Annoying pop-ups!

[ajDilligaf]

Hi all.. been awhile since I've been here, but I've a problem that's driving me batty! I'm getting pop-ups, while my phone is just sitting, minding it's own business, on my coffee table! Adds for games, shopping, etc etc, and even when I'm writing in Samsung Notes! I guess I'd like to know why this is happening!, but most importantly.. how can I stop it? Please, any help for this?

Anyhoo.. hope all are well. Have a good one!

[Biggmama]

Hi I know the feeling it was happening to my bf for a while I went through his phone and I turned off something on the apps

[RedDogRabbit]

Most likely because of some "free" apps that you downloaded from the Play Store, or "free" apks from sites known for Piracy. 

This can also be the result of visiting some sketchy sites, seeing a fake warning, ie: "your device has a virus, click ok to clean your device". These are scams, and by clicking ok, you are likely installing malware. 

I'm not suggesting that all of the above are the reasons for the popups on your device, but they are some of the reasons why this can happen. 

To start "fixing" Uninstall any "free apps" installed when the issue started. 

Check the permissions for recently installed apps, especially "Appear on Top" permissions. 

That should get you headed in the right direction for now. 

[ajDilligaf]

Ah, if I had half a brain that should have occurred to me!, that all sounds so totally the reason for sure. I like to think I've spotted suspicious sites and apps, even laughing before deleting texts that don't belong to me. But now that you mention it, there is one of my exercise apps that wanted a permission I'd never seen before. Well, I'm off to delete it, and to clean the whole phone.
(Wish I could remember how to do that! 🙄) duh!
Thank you so much RedDogRabbit, you're always here when I need help!
And Biggmama.. thanks for the reply.
You both have a super day!

[RedDogRabbit]

You could always Backup your device with Smart Switch & Factory Reset. 

BUT I'd be careful what you restore from the backup, you may also restore the stuff you don't want. 

Instructions on how to Factory Reset:

1) Turn off the device.

2) Press and hold the Volume Up key and the spower button.

3) When the Android logo displays, release all keys.

4) Press the Volume down key to navigate and select "Wipe Data Factory Reset".

5) Press Power key to select. When the Factory Reset is complete, the Recovery Menu will default to Select Reboot System Now. Select with the Power button. 

Your device will Reboot. 

6) Press the Power key to restart the device.

[ajDilligaf]

You're not going to believe this, but I actually thought of cache two seconds before I read your post 😏, but I'm so glad you've written the instructions for me (again I think!)! Thanks again RedDog, don't know what I'd do without you 😘
Have yourself a wonderful day.. I'm off to clean up my mess of a 📱!

[ajDilligaf]

Um RedDog.. I always take a screen shot to keep those directions handy, so had not fully understood them till now. Not being terribly literate with these things.. will factory reset remove anything that I don't wish removed? I mean, I always thought it meant everything would go back to, like, the beginning of time before I messed it up!, but with a few things I'd rather not lose!

[RedDogRabbit]

A Factory Reset will remove EVERYTHING that you have installed, modified, added, downloaded to the device. 

If will be exactly how it was when you first received it. Nothing of yours will exist on the device, other than Google's 2-Step verification, ie PIN / Pattern or Password, which will be required, unless you remove the 2-Step verification before you Factory Reset. 

A Smart Switch Backup, will however, allow you to restore everything that was removed / wiped from the device, except accounts, passwords and downloads.

FYI, I backup my device weekly with Smart Switch & Factory Reset after EVERY Android Version Update. I have never lost anything that I wanted to keep. 

[ajDilligaf]

Yep okay, that's what I thought. So I'll do both a cache clear and a backup.
Thanks so much 😊

[ajDilligaf]

Me again! I'm trying to do the cache thing and forgot the problem I'm having is the same problem I've had before.. so, I go into Apps, storage, remove cache. I then exit and go back to check it's gone. Nope, still there. So next I clear it again, force shut the phone down and restart it. Open apps, check the program for the cache.. it's back.
I'm at a loss, frustrated, and give up!
I guess I just thought I'd vent, sorry.