How to Stop Scammers From Showing You Ads on Your Android After Every Phone Call
Android users may encounter ads that appear after phone calls due to an ad‑fraud scheme known as AfterCall. The scam leverages utility‑type apps that obtain the special overlay permission, allowing them to display full‑screen ads over the call interface. Users can stop the ads by reviewing and revoking overlay permissions and uninstalling the offending apps.
- ▪AfterCall scammers request overlay permissions, enabling them to show ads on top of the Android phone interface after a call ends.
- ▪The malicious apps are often disguised as harmless utilities such as calendars, alarm clocks, or notepads on the Google Play Store.
- ▪Overlay permission is a special permission that must be granted manually in system settings, not via a standard install prompt.
- ▪Removing or disabling apps with unnecessary "display on top" permissions can prevent the unwanted ads.
- ▪The practice wastes advertisers' money and can damage brand reputation, though the primary impact is user annoyance.
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| Original publisher | Lifehacker |
| Canonical URL | https://lifehacker.com/tech/aftercall-ads-scam-android?utm_medium=RSS |
| Publication time | Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:30:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-07-29T18:06:31.633Z |
| Last seen | 2026-07-29T18:06:31.633Z |
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| Cluster | TVCbq-6GMw6h · 1 stories |
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Basis: Derived from the published RSS/Atom feed. Contact: [email protected]. Reviewed: 2026-07-24.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
If you're an Android user who is seeing ads pop up after your phone calls, you need not assume this is some new feature you have to learn to live with. It's actually an ad fraud scam, and you can do something about it. Researchers have identified dozens of apps on the Google Play Store that are able to display ads on top of the Android phone interface, a scheme known as AfterCall. How ads are taking over Android callsThis scam originates with seemingly harmless utility apps downloaded from the Google Play Store, such as calendars, alarm clocks, and notepads. When installed, they request overlay permissions, which allow them to appear on top of other apps—and thus display ads over phone calls.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Lifehacker.
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