Pop-ups are usually blocked by your browser's built-in settings, but you may need to turn them on
Most phones come with pop-up blocking already active in their default browser — Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android. The problem is that some websites are designed to slip past these defenses, and some users accidentally turn blocking off. Before you add anything new to your phone, check whether your browser's own tools are switched on. This takes two minutes and solves the problem for most people.
If pop-ups keep appearing even after you verify blocking is on, the issue is usually one of three things: a website you visit regularly has found a workaround, an app on your phone is generating them, or you have visited a site that installed something in your browser. Each one has a different fix, and knowing which one you have saves you from installing software you do not need.
Key Takeaways
- Check your browser's pop-up blocker first — it is usually on by default in Chrome and Safari, but you should confirm it is not switched off.
- If blocking is on and pop-ups still appear, clear your browser's cache and cookies, which removes tracking data that some sites use to bypass filters.
- Unwanted ads that appear even when you are not using your browser usually come from an app, not a website, and require checking your phone's app list.
- Do not install ad-blocking apps unless your browser's built-in tools have failed — most ad blockers require access to everything your phone does.
- If a single website keeps showing pop-ups, you can block it in your browser settings rather than blocking all pop-ups everywhere.
Turn on pop-up blocking in Chrome (Android)
Open Chrome and tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings, then Site settings. Scroll down and tap Pop-ups and redirects. The toggle should be blue and switched to the right, which means blocking is on. If it is gray and switched to the left, tap it once to turn blocking on.
After you turn blocking on, go back and visit a website where you have been seeing pop-ups. Chrome will now block most of them automatically. If a pop-up still appears, it means that particular website has found a way around the blocker — this is rare, but it happens with some ad-heavy sites. In that case, you can block just that website instead of blocking all pop-ups.
To block a single website: go back to Pop-ups and redirects in Settings, scroll down to Blocked, and tap Add. Type the website address and tap Add again. Chrome will now refuse to open any pop-ups from that site.
Turn on pop-up blocking in Safari (iPhone)
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Safari. Look for the toggle next to Block Pop-ups — it should be green and switched to the right. If it is gray, tap it once to turn blocking on.
Safari's pop-up blocker is simpler than Chrome's and does not have a settings menu inside the Safari app itself. If pop-ups are still appearing after you turn this on, the issue is usually that you are visiting a website with particularly aggressive ads, or something else on your phone is generating them. Move to the next section to figure out which one.
Clear your browser's cache and cookies
Websites sometimes store data on your phone that helps them show you ads or bypass your blocker. Clearing this data removes that stored information and often stops pop-ups that keep reappearing. This is different from turning on blocking — it is a one-time cleanup that works alongside your blocker.
On Chrome: Tap the three dots, then Settings. Tap Privacy, then Clear browsing data. Make sure Cookies and site data is checked. Tap Clear browsing data at the bottom. This removes the stored information that websites use to track you.
On Safari: Open Settings, scroll down to Safari, and tap Clear History and Website Data. This clears everything Safari has stored about the websites you visit. After you do this, pop-ups from sites you visit regularly may stop appearing.
Check if an app is causing the ads instead of a website
If pop-ups appear when you are not even using your browser — while you are texting, checking email, or using other apps — then a different app on your phone is generating them, not a website. Browser settings will not stop this because the ads are not coming through your browser.
The most common culprit is a recently installed app that you do not use often. Go to your phone's app list and look for anything you installed in the last week or two that you do not recognize or do not use. Uninstall it by pressing and holding the app icon, then tapping Uninstall or Remove App. If the pop-ups stop, that was the problem.
If you cannot figure out which app is doing it, you can check your phone's battery and data usage to see which apps are running in the background. On Android, go to Settings > Battery and look for apps using unusual amounts of power. On iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, then scroll down to see which apps have used the most battery recently. Apps that are generating pop-ups often use more battery than normal because they are constantly running.
When to consider a browser extension or third-party tool
If your browser's built-in blocker is on, you have cleared your cache and cookies, and you have removed suspicious apps, but pop-ups are still appearing, then a third-party tool may help. However, most ad-blocking apps and extensions require permission to see everything you do on your phone — your passwords, your browsing history, your messages — so only install one if the built-in tools have genuinely failed.
If you decide to try an extension, use one from a major company with a clear privacy policy. Firefox and Chrome both have extension stores where you can read reviews and see what permissions each tool is asking for. Look for extensions with thousands of reviews and a rating above 4 stars. Avoid anything that promises to block ads but asks for permission to access your contacts, your location, or your messages — that is a sign the tool is collecting data rather than just blocking ads.
On iPhone, Safari does not support traditional extensions the way Chrome does, but you can use Focus modes to limit notifications and alerts from certain apps. Go to Settings > Focus and create a new Focus for browsing. This will not block pop-ups, but it will reduce other interruptions while you browse.
What to do if a website keeps showing pop-ups no matter what
Some websites are designed to show ads aggressively, and their pop-ups may slip past your blocker. If you visit the same site regularly and it keeps showing pop-ups, you have two options: block that site in your browser, or stop visiting it.
To block a site in Chrome, go to Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects > Blocked and add the website address. Chrome will refuse to open any pop-ups from that site. In Safari, you cannot block individual sites the same way, but you can use a different browser for that particular website — for example, use Firefox instead of Safari when you visit that site, and Firefox may have different blocking rules.
If a website is so aggressive with ads that blocking does not help, the simplest solution is to find a different website that offers the same information. Most topics have multiple sources, and many of them are less ad-heavy than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do pop-ups still appear if my blocker is on?
Some websites use techniques that slip past standard blockers, like opening ads in new windows that look like they came from your phone rather than the website. Clearing your cache and cookies removes tracking data that helps sites bypass your blocker. If pop-ups continue after that, an app on your phone may be generating them instead of a website.
Is it safe to install an ad-blocking app?
Most ad-blocking apps require permission to monitor everything your phone does, which means they can see your passwords and browsing history. Use your browser's built-in blocker first — it works for most people and does not require giving an app access to your data. Only install a third-party tool if your browser's own settings have failed.
Can I block pop-ups from just one website?
Yes. In Chrome, go to Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects > Blocked and add the website address. In Safari, you cannot block individual sites, but you can switch to a different browser like Firefox when you visit that particular site.
What if pop-ups appear when I am not using my browser?
An app on your phone is generating the ads, not a website. Check your recently installed apps and uninstall anything you do not recognize or use. If you cannot figure out which app is doing it, check which apps are using the most battery in your phone's settings — ad-generating apps often run in the background and use more power than normal.
Do I need to restart my phone after turning on pop-up blocking?
No. Pop-up blocking takes effect immediately after you turn it on in your browser settings. You can start browsing right away and the blocker will work on new pop-ups. Existing pop-ups that are already on your screen will not disappear, but new ones will be blocked.