I am receiving pop-ups on my phone

How to identify and remove apps that cause pop-ups on Android phones

Android phones are more likely than any other device to experience Internet-based problems like a desktop or laptop computer. You may be experiencing adverts or pop-ups that advertise products and services. These can come in several different forms.

Browser pop-ups:

Browsers on Android devices are usually full screen meaning that adverts can be easily clicked or selected. Many browsers such as Boat or Opera feature pop-up blocking settings that combat this. If you have issues with browser pop-ups, the first thing to check is your Browser settings menu for pop-up options. You can get help with this from the Internet or from your device manufacturer.

Background application pop-ups:

If you have recently installed a new app and have since been experiencing pop-ups, this may be due to an advertising method that can cause any open apps sat in the background of your device to display pop up adverts. The below process varies from device to device, however its a rough guide on how to help in the resolution of this issue.

--------------------------------------------------------
Swipe your notification panel down ->

Tap and hold the pop-up notification ->

Tap on the "App Info" button ->

This will then display the app name and details responsible for the pop up ->

Tap "force stop" to close the app and prevent the pop up, or "uninstall" to remove the app from your phone.

---------------------------------------------------------

It is also worth noting that rather than uninstalling an application you may want to keep, often purchasing a premium version of an application removes advertising. A free version or trial version of an app is often littered with advertising in order to make the distribution of a free app cost-efficient.

Preventative steps:

To stop adverts from apps before the issue even begins, you can take the following steps when installing a new app from an unknown source.

1. Check the App's permissions list before installing, this is displayed automatically after you tap the install button in the Google Play Store.

2. If you notice any suspicious or unnecessary permissions in the apps permission list, do not install it (e.g. Draw on UI).

3. Only download apps from the Google Play Store. When you root your device or side load applications from an untrusted source, you become directly responsible for any issues caused with the device.

Apps that can help:

Although we do not recommend any particular application, you can find genuine ad blocking applications that will assist in the prevention of pop ups.

We recommend checking trusted review sites for information on these apps and using care when installing, ensuring you only install directly from Google Play Store.

Last resort resets:

Warning* Resetting your device without data backup will cause your stored information, photos, music and other data to be lost. We take no responsibility for data loss. If in doubt, please consult your carrier or device manufacturer for advice before attempting any reset.

If you continue to have issues with your device, you may want to consider the option of a soft or hard reset. A soft reset involves the device being on, the battery removed and reinserted after 15 seconds. The device should be turned on and re-tested to check for issues.

A hard reset can involve several levels of reset. You have the option to reset all settings, or to wipe all data and reset all settings. Please note data loss can occur, you should take reasonable steps to back up your data before doing this. This option should only be used with extreme care to back up any data.

How you do this will vary depending on your device and operating version of Android. We recommend consulting your manufacturer or carrier who can guide you through this process.