You can’t get rid of every ad on a phone, but you can slash most of them by fixing browser settings, app notifications, and your network/DNS. Here’s a practical walkthrough in a “Quick Scoop” style.

How Can I Stop Ads on My Phone?

1. First, figure out what kind of ads

Before changing settings, pay attention to where the ads show up:

  • Only inside a browser (Chrome, Safari, Samsung Internet, etc.) → browser/site settings problem.
  • Random full‑screen pop‑ups even on the home screen → likely a bad app or malware.
  • Banner ads or pop‑ups only inside certain free games/apps → normal in‑app ads (you can limit them, but not always fully remove them).
  • “Ads” arriving as notifications (“Flash sale!”, “News for you”) → app notification / promotional system.

Once you know which type you’re dealing with, use the relevant steps below.

2. Stop ads in your browser (Android & iPhone)

On Chrome (Android)

Most people see pop‑ups and redirects through Chrome. You can harden Chrome’s settings:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Tap the three dots (top right) → Settings.
  3. Go to Site settings.
  4. Tap Pop‑ups and redirects → turn them Off.
  5. Tap Ads → turn this Off as well to block intrusive ads on sites.

This blocks most pop‑ups and some abusive ads, but not all in‑page banners.

On Samsung Internet (Samsung phones)

Samsung’s own browser has built‑in blockers:

  1. Open Samsung Internet.
  2. Tap the three lines (menu) → Settings.
  3. Go to Sites and downloads → toggle Block pop‑ups On.
  4. Go back, tap Ad blockers , then install one of the suggested blockers.

This combo cuts down pop‑ups and a big chunk of banner ads in Samsung Internet.

3. Turn off “ad” notifications from apps

Many “ads” are just notifications sent by apps (shopping, news, free games, device maker’s own apps).

General approach (Android)

  1. Open Settings → Apps.
  2. Find the app that keeps spamming you.
  3. Tap Notifications (or App notifications).
  4. Turn Allow notifications off, or at least disable “Promotions/Offers/Marketing” categories if listed.

You can also:

  • View apps sorted by “Most recent” notifications so you can quickly spot which app sent the last annoying alert.

On Samsung phones

Samsung systems have extra toggles:

  1. Go to Settings → Notifications.
  2. Tap App notifications.
  3. Filter by Most recent to see who’s sending stuff.
  4. Tap the offending app → turn off its notification toggles (especially promotional ones).

If Samsung’s own services send personalized promos:

  1. Settings → Samsung account.
  2. Open Privacy → Customisation service.
  3. Turn the customisation service Off to stop personalized promotions and reduce ad volume.

4. Block bad apps that cause pop‑ups

If you get full‑screen ads or pop‑ups even when you’re not browsing, a particular app is usually responsible.

How to hunt the culprit

  • Check recently used apps in the Play Store or Samsung store and uninstall suspicious ones:
    • Open the app store (Google Play or Galaxy Store).
    • Go to My apps & games → Installed → Last used (or similar list).
    • Look for apps you don’t recognise or installed around the time the ads started. Uninstall them one by one until the pop‑ups stop.
  • Signs an app is shady:
    • Flashlight / wallpaper / “phone cleaner” apps requesting lots of permissions.
    • Apps that woke up right before pop‑ups started.
    • Apps from unknown publishers with many reviews complaining about ads.

If uninstalling doesn’t fix it, scan with a reputable security app (like Norton, Bitdefender, etc.) because persistent pop‑ups can be linked to adware or malware.

5. Use DNS‑level ad blocking (stronger option)

A more advanced but powerful trick is to use a private DNS or ad‑blocking DNS provider, which filters many ad servers for all apps, not just browsers.

How it works (Android)

On many Android phones:

  1. Open Settings → Network & internet (or Connections).
  2. Look for Private DNS / More connection settings → Private DNS.
  3. Select Private DNS provider hostname.
  4. Enter a known ad‑blocking DNS such as dns.adguard.com (commonly suggested in tutorials) and save.

What this does:

  • Routes your DNS lookups through a service that blocks many ad/tracker domains.
  • Reduces ads in browsers and a lot of apps, without installing extra software.

Limitations:

  • It won’t block every single ad, especially ones hard‑coded into apps.
  • Some sites or services may not load correctly if they rely on domains that get blocked; you can always revert to your old DNS if needed.

6. Extra: in‑app ads vs. “no ads at all”

Even with all of this:

  • Free apps and games often show built‑in ads to pay developers; DNS and blockers can reduce them, but some content or features may break.
  • Some communities recommend per‑device guides that combine multiple tools (browser extensions, DNS, system features) to remove as many ads as possible across devices.

From a practical point of view, you usually end up choosing between:

  • Fewer, less intrusive ads (by using browser blockers, DNS, and app notification controls).
  • Paying for ad‑free / premium versions of the apps you use most.

7. Quick “recipe” you can follow today

If you just want a simple, step‑by‑step path:

  1. Lock down your browser
    • In Chrome: turn off Pop‑ups and redirects and Ads.
 * If on Samsung Internet: enable **Block pop‑ups** and add an **Ad blocker**.
  1. Silence notification ads
    • Settings → Apps → open spammy app → Notifications → Off (or off for marketing/promotions).
  1. Remove shady apps
    • In your app store, sort apps by Last used and uninstall anything suspicious that coincides with the ads starting.
  1. Optionally add DNS blocking (Android)
    • Settings → Network/Connections → Private DNS → dns.adguard.com (or similar ad‑blocking DNS) as the hostname.
  1. For your favorite apps/games
    • Check for a one‑time or subscription “Remove ads” option if you want a completely clean experience in that specific app.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.