How to stop Google widget ad pop up

this issue was so annoying that I ended up changing search engine to bing...

settings-safari-search engine-bing

I just read a really interesting article regarding this. Turns out that Google is basically using the new features in iOS 14 to really push (force) iPhone users to download the Chrome app. The features being: A new home screen widget available for Chrome that Google refers to as the “quick search widget”. The other feature being the ability to now choose between Safari and Chrome applications to be the default app for internet. Not just the default website, the default APP. This option is also now available for the Gmail app. So basically, if you set Chrome as your default browser when you open a link from another app, it will open in Chrome. Similarly, if you set Gmail as your default email app, any time you tap on an email icon on the web, it will open the Gmail app. So now we know the “why” behind this annoying problem, we just need to know how to fix it. Also I believe the reason ad blocking apps aren’t working for this banner is because it’s not technically an ad or even a pop up, but rather written into the website. I’m just glad I’m not the only one annoyed with this.

New Default Browser App setting:

New Google quick search widget:

I found that if you were to sign in, the "Pop-up/ad" will show less often after you hit X. Otherwise, my private tabs "not signed-in" is completely plagued down to the brim on every search.

I completely agree that this is an annoyance and Apple should offer some sort of option to disable this sort of banner in Safari settings, or at least allow an app to block it. I have tried all of the major ad block apps in the App Store and none of them work. On the other hand Google should absolutely allow people who use their browser to have the option of disabling the feature, many other mobile applications have that option when visiting their websites. I need to contact support regarding an iCloud issue, I will ask them about this and follow up here shortly. Until then, DDG 🦆 will be my new default search engine.

Lawrence,

You’re absolutely right about the “ads”, they’re written into the website so ad blocking applications can’t target that specific element. Google really wants to take over the world after all... I just posted a reply with some information about why this is happening now in iOS 14. I read some interesting articles about it, you might find it interesting too.

Take care,

Amsterdamit

thats 100% truth man, Google has been paying Apple billions for years to make Google the default search engine on iPhones, iPads, iMac, and MacBooks. Yes they do offer other options but Google is default and to switch to a different search engine you have to go in to the settings and change it. Which many people have no idea is an option or know how to do that.

Please somebody find out how to block this pop up. I too have pop up blocker enabled. I may resort to adjusting to a new specific Ed search engine instead of google

Apple has no control over it. The invasive Google ads are just part of the page content. I’ve already deleted 2 apps that have them.

It’s hard to comprehend how apple could allow google to override their rules with this pop up. I have just installed the adblock app, however it will not resolve this particular issue.

I expect Apple will have fixed by ios15. How annoying in the meantime.

I too noticed that, which of course is what they want people to do. Then eventually we’ll be downloading the app, installing the widget, merging all of our passwords over... lol. Google loves getting every single bit of info on anyone using their services. What a pain.

Fun fact...google pays Apple “an undisclosed amount” to be a primary search engine on iPhones. I have a feeling Apple is allowing this to take place. I’m sure they have cost-benefit analysis of consumer attrition, when it comes to ******* them off enough.