How to block ads on Android

We all know ads can be annoying but you don’t have to put up with them if you don’t want to. Here’s how to block ads on Android.

Most people know how easy it is to install an adblocker for your desktop or laptop, though not as many know that you can block ads on your Android phone or tablet too.

In fact it’s often even easier, with ad-blocking built right into some mobile web browsers, so you don’t need to install anything extra.

Here’s a guide on how to stop pop-up ads on Android, including specific steps for Samsung Galaxy phone users. Just bear in mind that ads are one revenue source for websites like Tech Advisor to keep bringing you free content.

How to stop pop-up ads on Android

Pop-up ads can be particularly annoying, often appearing out of nowhere and obstructing your view. Here are some effective ways to prevent them from bothering you on your Android device:

Use Google Chrome’s built-in feature

Google’s Chrome is the default web browser on many Android phones, so it’s how most Android users browse the web. The good news is that you don’t have to ditch Chrome to block ads – and in fact Chrome has built-in tools to block some, but not all, adverts.

To activate them:

1. Open Chrome, tap on the three dots at the top-right and then hit Settings.
2. From there, scroll down to ‘Site settings’ and then look for ‘Pop-ups and redirects’.
3. Tap on it, then check that the slider is grey and that the text says “that pop-ups and ads are blocked” block sites from showing pop-ups and redirects (recommended).”

The pop-up blocker will block pretty much all pop-up ads when you’re browsing the web, while the ad setting will block all ads on specific sites. This means that sites with trustworthy ads won’t be affected, but you will remove the worst of the worst.

Use another browser

If you’re happy to ditch Chrome then might be able to block even more ads when browsing the web by using another browser.

First up, several Android web browsers feature built-in ad-blocking. For example, you can grab the popular Opera browser for free from Google Play. All feature more aggressive ad-blocking options than Chrome, though you will have to give up on syncing your browsing history with Chrome on desktop.

Samsung Internet browser is also worth considering – it doesn’t block ads by default, but allows you to install ad-block extensions, just like a desktop browser.

Use a dedicated ad blocking browser

You might also consider using a browser specifically designed to block ads.

Popular options include Brave Browser, Adblock Browser, Vivaldi, DuckDuckGo Private Browser, Kiwi Browser or Firefox with uBlock Origin extension.

These browsers offer robust ad blocking features to keep intrusive ads at bay.

Use a third-party ad blocking app

All of the above solutions are focused on your web browser, but it is possible to block ads elsewhere in Android. Google doesn’t allow system-wide ad-blockers though, so you won’t find any in the Play Store.

That doesn’t mean you can’t trust them, however. AdGuard and AdLock both come from reputable cyber-security companies, so you can trust them even though they’re not from the Play Store.

Still, to install them you’ll need to follow our tips on side-loading Android apps and decide if you’re really willing to pay a subscription to get rid of apps once the free trials end.

Use a VPN app

Alternatively, you can download one of the VPN services we recommend, as some of them also offer ad blocking. Here’s a guide on how to start using a VPN.

Adjust Google settings

Lastly, Google provides options to control personalised ads through your Google account settings.

You can opt out of personalised ads or reset your advertising ID to limit ad tracking. Go to “Settings” > “Google” > “Ads” to access these settings.

How to stop pop-up ads on a Samsung phone

Samsung’s Galaxy phones run on the Android operating system. However, thanks to One UI skin, they may have slightly different settings and options compared to other Android devices.

Here’s how Samsung users can specifically tackle pop-up ads:

Use Samsung Internet Browser

Samsung devices come with the Samsung Internet browser pre-installed. As said before, it doesn’t block ads by default but allows you to install ad-block extensions, just like a desktop browser.

This browser also offers a built-in feature that you can activate in the settings:

1. Open the Samsung Internet app and tap on the three-dot menu icon.
2. Select “Settings,” and go to “Sites and downloads.”
3. Enable the “Block pop-ups” option.

Similarly to Google Chrome, Samsung Internet browser’s pop-up blocker stops most pop-up ads during web browsing.

Install ad blocking extensions

Samsung Internet Browser also supports ad blocking extensions like AdBlock Plus and AdGuard.

Install one of these from the Galaxy Store, open Samsung Internet, tap on the three-dot menu icon, go to “Extensions,” and enable the ad blocking feature.

Use Samsung Knox

Samsung Knox is a security feature available on many Samsung devices. It includes a feature called Secure Folder, which allows you to run apps in a secure environment.

You can install an ad blocking app within Secure Folder to block ads specifically within certain apps or browsers.

Why block ads?

Blocking ads is about more than just avoiding annoyance.

Ads are downloaded by your phone when you’re browsing the web, so every time you see one it’ll slightly slow down your browsing experience and potentially add to your data bill. If you’re noticing that your phone is slowing down significantly, it could be that your phone’s memory is full.

If you’ve already done everything you can to free up space on your Android, you don’t have to factory restore your phone as a last resort. Learning how to clear cache on Android will help you free up space and potentially improve its performance.

However, there are a couple of caveats too.

First up, remember that as annoying as ads are, most sites on the web require them to survive – including Tech Advisor. So we’d actually prefer it if you didn’t block ads, but we also get why you want to.

Second, the free solutions all focus on blocking ads while you’re browsing the web, not across the rest of your device. Many apps include ads to cover their costs, and while we have included a way to block these, the solutions aren’t free.

If you’re fed up of ads in a specific app you use a lot, then consider signing up for their premium or ad-free plan if they have one, as that might actually work out cheaper. YouTube Premium is an obvious one and, if you’re still in school, you can get a student discount.

Lastly, if you’re seeing ads outside of apps on your phone, or see the same suspicious ads popping up again and again, there’s a risk you have a virus. You might then want to download one of the best antivirus apps for Android and learn how to scan for a virus on Android.

I probably don’t need to talk about whether it’s worth having an antivirus on Android, but you may want to find out if you need one on your iPhone.