How to block pop-up ads on an Android phone
(Pocket-lint) – Nobody likes being interrupted by an annoying advertisement, but it’s become an all too common experience on our phones.
Most people know that they can block ads on their desktop or laptop computer, but our phones are usually plagued by these things. Long gone are the days when you could install Ad Block Plus from the Play Store, Google no longer allows system-wide ad blockers.
So how do you go about blocking ads? Luckily it’s very easy and we’ve covered everything in this guide.
But first a few things to mention. It’s important to remember that ads help keep websites (including this one) running, and they’re also important for content creators. While they can be irritating, in some cases it’s worth allowing ads to support the content you love.
We also focus on browser-based ad blocking. So remember that these solutions do not block ads in other apps such as games.
With that, let’s get into the guide.
How to Block Popups and Intrusive Ads on Chrome
Chrome is the default browser on most Android phones and as such the vast majority of people stick to it.
However, you don’t have to switch to a different browser to block ads. Fortunately, Chrome has some handy tools built in to help with this.
The only caveat is that Chrome doesn’t block all ads, only pop-ups and ads it deems intrusive or misleading. How to activate the functions:
- Open chrome on your Android phone
- Tap the three points in the upper right corner
- Tap on settings
- Scroll down to page settings and select it
- Beat Pop-ups and Redirects
- Make sure, that slider is switched to the left
- walk the back to the previous page
- Beat To sue and do the same
Now Chrome prevents most pop-up ads from loading and completely blocks ads on websites with misleading and intrusive advertising. In a way, it’s the best of both worlds as it allows you to support the content you care about without suffering from egregious pop-ups.
If you’re concerned about the security of your business, this is a no-brainer.
But what if you want to go one step further and block everything? Continue reading.
How to block ads with different browsers
If you’re willing to forego Chrome, there are many browsers that offer more robust ad-blocking options. Just remember that if you use Chrome, you won’t be able to sync your history and bookmarks with Chrome on desktop.
Another great and full-featured option is the Opera browser, which has a solid built-in ad blocker and even a free VPN. There’s even a direct adblock browser if you just want to block ads.
How to block ads with an app
So those are sorted browsers, but what if you want to block ads in other apps? As we mentioned above, Google long ago removed ad-blocking apps from its Play Store, but that doesn’t mean you can’t block ads elsewhere.
You have to sideload these apps, which can be a little daunting if you’ve never done it before, but that doesn’t mean the apps aren’t trustworthy — just that Google isn’t that keen on you they use. Which is understandable given the business model.
Apps like AdGuard and AdLock come from reputable cybersecurity brands, so they should be completely safe to use. The downside is that they’re subscription-based, so you’ll have to pay a monthly fee after your trial expires.
Written by Luke Baker.