Ads on your phone fall into a few different types, and the fix depends on which type you are dealing with. This guide covers how to close ads on phone screens quickly, and how to stop them from coming back.
How to Close Ads on Phone Right Now: Quick Answer
If an ad is on your screen right now, here is what to do.
Tap the X, Skip, or Close Button on the Ad
Most ads have a small X button, usually in the top-right or top-left corner. Tap it to dismiss. Some video ads show a "Skip" button after a few seconds. Wait for it to appear before tapping.
Use the Back Button or Swipe Down to Dismiss a Pop-Up
On Android, pressing the back button often closes a pop-up ad. On iPhone, swiping down or tapping outside the ad window can dismiss it. If neither works, try pressing the home button to exit the app, then reopen it.
How to Close Ads on Phone When There Is No Visible Button
This is a frustrating one. Some ad networks deliberately delay the close button by 5 to 10 seconds. If no button appears at all, press your phone's home button or recent apps button to force-exit. In practice, users who encounter this repeatedly from the same app often find that the ad is served by the app itself, not a browser, so uninstalling or replacing the app is the only permanent fix.
When the Ad Keeps Coming Back After You Close It
If the ad reappears every time you close it, the source is likely an app running in the background. Closing the ad is a short-term action. The sections below explain how to stop it from coming back.
Why Do Ads Keep Appearing on Your Phone?
Understanding where the ad is coming from helps you pick the right fix.
Ads from Third-Party Apps You Downloaded
Most phone ads come from apps installed on your device. App developers use ad networks to generate revenue from free apps. The more times an ad appears, the more the developer earns. This is standard practice across Android and iPhone apps.
Ads Pushed Through App Notifications
Some apps send ads directly to your notification tray. These look like regular notifications but are promotional messages. They appear even when you are not using the app.
Ads on Your Lock Screen
Lock screen ads are common on certain Android devices, particularly Samsung phones in some regions. They appear on your screen before you unlock your phone.
Ads Inside Browser Windows
Pop-up ads in your browser are separate from app ads. They are triggered by websites that run aggressive ad scripts or redirect your browser to ad pages.
Ads Built Into Manufacturer or System Apps
On some Android phones, particularly Samsung and OPPO devices, system apps like the file manager, weather app, or app store show ads within the app itself. These are controlled differently from third-party app ads.
Types of Phone Ads and How to Fix Each One
|
Ad Type |
Where It Appears |
Common Cause |
How to Close or Block It |
|
Pop-up ad |
Browser window |
Website ad scripts |
Block pop-ups in Chrome or Safari settings |
|
Full-screen ad |
Inside an app |
App ad network |
Wait for close button; replace app if persistent |
|
Notification ad |
Notification tray |
App permission enabled |
Revoke notification permission for that app |
|
Lock screen ad |
Phone lock screen |
Manufacturer setting or app |
Disable via device settings or uninstall app |
|
In-app banner ad |
Bottom or top of app screen |
Free app monetisation |
Upgrade to paid version or use alternative app |
|
System app ad |
Inside pre-installed apps |
Manufacturer ad service |
Disable personalisation in system app settings |
Two Different Goals: Pick Yours Before You Continue
Before scrolling further, it helps to know what you actually want.
Close One Ad That Is on Your Screen Right Now
Go back to the Quick Answer section at the top. The steps there handle immediate dismissal.
Stop Ads From Appearing on Your Phone Permanently
The sections below are what you need. Each one targets a specific source of ads and explains how to cut it off.
How to Stop Ads on Android Phone
Block Pop-Up Ads in Google Chrome on Android
- Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu in the top right
- Go to Settings
- Tap Site Settings
- Tap Pop-ups and Redirects and turn it off
- Go back to Site Settings, tap Ads, and turn that off too
Turn Off Ad Personalisation in Android Settings
- Open Settings on your Android phone
- Tap Google, then All Services
- Under Privacy and Security, tap Ads Privacy
- Turn off Ad Topics, App-Suggested Ads, and Ad Measurement
This does not stop ads from appearing, but it stops them from being personalised using your data.
Disable Notification Permissions for Ad-Sending Apps
- Open Settings and go to Notifications
- Check recently sent notifications to identify which app sent the ad
- Tap the app name and turn off Allow Notifications
- Alternatively, long press the notification as it arrives and turn off notifications for that app directly
Identify and Uninstall the App Causing Pop-Up Ads
- Open Google Play Store and tap your profile icon
- Go to Manage Apps and Devices, then tap Manage
- Sort by Last Used to find recently active apps
- Uninstall recently installed apps one at a time until the ads stop
Block Ads Using Private DNS on Android (Advanced)
This method routes your phone's traffic through a DNS server that filters ad requests before they reach your apps or browser.
- Open Settings and go to Network and Internet
- Tap Advanced, then Private DNS
- Select Private DNS Provider Hostname
- Enter a DNS address such as dns.adguard.com
- Tap Save
Note: Private DNS may slow down connections on some office or institutional networks.
How to Stop Ads on Samsung Galaxy Phone
Samsung phones have their own ad system separate from standard Android settings.
Turn Off Samsung Customisation Service
- Open Settings
- Tap Samsung Account
- Go to Privacy
- Tap Customisation Service
- Turn it off
This reduces personalised ads across Samsung apps. It does not remove all ads.
Disable Ad Notifications from Samsung Apps
- Open Settings and go to Notifications
- Find the Samsung app sending promotional notifications
- Turn off the notification toggle for that app
Block Ads in Samsung Internet Browser
- Open Samsung Internet and tap the three-line menu
- Go to Settings, then Sites and Downloads
- Turn on Block Pop-Ups
- Go back to the menu and tap Ad Blockers
- Download and enable an ad blocker from the list
Remove Lock Screen Ads on Samsung
- Open Settings
- Go to Lock Screen
- Look for Content to Show or Lock Screen Services
- Turn off any option related to ads, information, or recommendations
If a third-party app is placing ads on your lock screen, identify it using the uninstall method described in the Android section above.
How to Stop Ads on iPhone
Block Pop-Up Ads in Safari on iPhone
- Open Settings and scroll to Safari
- Turn on Block Pop-ups
- Under Privacy and Security, turn on Fraudulent Website Warning
Limit Ad Tracking in iPhone Privacy Settings
- Open Settings and tap Privacy and Security
- Tap Apple Advertising
- Turn off Personalised Ads
This limits how Apple uses your data to target ads across its own apps.
Turn Off Notification Permissions for Apps on iPhone
- Open Settings and tap Notifications
- Find the app sending ad notifications
- Turn off Allow Notifications
Use Content Blockers from the App Store
iPhone allows content blocker apps to work inside Safari. Apps in this category filter ads at the browser level without accessing your personal browsing data. Search "content blocker" in the App Store and check user reviews before installing.
What to Do About In-App Ads Inside Free Apps
Banner ads at the bottom of games or utility apps are built into the app itself. Closing them usually is not possible without taking action at the app level.
Why Free Apps Show Ads and What Your Options Are
Free apps use ad revenue to stay in business. The ad is typically served by a third-party network inside the app code.
According to data from Wikipedia's overview of mobile advertising, global mobile app-installed ads accounted for 66% of all mobile advertising revenue in 2023 and generated $315 billion, which reflects just how central the ad-supported model has become for free app developers. There is no system setting on Android or iPhone that removes banner ads from inside a specific free app.
Upgrade to a Paid or Ad-Free Version
Most apps with ads offer a paid version or a one-time in-app purchase to remove ads. This is the most straightforward fix if you use the app regularly.
Use an Alternative App Without Ads
If a paid upgrade is not available, look for a different app that serves the same purpose but without ads. The App Store and Google Play both allow filtering by paid apps.
When Ads on Your Phone May Mean Something Worse
Most phone ads are annoying but harmless. A few situations suggest something more serious.
Signs Your Phone Has a Malicious App Installed
- Ads appear on your home screen when no app is open
- Your browser opens on its own to ad pages
- Your search engine or homepage changed without your input
- Ads appear faster than normal or override other screens
How to Run a Security Scan on Android (Play Protect)
- Open Google Play Store
- Tap your profile icon in the top right
- Tap Play Protect, then tap Scan
Play Protect will flag any apps that appear to violate Google's policies. As reported by BBC News, adware hidden inside legitimate-looking apps on the Google Play Store has affected millions of Android devices, with some apps deliberately holding off showing pop-up ads until a week or more after installation to avoid being identified as the source.
How to Check for Suspicious Apps on iPhone
iPhones are less vulnerable to malicious apps due to App Store review policies, but rogue apps do appear occasionally. Go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and review which apps have access to sensitive permissions like notifications, location, or background refresh. Revoke any permissions that seem unnecessary for what the app does.
Conclusion
Closing a single ad takes seconds. Stopping ads permanently takes a few extra steps depending on your phone and the type of ad you are seeing. Work through the section that matches your device and the type of ad you are seeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do ads keep popping up on my Android phone even when I am not using an app?
A background app is most likely sending ads through the notification system or displaying them as overlays. Use the Last Used sort in Google Play to identify recently active apps and uninstall them one at a time.
How do I get rid of ads on my phone without downloading anything?
Turn off notification permissions for ad-sending apps, block pop-ups in your browser settings, and disable ad personalisation in your device's privacy settings. No additional app is needed for these steps.
Can I completely remove all ads from my phone?
Not entirely. Ads built into free apps cannot be removed through settings. You can block browser ads, stop notification ads, and reduce personalised ads, but in-app banner ads inside free apps require an upgrade or app switch.
Why does a full-screen ad appear with no close button on my phone?
Some ad networks delay the close button deliberately. Wait 5 to 10 seconds and it usually appears. If it never shows, press the home button to exit. If this happens regularly, the app serving the ad may be the one to replace.
Is it safe to use a third-party ad blocker app on Android or iPhone?
Most reputable ad blocker apps are safe to use. Check app store ratings and reviews before installing. On iPhone, content blockers work inside Safari only and do not access your browsing history.
