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The phone is a samsung 21. When I click on the purple icon or just randomly on its own, this screen pops up. It does not matter how many times I drag the icon to the X to remove it, it comes right back.

enter image description hereHow do you get rid of this purple icon that opens up ads every time you touch your phone?

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    I would probably help to known which device model you have and version of OS. Unclear which 'purple icon' you are referring to. If it is the one that looks like the planet Saturn in the center that should be the Samsung Internet app icon. The position is odd so it may be a Samsung customization. See if you can select it an drag it to the bottom / home button there should be a 'X' which will remove it. Alternatively swipe from right or left for a edge menu for possible controls.
    – Morrison Chang
    Commented Dec 20, 2023 at 23:13
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    It looks like an app icon that got stuck while trying to move - have you restarted the phone since this occurred?
    – jlehenbauer
    Commented Dec 21, 2023 at 14:55
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    Try: Settings->Apps->Samsung Internet->App Info screen, scroll to bottom to the section named "Advanced" and disable "Appears on Top" and disable "Change system settings" and disable "Picture-in-picture". There is a version number at the bottom, please add it to your question. There is a gear icon at the top of the 'App Info', tap and check the home page URL. Try removing the icon from the home screen/problem locations. If still present go back to the same Samsung Internet 'App Info' screen as earlier and click on 'Force Stop' in bottom menu bar. Report back with details.
    – Morrison Chang
    Commented Dec 22, 2023 at 0:18
  • @MorrisonChang based on OP's edit, a search for Votiha.com shows it's a luxury yacht service. I would be tempted to think it's a related app or some ad malware but for the fact that icons are different (Votiha vs Saturn) // Stacey, go through your apps list and uninstall any such app//If you can't find any related app, boot into safe mode(Google how to for your device) and if the icon disappears in safe mode, then it is for sure related to some installed app
    – beeshyams
    Commented Dec 22, 2023 at 5:41
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    @beeshyams I agree that something is causing the malware but I doubt a lux yacht service is doing it but some other nefarious app. Such an app may however be using Samsung Internet app (seriously that app has a lot of stuff in its setting including ad blocker plugins which may have been hijacked) as the "front face" so locking that one down is difficult without being in person. To be clear I do agree with your suggested actions.
    – Morrison Chang
    Commented Dec 22, 2023 at 6:10

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Looks like Samsung Browser floating icon, and it is opening the browser in a small view.

You should do this to solve it:-

  1. That purple icon will definitely be present on your app list too. Find it, long press it, and click "App Info" on popup.

  2. Try to click "Force stop" button. May or may not trigger, could be greyed out.

  3. After that, open the option "Storage & cache" and click "Clear Cache" & "Clear storage".

  4. Now, click back & try to click "Force Stop" again, or the "Disable" option if it isn't greyed out.

  5. Scroll down on same page & find "Display over other apps". Click it and disable.

  6. Further, you may also find "Picture-in-picture". Click it and disable.

This should solve your issue.

Lemme know in comments if you face any problem or doubts.

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