Are you tired of being bombarded with unwanted ads on your brand-new Samsung Galaxy S25? You’re not alone! Many users are experiencing the same frustration after upgrading to Samsung’s latest flagship device. In this article we’ll show you exactly how to disable unwanted ads on your Samsung Galaxy S25.
Understanding the ads problem on Samsung Galaxy S25
Before we go into solutions, it’s crucial to understand where these advertisements are coming from. Unlike common beliefs, Samsung smartphones do not include advertisements incorporated into the operating system. Unwanted advertising often comes from three main sources:
- Samsung Account and Services: When you set up your Samsung account, you may have unknowingly opted into receiving promotional content and special offers. These appear as notifications and can be quite intrusive.
- Third-Party Apps: Many free apps you download from the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store display ads to generate revenue. Some malicious apps can even display pop-up ads that appear over other applications.
- Browser Advertisements: Web browsing without proper ad blocking can result in pop-ups, banners, and redirects that significantly impact your browsing experience.
Some methods to disable unwanted ads on your Galaxy S25
To disable unwanted ads on your Samsung Galaxy S25 You can follow one of the methods below.
Method 1: Disable Samsung account advertisements
The first and most crucial step is to turn off promotional content from your Samsung account. This addresses one of the primary sources of unwanted notifications.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Open Settings on your Galaxy S25.
- Tap on your Samsung Account (your profile name at the top).
- Select Security and Privacy.
- Scroll down to find privacy settings.
- Disable “Get news and special offers” – tap the toggle to turn it off and confirm by selecting “Stop.”
- Turn off “Improve personalized advertising” – this prevents Samsung from using your data for targeted ads.
This method alone can significantly reduce the number of promotional notifications you receive.
Method 2: System-Wide ad blocking with private DNS
For the most comprehensive ad-blocking solution, setting up a private DNS server is incredibly effective. This method works across your entire device, blocking ads in apps, games, and web browsers simultaneously.
Setting Up AdGuard DNS:
- Open Settings on your Galaxy S25.
- Tap on Connections.
- Scroll down and select More Connection Settings.
- Tap on Private DNS.
- Select “Private DNS provider hostname.”
- Enter: dns.adguard.com
- Tap Save.
Alternative DNS options for enhanced blocking:
- dns.quad9.net (69% ad-blocking effectiveness)
adblock.doh.mullvad.net (specialized ad blocking)
p2.freedns.controld.com (100% effectiveness according to tests)
This DNS-based approach provides system-wide protection without requiring additional apps and works by redirecting ad requests to blocked servers.
Method 3: Configure browser ad blocking
For Samsung Internet Browser:
Samsung’s built-in browser offers excellent ad-blocking capabilities through third-party extensions.
- Open Samsung Internet.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom.
- Select “Ad blockers.”
- Install AdBlock for Samsung Internet from the list.
- Toggle the switch to enable the ad blocker.
- Return to browsing—ads should now be blocked.
Popular ad blockers for Samsung Internet include AdBlock Plus and AdGuard, both available through the Galaxy Store.
For Google Chrome:
- Open Chrome.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings
- Tap Site Settings.
- Select “Pop-ups and redirects” and ensure they’re blocked.
- Go back and select “Ads” – make sure ads are blocked.
- Consider clearing browsing data under Privacy settings.
Method 4: Manage app notification ads
Many apps send promotional notifications that can be quite annoying. Here’s how to control them:
Enable Advanced Notification Controls:
- Open Settings
- Tap Notifications
- Select Advanced Settings.
- Enable “Manage notification categories for each app.”
- Block Specific App Notifications:
- Go to Settings > Notifications > App Notifications.
- Find the problematic app (like Galaxy Store, Amazon, etc.).
- Tap the app name.
- Turn off “Allow notifications” or customize specific categories.
- For Galaxy Store specifically: Disable categories like “Events” and “Promotions.”
This granular control allows you to keep important notifications while blocking promotional content.
Method 5: Stop pop-up ads and malware
If you’re experiencing persistent pop-up ads that appear over other apps, you may have installed a problematic application:
Identify the Culprit:
- Check recently installed apps in the Google Play Store.
- Go to Settings > Apps
- Look for “Special Access” or “Appear on top” permissions.
- Remove this permission from suspicious apps.
- Use Safe Mode for Troubleshooting:
- Press and hold the power button.
- Long-press “Power off” until Safe Mode appears.
- Tap Safe Mode to restart.
Check if ads still appear—if not, a downloaded app is the cause.
Restart normally and uninstall recent suspicious apps.
Method 6: Disable google personalized ads
To reduce targeted advertising across Google services:
- Open Settings
- Tap Security and Privacy.
- Select Privacy
- Tap Google Privacy Settings.
- Select Activity Controls
- Scroll to “Ad Personalization.”
- Tap “Go to Ad Settings.”
- Toggle off personalized ads.
Method 7: Block home screen ads
If you’re seeing ads on your home screen:
- Long-press on the home screen.
- Tap Settings (gear icon).
- Disable “Add media page to home screen.”
- Turn off “Google Discover” if present.
Additional tips for an ad-free experience
- Regular Maintenance: Periodically review your app permissions and notification settings. New apps may request ad-related permissions that you’ll want to deny.
- Be Selective with App Downloads: Only download apps from trusted sources, and always read permissions carefully before installing.
- Consider Alternative Browsers: If you’re still experiencing issues, browsers like Firefox with uBlock Origin or Brave Browser offer superior ad-blocking capabilities.
- Monitor Battery Usage: Some ad-blocking DNS services may slightly impact battery life, though most users report minimal differences.
Troubleshooting common issues
- DNS Not Working: If the private DNS method isn’t effective, try different DNS servers or check if your network allows custom DNS settings.
- Apps Not Functioning: Some apps may require ads to function properly. You can temporarily disable ad blocking for specific apps if needed.
- Persistent Pop-ups: If ads continue appearing, perform a factory reset as a last resort, as the behavior may indicate malware infection.
With these comprehensive methods, you can dramatically reduce or eliminate unwanted ads on your Samsung Galaxy S25. The combination of disabling Samsung account promotions, setting up private DNS blocks, and configuring browser ad blockers provides multiple layers of protection.
Remember that some legitimate apps rely on advertising for revenue, so consider supporting your favorite apps by allowing non-intrusive ads when appropriate.
The key is to be proactive about your privacy settings and regularly review your notification permissions.
By taking control of these settings, you’ll enjoy a much cleaner, faster, and more pleasant experience with your Galaxy S25—exactly what you’d expect from a premium smartphone.