If your Android phone suddenly starts showing ads on the home screen, lock screen, or while using other apps, it usually means a third-party app is displaying overlay ads. These ads appear on top of other apps and can show full-screen pop-ups, video ads, or random banners even when you are not using that app. This problem commonly happens after installing free apps, games, file cleaners, launchers, or unknown APK apps that include adware. The good news is that you can easily stop these unwanted ads by finding the responsible app and removing its permissions or uninstalling it. Below are the most effective methods to stop overlay ads on any Android phone including Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme, Vivo, Oppo, Motorola, and other devices.
Disable “Display Over Other Apps” Permission
Many apps show ads because they have permission to Display Over Other Apps. This permission allows apps to appear on top of other applications, which is how overlay ads are displayed. Disabling this permission for suspicious apps can instantly stop unwanted pop-up ads.
Open Settings on your Android phone
Scroll and open Apps or Apps & Notifications
Tap Special App Access or Advanced App Permissions
Open Display Over Other Apps
You will see a list of apps that can show content over other apps
Check suspicious apps such as unknown cleaners, boosters, or games
Tap the app
Turn Allow Display Over Other Apps OFF
Once this permission is disabled, the app will no longer be able to show ads over other apps.
Check Harmful Apps in Google Play Store
Google Play Store has a built-in security feature called Play Protect that scans apps for harmful behavior. If an app is responsible for unwanted ads or malicious activity, Play Protect can detect it.
Open Google Play Store
Tap your Profile Icon in the top right corner
Open Play Protect
Tap Scan to scan installed apps
If any harmful or risky app is detected
Tap the app
Select Uninstall
Removing these harmful apps can immediately stop popup ads and prevent security issues.
Uninstall Recently Installed Apps
In most cases, full-screen ads start appearing after installing a new app. Many adware apps hide their icons or run in the background and display ads randomly. If you recently installed a game, tool, wallpaper app, cleaner app, or unknown APK, it may be the main reason.
Open Settings
Go to Apps
Tap See All Apps or Manage Apps
Sort apps by Recently Installed (if available)
Look for apps installed just before the ads started appearing
Tap the suspicious app
Tap Uninstall
Removing recently installed apps is one of the most effective ways to stop full-screen ads on Android.
Reset or Delete Advertising ID
Android devices use an Advertising ID to show personalized ads. Sometimes resetting this ID can reduce targeted ads and stop certain ad networks from tracking your device.
Open Settings
Scroll and open Google
Tap Ads or Advertising ID
Tap Reset Advertising ID or Delete Advertising ID
Confirm the reset
After resetting the Advertising ID, many apps lose the tracking data they use for showing targeted ads.
Identify the App When Ads Appear
If ads suddenly appear while using your phone, you can quickly identify the app responsible for them. This method works when a pop-up ad appears on the screen.
When the ad appears on your screen
Swipe down the Notification Panel
Look for the app name showing the ad notification
Tap and hold the notification
Tap App Info
Select Uninstall
Another method is to press the Recent Apps / Multitasking button, locate the app running in the background that triggered the ad, tap the three dots, open App Info, and then uninstall the app.
This trick helps you instantly identify which app is responsible for showing unwanted ads.
Common Reasons Why Overlay Ads Appear
Overlay ads usually appear due to specific types of apps that use aggressive advertising networks. These include free game apps, phone cleaner apps, fake battery savers, wallpaper apps, and apps downloaded outside the Play Store. Some apps hide their launcher icon and keep running in the background to show ads randomly.
To avoid this problem in the future, install apps only from trusted developers, read app reviews in the Play Store, and avoid installing unknown APK files from unsafe websites.
Final Words
Overlay ads on Android phones are usually caused by apps that misuse the Display Over Other Apps permission or contain adware. By disabling overlay permissions, scanning apps with Google Play Protect, uninstalling recently installed apps, resetting your Advertising ID, and identifying the app when ads appear, you can completely stop unwanted pop-up ads on your device. Following these methods will keep your Android phone clean, faster, and free from annoying full-screen ads.
