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Samsung Galaxy • Pop-ups & ads • 10–20 minutes

Pop-ups and unwanted ads — Samsung Galaxy

Safety firstDo not tap a pop-up that says the Galaxy 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 Samsung system app.
On a Galaxy, pop-ups often come from an old Chrome or Samsung Internet 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 a software update

    Open Settings > Software update > Download and install. Follow the on-screen steps if one is available.

  2. Close every browser tab first

    Why: A browser can hold dozens of tabs without making that obvious, and one hidden tab can keep reopening an ad.

    Chrome: Open Chrome and tap Switch tabs. If Inactive tabs appears, open it, tap Close all inactive tabs, then confirm. Return to the main tab grid, tap the three dots > Close all tabs, then confirm Close all tabs and groups if asked.

    Samsung Internet: Open Samsung Internet and tap Tabs (two overlapping squares). Tap the three dots > Close all tabs, then confirm. Reopen your browser and look for a blank new-tab page.

  3. Return to the normal Samsung Home screen

    Why: An extra launcher can replace One UI Home and fill the Home screen with ads.

    What to do: Open Settings > Apps > Choose default apps > Home app. Look for every name listed besides One UI Home and write those names down. Choose One UI Home; the normal Galaxy 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, 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 One UI Home. 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 the Side button and Volume Down to open the power menu. Touch and hold Power off, then tap Safe mode. 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 > the problem app > Uninstall > OK. To leave safe mode, swipe down from the top, tap Safe mode is on, then tap Turn off. After restart, look for One UI Home and confirm the pop-ups are gone.

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