Advertisements on our phones have become a common annoyance for many South Africans. They pop up when we least expect them, interrupting our activities and consuming our data. It is important to know how to stop these ads and regain control over our mobile devices. In this article, we will discuss the steps to stop ads on your phone in South Africa, the benefits of doing so, and answer some frequently asked questions.
How to stop ads on my phone in South Africa
- Adjust your Google ad settings: Open the Google app on your phone, tap on your profile picture, go to “Settings,” select “Privacy,” and then “Ads.” Here, you can turn off ad personalization and reset your advertising ID.
- Install an ad-blocking app: There are several ad-blocking apps available on the Google Play Store. Download and install one of these apps to block ads from appearing on your phone.
- Disable notifications from ad-heavy apps: Some apps bombard you with ads through notifications. To stop this, go to your phone’s settings, select “Apps,” choose the app you want to modify, and disable notifications for that app.
- Use a browser with built-in ad-blocking: Install a browser like Brave or Firefox Focus, which have built-in ad-blocking features. These browsers can block ads while you browse the internet on your phone.
- Opt-out of targeted advertising: Visit the Digital Advertising Alliance’s website (https://www.aboutads.info/choices/) and opt-out of targeted advertising. This will prevent advertisers from using your data to show personalized ads.
Benefits and profits of stopping ads on your phone
By stopping ads on your phone, you can enjoy several benefits and profits:
- Improved user experience: Without constant interruptions from ads, you can have a smoother and more enjoyable experience while using your phone.
- Reduced data consumption: Ads consume data, and by blocking them, you can save on your monthly data usage and potentially reduce your expenses.
- Enhanced privacy: Blocking ads can help protect your privacy by preventing advertisers from tracking your online activities and collecting your personal information.
- Increased device performance: Ads can slow down your phone’s performance. By stopping them, you can potentially improve the speed and responsiveness of your device.
- Less intrusive content: Without ads, you can focus on the content that matters to you without distractions.
FAQs
How can I stop ads on my iPhone?
To stop ads on your iPhone, you can enable the “Limit Ad Tracking” option in the Privacy settings. Additionally, you can install ad-blocking apps from the App Store to block ads within apps and browsers.
Are ad-blocking apps safe to use?
Yes, most ad-blocking apps are safe to use. However, it is recommended to download apps from trusted sources like the Google Play Store or App Store to ensure their authenticity and security.
Will blocking ads affect the functionality of certain apps?
In some cases, blocking ads may affect the functionality of certain apps that rely on ad revenue. However, most apps should still work properly even with ads blocked.
Can I selectively block ads from specific websites?
Yes, some ad-blocking apps and browsers allow you to add specific websites to a blocklist, preventing ads from appearing while you visit those sites.
Do I need to pay for ad-blocking apps?
While some ad-blocking apps offer premium features at a cost, there are many free options available that effectively block ads on your phone.