How to Turn Off Ad Tracking on Android

Every Android phone carries an advertising ID — a unique code apps use to build a profile of you. Unlike most settings, this one can be deleted entirely, and doing so takes less than a minute.

Quick answer

Go to Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Ads (on Samsung: Settings → Security and privacy → More privacy settings → Ads) and tap Delete advertising ID. Apps can no longer use it to profile you across services.

Delete your advertising ID

1. Open Settings and search for Ads — the search box is faster than digging through menus, since manufacturers move this screen around.
2. Tap Delete advertising ID, then confirm.
3. If you only see "Reset advertising ID", your Android version is older — reset it, then turn on Opt out of Ads Personalisation.

Turn off personalised ads in your Google account

The advertising ID covers apps; your Google account covers search, YouTube and Gmail.

1. Go to Settings → Google → Manage your Google Account → Data & privacy.
2. Under Personalised ads, open My Ad Centre and switch personalised ads off.

Reset permissions for unused apps

Android can auto-revoke permissions from apps you haven't opened in months. Check it's on: Settings → Apps → [any app] → Pause app activity if unused. For a full audit, open Settings → Security & privacy → Permission manager and review Location, Camera and Microphone one by one.

Troubleshooting

Ads didn't disappear? They won't — you'll see the same number of ads, just less accurately targeted. Can't find the Ads menu? Use the search bar inside Settings; on some phones it lives under "Google services".