Milo Willamson
Android Expert
Not a problem, we all lose track of our threads on here. Just chill and we will assisst you as soon as we do the same
Thanks.
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Android / Chrome popups
- Thread starter DynahoeDave
- Start date
Thanks.
puppykickr
Android Expert
Turn off notifications for Google Play store.
Also for Youtube.
Unless you are a content producer or are bent on someone else's content flow, you don't need to be notified about anything going on with Youtube.
You will find out soon enough, when you open the blasted app when YOU want to.
Get what I am saying here?
The same goes for Google Play Store.
You open that store when YOU want an app (or are just plain bored or curious), am I right?
No need for them to fill you in on every latest ad-riddled junk app that they promote.
So that is two that you mentioned, and that I am fairly sure can be taken care of with my simple advice.
As for Ad-Ons, it only tells you what apps have certain content (ad-ons), permissions, and other things.
A scan upon this device, and then tapping the Ad-Ons button, with 'no filter' selected, gives results like this...
If I select any given app, it will then sort all the ad-ons and permissions for it, and tell me what each is for.
This can help decide if an app is worth keeping.
As you can see, the 1Weather app on my device is chock full of garbage.
Too bad it came preinstalled as a factory app, so I cannot uninstall it.
But it serves as a great example here...
I just selected one of the nasties built into this crAPP, and there are many more.
Obviously, if I had downloaded this app on my own free will, then discovered these things, it would get a swift boot directly into 'circular file #13'.
Another easy function is the Permissions button.
Press it, then enter any permission you may be worried about or have heard about.
Any app on your device with that permission will be listed.
(Now is a good time to mention that apps can have permissions added during later updates, that you may not be made aware of.)
So, the Add-Ons app doesn't really 'do' anything- other than provide you with informatoon that you can use to make an informed decision.
So, now may be a good time for you to describe in detail what these other pop-ups are saying so that we can rid the offending apps of their notification permissions.
Don't forget that often times there are multiple levels of notification available, and so sometimes by lessening the importance of these notifications you can still receive the valid ones- and not the 'junkmail'.
Also for Youtube.
Unless you are a content producer or are bent on someone else's content flow, you don't need to be notified about anything going on with Youtube.
You will find out soon enough, when you open the blasted app when YOU want to.
Get what I am saying here?
The same goes for Google Play Store.
You open that store when YOU want an app (or are just plain bored or curious), am I right?
No need for them to fill you in on every latest ad-riddled junk app that they promote.
So that is two that you mentioned, and that I am fairly sure can be taken care of with my simple advice.
As for Ad-Ons, it only tells you what apps have certain content (ad-ons), permissions, and other things.
A scan upon this device, and then tapping the Ad-Ons button, with 'no filter' selected, gives results like this...
If I select any given app, it will then sort all the ad-ons and permissions for it, and tell me what each is for.
This can help decide if an app is worth keeping.
As you can see, the 1Weather app on my device is chock full of garbage.
Too bad it came preinstalled as a factory app, so I cannot uninstall it.
But it serves as a great example here...
I just selected one of the nasties built into this crAPP, and there are many more.
Obviously, if I had downloaded this app on my own free will, then discovered these things, it would get a swift boot directly into 'circular file #13'.
Another easy function is the Permissions button.
Press it, then enter any permission you may be worried about or have heard about.
Any app on your device with that permission will be listed.
(Now is a good time to mention that apps can have permissions added during later updates, that you may not be made aware of.)
So, the Add-Ons app doesn't really 'do' anything- other than provide you with informatoon that you can use to make an informed decision.
So, now may be a good time for you to describe in detail what these other pop-ups are saying so that we can rid the offending apps of their notification permissions.
Don't forget that often times there are multiple levels of notification available, and so sometimes by lessening the importance of these notifications you can still receive the valid ones- and not the 'junkmail'.
DynahoeDave
Newbie
Ok. I opened google play store - found notification settings - It shows updates will notify when available. on this device only.
It lists for my account [email address] - pre-registration and deals and promotions - these are both turned off.
Found notifications for youtube in the app manager, turned those off.
Found notifications for google play store in the app manager, turned those off.
I'll have to see what I get with those, now that they are shut off. The google play store - what was happening, is that the app would open at random times, and be on a particular app - and it would be the same one for days. If it still does this random opening, I'll note what it is now.
With youtube, I'll have to note what it opens with, if it does it again. I do have a channel, and watch stuff on there, but I always use the web interface with a browser. But the phone came with the app, and sometimes a link will open the app, or this popup - wherever it is coming from - opens the app.
Here is one of the extra screens that sometimes adds an extra step to getting into the home screen.
I'll look at the addons app more, and see what I can figure out.
Thank you for the help!
I'll update , let's see what happens...
It lists for my account [email address] - pre-registration and deals and promotions - these are both turned off.
Found notifications for youtube in the app manager, turned those off.
Found notifications for google play store in the app manager, turned those off.
I'll have to see what I get with those, now that they are shut off. The google play store - what was happening, is that the app would open at random times, and be on a particular app - and it would be the same one for days. If it still does this random opening, I'll note what it is now.
With youtube, I'll have to note what it opens with, if it does it again. I do have a channel, and watch stuff on there, but I always use the web interface with a browser. But the phone came with the app, and sometimes a link will open the app, or this popup - wherever it is coming from - opens the app.
Here is one of the extra screens that sometimes adds an extra step to getting into the home screen.
I'll look at the addons app more, and see what I can figure out.
Thank you for the help!
I'll update , let's see what happens...
DynahoeDave
Newbie
I did a little web surfing just now, then plugged into a USB to get some charging. The good night screen poped up. Same as the pic above, but a different image. The 3 dots thing only gives one option, mute for now.
puppykickr
Android Expert
It looks like some ort of a lockscreen.
You can check for this under Settings, Security, Lockscreen.
There also may be a selection for Wallpaper, as to what is displayed during the lockscreen.
Another thing to check is Settings, Apps, All Apps, then go to both Youtube and Google Play Store.
Inside each of these app's info pages you should find Notification settings.
These are separate (device driven) instead of just what is available in the app settings themselves.
Also, be sure to clear the caches (not the data) of both of these apps, as ads hide inside the caches, and can subvert settings made after they have gotten in.
You might also do this for any other app that is found to pester you in this way.
Yes, I know how tedious this can seem.
I really do. I have a short temper, and am easily frustrated.
Helping others with these sorts of things is like my therapy. It makes all my previous misery with it seem justified if I can help someone else escape as well.
So bear with it, and soon your device will become more yours than 'theirs'.
You can check for this under Settings, Security, Lockscreen.
There also may be a selection for Wallpaper, as to what is displayed during the lockscreen.
Another thing to check is Settings, Apps, All Apps, then go to both Youtube and Google Play Store.
Inside each of these app's info pages you should find Notification settings.
These are separate (device driven) instead of just what is available in the app settings themselves.
Also, be sure to clear the caches (not the data) of both of these apps, as ads hide inside the caches, and can subvert settings made after they have gotten in.
You might also do this for any other app that is found to pester you in this way.
Yes, I know how tedious this can seem.
I really do. I have a short temper, and am easily frustrated.
Helping others with these sorts of things is like my therapy. It makes all my previous misery with it seem justified if I can help someone else escape as well.
So bear with it, and soon your device will become more yours than 'theirs'.
DynahoeDave
Newbie
Ok... google play opened again. -it's not like one of those little banners, that show when I get an email, or a text, etc. It is the play store. Tonight, it's VDYOS by Cordemi Technologies LLC that is the app it's "pushing" me to download.
I found settings, security.... but no lock screen. I never set up a lock screen. This is what used to always happen - before the infestation - I push the power button, a screen displays, I do a swipe, and it opens to whatever I left on the screen when it shut down. Now, I sometimes get that extra screen. And whatever is opening play store or youtube - it can happen when I'm using the browser, etc. or it can be there as if I had left it as the last thing I looked at when the phone went to sleep.
In the app manager, for youtube, I found another layer of notifications, turned off a bunch of those. I'm not finding anything about a cache, or anything to clear it.
Yes, this has gotten pretty frustrating. Thank you for helping.
I found settings, security.... but no lock screen. I never set up a lock screen. This is what used to always happen - before the infestation - I push the power button, a screen displays, I do a swipe, and it opens to whatever I left on the screen when it shut down. Now, I sometimes get that extra screen. And whatever is opening play store or youtube - it can happen when I'm using the browser, etc. or it can be there as if I had left it as the last thing I looked at when the phone went to sleep.
In the app manager, for youtube, I found another layer of notifications, turned off a bunch of those. I'm not finding anything about a cache, or anything to clear it.
Yes, this has gotten pretty frustrating. Thank you for helping.
puppykickr
Android Expert
You device may vary a bit...
Settings
Apps
All Apps
Show System
Scroll to Youtube.
We will use this as an example for all the others.
This is where you can find the Notifications.
Now, after you set those, back to the above page again, and tap Storage.
(sorry, I forgot that earlier)
This is where you will find the cache.
Settings
Apps
All Apps
Show System
Scroll to Youtube.
We will use this as an example for all the others.
This is where you can find the Notifications.
Now, after you set those, back to the above page again, and tap Storage.
(sorry, I forgot that earlier)
This is where you will find the cache.
puppykickr
Android Expert
I know you said that you didnt install a bunch of apps yourself, but it might help if you could identify them, as well.
'Cleaning' apps, 'boosters' of any sort, 'memory expanders', 'battery savers', and even anti-virus/malware type apps are notorious for ads like you describe on the lockscreen or startup of devices.
The good news is that these apps usually do nothing beneficial, and can be uninstalled.
Just be sure to go into the settings like we did above for Youtube, and delete the data before you uninstall.
This makes sure that the app takes all its files (and ad-ware) with it.
'Cleaning' apps, 'boosters' of any sort, 'memory expanders', 'battery savers', and even anti-virus/malware type apps are notorious for ads like you describe on the lockscreen or startup of devices.
The good news is that these apps usually do nothing beneficial, and can be uninstalled.
Just be sure to go into the settings like we did above for Youtube, and delete the data before you uninstall.
This makes sure that the app takes all its files (and ad-ware) with it.
puppykickr
Android Expert
Also, since Youtube is near the bottom of the apps list, scroll all the way to the bottom end and see if there is any unnamed app without an icon.
This would look like any other entry, and take up space, ut without an icon it will not show up in your app drawer.
Anything you find like this is not good, and the data should be deleted and the 'app' uninstalled.
These are malicious ad-ware that you can pick up occasionally. They are rare, but difficult to find and very annoying.
I made a short video (long ago) about how I spotted one and what I did about it.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IObrh-gc1MEg9LAHj2Cl4pGrlF0xTJu7/view?usp=drivesdk
This would look like any other entry, and take up space, ut without an icon it will not show up in your app drawer.
Anything you find like this is not good, and the data should be deleted and the 'app' uninstalled.
These are malicious ad-ware that you can pick up occasionally. They are rare, but difficult to find and very annoying.
I made a short video (long ago) about how I spotted one and what I did about it.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IObrh-gc1MEg9LAHj2Cl4pGrlF0xTJu7/view?usp=drivesdk
DynahoeDave
Newbie
I think turning on show system made a difference? This time, I saw clear cache, so I did it.
puppykickr
Android Expert
Could be.
So many devices, with different menu items.
I only have whatever device I am using at the moment, and none are newer than Oreo (8.1.0), so my instructions can rarely be exact.
But at least you found both the 'show system' and the cache.
You are already ahead of many other users just with that, lol.
DynahoeDave
Newbie
I am still getting both youtube and google play openings. The google play has been a few different apps - but all are by Cordemi Technologies LLC, whoever that is.
puppykickr
Android Expert
Ok.
There are two sure fire ways to prevent this.
But first, there is something strange about these notifications not being able to be turned off.
If you are on a page similar to my screenshot above, and you turn the notifications off from there, that should do it.
Anyway, let's move on to what will work no matter what.
The most simple thing to do is to just disable the apps and not use them.
Your browser can get you right onto the websites that these apps take you to.
However, they are not optimized for mobile devices, and you will have to learn to live without some niceties that you have probably grown accustomed to.
It is simple enough to test out, just open your browser and enter youtube.com.
The same goes for googleplay.com , but I will say that I really, really don't like the Google Play Store website.
But that is fine, because there are other appstores available.
UpToDown is the number two appstore on Earth, and is pretty cool.
There are most of what Google Play has to offer, and some that Google does not have.
The app is nice, but the website works rather well, too.
https://en.uptodown.com/
Another great appstore that has both a real nice app and an excellent website is ApkPure.
https://m.apkpure.com/
Another one that you can check out is F-Droid. These apps are generally utilitarian, but are also FOSS and have no Google spyware, ads, tracking, or any of that junk.
The F-Droid site is odd, and the app is not as simple as the others.
But it is worth it, trust me.
https://f-droid.org/
Now for Youtube.
Aren't you sick of the ads, and the horrible recommendations?
And you have to pay to have it play in the background.
Try NewPipe, which gives you no ads, the abilities to download and have it play in the background.
NewPipe (Lightweight YouTube frontend) - https://f-droid.org/app/org.schabi.newpipe
Now, you will still want the website saved as a bookmark in your browser, so that you can sign in/out and comment.
And now here is the great escape.
But it will take a bit on your end to make it work.
NoRoot Firewall is a great way to start using a firewall to limit the internet connections of apps on your device.
If you already have experience with firewalls, probably the best one out there for Android is NetGuard.
But, it is more involved. It is larger and uses more resources than NoRoot does.
This is important on low end devices, because if yougo this route the firewall must run constantly, 24/7, 365 days a year.
I like simple things, and have low end devices.
So, here is a link for NoRoot. Even if you don't think this is what you want, it is very small, pretty simple, and there is always time to learn something new, right?
https://noroot-firewall.en.uptodown.com/android
This type of firewall uses the VPN api of your device to block internet access of apps that you choose to do so.
So that neans that it will not work if you use a VPN, because Android only allows one app to use the VPN service at a time.
Open the app, and tap Start.
Be sure to tick the box that allows the app to Start On Boot.
Tap Apps, at the bottom, and you will see an alphabetical list of all your apps, and the means to allow/disallow internet access for each app on Wi-Fi and on cellular.
If you have any doubts about what to allow or not, you can allow everything except for Google and Youtube (and any other apps you are having this issue with).
You can also look up any of the listed apps via your browser, to see if internet access is even needed for them at all. By default, apps that don't have access won't appear in the app.
When you do want to use the Youtube or Play Store apps, open NoRoot and tick the box(es) that will allow internet access, and now they will work normally.
When you are done, remember to uncheck these boxes to prevent access.
Go to your device's Settings, and then find Network & Internet, and then select VPN.
Next to NoRoot Firewall, tap the settings pinwheel and then tick the switches for Always On VPN and also for Block Connections Without VPN.
Always On will do its best to keep the app running all the time.
Block Connections will ensure that no apps can access the internet unless the app is running.
Now, go back to your first settings page, and find Battery.
Find the Battery Optimization and then select All Apps.
Find NoRoot Firewall, and tap it, then select Do Not Optimize.
This is all to try to make sure that the system does not turn the app off.
It seems like a lot, but it reallyvis worth it in the end.
And just so you know, I use all of the above.
The only issue is on the rare occasion that the app crashes, almost always due to the low end capabilities of my devices.
It is rare, and it only takes me a second to remember that the app exists and I have to open it and tap Start.
There are two sure fire ways to prevent this.
But first, there is something strange about these notifications not being able to be turned off.
If you are on a page similar to my screenshot above, and you turn the notifications off from there, that should do it.
Anyway, let's move on to what will work no matter what.
The most simple thing to do is to just disable the apps and not use them.
Your browser can get you right onto the websites that these apps take you to.
However, they are not optimized for mobile devices, and you will have to learn to live without some niceties that you have probably grown accustomed to.
It is simple enough to test out, just open your browser and enter youtube.com.
The same goes for googleplay.com , but I will say that I really, really don't like the Google Play Store website.
But that is fine, because there are other appstores available.
UpToDown is the number two appstore on Earth, and is pretty cool.
There are most of what Google Play has to offer, and some that Google does not have.
The app is nice, but the website works rather well, too.
https://en.uptodown.com/
Another great appstore that has both a real nice app and an excellent website is ApkPure.
https://m.apkpure.com/
Another one that you can check out is F-Droid. These apps are generally utilitarian, but are also FOSS and have no Google spyware, ads, tracking, or any of that junk.
The F-Droid site is odd, and the app is not as simple as the others.
But it is worth it, trust me.
https://f-droid.org/
Now for Youtube.
Aren't you sick of the ads, and the horrible recommendations?
And you have to pay to have it play in the background.
Try NewPipe, which gives you no ads, the abilities to download and have it play in the background.
NewPipe (Lightweight YouTube frontend) - https://f-droid.org/app/org.schabi.newpipe
Now, you will still want the website saved as a bookmark in your browser, so that you can sign in/out and comment.
And now here is the great escape.
But it will take a bit on your end to make it work.
NoRoot Firewall is a great way to start using a firewall to limit the internet connections of apps on your device.
If you already have experience with firewalls, probably the best one out there for Android is NetGuard.
But, it is more involved. It is larger and uses more resources than NoRoot does.
This is important on low end devices, because if yougo this route the firewall must run constantly, 24/7, 365 days a year.
I like simple things, and have low end devices.
So, here is a link for NoRoot. Even if you don't think this is what you want, it is very small, pretty simple, and there is always time to learn something new, right?
https://noroot-firewall.en.uptodown.com/android
This type of firewall uses the VPN api of your device to block internet access of apps that you choose to do so.
So that neans that it will not work if you use a VPN, because Android only allows one app to use the VPN service at a time.
Open the app, and tap Start.
Be sure to tick the box that allows the app to Start On Boot.
Tap Apps, at the bottom, and you will see an alphabetical list of all your apps, and the means to allow/disallow internet access for each app on Wi-Fi and on cellular.
If you have any doubts about what to allow or not, you can allow everything except for Google and Youtube (and any other apps you are having this issue with).
You can also look up any of the listed apps via your browser, to see if internet access is even needed for them at all. By default, apps that don't have access won't appear in the app.
When you do want to use the Youtube or Play Store apps, open NoRoot and tick the box(es) that will allow internet access, and now they will work normally.
When you are done, remember to uncheck these boxes to prevent access.
Go to your device's Settings, and then find Network & Internet, and then select VPN.
Next to NoRoot Firewall, tap the settings pinwheel and then tick the switches for Always On VPN and also for Block Connections Without VPN.
Always On will do its best to keep the app running all the time.
Block Connections will ensure that no apps can access the internet unless the app is running.
Now, go back to your first settings page, and find Battery.
Find the Battery Optimization and then select All Apps.
Find NoRoot Firewall, and tap it, then select Do Not Optimize.
This is all to try to make sure that the system does not turn the app off.
It seems like a lot, but it reallyvis worth it in the end.
And just so you know, I use all of the above.
The only issue is on the rare occasion that the app crashes, almost always due to the low end capabilities of my devices.
It is rare, and it only takes me a second to remember that the app exists and I have to open it and tap Start.
puppykickr
Android Expert
DynahoeDave
Newbie
I suspect that something else is opening google play to push the Cordemi apps, not that google play store is opening on it's own, from it's settings. If that makes any sense.
I can disable / remove the youtube app, I don't use it , it has always been there. When I watch something on YT, I use a window in chrome.
I prefer simpler [as in less resources] & use mostly older tech.
I'll look at everything more, and see what I can find..
I can disable / remove the youtube app, I don't use it , it has always been there. When I watch something on YT, I use a window in chrome.
I prefer simpler [as in less resources] & use mostly older tech.
I'll look at everything more, and see what I can find..
puppykickr
Android Expert
I am wondering if Chrome is not your issue.
Google Play Store is Google, Chrome is Google, Youtube is Google, and Google watches and listens to everthing you do on and off of Google.
So, have you tried dumping the cache of Chrome?
And really, Chrome wss active on my device only long enough to find it and eliminate it, or at least disable it.
For the love of all that is sane, back up your Chrome settings and bookmarks, and then delete all the data like you did in the other apps.
I don't want to turn this into a 'I hate Chrome and Google' rant, but only because I don't want to spend the time.
Please, just to see if this helps, back up and delete data, then disable or uninstall Chrome.
But before you do, download this browser.
You didn't think I would leave you without one, did you?
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/acr.browser.lightning/
It will work right out of the box, and as you play with it you will find why I recommend it over all the others.
I even have made a video (a bit dated, but whatever) to quickly show someone around the simple but useful settings.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Afgkhy-1ToUPXYZ2nvcATtIZFeWQayXL/view?usp=drivesdk
I bet that it is faster than Chrome.
If you put up with a little bit of learning, you won't go back to Chrome.
After Chrome has been silenced, see if the ads stop.
Also, you may want to check your Phone Storage, set it to sort by size, and check the caches of your apps.
Delete any large ones.
On mine I pitch anything 1MB or over, but I have rather limited devices.
Google Play Store is Google, Chrome is Google, Youtube is Google, and Google watches and listens to everthing you do on and off of Google.
So, have you tried dumping the cache of Chrome?
And really, Chrome wss active on my device only long enough to find it and eliminate it, or at least disable it.
For the love of all that is sane, back up your Chrome settings and bookmarks, and then delete all the data like you did in the other apps.
I don't want to turn this into a 'I hate Chrome and Google' rant, but only because I don't want to spend the time.
Please, just to see if this helps, back up and delete data, then disable or uninstall Chrome.
But before you do, download this browser.
You didn't think I would leave you without one, did you?
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/acr.browser.lightning/
It will work right out of the box, and as you play with it you will find why I recommend it over all the others.
I even have made a video (a bit dated, but whatever) to quickly show someone around the simple but useful settings.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Afgkhy-1ToUPXYZ2nvcATtIZFeWQayXL/view?usp=drivesdk
I bet that it is faster than Chrome.
If you put up with a little bit of learning, you won't go back to Chrome.
After Chrome has been silenced, see if the ads stop.
Also, you may want to check your Phone Storage, set it to sort by size, and check the caches of your apps.
Delete any large ones.
On mine I pitch anything 1MB or over, but I have rather limited devices.