Google starts showing ads on Pixel phones; here's how to turn them off
Android Authority reports Google is pushing ads to Pixel phones through the My Pixel app, but users can disable the ad category while keeping other notifications.
The My Pixel app, formerly known as Pixel Tips, originally offered quick access to tutorials, notifications about new Android features, and support. A rebrand last year added a Store tab for buying Google hardware. Android Authority's editor said he took a screenshot after factory-resetting his phone to exit a beta, before ever opening the app or agreeing to receive notifications, yet still received a promotional notification for the new Pixel model.
The report emphasizes that Android's notification categories, introduced nine years ago, allow granular control over what an app can send. To filter out ads, users can long-press the My Pixel app icon, tap App info, then Notifications, then My Pixel, and turn off the toggle labeled New products and offers. Other categories, such as features and tips, account and order updates, surveys and research, and basket reminders, remain available for individual adjustment.
The article notes that completely disabling the My Pixel app would also remove the helpful parts, so the notification-category approach is preferable. The editor said he left on only new feature and order update notifications, because he likes to know what changed after updates and wants to track his Pixel 11 Pro order.
Android Authority acknowledges that one ad on a Pixel is not a major problem, but expresses concern about the long-term trend. With Google now releasing more hardware than ever, promotional notifications could become frequent. The report also raises a question about how long it might be before Gemini starts inserting ads during conversations, though it notes that for now the simple opt-out remains available.