New pop ups on galaxy S5

[DNTief]

Recently, Some annoying things began happening on my S5-

Sometimes, when I go to wake it, I get a screen with one of a few different background pics , and text saying good morning, or evening.  Which I then have to clear before I can get to my usual things.

The google play store keeps opening at random times, wanting me to install an app.  Not weird unknown ones, but I don't remember what they have been.  Sometimes, it happens while typing a reply, which is REALLY annoying.

Any ideas what to get rid of, check for to get rid of these "features"?

[vzw_customer_support]

We can understand the nuisance of having these changes to your device and are happy to assist in any way possible. To clarify, were there any updates to your software or any recent apps installed prior to this happening? Have you attempted to place your device into Safe Mode to see if the issue persists?

JoshuaC_VZW

[DNTief]

I have not installed anything recently.  I can't think of anything that I can say happened, and then these things started.

Here's a new detail - today, most times when I go to wake up the phone, it comes up with google play store, wanting to install Smart Hydration app, from Cordemi Technologies LLC.

How do I get it into safe mode?

[vzw_customer_support]

1. Press and hold the Power button (located on the right edge) until the 'Power off' prompt appears then release.

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2. Touch and hold Power off until the 'Reboot to Safe Mode' prompt appears then release.

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3. Tap Restart. TaylorH_VZW

[DNTief]

Thank you.  I have it in safe mode, since late last night.   The play store pop up has not happened yet.  It was happening very frequently before this. 

[DNTief]

UPDATE - The phone is still in safe mode, and the same play store pop up is back.

[DNTief]

This morning, the 2nd level welcome screen thing came back.  Arrg!   Still in safe mode.

[vzw_customer_support]

No worries, DNTief! You can follow the steps here to capture a screenshot. This can help us better understand what may be causing this, so we can help resolve it and end these pop ups for you. 

http://spr.ly/6600GDWZs

MichelleH_VZW

[DNTief]

ok,  I've been waiting....  So far, none have happened.  But this has also happened before.

[vzw_customer_support]

That's great to hear no more has shown up, DNTief. If they do, the next best option we would recommend would be disabling notifications for those apps.

ZakC_VZW

[DNTief]

OK, one of these annoying things has begun again.  P.S. I have no idea what app is doing either of these things, so it is not helpful to suggest I disable the app that is doing them!

Here is a picture of one of them - the screen shot thing does not function while the picture is on the screen, I have to clear it first, so I took a picture of it with another phone.

[vzw_customer_support]

We definitely want to make sure that we get your device working properly. Please tell us, have you downloaded any new apps to your device? Also, we would like to ask you to please run a Device Health Check on your device. The following link will guide you through this process. https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-206364/

GeovannJ_VZW

[DNTief]

The health check doesn't show anything wrong or bad.   I have rarely installed any apps.  I don't recall installing any that correspond to these new popup things - either the extra screen [see image above] I have to swipe to get in, or the google play popup, details of both are mentioned above.

[DNTief]

The google play pop up hasn't happened recently.  But the extra screen thing that has to be dismissed did show up a few times.  Is there no way to find out what is doing this?

[vzw_customer_support]

DNTief, thank you for keeping us posted. Please tell us, is your device software up to date? You can check via Settings > About Device > Software updates.

How often do you see the pop up on your device? Is the Play Store pop up the only pop up you've been receiving so far?

LauraF_VZW

[DNTief]

The weird occasional intro screen, I have to clear it before I can get to anything else, so I am not sure how I can get a screen shot of it.

The updates says it is up to date. Android 6.0.1 G900VVRU2DQL1

The play store is fixated on that one app lately, it can happen multiple times per day, or only once.

I did a restart this morning, not in safe mode right now.  I haven't seen the play store one so far today.

[vzw_customer_support]

DNTief, thank you so much for testing the device in safe mode. That does seem a bit odd that you're still getting the same issue while in Safe Mode. Are you able to provide a screenshot of the "2nd level welcome screen?" KevinR_VZW

[DNTief]

Got it in safe mode, now to see if anything changes...