Ads pop up when I unlock my Android phone [Quick Fix]

If ads pop up each time you unlock your phone, it’s likely due to adware you might have installed unintentionally. These small apps are designed to display ads on your device.

Typically, they’re harmless when it comes to data safety and security, but they may drain your battery and lead to overheating. Not to mention they’re extremely annoying.

Here’s how to get rid of them:

How can I stop ads from popping up on Android?

1. Verify that the issue is from a third-party app

1. Press the Power button until you get the power options.
2. Tap and hold the Restart option until you see a prompt asking if you want to reboot in safe mode.
3. Confirm and restart your device.

At this point, your phone will reboot into the Android Safe Mode.

In Safe Mode, your phone boots with no third-party app. If you don’t see ad pop-ups on Android when you unlock your phone, it confirms that a downloaded app is serving the ads.

2. Uninstall the most recently downloaded app

Remember the moment the ad starts to pop up on Android when you unlock your phone? You probably downloaded a third-party app before that. If you do remember, then it’s easy to get rid of the ads.

Go to your home screen or the Settings page and uninstall the malicious app. Make sure you delete the app’s data off your phone after uninstalling it.

3. View recently used apps

1. Close all the apps that are open on your phone.
2. Lock and unlock the device and start using your phone as normal
3. When the ad shows up, as usual, go to your recent apps.
4. Note the app you see as a recent app.
5. Uninstall the specific app.

4. Check the running services

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Select System.
3. Find the build and tap on it 7 times.
4. Return to the System page.
5. Tap on Developer options.
6. Open Running services.
7. Find any abnormal app.

On the Running services screen, you’ll view all the applications actively working on your phone, as well as their supporting services.

After determining the app that brought the adware, you must uninstall it. However, before you finally uninstall any suspected app, deactivate it to be sure.

You can avoid ads that pop up when you unlock your Android phone by only installing trusted apps from the Google Play Store and other trusted places.