Pop ups "force open" App Store

Hello. It's not just you - I just saw this yesterday, although mine was a bit different. My browser didn't grey out and no buttons appeared, my iPhone just switched to the App Store and opened the page of one of those games that ask you to pay. The problem is infuriating, possibly a security breach, but doesn't seem very common. The best discussion I've seen on this is at http://productforums.google.com/d/topic/chrome/EDJTbPaW5dg/discussion, where it happens on both iOS and Android.

On Android, it doesn't seem associated with any specific page and seems to happen after an amount of time, suggesting the problem lies within the system. On iOS, it seems to be caused by malignant ads on specific pages. The theory I believe for now is the ad uses JavaScript to open a popup window that links to the App Store - just the same as you clicking on an App Store link on a page yourself, except this doesn't require you to click it.

This is my opinion also (I'm getting sooooOOOOOOO MAD with these in-app pop-ups), some of the devs are probably unaware their advertisers are using these means, HOWEVER, I'm sure an equal or greater number are completely aware and likely encourage it.

For example; the prime violater in my experience is topoffer.mobi with Candy Crush Saga, a game I assume is designed by the same people who design poker-machines to suck people into throwing away their money for bright lights and pretty noises. I don't think they'd hesitate for one second to utilise an unavoidable click-through.

At the end of the day, the devs can cry ignorance all they want. If Apple gets off their fat lazy ***** and enforces fines for TOS violations or pulls the offending devs app until they stop, then *******, you see how fast the devs will pull their shonky ads.

Worth noting that in Australia, where I reside, under the commercial trade practises act it is NOT LEGAL for these pop-up ads to operate the way they do, and Apple can be held responsible for unwanted/unavoidable advertising material as ultimately, it's their device, their appstore. It's only a matter of time before the ACCC here fines Apple for operating outside of a reasonable expectation of service, as I'm sure there are cases already underway. If you don't think this is likely, maybe look into how Apple and Coke to name but a few, have all been fined in Australia for false advertising claims they were able to get away with in UK, US and Canada under the 'No Reasonable Person' gambit. We don't take that kind of crap here.

I have same problem.. I'm open setting and go to privacy -> advertising. then I turn on 'limit ad tracking' and 'reset advertising identifier'. I'm also go to setting ->safari -> advanced to turn of javascript. it works for me, the ad never force to open appstore.. sorry for my english. :)

I am having this issue also, it started off rarely happening around September but now it happens on most websites.

I've been on n4g.com, tickld, oddee, pcmag and then also just random sites I have visited. It's extremely intrusive and although I know it is not spyware, it feels very much like spyware that infects your computer and force opens pop ups. This is an issue apple needs to fox, boycotting some of my favourite websites is not an option or an alternative.

Before boycotting the website contact the developer or owner of the website and let them know what is happening. Many do not know what the advertisers are doing and are simply paying for their service. When brought to the owner of the websites attention they should address the issue if they know users are not happy and may be leaving. Besides the act of these "popups" takes users away from their website which is not very good practice as well.

it really doesn't mean much to me other than 'stop using your browser'.

This behavior does not seem to be browser specific and happens with Chrome web browser on iOS as well.

Aren't we missing the point and check what Apple could do on this subject,

I'm also having this issue on many sites, and as many of you noticed: it's occurring on many sites with many different popularity.

Could Apple integrate a parameter that would make any app (safari, chrome, .... ) prompt a confirmation pop up instead of directly opening the App Store?

Cause always hitting the home button and coming back to the browser is really annoying ...

At least, hitting 'cancel' on a pop up would be -to my point of you- acceptable.

I agree, but the odd thing is, on some of the sites after I've closed the App Store and go back to the website, after a couple of seconds of viewing a pop up will say 'x wants to open the App Store' with an ok and cancel. So I don't understand why this message will only display on subsequent requests to open the store.

I also have wasted my time downloading some of these trash apps and giving them a one star review and suitably abrasive comment. This has to be a good deterrent if enough people follow suit.

More and more websites have advertising, often hidden or disguised, containing embedded links to items in the App Store. Once triggered it is impossible to stop the process; browsing is interrupted while the ipad or iphone switches to the App Store and selects the targeted app. Often these are unsuitable for general consumption, for example often featuring gambling sites. Sometimes the link hangs for a long time especially operating over 3G. Disabling JavaScript or blocking all cookies inhibits this behaviour, but neither of these are practical options for most users. Apple needs to either stop safari being able to automatically jump to the App Store, maybe unless from an explicit Apple ad banner, and/or force an option dialogue before jumping. Or introduce a no auto launch setting for the App Store.

This is a cancer spreading across the Internet and Apple needs to act now to stop it.

I have also been popped into the App Store by Apple's own iAds while playing games with advertising. It didn't take long for the pop ups to stop after I reported it, very annoying to be popped out a game every 2-3 minutes while playing the game. Makes both Apple and the developer look bad.

THANK YOU!!!

I have been having this problem for months and could not find answers anywhere... People just gve random answers without actually understanding the problem.

I did this and it works for a lot of the sites... a couple of sites still manages to force me to App store but its not as bad anymore.

Thanks

1).Go to settings.

2). Click on Safari.

3).Turn on BLOCK POP UPS.

4).Turn on DO NOT TRACK.

5).Click Block Cookies tab. Then click block cookies from third parties&advertisers.

6).Do a Hard reset. Then your problem will be fixed.

This prevents most pop ups in Safari. The biggest issue here is these "pop ups" are happening while in an app such as a game with advertising. Even though you are playing the game you are suddenly popped into the App Store pushing a different game. I'm sure Apple does not endorse this behavior.

dont you love it when the iphone community tells you...."its your fault, not the phone,change your behavior......"

am having this same issue.....if you click a link to a news site like opposing views the candy crush or some knights/viking game app opens the app store......dont have to touch a thing it will automatically keep opening the app store........i just got the 5s am starting to really regret staying with apple after all the issues with my 4 (not an S) and ios7......the app store auto open is infuriating......but according to some its our fault and we need to change our behavior.......the god that is apple is omnipotent

If you use private browsing on Safari.

Regularly delete history and cookies

Fix settings in Facebook to reduce adds in the app.

Limit tracking doesn't reduce adds (read the info). I leave tracking on. When pop ups get bad, I clean house again.

To divert unwanted navigation from Safari to the App Store, this works best for me at this time- on iPad2, I block all cookies in Safari Settings. I am not sure that it would be best to leave this setting this way all the time, but I do it when a website that I am viewing for any amount of time continually diverts me to the App Store. I agree that this is out of control and Apple does need to get on a solution for this.