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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Most adverts that suddenly appear on a Samsung Galaxy are caused by an installed app, a browser setting, a notification permission or Samsung’s optional promotional features—not by a faulty screen or phone hardware. Start by noting where the advert appears, then test in Safe mode. If the advert disappears there, remove the recently installed or updated app responsible. Browser pop-ups, notification adverts, Global Goals lock-screen adverts and personalised Samsung promotions each require a different setting.
First identify where the advert appears
The location and timing usually reveal the source. Do not install a random “cleaner” or ad-blocking app before you identify the cause; another app can create more notifications or pop-ups.
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| Where you see the advert | Most likely source | First action | Most reversible remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only inside a website | Browser pop-up, redirect or website permission | Change Samsung Internet or Chrome site controls | Turn off pop-ups or revoke a site permission |
| As a notification | An app allowed to send promotional notifications | Open Settings > Notifications > Recently sent | Disable that app’s notifications |
| On the lock screen | A third-party app or Samsung Global Goals | Test in Safe mode, then check Global Goals | Disable notifications or Global Goals; uninstall the culprit if needed |
| On the home screen or over other apps | Usually a third-party app with permission to display over other apps | Check recently installed or updated apps and Safe mode | Revoke the permission or uninstall the app |
| Inside Samsung services | Optional Samsung promotional or personalised content | Review Samsung Account customisation service | Turn off customisation |
Samsung’s support guidance is explicit: “If you see ads on your Lock screen, it’s caused by either a third-party app that was installed, or the Samsung Global Goals app.” It also states that pop-up ads are caused by third-party apps rather than the phone itself.
Use Safe mode to prove whether an app is responsible
Safe mode starts the phone with third-party apps temporarily disabled. It does not delete your apps or data. If the adverts stop in Safe mode, an installed app is the cause; if they continue, investigate Samsung features, browser settings or a system notification instead.
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- Open the power menu. On most recent Galaxy models, swipe down twice and tap the power icon, or press and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons together.
- Touch and hold Power off until the Safe mode option appears.
- Tap Safe mode and allow the phone to restart. “Safe mode” appears in a corner of the display.
- Use the phone normally for long enough to reproduce the advert. Check the lock screen, home screen and the app or website where it previously appeared.
- Restart normally to leave Safe mode. A regular restart restores your third-party apps.
Safe mode is a diagnostic test, not a permanent ad blocker. While it is active, downloaded apps may be unavailable, so use it only to establish whether an app is involved.
Remove the recently installed or updated app
If the advert vanishes in Safe mode, begin with apps installed or updated shortly before the problem began. The responsible app may be a free utility, wallpaper, keyboard, launcher, QR scanner, game or file tool. It may not have “ads” in its name.
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Review the list for apps installed or updated around the time the adverts started.
- Open a suspect app’s entry and check its permissions, notification categories and whether it can appear on top of other apps.
- Tap Uninstall. If uninstalling is unavailable because it is a device administrator, first open Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Device admin apps (the wording can vary), deactivate the app, then uninstall it.
- Restart and test the phone outside Safe mode. If the adverts remain, remove the next most likely app and test again.
Samsung recommends using the Google Play Store’s app list and sorting by Most used or Recently updated to find an overlooked source. Do not remove core Samsung or Android components merely because they have a recent update; check the app name, icon and permissions first.
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After removal, open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, choose Play Protect and run a scan. Play Protect can flag harmful software, but a clean result does not prove that an ordinary ad-supported app is harmless or desirable.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Stop adverts that arrive as notifications
A notification advert is controlled by the app that sent it. Blocking browser pop-ups will not stop an app notification, and uninstalling the browser will not fix a shopping or wallpaper app that has notification permission.
Use Recently sent to find the sender
- Open Settings > Notifications > Recently sent.
- Find the app that posted the advert. Tap its name to see notification categories.
- Turn off the relevant category, or disable Allow notifications for the app.
- Return to the notification shade and clear the old advert. Disabling permission does not remove a notification already displayed.
Block it directly from the notification
When the advert appears, touch and hold the notification. Tap Settings, then switch off the app or the specific notification category. This is the quickest option when the sender is unfamiliar, because the notification itself identifies the source. If the message is from an app you still need, disable only its promotional category rather than every notification.
Some Galaxy versions label the controls slightly differently, and notification categories are created by the app. If no category appears, use the app’s own settings or disable all notifications for that app.
Block browser pop-ups and redirects
Browser adverts are separate from lock-screen adverts. They can be caused by a website, a redirect or a browser permission, so configure the browser you actually use.
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- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Samsung Internet
- Open Samsung Internet and tap Menu (the three-line button).
- Choose Settings > Privacy dashboard.
- Turn on Block pop-ups.
- Return to the browser menu and tap Ad blockers.
- Install or enable a blocker listed there, then revisit the affected site.
Samsung Internet’s blocker list and availability can differ by device and region. A blocker may prevent legitimate sign-in windows, payment dialogs or video controls, so temporarily disable it for a site only when you trust that site and need the blocked function.
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu, then Settings.
- Tap Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
- Turn the control off to prevent sites from opening pop-up windows and redirects.
- Return to Settings > Privacy and security > Ad privacy and review the available ad-personalisation controls.
- If one site continues sending alerts, open its page, tap the padlock or site-information icon, choose Permissions or Notifications, and revoke the site permission.
Chrome’s Ad privacy controls affect how advertising is personalised; they are not a promise that every advert will disappear. Pop-up blocking prevents a browser behaviour, while a site notification permission can continue to deliver messages until you revoke it.
Turn off Samsung Account ad personalisation
Samsung provides a customisation service that uses account information and activity to personalise promotions. Samsung UK says switching it off “won’t fully disable ads but will stop them from being personalised with your data.” This setting therefore reduces profiling and personalisation; it is not a universal ad-removal switch.
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- Open Settings.
- Tap your Samsung Account name at the top.
- Open Privacy.
- Choose Customisation service (capitalisation and placement can vary).
- Turn the service off and confirm the change.
You may still see general notices or promotions from Samsung services after this change. Treat those separately from adverts generated by a third-party app.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Check Samsung Global Goals for lock-screen adverts
Samsung Global Goals can display sponsored or informational content on the lock screen when its lock-screen feature is enabled. If Safe mode does not explain a lock-screen advert, check this app before resetting the phone.
- Open the Samsung Global Goals app from the app drawer.
- Open its Settings or gear menu.
- Find the lock-screen content or lock-screen ads option and switch it off.
- Lock and unlock the phone to confirm that the content has stopped.
Menu names can differ by Galaxy model, One UI release and country. If you do not use Global Goals, uninstall it where your model permits, or disable its notifications and lock-screen feature.
Use Auto Blocker as a security layer
Auto Blocker is a security feature documented for devices running One UI 6.0 and later. It can restrict certain installation and connection behaviours, helping reduce risks from untrusted sources. It is not a conventional advert filter and cannot replace identifying the app or browser setting that displays an advert.
- Open Settings > Security and privacy > Auto Blocker.
- Review the protections shown on your phone.
- Enable the feature and any available options you understand and want to use.
- Try the action that previously installed or launched unwanted software again.
Samsung warns that Auto Blocker options vary according to model code, region, country, carrier and software version. The menu may be absent on an older One UI release or show fewer controls. Do not assume that an unavailable option indicates a fault.
Choose the remedy that fits the symptom
| Remedy | Best for | Changes made | Trade-off or limit | Compatibility note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe mode test | Lock-screen, home-screen or overlay adverts | Temporarily disables third-party apps | Not a permanent solution; downloaded apps are unavailable while active | Available on Galaxy phones, with entry steps varying by model |
| Uninstall suspect app | Adverts confirmed to stop in Safe mode | Removes the source app | May remove data or a feature you wanted; back up needed data first | Some preinstalled apps cannot be uninstalled |
| Notification toggle | Advert messages in the notification shade | Stops one app or category from notifying | The app can still show adverts inside itself | Labels and categories vary by One UI version |
| Samsung Internet controls | Pop-ups and redirects in Samsung Internet | Blocks pop-ups and enables an ad-blocker extension | May interfere with legitimate pop-up windows | Blocker choices vary by device and region |
| Chrome site controls | Pop-ups, redirects and site notifications in Chrome | Changes site permissions and Ad privacy settings | Does not block every advert on every page | Chrome menu wording can change with app updates |
| Customisation service | Personalised Samsung promotions | Stops use of personal data for ad personalisation | Does not promise zero Samsung adverts | Requires a Samsung Account menu available on that device |
| Global Goals setting | Lock-screen content from Global Goals | Disables its lock-screen adverts | Only addresses Global Goals content | App and options vary by country and model |
| Auto Blocker | Security against certain untrusted installs or connections | Applies system security restrictions | Not an advert blocker | One UI 6.0 or later, with model, carrier, country and software caveats |
When adverts continue after the first fix
The advert returns after uninstalling one app
Another app may have the same behaviour, or the first app may have left a browser site permission behind. Repeat the Safe mode comparison, inspect apps sorted by recent update, and review both Settings > Notifications > Recently sent and each browser’s site permissions.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
The phone shows an advert immediately after unlocking
Check Global Goals and recently installed apps first. A normal lock-screen wallpaper does not create interactive adverts by itself. If the advert appears over the home screen or another app, inspect the suspect app’s “appear on top” or overlay permission and remove that app if you do not trust it.
Only one website produces pop-ups
Clear that site’s permission rather than changing every browser setting. In Chrome, use the site-information icon and revoke notifications; in Samsung Internet, review the privacy dashboard and keep pop-up blocking enabled. Avoid tapping “Allow” on a page that claims you must accept notifications to continue.
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The notification sender is hidden or misleading
Long-press the notification and open its settings. Android identifies the package that posted it even when the message uses a different brand name. If the app is unfamiliar, record its name, disable notifications, then uninstall it from Settings > Apps after checking that it is not required for a device-management or accessibility function.
Ads remain in Safe mode
That result makes a third-party app less likely. Recheck Samsung Global Goals, Samsung Account customisation and browser permissions. Also install pending Galaxy and browser updates from their official update screens. If the display itself shows fixed promotional artwork before Android loads, photograph the screen and contact Samsung or your carrier; do not factory-reset until you have backed up your data and exhausted the reversible settings.
What not to do
- Do not factory-reset first. A reset erases data but does not explain which setting or app caused the adverts, and restoring the same app can bring the problem back.
- Do not grant notification, accessibility or “appear on top” access to an unknown blocker merely because it promises one-tap removal.
- Do not assume turning off personalised advertising removes all advertising. It changes personalisation, not every promotional message.
- Do not confuse a browser advert with a notification. Use the control belonging to the channel where it appears.
Privacy and security checks after the adverts stop
Review permissions for any app you keep, especially notifications, accessibility, device administration, VPN, usage access and display-over-other-apps access. Remove permissions that the app does not need. In Settings > Security and privacy, check for system updates and security status, and keep Play Protect enabled. If the app handled passwords, payment details or account sign-in, change those credentials from a trusted device and monitor account activity.
There is no authoritative published statistic establishing how often each cause occurs, so the location-based process is more reliable than guessing from a percentage. The practical rule is simple: identify the channel, test third-party apps with Safe mode, then change only the setting that controls that channel.
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