Block Pop-Ups & Ads on Android: Chrome, Firefox & More

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Stop intrusive ads and protect your privacy on Android
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Pop-ups can be frustrating and annoying, but did you know that some web browsers on Android can block them automatically? Read on to learn more.

Quickly Stop Pop-ups on Android

In the Chrome web browser, go to Settings > Site settings and turn off "Pop-ups and redirects". For Firefox, go to Extensions and download uBlock Origin to block ads immediately. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, security and services > Block ads .

Section 1 of 5:

Using Chrome

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  1. You'll see this three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the web browser window.
  2. This is next to a gear icon at the bottom of the menu.
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  3. You'll find this under the "Advanced" header near the bottom of the menu.
  4. It's under the "Content" header near the middle of the menu.
  5. You want the toggle to be off if you don't want to get Pop-ups and redirects; in this case, the switch will be grey and pointing to the left. You'll also see "Blocks sites from showing pop-ups and redirects (recommended)" when this toggle is off. [1]
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Section 2 of 5:

Using uBlock Origin in Firefox

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  1. This three-dot menu icon is in the top right corner of the browser.
  2. It's near the middle of the menu next to an icon of a jigsaw puzzle piece.
  3. You'll see this under the "Recommended" header and tapping the plus sign will prompt a menu to open at the bottom of the screen.
    • Tap Add to continue.
    • The ad blocker will immediately start working once it installs.
    • If you don't like uBlock Origin, Firefox lists other suggested ad-blocker extensions, like AdGuard AdBlocker and Privacy Badger.
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Section 3 of 5:

Using Microsoft Edge

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  1. This three-line menu option is in the bottom right corner of your screen and will prompt a menu to open.
  2. This gear icon is in the top right corner of the menu.
  3. It's next to a padlock icon.
  4. Doing so will open the ad-blocking menu.
  5. The switch will be colored and pointing to the right to indicate that it is on.
    • Additional options will change from grey to white to indicate that they are now interactive. [2]
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Section 4 of 5:

Using Samsung Internet

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  1. This is the pre-installed web browser for Samsung devices. You'll see this three-line menu icon in the bottom right corner of your screen.
  2. It's next to an icon of a shield.
    • You have to enable ad blockers before you can use them!
  3. The switch will be colored and pointing to the right if it's on.
    • You can also toggle the settings for "Block backward redirections" and "Block apps from opening Internet." [3]
    • Press the "<" button twice to return to the main menu.
  4. This will display a list of suggested ad blockers that you can use with Samsung Internet.
  5. You'll see the progress of the download.
    • Once the installation is finished, the ad blocker will automatically be enabled to block pop-ups. If you want to turn it off, return to this screen (☰ > Ad blockers) and tap the switch to toggle it off.
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Section 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting Apps Sending Pop-ups

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  1. Because Androids are open-source and easily customizable, they are also easily configured to settings that might annoy you. However, you can also easily change these settings to be less annoying and more helpful. Follow these steps:
    • Open "Settings" and go to Apps .
    • Tap the app you are getting the pop-ups from.
    • Tap Notifications .
    • Tap the "Pop-up" notification type to disable it or turn off notifications completely by toggling the switch next to "Allow notifications."
  2. If you have a Samsung phone or tablet and are plagued by pop-ups covering the screen, here's how you can fix that:
    • Open "Settings" and go to Apps .
    • Tap â‹® > Special access .
    • Tap Appear on top and you'll see a list of installed apps and toggles.
    • Disable the toggle next to an app that sends you pop-ups.
  3. Reboot into Safe mode, then delete any apps that you think are malicious. Exit Safe mode and restart your phone after any app you delete to see if the issue is solved.
    • To reboot into Safe mode, follow these steps:
      • Stock Android/Pixel 6 & Later/Fold: Press and hold the "Power" and "Volume up" buttons for a few seconds, then press Power Off or Restart on the screen, then OK . You should see "Safe mode" at the bottom of the screen when it restarts. [4]
      • Samsung Phones & Tablets: Press and hold the "Power" and "Volume down" buttons at the same time for a few seconds, tap the "Power" icon, then press and hold the "Power" icon on the screen. It will change to a "Safe mode" icon.
      • Tap the "Safe mode" icon. Your phone will restart into Safe mode.
    • No third-party apps run in Safe mode and it enables Airplane mode so no signal leaves. [5]
    • Go to Settings > Apps to uninstall an app you think is causing the pop-ups. After uninstalling the app, restart your phone or swipe down from the top and tap Turn off under the Safe mode notification to exit Safe mode . See if uninstalling the app got rid of your pop-up issue.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95472?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&oco=1
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/block-pop-ups-in-microsoft-edge-1d8ba4f8-f385-9a0b-e944-aa47339b6bb5
      3. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10003384/
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2852139?hl=en#zippy=%2Cif-your-phone-is-on
      5. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10003495/

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