If adverts suddenly appear on your Samsung Galaxy home screen, lock screen or over other apps, a recently downloaded third-party app is a likely cause. The quickest recovery route is to start the phone in Safe Mode, check whether the adverts stop, restore One UI Home if another launcher has taken over, and then remove the suspicious app.
The exact menu names can vary between Galaxy models and software versions, but the sequence below is suitable for most Samsung phones.
First, understand what may be happening
Adverts that appear throughout the phone are different from ordinary adverts inside a website or a free app. Samsung says spontaneous adverts on the home screen, lock screen or while using apps are commonly linked to downloaded third-party apps rather than the Galaxy phone itself.
A suspicious app may also replace the usual home screen with another launcher. This can make the phone look unfamiliar and may make it harder to reach Settings. You should not assume that One UI Home is the unwanted app: it is Samsung’s pre-installed home app and should not be deleted.
If you can still reach the power menu, start with Safe Mode. It temporarily disables most third-party applications, making it easier to identify whether an installed app is responsible.
How to start a Samsung Galaxy in Safe Mode
There are two commonly used methods. Try the first one if the adverts do not prevent you from opening the power menu.
Method 1: Use the power menu
1. Open the power menu. On some newer Galaxy phones, press the Side button and Volume down together. On other models, hold the Side or Power button.
2. Touch and hold Power off on the screen.
3. When Safe mode appears, tap it.
4. Wait for the phone to restart. You should see “Safe mode” near the bottom of the display.
If the adverts keep appearing over the power menu or you cannot use the screen properly, try the button method instead.
Method 2: Use the Volume down button while starting
1. Switch the phone off completely. If the screen is difficult to use, hold the relevant power and volume buttons until the power options appear, then choose Power off.
2. Turn the phone on again.
3. When the Samsung logo appears, press and hold Volume down.
4. Keep holding it until the phone finishes starting.
5. Look for Safe mode at the bottom of the screen.
The button combination and timing can differ slightly by model. If the first attempt starts the phone normally, switch it off and try again, holding Volume down as soon as the Samsung logo appears.
Use Safe Mode as a test
Safe Mode loads the phone with most third-party apps disabled. This is a diagnostic step, not a permanent operating mode.
Use the phone for a short while and check whether the unwanted adverts still appear. Try opening the home screen and Settings if you can. The result tells you what to do next:
- The adverts disappear in Safe Mode: a downloaded app is likely causing the problem. Continue with the removal steps below.
- The adverts continue in Safe Mode: the issue is less likely to be caused by an ordinary third-party app. Do not keep uninstalling random apps; continue only with steps you recognise and seek further help if the problem remains.
Safe Mode may also make the phone appear slightly different. Some customisations, including wallpapers or themes, can return to their defaults temporarily. That does not necessarily mean your personal data has been deleted.
Restore One UI Home if the launcher changed
If a third-party launcher has replaced the normal Samsung home screen, restore the standard home app before removing the suspicious app. This can make the phone easier to navigate.
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Choose Default apps. On some versions this may be shown as Choose default apps.
4. Tap Home app.
5. Select One UI Home.
You may then return to the home screen and check whether the familiar Samsung layout has returned.
This step does not remove the app causing the adverts. It only selects which installed home app controls the home screen. Do not uninstall One UI Home. Samsung identifies it as a pre-installed system app that cannot be removed in the usual way.
Remove the suspicious app through Settings
While the phone is still in Safe Mode, think back to when the adverts started. The most likely cause is an app that was installed or updated shortly beforehand, particularly one you do not recognise or no longer need.
To remove it:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Scroll through the list and look for the recently installed, recently updated or unfamiliar app.
4. Tap the app to open its information page.
5. Tap Uninstall, then confirm.
6. If you identified more than one clearly suspicious app, remove the unwanted apps one at a time rather than deleting system apps at random.
An app does not always need to have an obvious icon on the home screen. Samsung notes that suspicious apps can still be found under Settings > Apps, so check the full app list rather than relying only on what you can see on the launcher.
Be careful not to remove essential Samsung or Android system apps simply because their names are unfamiliar. If you are unsure about an app, leave it in place and get advice rather than deleting a component needed for the phone to work.
Restart normally and check the phone
After uninstalling the unwanted app, exit Safe Mode by restarting the phone normally:
1. Open the power menu.
2. Tap Restart.
3. Wait for the Galaxy phone to start without the “Safe mode” label.
4. Check the home screen, Settings and a few ordinary apps.
5. Confirm that the adverts have stopped and that One UI Home is working normally.
If the adverts return after a restart, another recently installed app may be responsible. Repeat the Safe Mode check and review the app list again. Avoid installing a so-called cleaner or security app as your first response, because adding another untrusted app can make the situation harder to diagnose.
What if Settings is still blocked or the adverts continue?
If the phone remains difficult to use in Safe Mode, or adverts, freezing and blocked access continue after you have removed the suspicious app, stop before attempting a factory reset. Safe Mode makes third-party apps unlikely to be the cause, so the problem may need more detailed diagnosis.
You can use the Fonebook repairs page to find the relevant next step and request help if the phone still cannot be used normally. This is particularly sensible if you cannot reach Settings, the unwanted behaviour returns immediately, or you are not confident distinguishing a suspicious app from an important system component.
Reduce the chance of the adverts returning
Once the phone is working normally, install apps only from approved sources such as Google Play or the Galaxy Store. Be cautious with apps offering unusual wallpapers, free content, phone optimisation or unfamiliar launchers, especially if the advert or download appeared outside an app store.
Samsung also recommends using Auto Blocker, where it is available on your Galaxy model, to help prevent installations from unauthorised sources. Keeping this protection enabled can reduce the chance of accidentally installing another app that changes the home screen or displays adverts across the phone.
Frequently asked questions
Can adverts appear even if I did not install an app recently?
Yes. An app may have updated recently, or an older app may have been granted permission to behave differently. Check recently updated as well as recently installed apps under Settings > Apps.
Will Safe Mode delete my photos, messages or contacts?
Safe Mode is a temporary diagnostic mode and does not normally delete personal data. Some themes or other customisations may temporarily return to default settings.
Why can I not find the Home app option?
The wording and location can vary by Galaxy model and software version. In Settings, use the search function for “Home app” or “Default apps”, then select One UI Home if it is listed.
Is One UI Home the app displaying the adverts?
Usually, no. One UI Home is Samsung’s pre-installed home app. If another launcher has taken over, select One UI Home as the default rather than trying to uninstall it.
Should I factory-reset my Samsung Galaxy straight away?
No. Try Safe Mode, restore One UI Home and remove the suspicious app first. A factory reset erases personal content and should not be the first response to app-driven adverts.