Develop Bugs

Potentially Dangerous Flashlight Apps

All of the applications below appear to obtain access and information way beyond the needs of a Flashlight. Some appear specifically designed to collect and expose your personal information to cybercriminals or other nation states. In addition, you are at significant risk if you are doing Mobile Banking on the same device as one of these free Flashlight Apps.
Our strong recommendation is to uninstall your flashlight app immediately.
--From SnoopWall's Threat Assessment Report
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so we all know that we need to be extra careful with the apps we use and the permissions they demand, at least, if you are here on XDA, I certainly hope you know this! And for many of you it is probably 2nd nature to steer clear of many apps that require too many irrelevant permissions. However, it was just brought to my attention that yesterday SnoopWall released a Threat Assesment Report regarding the top 10 Flashlight/Torch apps in the Play Store, and every one of them can potentially be used maliciously! So I thought I would share this with everyone, first, so that you are aware of it, and second, so you can make others aware! Maybe if we show those stubbornly ignorant people we all know, they will start trying to be a little more careful, and start paying a little more attention to what they are doing!
One important thing to note, as I dont remember seeing it mentioned specifically in the report, is that during their investigation they found a lot of personal information being sent by these flashlight apps to Russia, China and India! Need I say more???
Personally, I have always stayed away from these flashlight apps for several reasons that are mentioned by the report. For example, why would any app that only functions as a flashlight need to be several megabytes in size??? Huge red flag if you ask me!
Anyway, as many of you know here, I do not have a lot of time right now, so I will just post the links you need to educate yourself below. I will try to post more information later on as time allows, but I just wanted to get this out there for anyone who needs to know about it.
SnoopWall's Flashlight App Threat Assessment Report
Fox News report - A Cybersecurity Threat That Could Be Lurking On Your Phone
FTC Sues Brightest Flashlight Developer
SnoopWall's Apps on Google Play
Doc

Reserved
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

dont know if this appropriate place to post (and will delete if needed) when i use to use play store , i found this xposed mode
http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.germainz.playpermissionsexposed
and am aware that there are many filter/nets/whatevers. but this one was helpful to me.
good day
err on the side of kindness

This looks and smells like some fear mongering BS.. http://www.snoopwall.com/threat-reports-10-01-2014/ just has a chart of permissions and the ones used on several of the apps are VERY reasonable .

Idk that first app in the grid is vary suspicious alongside some others with same permisions
---------- Post added at 05:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:52 AM ----------
Lol but there recomeded safety precautions are way too exaggerated

I'm definitely glad most Roms come with a simple torch/flashlight app so I've never had to download one from the play store, that's scary stuff!

AddictedToB3er said:
I'm definitely glad most Roms come with a simple torch/flashlight app so I've never had to download one from the play store, that's scary stuff!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, here it is about flashlight apps. But the same threat could eventually apply to any app. Not that I would like people to become paranoid, but a quick read of permissions requests by apps when installing them and evaluate what the asked permissions could do is always a good habit to have. Lots of apps developers publish, on their website or directly on the Play Store, the reasons why certain permissions are requested and how they are used for -- this is an habit I would like to see more often.

Yeah for sure I was reading one of the XDA articles a while back about how many permissions keyboard apps ask for and it seemed a little much to me. I like to just go in and disable permissions I don't think certain apps need like Facebook for example. I never check in anywhere so I disable the location permission.

OK, and would anyone ever recommend one safe privacy-centric flashlight app???? Since my ROM - Lollipop 5.0.1 and Nova launcher simply don't have it built in what am I to do ??? I am switching neither my rom nor my launcher, so as I see it ... I need an app to do it.

unknown404 said:
OK, and would anyone ever recommend one safe privacy-centric flashlight app???? Since my ROM - Lollipop 5.0.1 and Nova launcher simply don't have it built in what am I to do ??? I am switching neither my rom nor my launcher, so as I see it ... I need an app to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can check here. free and open source.
https://f-droid.org/
"err on the side of kindness"

mrrocketdog said:
you can check here. free and open source.
https://f-droid.org/
"err on the side of kindness"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I'm acquainted with fdroid, but I was asking for a particular flashlight app, that uses only your camera's flash and nothing else and is kilobytes light ... not 20mb like some other flashlight apps. The closest thing to this description is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.flashLight however it asks for permissions for the camera not the camera flashlight, which again makes little sense IMO and secondly it causes a screenlock if phone screen is turned off with the app running. U then need only to double tap your screen to check what time it is and you are guaranteed to have your screen locked from then on until your battery dies. Thus this calls for the need of a proper flashlight app ...

AT&T OTA availible now! (Build NK3)

I am downloading an AT&T OTA right now. It is reported to be the NK3 update. So far no details, but it is bigger than the other updates being reported by other carriers, but it could be a combination of other updates.
It is showing as 223.71 MB
My Note 4 is a true AT&T phone, not an international or T-Mo version.
More as I get it, but its DL'ing kinda slow. (might be the netflix movie I am watching on another device on my network..oops!)

boufa said:
I am downloading an AT&T OTA right now. It is reported to be the NK3 update. So far no details, but it is bigger than the other updates being reported by other carriers, but it could be a combination of other updates.
It is showing as 223.71 MB
My Note 4 is a true AT&T phone, not an international or T-Mo version.
More as I get it, but its DL'ing kinda slow. (might be the netflix movie I am watching on another device on my network..oops!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah please post update if you find out what exactly is included in that OTA

Picking up speed now that my movie has paused
Note... I had to change the date in my settings to trigger the update. I checked for an update late yesterday, and it only lets you try once every 24 hours.

Its installing now... it seems to stick a few times (55% seemed to be there forever) but it is moving on. Looks like about 5+ minutes of install time after download.

boufa said:
Its installing now... it seems to stick a few times (55% seemed to be there forever) but it is moving on. Looks like about 5+ minutes of install time after download.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the OTA just showed on your screen or did you manually look for updates? I hope it shows some sort of changelog, can't find anything online about it so far...

lebertian said:
Did the OTA just showed on your screen or did you manually look for updates? I hope it shows some sort of changelog, can't find anything online about it so far...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had seen a possible update from a forum post on another site. ... so I forced the check for update.
It just finished and there is no change log associated with it. I'll keep playing with it and let you know what I find. The recent apps button seems slightly faster, but I might be imagining it.
Other updates (the international devices) have indicated battery performance improvements, and reduced lag on the recent apps button. Not sure what else. But those updates were smaller in size even combined.

Just got and installed the update...unfortunately no change log of any sort. Phone seems a bit more responsive after bit otherwise no changes I have noticed yet.

Also included the gear vr software

With these updates in the works someone should be uploading new stock images and associated files, no? There may be some exploit for root introduced that was not present in the earlier version.
---------- Post added at 03:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:24 PM ----------
And I know they're just coming in, just something to keep in mind. Someone with more skill/experience may want to chime in.

Stumbled on a app DSMLawmo that I hadn't seen before... or maybe it was there and I missed it.
But also the Gear VR Apps are now installed... I KNOW they are new.
IMS Settings and IMSLogger+... are these new. They look it.
(those apps are not in the app drawer, but under the app manager "all" tab)
In addition there is an option to backup your SMS's on AT&T's cloud .. is that new? Or am I looking too hard.
Did we have evernote installed before? It looks like it is baked in as bloatware now.

I really hope this is going to fix my horrible battery life...

"horrible battery life" is a matter of opinion and circumstances. It might make it better, but it can't fix things that it isn't causing.

boufa said:
Stumbled on a app DSMLawmo that I hadn't seen before... or maybe it was there and I missed it.
But also the Gear VR Apps are now installed... I KNOW they are new.
IMS Settings and IMSLogger+... are these new. They look it.
(those apps are not in the app drawer, but under the app manager "all" tab)
In addition there is an option to backup your SMS's on AT&T's cloud .. is that new? Or am I looking too hard.
Did we have evernote installed before? It looks like it is baked in as bloatware now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DSMLawmo is on my AT&T Note 4, update is currently downloading too. I don't see IMS Settings or IMSLogger+, so those are new for sure.
No option to back up SMS's.
Don't remember about Evernote, I use it anyways so it may have either been installed by default or my Google account pulled it down.

Phreck said:
DSMLawmo is on my AT&T Note 4, update is currently downloading too. I don't see IMS Settings or IMSLogger+, so those are new for sure.
No option to back up SMS's.
Don't remember about Evernote, I use it anyways so it may have either been installed by default or my Google account pulled it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can no longer uninstall Evernote... so its baked in now.
I find myself reaching for the recent apps button now.... that was a quickly formed habit... and using it to flip back to an app I was using. Right now I am playing candy crush (sorry, I'm weak) and checking gmail, skypeing with my wife at work; all with a flip of the recent apps button.

Just installed it! The only difference I've seen is that Evernote is there and I can't uninstall it or disable it... I don't see any other apps, settings, etc

boufa said:
You can no longer uninstall Evernote... so its baked in now.
I find myself reaching for the recent apps button now.... that was a quickly formed habit... and using it to flip back to an app I was using. Right now I am playing candy crush (sorry, I'm weak) and checking gmail, skypeing with my wife at work; all with a flip of the recent apps button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also so you know, if you hold that button the menu key will work. Pretty handy for non updated apps that don't have the 3 dots.
Like xmbc remote.

sandman7793 said:
Also so you know, if you hold that button the menu key will work. Pretty handy for non updated apps that don't have the 3 dots.
Like xmbc remote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know... bu there was too much of a delay before the update. I am more pleased now, but hopefully they bring it in a bit more in lollipop.
Edit... I am beginning to even forget there was any lag.... It is now very usable.

Recents key is hella faster now.

That was my only gripe...that delay. Checking for update now.
....and downloading. NIICE!
Wtf...as it downloads I'm noticing the recent is faster already. Damn you brain...

boufa said:
I am downloading an AT&T OTA right now. It is reported to be the NK3 update. So far no details, but it is bigger than the other updates being reported by other carriers, but it could be a combination of other updates.
It is showing as 223.71 MB
My Note 4 is a true AT&T phone, not an international or T-Mo version.
More as I get it, but its DL'ing kinda slow. (might be the netflix movie I am watching on another device on my network..oops!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If anyone else does not seem to see an up date go to Settings -> General -> About Device -> Software Updates -> Tap check for updates -> You will then start downloading the update as long as you are connected to a wireless network.

OOS 3.2.2 and Safetynet

Hi developers!
Since the OOS 3.2.2 update, systemless root is now failing to pass googled safetynet checks, meaning Android pay no longer works :/ if I roll back to 3.2.1 then it works fine. I'm using the safetynet helped app from the play store to test this. I wondered if any developers or knowledgeable people would know if this is a change in the rom causing this, or just a SuperSU incompatibility?

OOS 3.2.2 validates with no root. I just flash SuperSU when needed and then unroot when finished. (TWRP as recovery) Some of my banking apps will not work with root installed.
Google made server side change that somehow now detects systemless root around 25th July.

spetrie said:
OOS 3.2.2 validates with no root. I just flash SuperSU when needed and then unroot when finished. (TWRP as recovery) Some of my banking apps will not work with root installed.
Google made server side change that somehow now detects systemless root around 25th July.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might have been why then. Worked momentarily before the 3.2.2 update. Cheers for the info

manor7777 said:
Hi developers!
Since the OOS 3.2.2 update, systemless root is now failing to pass googled safetynet checks, meaning Android pay no longer works :/ if I roll back to 3.2.1 then it works fine. I'm using the safetynet helped app from the play store to test this. I wondered if any developers or knowledgeable people would know if this is a change in the rom causing this, or just a SuperSU incompatibility?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's working for you on 3.2.1.? It stopped working for me on that version just prior to 3.2.2. coming out.

Google made changes sever side to prevent it from working. IT is getting to the point of having to pick. Root or android pay. We all knew this was coming.

Mit Hipster said:
It's working for you on 3.2.1.? It stopped working for me on that version just prior to 3.2.2. coming out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did momentarily but not for long. might have been a glitch or a slow-rollout on googles part. It's not working now!

zelendel said:
Google made changes sever side to prevent it from working. IT is getting to the point of having to pick. Root or android pay. We all knew this was coming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah we were waiting. Someone on XDA will find a way round at some point i bet, but we all knew it was coming!

manor7777 said:
Yeah we were waiting. Someone on XDA will find a way round at some point i bet, but we all knew it was coming!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it was done server side there will be no work around. Plus with the new security measures in the linux kernel (XDA portal post) Things like this will be even harder if not impossible.

zelendel said:
If it was done server side there will be no work around. Plus with the new security measures in the linux kernel (XDA portal post) Things like this will be even harder if not impossible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a fair point. Someone made a workaround before that worked for about 6 months through xposed, but to be honest I have twrp so I can flash what I need anyway, no biggie.

manor7777 said:
That's a fair point. Someone made a workaround before that worked for about 6 months through xposed, but to be honest I have twrp so I can flash what I need anyway, no biggie.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that will be the next thing they start looking for. Agreed doesnt really matter to me either. Mobile payments are banned everywhere I go and since I have to legally carry my ID around I also have my cards so even if it wasnt banned I still wouldnt use it.

zelendel said:
Yeah that will be the next thing they start looking for. Agreed doesnt really matter to me either. Mobile payments are banned everywhere I go and since I have to legally carry my ID around I also have my cards so even if it wasnt banned I still wouldnt use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a shame! Where are you based? Its EVERYWHERE in the UK!

manor7777 said:
That's a shame! Where are you based? Its EVERYWHERE in the UK!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in the US. It is available in most places just not in my town. After it was proven that it could be intercepted and the fact that stores are making their own alt to the pay apps, they decided to just block them.Even my Credit union has removed the chip from their cards due security concerns.
Like I said even if it was I still wouldnt use it. I am smarter then keeping things like my credit card info stored on a device that is always sending data everywhere. Mainly when you think about the fact that keyboards can record every keystroke.
Also I have to keep my ID on me at all times so it is just faster to take my card out and hand it to the cashier.

zelendel said:
I am in the US. It is available in most places just not in my town. After it was proven that it could be intercepted and the fact that stores are making their own alt to the pay apps, they decided to just block them.Even my Credit union has removed the chip from their cards due security concerns.
Like I said even if it was I still wouldnt use it. I am smarter then keeping things like my credit card info stored on a device that is always sending data everywhere. Mainly when you think about the fact that keyboards can record every keystroke.
Also I have to keep my ID on me at all times so it is just faster to take my card out and hand it to the cashier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only stealable (like with card skimming) whilst the screen is on, at least on a phone. I have a card that I transfer money too whenever I use it (its actually my PayPal card) so I don't have too much of a risk there. They have done a few things like that over here in the UK too but I'm still cautious about it. I have a few measures in place to prevent some of that

manor7777 said:
It's only stealable (like with card skimming) whilst the screen is on, at least on a phone. I have a card that I transfer money too whenever I use it (its actually my PayPal card) so I don't have too much of a risk there. They have done a few things like that over here in the UK too but I'm still cautious about it. I have a few measures in place to prevent some of that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats all it really takes. When checked they found that the majority of the card readers had some sort of extra device installed on it. Like I said it is not a big deal for me as I wouldn't use it if it was available.

I was using systemless root for a while, it passed system checks just fine. But the funs over now, they've patched it. :/

Brand new Note 7: "Your request has been declined for security reasons"

Okay. I have a brand-spanking-new Galaxy Note 7, exchanged at Verizon for my prior IED version. Good news is that I don't have to worry about my battery self-immolating. The bad news is that I'm getting these "Your request has been declined for security reasons" toast messages when I attempt to carry out various and sundry simple tasks, such as clicking on a legitimate link in an email in my Gmail app or tapping on "About Google Play Store" in the Play Store app. Are there some sort of Gestapo security measures added to the 2nd Gen Note 7 that weren't on the 1st? Is there a way to knock these down a peg? This is insane...to the point where I have to find creative ways around the block to get things done (such as copying the address from the link or button in an email and pasting it in a browser). It makes the phone considerably less user-friendly. What a shame. Any feedback or input here? I'd really appreciate it.
Note: I have seen things online for "FRP" when I search for that very quote, but I don't think this has anything to do with a "reset phone."
Thanks so much!

Never heard of something like this before. Solution? Root that *****, slap twrp on top and flash Ketan Rom M2, and unleash your Note 7 to its full potential instead of that stock crap

discgolfdc said:
Okay. I have a brand-spanking-new Galaxy Note 7, exchanged at Verizon for my prior IED version. Good news is that I don't have to worry about my battery self-immolating. The bad news is that I'm getting these "Your request has been declined for security reasons" toast messages when I attempt to carry out various and sundry simple tasks, such as clicking on a legitimate link in an email in my Gmail app or tapping on "About Google Play Store" in the Play Store app. Are there some sort of Gestapo security measures added to the 2nd Gen Note 7 that weren't on the 1st? Is there a way to knock these down a peg? This is insane...to the point where I have to find creative ways around the block to get things done (such as copying the address from the link or button in an email and pasting it in a browser). It makes the phone considerably less user-friendly. What a shame. Any feedback or input here? I'd really appreciate it.
Note: I have seen things online for "FRP" when I search for that very quote, but I don't think this has anything to do with a "reset phone."
Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have an anti-virus app installed? If so try removing it.
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

dig into the default browser's settings, and see if there are any silly security features enabled.
you could also try a 3rd party browser.

rcobourn said:
Do you have an anti-virus app installed? If so try removing it.
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I have no anti-virus installed. This didn't happen with my first, shall I say "more volatile," Note 7, and I simply allowed Android and Google to simply restore the exchange device to precisely the same state (in terms of apps installed, etc.) as the original.
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

thedicemaster said:
dig into the default browser's settings, and see if there are any silly security features enabled.
you could also try a 3rd party browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know that it's a browser issue, as I'd also mentioned that it also happened when I tapped "About Google Play." It doesn't even attempt to access a browser. For good measure, though, I did poke around Chrome and didn't find anything that would be helpful there. [emoji20]
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

discgolfdc said:
I don't know that it's a browser issue, as I'd also mentioned that it also happened when I tapped "About Google Play." It doesn't even attempt to access a browser. For good measure, though, I did poke around Chrome and didn't find anything that would be helpful there. [emoji20]
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a brand new green battery N7. Never had any problems.
Just do a factory reset to your phone. Be aware of restoring backups. Maybe that's the source of your problem...
Sent from my SM-N920C using XDA-Developers mobile app

I mentioned the browser because every action you mentioned that results in that error is supposed to open a page in the web browser.
have you tried resetting the default browser?(I have no access to the new settings app, so I can't explain where to find that option)

update to latest firmware or do a hard reset on your device..
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk

calinormy said:
I have a brand new green battery N7. Never had any problems.
Just do a factory reset to your phone. Be aware of restoring backups. Maybe that's the source of your problem...
Sent from my SM-N920C using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did. There are only 4 "backups," per se, that I restored: Aqua Mail (configuration), Business Calendar (configuration), Nova Launcher (configuration) and Authenticator Plus (accounts). Aside from that, Android and Google's native "restore apps" function handled the job 100%. It should also be said that performing the exact same procedure and restoring the very same backed-up configurations resulted in a perfectly functional white-battery Note 7 when going to it from my previous Note 4. That's why all of this is so confusing. I didn't do any tinkering. I know some here will probably say "that, right tbereis your first mistake," but I prefer to know I have a functioning device before I decide (or don't) to do any modifications. It might just be that I take it back to Verizon while I can and see if they'll let me swap it for another. Who knows? Ghost in the machine?
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

discgolfdc said:
I did. There are only 4 "backups," per se, that I restored: Aqua Mail (configuration), Business Calendar (configuration), Nova Launcher (configuration) and Authenticator Plus (accounts). Aside from that, Android and Google's native "restore apps" function handled the job 100%. It should also be said that performing the exact same procedure and restoring the very same backed-up configurations resulted in a perfectly functional white-battery Note 7 when going to it from my previous Note 4. That's why all of this is so confusing. I didn't do any tinkering. I know some here will probably say "that, right tbereis your first mistake," but I prefer to know I have a functioning device before I decide (or don't) to do any modifications. It might just be that I take it back to Verizon while I can and see if they'll let me swap it for another. Who knows? Ghost in the machine?
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the AT&T version, no such issues (I know that doesn't help) what I would do as suggested above is wipe the phone and start over as new without installing anything from a restore. It's a pain but this will remove any possibility of carrying something over from your previous Note. I would think it has to be something in the permissions portion of an app, Knox or the O/S that is not registered correctly??

I think I'm going to see if Verizon will swap the unit before I do that, seeing as though I believe I recall seeing the message after a previous factory reset and before any significant restoration had taken place. What I can do on one phone, I can do on another, I guess. I may see if, after powering up straight out of the box, it gives me the same problem, I'll wipe it and restore everything manually, much as that blows. If it still operates the same way, well, I guess that will teach me that not every upgrade is an upgrade.
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

Birdsfan said:
I have the AT&T version, no such issues (I know that doesn't help) what I would do as suggested above is wipe the phone and start over as new without installing anything from a restore. It's a pain but this will remove any possibility of carrying something over from your previous Note. I would think it has to be something in the permissions portion of an app, Knox or the O/S that is not registered correctly??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my previous response, I meant to say 'straight out of the box and letting it restore everything fresh and uninterrupted by me.
discgolfdc said:
I think I'm going to see if Verizon will swap the unit before I do that, seeing as though I believe I recall seeing the message after a previous factory reset and before any significant restoration had taken place. What I can do on one phone, I can do on another, I guess. I may see if, after powering up straight out of the box, it gives me the same problem, I'll wipe it and restore everything manually, much as that blows. If it still operates the same way, well, I guess that will teach me that not every upgrade is an upgrade.
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

Did you ever find a fix for the problem? I have the same thing going on. Just got mine Oct 1st (replaced a Note 3) and love everything about it (except for the "potential" lethal aspect and the annoying situation with the "your request has been declined due to security reasons" deal...) Everyone's saying I need to turn it in now and replace it... but there's no other phone available now that I would prefer (once I fix the glitch)

discgolfdc said:
Okay. I have a brand-spanking-new Galaxy Note 7, exchanged at Verizon for my prior IED version. Good news is that I don't have to worry about my battery self-immolating. The bad news is that I'm getting these "Your request has been declined for security reasons" toast messages when I attempt to carry out various and sundry simple tasks, such as clicking on a legitimate link in an email in my Gmail app or tapping on "About Google Play Store" in the Play Store app. Are there some sort of Gestapo security measures added to the 2nd Gen Note 7 that weren't on the 1st? Is there a way to knock these down a peg? This is insane...to the point where I have to find creative ways around the block to get things done (such as copying the address from the link or button in an email and pasting it in a browser). It makes the phone considerably less user-friendly. What a shame. Any feedback or input here? I'd really appreciate it.
Note: I have seen things online for "FRP" when I search for that very quote, but I don't think this has anything to do with a "reset phone."
Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever find a solution to this problem?

chrisherts said:
Did you ever find a fix for the problem? I have the same thing going on. Just got mine Oct 1st (replaced a Note 3) and love everything about it (except for the "potential" lethal aspect and the annoying situation with the "your request has been declined due to security reasons" deal...) Everyone's saying I need to turn it in now and replace it... but there's no other phone available now that I would prefer (once I fix the glitch)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now I'm still okay with mine, nothing is popping up.

Yeah I found a solution. I now have the LG V20.
Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Ironacally while you would have normally gotten help how to solve your problem, this forum is now only focused on keeping/not keeping the phone. Compare it to other forums here and think. People can't even extract asked for apks.

Pop up ads on my home screen

Hello, so recently I've been dealing with pop up ads on my phone. I factory reset the phone and they were gone, but now it's having ads again when I don't even have an app open. I've tried virus scanners and nothing detected. Is there a way to figure out what file is causing this?
Thank you!

I had that same issue last week. Are they popping up though chrome or firefox? It was a rogue app on my part but for you it looks like its something else. Since you already factory reset the phone, you might as well download the latest build and "flash-all". After that you should not have any problems as it completely wipes the device.

If you goto your battery settings does it show an app that may be causing ads?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 AM ----------
Did you try lookout or eset virus scanner?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

equlizer said:
I had that same issue last week. Are they popping up though chrome or firefox? It was a rogue app on my part but for you it looks like its something else. Since you already factory reset the phone, you might as well download the latest build and "flash-all". After that you should not have any problems as it completely wipes the device.
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So it pops up randomly not just using chrome. A few minutes ago I was in the middle of a Clash Royale Game and an add popped up. I recently downloaded a QR reader from the play store and I think that's when it started again.
I deleted the app, but it's been still going on. That's why I went to use the anti virus/malware apps, but they found nothing.
Is there anyway to fix or find what is doing it without factory resetting?

gjkrisa said:
If you goto your battery settings does it show an app that may be causing ads?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 AM ----------
Did you try lookout or eset virus scanner?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
No, nothing shows up on my battery setting.

check the root directory for any strange folders that should not belong there and delete those. I had some that were like 5489399fgjjll and crap. Those are a sure sign there is malware on your phone

equlizer said:
check the root directory for any strange folders that should not belong there and delete those. I had some that were like 5489399fgjjll and crap. Those are a sure sign there is malware on your phone
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Aww dang, alright. Thanks.
Is the root directory the android->data folder?

adriel161 said:
Aww dang, alright. Thanks.
Is the root directory the android->data folder?
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No it would be back one more step but I would look there also
But you are going to need root to view that part
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tX5wQ6tlUqev76j03
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Did you ever get an answer? My husband is having this same issue and we cannot figure out what is causing it? Thanks!
---------- Post added at 02:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------
adriel161 said:
Aww dang, alright. Thanks.
Is the root directory the android->data folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gjkrisa said:
No it would be back one more step but I would look there also
But you are going to need root to view that part
Can anyone tell me where I can look for these? I haven’t found where to see these folders. Thanks!
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download kaspersky and do a scan , it should clean whatever is doing that.

adriel161 said:
Hello, so recently I've been dealing with pop up ads on my phone. I factory reset the phone and they were gone, but now it's having ads again when I don't even have an app open. I've tried virus scanners and nothing detected. Is there a way to figure out what file is causing this?
Thank you!
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Click to collapse
Did you solve this?

having the same issue with my nexus 6p
anyone solved this problem?
UPDATE:
i may have found the culprit, it's the qrcode scanner app, i may need a few hour to verify this

Just did Kaspersky and nothing found. Another $3 wasted ...

@hketola: Kapersky isn't trustworthy IMO. Try Malwarebytes instead.

If you have Adaway installed, go into the settings and check for Adaware, it'll tell you what apps and what kind of ads they push

I just had the same problem and it seemed to be caused by the app store. So I read all your efforts and then took a look in my settings and here's what I did that resolved the issues: settings < apps & notifications < advanced < Special app access < display over other apps < google play services < switch to "not allowed"
Hope this works for you.

Dxrx said:
I just had the same problem and it seemed to be caused by the app store. So I read all your efforts and then took a look in my settings and here's what I did that resolved the issues: settings < apps & notifications < advanced < Special app access < display over other apps < google play services < switch to "not allowed"
Hope this works for you.
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Click to collapse
I'll let you know as I've been having this issue for the last few days. Thank you!

I fixed a similar issue on a friends phone. When Ad appears, swipe up (assuming pill gesture on Android 9) and you get the recents screens. The current app (app showing ad) icon will be at top of the screen preview. Press and hold on the icon until a context menu appears and select App Info. Now you know which app is popping ads up.

Google Account Ad Personalization (Ad Settings)
The Patriot Act started all this bull****. No Privacy
It's that ****ing google ads that you can opt out of, but they force the others ads on you.
This is an invasion of privacy you pay all this money for your personal phone and they force content on you whether you like it or not.
I'm thinking about downgrading my phone and operating systems?

soaring eagle30 said:
Useless, politically-tinged rant.
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Trying to get past the 10 post filter aye? That's what it looks like based upon the fact you replied to a post that's been dead for six months plus.
Now I won't engage with your political rant because this isn't political. You own the hardware, but Google owns the software, especially the Google apps. The ads are Google's means of recouping development costs of Android.
Now, if you don't want ads but want to use Google apps, you install and run Blokada. It works on virtually everything, except YouTube. Or you use a version of Android that doesn't include Google apps.
If neither option appeals to you, try and find a dumbphone, because Apple is worse.