean things up, read our guide on how to speed up a slow Android phone. You can also browse the smartphones category for more simple how to articles.

Final thoughts

Blocking ads on Android is mostly about controlling browser popups, notifications and the apps you install. Start with Chrome, then clean up your notification list, and delete the apps that keep throwing adverts at you. Give it a week and you will notice fewer interruptions and a little more data left at the end of the month.

Why ad blockers in the Play Store are not always the answer

Many people search for an ad blocker app and install the first one they see. Some of these apps are fine, but a lot of them ask for too many permissions or show their own ads. Before you install anything, check who made it, read the recent reviews, and see what permissions it asks for. If a simple cleaner app wants access to your messages or contacts, delete it and move on.

The settings in Chrome and your notification list solve most of the problem without installing anything new. Start there first.

Quick checklist after you are done

• Chrome popups. Confirm that Popups and redirects is still blocked after a Chrome update.
• Notification list. Check the list of sites and apps allowed to send alerts once every few weeks.
• Uninstall. Remove any app that shows full screen ads without warning.

Clear out the apps that flood your screen

Some ads do not come from the browser at all. They come from apps you installed and forgot about, especially free games, wallpaper apps and file cleaners. Open Settings, then Apps, and look at the list sorted by the last time you used each one. Anything you have not opened in months is a good candidate to remove.

Before you delete an app, check the permissions it has. Go to Settings, then Apps, tap the app, then Permissions. If a wallpaper app can read your contacts or send you notifications every hour, that is a sign it is making money from your attention and you do not need it on your phone.

Stop an app from drawing over other apps

Some ad apps use the Display over other apps permission to put a banner or full screen box on top of whatever you are doing. This is why a random window can appear while you are reading a message. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Special app access, then Display over other apps, and turn off anything you do not recognise.

The name of this menu changes on different phones, so search the settings for overlay if you cannot find it at first. Turning off the permission does not uninstall the app, but it stops the box from showing up on your screen.