How to Block Ads on Android

Block Ads on Android

Apps have soared in popularity and stats reveal that 3.8 trillion hours were spent using mobile apps during 2021. The surge in app usage has led to an increase in mobile ads and most Android apps rely on ads to generate sustainable revenue. 

What is the problem with Android ads? 

Many users find Android ads annoying and distracting. Intrusive ads can pop up regularly and spoil the experience on Android phones and tablets. 

Ads can also contain trackers which analyze your browsing behavior and collect your personal data without your knowledge. This data can then be sold to third-party companies for a profit.  Internet users are becoming more concerned about their digital privacy and a recent survey found that 73% of people are worried about being tracked online.

Suggested reading: If you want to find out more about online tracking, check out - What is web tracking & how can I browse safely?

How can I block all ads on Android?

Concerns about digital privacy are one of the reasons why people are switching to iOS. Fortunately, there are steps Android users can take to block ads on Android and improve their browsing experience. This includes how to block ads on Google search. Here are the best ways to block ads on Android.

Block ads and pop-ups in Google Chrome

Google Chrome has a built-in ad blocker for Android that removes intrusive ads and pop-ups. Follow the steps below to enable the Chrome ad blocker. 

• Step 1: Open Google Chrome on your Android device 
• Step 2: Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and open ‘Settings’
• Step 3: Go to ‘Site settings’ > ‘Pop-ups and redirects’ and ensure blocking is enabled
• Step 4: Go back to ‘Site settings’ > ‘Ads’ and turn on the block toggle switch

TIP: You should also disable notifications from unknown websites in Chrome and check the list regularly to keep it up to date.

Block ads on your home screen

Some ads may appear as banners on the home screen of your phone or tablet. You can remove ads from your home screen by following the steps below.

• Step 1: Identify the name of any apps that are displaying ads on your home screen
• Step 2: Tap the app icon and open the app info menu.
• Step 3: Click on ‘Display over other apps’
• Step 4: Turn off the ‘Allow display over other apps’ toggle switch 

Block ads on YouTube app

You can block video ads on Android by using Firefox for sites like Facebook and YouTube, and downloading the Ghostery Tracker and Ad Blocker. Ghostery’s Ad Blocker has been proven to remove 99% of ads on the YouTube platform. This includes blocking video ads on Android. 

TIP: To block ads on your phone, use Firefox. Firefox is the only browser allowing extensions in the Android ecosystem, while the Ghostery Tracker and Ad Blocker is one of the very few extensions allowed on Android and available for Firefox.

Suggested reading: If you want to find out how to block YouTube ads using Ghostery, check out - Does Ghostery block ads on YouTube?

Block ads while browsing

An Android search engine or browser will have some ad-blocking capabilities, but they are not perfect. To block ads on Android, download an ad-blocking extension like Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker (available for Firefox) if you want to improve your digital privacy and protect your data on Android devices.

An ad blocker for Android ads will block intrusive pop-ups and improve your browsing experience when using an Android phone or device. It is also one of the best ad blockers for an Android tablet.

TIP: You can follow the same steps above to block ads on your Android tablet.

What is the best free ad blocker for Android? 

Ghostery is rated as one of the best free ad blockers for Android phones and tablets. In summary, Ghostery: 

• Blocks ads and pop-ups on websites and non-private search engines
• Blocks trackers on websites and non-private search engines
• Prevents private data from leaving your browser
• Prevents profiling

Please note: Chrome does not support browser extensions on Android and Ghostery’s Tracker & Ad Blocker is currently only available for Firefox on Android.

Ghostery Privacy Browser

Using a private browser with ad-blocking capabilities is another effective way to block all ads on Android and keep your browsing activity hidden. The Ghostery Private Browser comes with built-in private search and is also available for Android devices.  

What is the best free pop-up blocker for Android? 

Ghostery not only blocks ads on Android, but also prevents tracking techniques and removes intrusive pop-ups including cookie consent pop-ups. 

Our latest feature Never Consent is a next-generation cookie blocker that automatically opts out from all cookie pop-ups and tracking. It also sends an important message to website owners telling them that you don’t want to be tracked online. 

Eliminate ads on your Android phone with Ghostery

To block ads on Android, using a free ad blocker for Android is better than relying on Chrome’s ad-blocking capabilities. Download the Ghostery Privacy Suite to block annoying ads and pop-ups on Android, prevent tracking techniques, and more. 

Get in touch if you have any questions about our ad blocker for android apps - we’re always happy to help!