Can anyone identify this alert on a Pixel phone?

[Beartracks]

Sorry, I don't have a screenshot. It's actually a friend's phone that I was trying to help her with for a couple of minutes. But I'm not that familiar with Pixel phones, so I thought I'd poke around the Internet -- and that includes asking here!

Every few minutes this alert pops up (with the usual alert 'ping' sound) at the top of her screen and appears for a few seconds and then disappears on its own. IIRC, it's on a blue background and says "Open Browser" and there's a red rectangular button alongside that text with the word "CLEAN" in it.

The constant appearance of this alert is driving her crazy. (She's had a bad experience with so-called cleaning apps nearly hijacking her phone in the past.) But I can't determine what app is the cause of this alert. Or how I might go about actually cleaning her phone if it's being caused by some kind of malware.

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[LogDog75]

1. Two things to check

Have her open the phone, go to settings and tap on notifications. Check to see which apps she has enabled. Disable all apps but on and see it the problem repeats itself. If it does, disable that notification and enable another one. Keep doing this until the problem is solved. Once she knows which app notification is causing the problem, she can disable it and enable the other apps she wants.

The other thing is does she have a smart watch linked by bluetooth to her phone. I have one and whenever I'm out of range it will ping saying "Connected." It might be her phone is pinging when her phone connects to her watch.

[Beartracks]

2. She does have a smart watch bluetoothed to the phone.

But she doesn't get out much, so she and her watch and her phone are with eachother all the time.

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[Mike 03]

3. Just passing along what Gemini says about this:

Sorry. Although I use a Pixel I have not experienced this problem. Chrome's AI has some advice, though.

"Open Browser" pop-ups on Pixel phones can occur for several reasons. Here's a breakdown of the common causes and how to address them:

Website-initiated pop-ups: Websites can use scripts to trigger pop-up windows. These can be legitimate (like for login or terms of service) or intrusive ads.

Browser redirects: Some sites redirect you to other pages, which can then launch new browser windows.

Malware or unwanted apps: Malicious apps can generate fake "Open Browser" pop-ups or redirect you to deceptive websites designed to trick you into revealing personal information or installing more malware.

Here's what you can do to manage or eliminate these pop-ups:

Block pop-ups in your browser: Most browsers have built-in pop-up blockers.

Chrome:

Open the Chrome app.
Tap the three dots (More) -> Settings.
Tap Permissions -> Pop-ups and redirects.
Turn off "Pop-ups and redirects".

You can also manage site-specific notifications within Chrome, according to Google Help.
Clear browser data and cache: If the pop-ups are persistent, clearing your browser's cache and data might help resolve the issue.
Check for suspicious apps:

Go to your phone's Settings -> Apps.

Review the list of installed apps for anything unfamiliar or recently downloaded.

If you find a suspicious app, tap it and Force Stop or Uninstall it. You can also review app permissions and disable any unnecessary access an app may have to your data or functions like opening the browser.

Be cautious when downloading apps: Only download apps from trusted sources like the Google Play Store.

Use antivirus software: A reliable antivirus app can help scan and remove potential malware from your phone. You may consider installing apps like AT&T Mobile Security for additional protection, says AT&T.

Factory reset (last resort): If you suspect significant malware infection and other steps haven't worked, a factory reset might be necessary, but this will wipe all data on your phone.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the occurrence of "Open Browser" pop-ups and improve the security and usability of your Pixel phone.

[Beartracks]

4. Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if it's associated with the browser.

But I guess the browser could be running n the background. The alert pops up while viewing the desktop or whatever other app she happens to be using.

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