How To Remove Ads on Your Android Phone

If ads are crowding your Android experience, you can take a few practical steps that block ads at the network level, tame in-browser ads, remove troublesome apps, and limit personalized ads.

This guide walks you through a simple, action‑or‑action approach to quieter, less interruptive Android usage.

1) Use Private DNS to block network-level ads

Network-level ad blocking helps reduce ads in browsers and some apps by filtering traffic before it reaches your device.

• Open your Android Settings.
• Search for Private DNS.
• Choose Private DNS provider hostname.
• Enter dns.adguard.com and save.

Why this helps: Private DNS with a trusted ad‑blocking provider prevents many ads from loading across apps and sites, providing a cleaner browsing experience without extra tinkering.

Quick tip: If you’re curious, there are short explainer videos and step-by-step visuals showing how to set Private DNS on Android devices.

2) Adjust your web browser settings to curb ads and pop-ups

Browser settings are your first line of defense against intrusive ads and redirects.

• Google Chrome
  • Go to: Settings > Site settings
  • Turn on/enable: Pop-ups and redirects (set to blocked)
  • Turn on/enable: Ads (block intrusive ads)
• Mozilla Firefox
  • Firefox includes a built-in ad blocker. Access it via Settings > Privacy & Security, and enable protections (Enhanced Tracking Protection, and optional ad/tracking blockers).

Why this helps: Blocking pop-ups and ads at the browser level minimizes interruptions and reduces the chances of greedy redirects or malicious ad content.

3) Find and uninstall ad-causing apps

Some apps are culprits for intrusive ads or pop-ups.

• When an ad pops up, long-press the notification in the notification panel.
• Note the app’s name and go to Settings > Apps.
• If you identify a suspicious or unnecessary app, uninstall it.

Why this helps: Removing the source of the ads removes the ads themselves, especially if the app overlays or displays ads in-app.

4) Stop website notifications

Website push notifications can be annoying and intrusive.

• Open your browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.).
• Go to Settings > Notifications.
• Block notifications from sites you don’t trust or stop all notifications.

Why this helps: It prevents sites from sending pop-up alerts to your home screen, reducing unexpected interruptions.

5) Review app permissions and ad personalization

Managing permissions can significantly cut down on ad behavior on Android.

• Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions (or just Permissions in some devices).
  • Review permissions, especially:
    • “Display over other apps” (prevent apps from drawing on top of other apps)
    • Background activity and data usage
• Personalization and ads
  • On many devices, go to Settings > Privacy and look for options to opt out of personalized ads or disable ad personalization services.

Why this helps: Limiting unnecessary permissions reduces opportunities for apps to show ads or collect data for ads, while opt-out options minimize personalized advertising.

Extra tips for a calmer Android experience

• Regularly review installed apps for anything unfamiliar or recently updated that starts showing ads.
• Keep your Android OS and apps updated; manufacturers often include improved privacy and ad‑blocking protections in updates.
• Consider installing a reputable privacy-focused launcher or ad-blocking browser as an added layer of defense.
• Be cautious with unknown apps or APKs; sideloading can bring adware as part of the package.