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Google Pixel • Pop-ups & ads • 10–20 minutes

Pop-ups and unwanted ads — Google Pixel

Safety firstDo not tap a pop-up that says the Pixel is infected, call a phone number shown in an ad, or install the cleaner it recommends. Remove only apps you recognize, and never disable a built-in Google system app.
On a Pixel, pop-ups often come from an old Chrome tab, a cleaner app, or an extra Home screen launcher. Close every tab first and use safe mode only if the phone is too unstable to uninstall normally.

  1. Check for an Android update

    Open Settings > System > Software updates > System update, then tap Check for update. Follow the on-screen steps if one is available.

  2. Close every Chrome tab first

    Why: Chrome can hold dozens of tabs, including older pages in a separate Inactive tabs section, and one hidden tab can keep reopening an ad.

    Inactive tabs: Open Chrome and tap Switch tabs (the square beside the address bar). If Inactive tabs appears, open it, tap Close all inactive tabs, then confirm Close all.

    Regular tabs: Return to the main tab grid, tap the three dots > Close all tabs, then confirm Close all tabs and groups if asked. Reopen Chrome and look for a blank new-tab page.

  3. Return to the normal Pixel Home screen

    Why: An extra launcher can replace the normal Home screen and fill it with ads.

    What to do: Open Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app. Look for every name listed besides Pixel Launcher and write those names down. Choose Pixel Launcher; the normal Pixel Home screen should return.

  4. Remove cleaner apps and extra launchers

    Why: Removing the app that created the pop-ups stops it from running again.

    What to do: Open Settings > Apps > See all apps, then tap the magnifying glass. Search for cleaner, open a cleaner or booster app you recognize, then tap Uninstall > OK. Go back, search for launcher, and uninstall each extra launcher you wrote down. Do not uninstall Pixel Launcher. Restart and look for the ads again.

  5. Reveal the Uninstall button if it is hidden

    Why: A cleaner or launcher may be disabled, which hides Uninstall until the app is enabled again.

    What to do: Stay on the problem app’s App info screen from the previous step. If you see Enable instead of Uninstall, tap Enable. The Uninstall button should then appear on the same screen—tap Uninstall > OK.

  6. Use safe mode only if the phone is too unstable

    Why: Safe mode temporarily turns off downloaded apps so an aggressive pop-up cannot cover the Uninstall button.

    What to do: Hold Power and Volume Up. Touch and hold Power off, then tap OK when Reboot to safe mode appears. Look for Safe mode at the bottom of the screen.

  7. Remove the app in safe mode

    Why: With downloaded apps paused, you can remove the one causing the ads.

    What to do: Open Settings > Apps > See all apps > the problem app > Uninstall > OK. To leave safe mode, hold Power and Volume Up, then tap Restart. After restart, look for the normal Pixel Home screen and confirm the pop-ups are gone.

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