Develop Bugs

[Q] ad blockers

For those on the unrooted retail edition, do you use an ad blocker? If so which one?

tried adblock plus app, but it only works over wifi and prevented me from sending any mms messages. i'm mostly at the grin and bear it stage, but i sometimes will use firefox with the adblock plus extension installed within the app. it works pretty well but obviously only works in the browser and makes pages load a little slowly. desperately waiting for that root method to be found!

crowmallet said:
tried adblock plus app, but it only works over wifi and prevented me from sending any mms messages. i'm mostly at the grin and bear it stage, but i sometimes will use firefox with the adblock plus extension installed within the app. it works pretty well but obviously only works in the browser and makes pages load a little slowly. desperately waiting for that root method to be found!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way to make adblock plus work over cellular networks? I do want root to eliminate all those ads.

I didn't mess around with it much after i couldn't send mms messages with it installed. their website says it will only work over wifi so i'd take their word for it. it may be possible with enough tinkering but the mms thing was a deal breaker to me. maybe there was more i could've done to get around all the issues but i'm too impatient

Need ROOT!
Used adaway for years, and currently without root and no ad blocking, some ads would be bearable,
But Jesus Christ! the amount of mobile ads now is completely out of control and obnoxious.

deathshead said:
Need ROOT!
Used adaway for years, and currently without root and no ad blocking, some ads would be bearable,
But Jesus Christ! the amount of mobile ads now is completely out of control and obnoxious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes what he said.

Give Adguard a try.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adguard.android

I would buy the developer edition rightnow to get rid of these pop up ad. But I can't find it anywhere...

vwpiper said:
Give Adguard a try.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adguard.android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amy other ad blockers that are not so battery draining?

Here is the Developer edition. Now available.
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SM-N910VMKEVZW?CID=AFL-hq-mul-0813-11000279

csstamatin said:
Here is the Developer edition. Now available.
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SM-N910VMKEVZW?CID=AFL-hq-mul-0813-11000279
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice to know but I was not planning ot buy the DE and sell my retail edition just to gain root and block all ads.

ronaldheld said:
No way to make adblock plus work over cellular networks? I do want root to eliminate all those ads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adblock plus. the apps official help guide mentions you can block ads on non root over WiFi, but you can also block it over cellular as well.
https://adblockplus.org/en/android-install
alternatively you can use Firefox and install an ad block extension.
if you want ads blocked in non web browsing apps, you'll have to rip out the Google ad sense out of each app individually.
for YouTube there's a hacked version of the YouTube app that plays with screen off, has ads removed, supports full hd, and has downloading built in. it's SOMEWHERE here in xda, but for the life of me I can't find the one that sideloads.
you can change the easier one to find's signature tho so it'll sideload tho

I've made a post in general for non root. A app called AdGuard will block ads on Wi-Fi & Cellular by using a VPN
- followup. I see this was already mentioned in a earlier post!

Which works best with fewer hassles adblock plus or adguard?

knox counter triggered! is there a way to reset it?

After rooting my Note 7, I've noticed that my Knox counter has been triggered, normally I would mind but several apps seem to depend on it to work properly(I can't even open S Health!). Is there away to reset it yet? thanks

Nope. When you root, a physical fuse in the phone is blown, so unless you have epic soldering and mad haxorz skills then you're pretty much screwed

get it exchanged in the recall, and don't root your new phone.
there's not that much you can do with root that you can't do without root, especially on recent high-end Samsung phones.

I am rooted and my S Health works. I believe the only thing that would be permanently disabled is Samsung Pay. Some banking apps will not run if you have root but you can always install an Xposed module called root cloak to circumvent that issue.
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk

S-health is still there, do a search and you can find instructions to access it. You should only lose secure folder and pay, if you want those things you should follow the advice above and not root your replacement phone. I'm not beating you up here but as an FYI you should have known the ramifications of rooting before you rooted, it's best to know what you're in for before you commit to a course of action that may be irreversible.

thedicemaster said:
get it exchanged in the recall, and don't root your new phone.
there's not that much you can do with root that you can't do without root, especially on recent high-end Samsung phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly depending on what you want not everything is available without rooting.
Unless you can tell me how to change all app dpi individually.
YouTube adblocker
Synapse
Adaway
Greenify... not as as good un rooted mode
Amplify
Smart network
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA-Developers mobile app

you're mentioning specific root-only apps.
obviously those won't work, but there are alternative methods with (close to) the same results.
adaway: adguard, it's better anyway(doesn't rely on a system designed for no more than 100 rules, easy to toggle on/off, supports whitelisting of apps, supports firewall functionality, and can target not just entire domains but also single lines of code)
adfree YouTube: yes this one is trickier, you'd need a 3rd party YouTube app or the website+adguard to avoid ads.
alternatively you can use "Cygery AdSkip for YouTube" to automatically skip ads after 5 seconds.
as you said, greenify works just not as effective.
similar "power saving" functions however are built in on recent android devices.
and from what I can tell every function in "smart network" except switching to 2G can be achieved without root using tasker.
synapse and per app DPI are the only things on your list that are completely impossible without root(although using game tuner's resolution settings you should be able to influence scaling in some apps)

Also if you use YouTube backgrounder, OGyoutube works great and allows background / downloading of content. I'm still looking for an ad free YouTube but this suffices in the meantime.
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

krabman said:
S-health is still there, do a search and you can find instructions to access it. You should only lose secure folder and pay, if you want those things you should follow the advice above and not root your replacement phone. I'm not beating you up here but as an FYI you should have known the ramifications of rooting before you rooted, it's best to know what you're in for before you commit to a course of action that may be irreversible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have the link for it? when I try to open it, it says the following:
"Unable to open app
Because of a new security policy introduced in version 5.0, Knox is not available on compromised devices"
I've already frozen all the knox apps I could find in TB.

strange, I just checked my 2-year old Note 4, the knox has also been triggered awhile ago, but i could use S Health fine. Why would S Health have anything to do with Knox?

shinew said:
strange, I just checked my 2-year old Note 4, the knox has also been triggered awhile ago, but i could use S Health fine. Why would S Health have anything to do with Knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S Health may use Knox to protect your health data (HIPAA in the USA).

The S-health thing is new, people are circumventing it by an app that lets you access the widget and from it you can open it up or some such, don't use it so I paid little attention to the fix. Don't remember where I saw that but it's here somewhere shine, I would peruse the development threads, I'm thinking I saw it in one of them.

lenovo p2 new user

hay dear guys i am your friend from galaxy note 3 forum i have just bought new p2 devise is there any advices or to do list to get best performance also is there a way to make video call with out third party apk
thanks for your help

I also came from Note 3.
Just enjoy the phone. You won't be disappointed.
Not sure about video calls as i don't use that.

philje123 said:
I also came from Note 3.
Just enjoy the phone. You won't be disappointed.
Not sure about video calls as i don't use that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for reply does installing custom recovery affect warenty like tripping Knox in Samsung

Yes because you have to unlock bootloader.
I haven't bothered rooting this phone. Works perfect without it. I use an app called AdClear for as blocking.
No bloatware to worry about.

philje123 said:
Yes because you have to unlock bootloader.
I haven't bothered rooting this phone. Works perfect without it. I use an app called AdClear for as blocking.
No bloatware to worry about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been searching for an adblocking app for a long time. I'm unrooted too and everytime I read the opinions about those apps, everyone says that they slow down the phone and drain battery. Is it true?

Haven't noticed any battery drain or slow down.
AdClear is very good and easy to set up.

adclear is only for samsung browser and i use chrome so a no go.

For ad blocking, you can try adaway if you are rooted, or dns66 otherwise. They don't add bloat, they just redirect DNS request with a hosts file or a pseudo VPN connection.

AdClear is blocking chrome ads just fine for me.

Ad blocker that works on S4?

In the absence of root and Adaway, I searched and found a lot of references to DNS66. I tried it but it doesn't work. I don't need it for browsing as I use Opera, but I would like it for apps.
I have found that a few apps that I've used on my old Tab S now don't work on the S4 and wondered if anyone has found an ad blocker that works without root?

khocking said:
In the absence of root and Adaway, I searched and found a lot of references to DNS66. I tried it but it doesn't work. I don't need it for browsing as I use Opera, but I would like it for apps.
I have found that a few apps that I've used on my old Tab S now don't work on the S4 and wondered if anyone has found an ad blocker that works without root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uBlock Origin for various browsers. Not sure about other apps though.

Doesn't the Samsung browser allow to add content blockers in the "extensions" in the settings? My s9 does and that's where you add the various ad blockers..adblock fast, adblock plus, disconnect, adguard several others..
Edit.. just realized you're asking about Opera.

tool2269 said:
Doesn't the Samsung browser allow to add content blockers in the "extensions" in the settings? My s9 does and that's where you add the various ad blockers..adblock fast, adblock plus, disconnect, adguard several others..
Edit.. just realized you're asking about Opera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I'm asking about other apps like games. Opera has a built-in ad blocker that works perfectly and you don't need any third party apps.

khocking said:
In the absence of root and Adaway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's been rough instructions on how to root in the Q&A section for a bit now, and I put together a little guide after using those instructions on9 9-12-18.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s4/how-to/guide-rooting-wifi-version-galaxy-tab-t3841763
After rooting, you can use magisk modules or adaway or anything else.
I also remember reading that without root it's possible to use secure folder to block all ads on samsung devices (i didn't look into it), there's also a bunch of non-root adblocking apps available that require you to run a notification all the time.

mistermojorizin said:
There's been rough instructions on how to root in the Q&A section for a bit now, and I put together a little guide after using those instructions on9 9-12-18.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s4/how-to/guide-rooting-wifi-version-galaxy-tab-t3841763
After rooting, you can use magisk modules or adaway or anything else.
I also remember reading that without root it's possible to use secure folder to block all ads on samsung devices (i didn't look into it), there's also a bunch of non-root adblocking apps available that require you to run a notification all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to wait to root until the systems have been streamlined. I'm also leery of breaking the warranty less than a week into it.
In the meantime, I've tried Blokada which seems to be working without too much affect on battery life etc.

Try Adguard. The free version works for any browser. The paid version also blocks ads in apps.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Disconnect Pro works great, it just really expensive.

Adhell 3 works, but it takes a while to learn to use it:
https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS9/comments/8su2an/anyone_using_adhell_3/e1291fy/
You must follow the instructions on the readme txt file available, section [ For users with v3.1.1 ] in the mediafire folder and use version 3.1.1.230

ilatimer1 said:
Disconnect Pro works great, it just really expensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must have got it free once, because it lets me install it for free, and yes it works great!

khocking said:
In the absence of root and Adaway, I searched and found a lot of references to DNS66. I tried it but it doesn't work. I don't need it for browsing as I use Opera, but I would like it for apps.
I have found that a few apps that I've used on my old Tab S now don't work on the S4 and wondered if anyone has found an ad blocker that works without root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So dns666 actually worked for me, but took a few refreshes. Could take time to clear the cached DNS entries maybe?

dns66 works great. there is a little key icon on status bar though. to get rid of it, swipe the notification until the gear appears and go down to VPN and turn it off so the key won't show up. also, if DNS66 is not blocking ads you might need to update your hosts and add some if applicable. you need to update it regularly because sometimes one or two do not update on their own and it seems to throw the whole thing off.

Question (root) AdAway not blocking ads...??

EDIT: I just checked in chrome and adblocking is working fine. Is there a way to fix this in Samsung browser without? Even with the Adguard extension and antitracking features, it still fails to block 90% of tracking stuff and ads based on a couple AdBlock tests I use. All of it works perfectly in chrome, without even the need for any other software like Adguard. I thought AdAway worked on a systemwide level so apps can't forcefully show ads because the connection is literally blocked...?
It blocks some ads, but fails to block way more. As soon as I use the Adguard extension for Samsung browser (I use Samsung browser, prefer it over chrome for a ton of reasons) then all the ads get blocked (but almost no tracking stuff, despite Samsung browser supposedly having antitracking built in).
I've tried adding a few of my favorite lists to AdAway from ublock origin and blokada, and again, they do block a few things but nowhere remotely near what they should be. Something is fundamentally not working.
What is going on? AdAway has generally worked for mw on other phones.

I'm unrooted and did use ad block fast and that let some ads through especially on xda then I used abp and that blocks everything even add on xda I'm using the Samsung browser as well

liggerz87 said:
I'm unrooted and did use ad block fast and that let some ads through especially on xda then I used abp and that blocks everything even add on xda I'm using the Samsung browser as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realize there are VPN options and Samsung browser extensions, but I'm referring to AdAway, the root ad blocking solution, which is superior to all of those for a number of reasons.

True I knew you ment root version but thought I'd comment sorry it not much help

I have used adguard for years, it has givin me the best results above every other ad solution. Yes you pay for it, but for 30 clams it gets you 9 devices and it's lifetime....I purchased 3 plans and gave codes to family members and friends. A few of them said it changed their lives
AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription | StackSocial
Get Rid of Annoying Ads & Protect Your Device from Malware with This Advanced Ad Blocking App
stacksocial.com

Gytole said:
I have used adguard for years, it has givin me the best results above every other ad solution. Yes you pay for it, but for 30 clams it gets you 9 devices and it's lifetime....I purchased 3 plans and gave codes to family members and friends. A few of them said it changed their lives
AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription | StackSocial
Get Rid of Annoying Ads & Protect Your Device from Malware with This Advanced Ad Blocking App
stacksocial.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we stay on topic? For the third time, my question is about a rooted device using the root-based as blocker called adaway.

finshan said:
Can we stay on topic? For the third time, my question is about a rooted device using the root-based as blocker called adaway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You got it. Adaway uses an antiquated system as NEW ad's utilize some new crazy backends/whatnot that Adguard updates daily. Forgive me for trying to put my two cents in.
But it seems like your expectations are too high and you're disappointing yourself. To say it worked fine for Other phones, which I am not denying it didn't as I used to use adaway back in the day too, doesn't mean that it SHOULD work on newer phones. it has just become too much of a hassle to be consistent IMO.
BUT. I am out. Goodluck!

Gytole said:
You got it. Adaway uses an antiquated system as NEW ad's utilize some new crazy backends/whatnot that Adguard updates daily. Forgive me for trying to put my two cents in.
But it seems like your expectations are too high and you're disappointing yourself. To say it worked fine for Other phones, which I am not denying it didn't as I used to use adaway back in the day too, doesn't mean that it SHOULD work on newer phones. it has just become too much of a hassle to be consistent IMO.
BUT. I am out. Goodluck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the issue. There is not a better adblocker than root-based adblockers, and there is not a better root-based adblocker than AdAway.
It works fine in chrome, and in Samsung browser beta, and in all apps system-wide with none of the issues of non-root VPN-based adblockers.
My issue is how to fix it not working on Samsung browser.
I should have been more clear about that in the OP. There is nothing broken in AdAway—the issue is in Samsung browser specifically (and only the stable channel build, as this issue isn't even present on th beta builds), and so I'm seeking info and solutions regarding this.

Just use NextDNS at router level instead of fiddling with this garbage.

And never use my mobile phone with cellular data or outside of my home? Speaking of garbage....

finshan said:
And never use my mobile phone with cellular data or outside of my home? Speaking of garbage....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no perfect solution.
NextDNS at home. Works great. As for mobile data, you could always switch to another browser, preferably Brave Browser.

jericho246 said:
There's no perfect solution.
NextDNS at home. Works great. As for mobile data, you could always switch to another browser, preferably Brave Browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stop derailing the thread. I'm not asking about alternatives.
This is a thread seeking info about Samsung browser bypassing adblocking from AdAway.

finshan said:
Stop derailing the thread. I'm not asking about alternatives.
This is a thread seeking info about Samsung browser bypassing adblocking from AdAway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More appropriately, you should be asking AdAway related questions in the correct thread for AdAway.
[APP][ROOT/NONROOT][OFFICIAL] AdAway v6.1.0
AdAway AdAway is an open source ad blocker for Android using the hosts file. Google Play Store notice According the Google Play Developer Policy, especially the "Device and Network Abuse" section, ad blocker like AdAway violates the "Apps that...
forum.xda-developers.com

finshan said:
And never use my mobile phone with cellular data or outside of my home? Speaking of garbage....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually NextDNS works *everywhere* if implemented correctly.
Adblocking in AdAway, Adfree, et-al is easily bypassed especially in apps.
The irony in (garbage) is the Samsung browser... ;-)

cpufrost said:
Actually NextDNS works *everywhere* if implemented correctly.
Adblocking in AdAway, Adfree, et-al is easily bypassed especially in apps.
The irony in (garbage) is the Samsung browser... ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said it before I did.

I'm not sure what could be causing such a problem aside from the Samsung Browser ignoring the normal hosts file location, thus leading to the ads not being rerouted/blocked.
Only other thing that I can think of that might cause this issue is not having the systemless hosts module installed in Magisk, however, AdAway wouldn't work on Chrome either if this was the case...

The samsung browser might have a data saver or dns over https setting (or maybe a load pages faster type option) . If so those features bypass hosts file. Really this is better served in the adaway thread suggested to you earlier, your issue is not device specific (adaway works fine on my p6p and firefox browser) . I say post there (or even better on samsung browser's forum if such exists).

Gytole said:
I have used adguard for years, it has givin me the best results above every other ad solution. Yes you pay for it, but for 30 clams it gets you 9 devices and it's lifetime....I purchased 3 plans and gave codes to family members and friends. A few of them said it changed their lives
AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription | StackSocial
Get Rid of Annoying Ads & Protect Your Device from Malware with This Advanced Ad Blocking App
stacksocial.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I concur, AdGuard is by far the best ads & trackers blocker these days, so yes, off topic , I would suggest giving it a try.

nacos said:
I concur, AdGuard is by far the best ads & trackers blocker these days, so yes, off topic , I would suggest giving it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That person doesn't want help

Install the certificate....it helps a lot, also yeah ..add a **** ton more lists. How many do you have blocked?
I'm at 72k+ blocked on my list and I still have some that get through