Develop Bugs

[NEWS] Errant Data usage [Link]

Reading stories like this makes me glad mine is off.
Errant Data Usage

glad i have a 1.5GB plan. though i never see it chew up much. but aye, it's a good course to make MS do another update if they don't fix it with the feb patch.

I have a suspicion that this is just another thing the press have jumped on to attack Microsoft. I don't think it is a large scale issue or we would have heard about it before now in these forums.

well to be honest it has been noted around here in a few threads before, and most of us believe it comes from the feedback system in the phone. i think just having it so that it only sends data when connected to wifi will automatically resolve it.
but aye, wait for MS to do their investigations. i'm sure if they just "bing" it, they'll find our posts and say that is their solution as well

randude said:
I have a suspicion that this is just another thing the press have jumped on to attack Microsoft. I don't think it is a large scale issue or we would have heard about it before now in these forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of people report high battery consumption with WP7 devices. This could be the reason.

randude said:
I have a suspicion that this is just another thing the press have jumped on to attack Microsoft. I don't think it is a large scale issue or we would have heard about it before now in these forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MS has acknowledged the fact and looking into the resolution, so I don't think it is some mumbo-jumbo.

The Gate Keeper said:
well to be honest it has been noted around here in a few threads before, and most of us believe it comes from the feedback system in the phone. i think just having it so that it only sends data when connected to wifi will automatically resolve it.
but aye, wait for MS to do their investigations. i'm sure if they just "bing" it, they'll find our posts and say that is their solution as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a workaround and not a solution, I am pretty sure they want to solve it rather than telling the users to disable the feature.

lqaddict said:
This is a workaround and not a solution, I am pretty sure they want to solve it rather than telling the users to disable the feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i agree. but i'm just saying that MS could propose it as a temporary work around if it is indeed the cause of the issue, until they fix it in an update.

I have a suspicion this is a 3rd party app issue, as it's not everyone who's having this problem... Could still be the OS, of course.

CreepinJesus said:
I have a suspicion this is a 3rd party app issue, as it's not everyone who's having this problem... Could still be the OS, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uncertain about everyone having the issue. In all likelihood it could well be a majority. How would anyone know how much data they were using unless they studied the statement or had a monitor installed? Most people might not be aware of it at all and unconcerned.

MartyLK said:
Uncertain about everyone having the issue. In all likelihood it could well be a majority. How would anyone know how much data they were using unless they studied the statement or had a monitor installed? Most people might not be aware of it at all and unconcerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most people have limited cap on 3G data, so it's not that difficult to realize whether your phone is abusing your monthly plan or not.
Actually, from the comments at engadget and other blogs, it does seem that the vast majority of users are not affected by the issue. And I've never heard a single one in Italy affected as well. So it maybe a carrier-specific problem, or a 3rd party app available on certain markets/networks.
Or there might not be an issue at all, the high data consumption being just caused by applications running under the lockscreen in standby (so that wifi goes off and 3g kicks in).

MartyLK said:
Uncertain about everyone having the issue. In all likelihood it could well be a majority. How would anyone know how much data they were using unless they studied the statement or had a monitor installed? Most people might not be aware of it at all and unconcerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True... I know I'm ok because I have checked my online statement thing and I've only used a couple of MB so far this month.

Feedback Function? i dont think so.......
One thing that has NEVER been talked about is another new function.......
Location!
You all know that via windowslive we can locate our phones, erase them, block them ect.
Well this function is on by default.
I guess to find out where it is, (its regularly saving its current location on windows live) It has to send some kind of info to Microsoft.
Now i dont think to save location info would need Mbs of data, but who knows?
Since the feedback option is (proven? because deactivated by some? anybody?) not the problem, and the find my phone service is not mentioned, i would look into that........

SPVlover said:
...
I guess to find out where it is, (its regularly saving its current location on windows live) It has to send some kind of info to Microsoft.
Now i dont think to save location info would need Mbs of data, but who knows?
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That depends how often it's sending location info, and whether it's using AGPS. I don't know the details... Mine is turned off anyway.

SPVlover said:
One thing that has NEVER been talked about is another new function.......
Location!
You all know that via windowslive we can locate our phones, erase them, block them ect.
Well this function is on by default.
I guess to find out where it is, (its regularly saving its current location on windows live) It has to send some kind of info to Microsoft.
Now i dont think to save location info would need Mbs of data, but who knows?
Since the feedback option is (proven? because deactivated by some? anybody?) not the problem, and the find my phone service is not mentioned, i would look into that........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Location is switched on on my phone and I haven't noticed any large data usage.

I am not getting extra data usage when I'm not using my phone it's only about 5k every now and then when it checks email but Saturday I was at the NEC and used IE a lot and wow it ate data!!! I used nearly 30mb just on general surfing, my old Blackberry Storm 2 on the same type of use would have been about 5mb!!!! so why is the phone using so much data when I was just surfing?

alan1467 said:
I am not getting extra data usage when I'm not using my phone it's only about 5k every now and then when it checks email but Saturday I was at the NEC and used IE a lot and wow it ate data!!! I used nearly 30mb just on general surfing, my old Blackberry Storm 2 on the same type of use would have been about 5mb!!!! so why is the phone using so much data when I was just surfing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have it on mobile viewing, or desktop viewing? Remember that other phones searched from Google used to limit the viewing for mobile devices. Google would reformat them. Bing doesn't do that, especially if you have it browse as if you're using a desktop.
I have location services on all the time, as well as 3G. The phone uses probably 5MB/day along with my emails, and some MSN. Location services is not the problem, and I lock and find my phone everyday to make sure it's working Yes, I'm over protective.
It's a 3rd party app or feedback.

I've had all location services and features turned on except Feedback since October and have barely been using 50MB a month, which includes downloading games and Apps from Marketplace.
Could be the feedback feature i suppose, i've recently turned mine on but disabled the option to send via GPRS so it won't make a difference i guess.

I've had all location services and features turned on except Feedback since October and have barely been using 50MB a month, which includes downloading a couple of games and Apps from Marketplace.
Could be the feedback feature i suppose, i've recently turned mine on but disabled the option to send via GPRS so it won't make a difference i guess.

bmazloum said:
Do you have it on mobile viewing, or desktop viewing? Remember that other phones searched from Google used to limit the viewing for mobile devices. Google would reformat them. Bing doesn't do that, especially if you have it browse as if you're using a desktop.
I have location services on all the time, as well as 3G. The phone uses probably 5MB/day along with my emails, and some MSN. Location services is not the problem, and I lock and find my phone everyday to make sure it's working Yes, I'm over protective.
It's a 3rd party app or feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have it in desktop view do you think that could be it?

Data hungry Defy

Hi
Wonder if you guy's can help. Just got a sim free defy and have noticed it seems very data hungry from the off.
Installed a data app and its saying im using 5 mb + a day.
What is it doing, to use all this data all i seem to have done is put my location in the weather app thats built in, logged on to my face book and thats about it. oh and set up my o2 email account.
Cant seem to find how to limit the size of email download in the accounts.
How can i monitor each individual program and find out which ones causing the problem.
Dave

doliver55 said:
Hi
Wonder if you guy's can help. Just got a sim free defy and have noticed it seems very data hungry from the off.
Installed a data app and its saying im using 5 mb + a day.
What is it doing, to use all this data all i seem to have done is put my location in the weather app thats built in, logged on to my face book and thats about it. oh and set up my o2 email account.
Cant seem to find how to limit the size of email download in the accounts.
How can i monitor each individual program and find out which ones causing the problem.
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could try setting up something on 'data manager'

Whats everybody else's usage average out each day only asking cause its my works phone sim and don;t want to get stung for data usage.

Today it's 2,76MB, though I've used 1,39GB over the last month.

I have 3GB included in my contract. couldn't care less about traffic ...
but if you want absolute control install droidwall and see what connects to the internet.

doliver55 said:
Whats everybody else's usage average out each day only asking cause its my works phone sim and don;t want to get stung for data usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An Android phone was a mistake if you're looking to avoid heavy data usage.

my average is about 30 mb on weekends (out of wifi range) and like 2 mb on weekdays as I'm on school holidays and moslty always in wifi range

[UT] X-RAY said:
I have 3GB included in my contract. couldn't care less about traffic ...
but if you want absolute control install droidwall and see what connects to the internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers for the droidwall tip, seems a good way of restricting a lot of things

I also observe that Android sometimes produces traffic without an order to do so. 3gwatchdog counts the traffic and shows the origin-applications, some are just google or motoblur stuff but without any option to deactivate traffic or updates or whatever they're doing.....

mrt3k said:
I also observe that Android sometimes produces traffic without an order to do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, the OS is designed to be used with an always-on data connection.
If you don't have one of those, an Android phone is not a good idea.

I do have unlimited traffic, but a speed limitation after 200 MB to 64kbit/s which isnt fun anymore.
Thats the problem of the big ans usually good providers in Germany, even the highly priced agreements have that little traffic included.
Thus, I think it should be possible to deactivate useless data traffic even in Android, mh? There should be some options that deny traffic usage in general and also for single apps. (btw. I tried droidwall, but some apps tunneld the firewall and produces traffic anyway!)

mrt3k said:
Thus, I think it should be possible to deactivate useless data traffic even in Android, mh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are ways to completely disable data usage but I'm, not sure it's possible for individual apps.
But, like I said, if heavy data usage is a concern, Android is not the right OS for you.

Ignore Step666 his talking crap, android is a good OS even if ur not connected all the time, (I dont even use 3g connection, I mostly use only wi-fi) ..not everyone hangs on facebook all day or needs those weather widgets and stuff like that... really depends on a user.
but if u have a problem with heavy data usage i can help
-first a program that will help u monitor your usage (u can also reset counters monthly) - try traffic counter extended, there are also other apps that help u limit how much data u can transfer over wifi/cell
-second i think droidwall is the app u are looking for
(its a firewall for Android. This is for users that don't have an unlimited data plan. It allows unrestricted WiFi access, however it blocks all access over the cellular network unless you add the application to the whitelist.)

Also, try disabling auto sync on the power control widget.

Peglezn said:
Ignore Step666 his talking crap...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I'm not.
The fact you're having to install third-party apps to prevent the phone from automatically connecting to the internet merely proves my point - it is designed to be used with an always-on internet connection.

there was a third party app called DROIDWALL...it allows you to block all the unwanted apps from connecting with internet.. and yes it allows only specific apps to be blocked..

yeah use droidwall, its easy - set it to "white list (allow selected)" then select the google system apps and the apps you like to have internet access, any new apps you install wont get net access unless you add it to the white list, making it easy to manage.
you can also restrict wifi and/or 3G per app.
nice for apps like notepad that somehow need internet access.

Thanks for your ideas.
I did already use Droidwal for some time, but it did not function properly.
I blocked certain apps and for some time I blocked all apps, includig system apps. And what happened? There was data usage by any program, at least the traffic counter showed traffic usage. Thus, it seems not to block really what I set to block. :-/

Thx for the tip with Droidwall! Works great
mrt3k said:
...Thus, it seems not to block really what I set to block. :-/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to apply the rules manually... Did you try?

What do you mean by "manually"? You can manually set apps to white- and blacklist, yeah, or what u mean?

WP7 smooth but slow?

I've been using all kind of apps in my WP7, and I noticed this:
Using 2G/Edge connection, all apps are extremely slow. And much more susceptible to force closes;
Comparing to Android and iPhones, both using the same Edge network, WP7 is much worse handling with this kind of connection then iPhone or Android is. I don't know if the problem is the App, or the whole system. But open the Facebook app for Android and open the Facebook app for WP7. It takes forever using edge. And the app is laggy. But this I think it's not really WP7 fault.
The same with Twitter. It takes about 3~4 the time the iPhone takes to refresh timeline. (Yes, I removed from background before open it in iPhone)
Using 3G or Wifi it gets a lot better, still, it is slower then other OSes.
And I'll not even mention the browser. No match for iOS, tough it is sexy as it is.
The problem is, every single app that I've compared between WP7 and Android or iOS, is a lot slower and laggy. I thought that WP7 was meant to be smooth.
Have anyone else noticed this issue?

To truly compare apps on one OS versus another, you need to have both phones on the same Wifi network, to eliminate carrier speed issues.
And preferably have the Nodo update as well, to be fair.

Yeah, you're wrong about the browser. I'm not sure what 'tests' you ran, but wp7's IE is like an F1 racing car. At least for me it is. Fastest thing I've ever seen on a device.
Also, wp7 is probably built to run on 3G, so using old tech like 2G/Edge is probly the reason. Unless that's complete bunk I dunno, I'm just guessing.
-edit-
But I'll agree with you on the 3rd party apps. They're all slow and choppy for some reason. Even something as official as The Weather Channel. Not sure why.

I ran the test in the same carrier, using 2G. One side of another.
Then I tested the browser using the same wifi.
The speed is quite close. But you can see the difference (I'M NOT SAYING IE IS SLOW!).
I don't have NoDo yet, dying for it, btw. But if anyone with NoDo can try it out, it would be great.
Just try using the same app with diferent devices (such as Android or iPhone) in the same wifi network.
Even if the time to load is close, the app is laggy; cannot deny.
Edit:
Yes, 2G is old tech. But the most part of the time I don't need 3G speed. But I need my battery to survive throughout the day.

mikeeam said:
Yes, 2G is old tech. But the most part of the time I don't need 3G speed. But I need my battery to survive throughout the day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have motweets and all locations services running right now on my phone and this has been the case for a while. I get through a full day no prob without charging.
I have a HD7 with the smallest battery and the biggest screen.
Battery problems are non-existent on WP7 IMO if even I can make it through the day. And I stay on 3G

Well, that is a problem to me. I go work at 07 a.m. and I just go back home at 11:30 p.m.
Using 3G all the time, when I get home my battery is crying out. With 2G I got about 25% more battery than I would using 3G.
And I turned the push to my e-mail off.

mikeeam said:
The speed is quite close. But you can see the difference (I'M NOT SAYING IE IS SLOW!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I respectfully disagree that it's slower, but just glad to see you didn't mean it's slow in general. Cause for some reason I've seen that said a couple times and it's just untrue.

mikeeam said:
Well, that is a problem to me. I go work at 07 a.m. and I just go back home at 11:30 p.m.
Using 3G all the time, when I get home my battery is crying out. With 2G I got about 25% more battery than I would using 3G.
And I turned the push to my e-mail off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using an LG Quantum. Granted they're rated high on the battery scale, but I too can leave home at 8:45, and get home at 7, and then casually use it in the evening, with rarely needing to charge.

Well, that may depend on sites and everything. But it's not a problem at all.
The laggy apps; this is a problem.
Even with 3G, it's clearly slow. Just on 3rd party apps, of course.
Maybe they are not coding it right?

mikeeam said:
Well, that may depend on sites and everything. But it's not a problem at all.
The laggy apps; this is a problem.
Even with 3G, it's clearly slow. Just on 3rd party apps, of course.
Maybe they are not coding it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I heard, that the developers aren't coding it properly. Cause look at the native apps; smooth as silk.

sure haven't said:
That's what I heard, that the developers aren't coding it properly. Cause look at the native apps; smooth as silk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apples to oranges. Or more accurately, C++ to Silverlight on the desktop. 3rd party apps will always be at a disadvantage due to the .NET framework. The size of that disadvantage depends on how well MS optimizes the runtime environment on WP7. So far they haven't done a great job.
Sent from a phone

I did countless speed tests between my Samsung Focus and my fathers iPhone 4 before I returned my Focus. The Focus was much quicker at setting up calendar stuff and taking pictures, but I did find that the iPhone browser was a bit faster on most occasions. I'm interested in seeing how much faster it becomes with IE9 though.
Regarding battery life I found myself not making it through the day. I heard mixed reports about the Focus's battery life, but I didn't like it to much. I would play Bye Bye Brain for a little bit (15-25 minutes) and drop 15-20% in battery.

Erik, what do you think about 3rd party apps? Just want to know toughts about someone that is comparing iPhone 4 with WP7, like me.
Do you tested Facebook app?

i did some tests and 2g/edge is working quite well for me. I checked emails, opened news websites (like globo.com with lots of pictures) and tried with twitter app. No more than short seconds to load everything. Ill get an iphone4 tomorrow for testing and see the difference. My network provider is very unstable. Sometimes i make bandwidth tests on my wp7 and i get speeds as high as 800-1000kbps and sometimes only 150-250kbps.

mikeeam said:
Well, that is a problem to me. I go work at 07 a.m. and I just go back home at 11:30 p.m.
Using 3G all the time, when I get home my battery is crying out. With 2G I got about 25% more battery than I would using 3G.
And I turned the push to my e-mail off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't charge your phone at work for an hour???
I don't even try to use edge on usa t-mobile. It is painfully slow no matter the OS (android, wp7, winmo), usually about 50-60kbps. I have solved the 3g issue by using a mobile hotspot from time warner.

in your case seems like a network problem to me. Whats your phone mike?

mikeeam said:
Erik, what do you think about 3rd party apps? Just want to know toughts about someone that is comparing iPhone 4 with WP7, like me.
Do you tested Facebook app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Third party apps are much better on the iPhone, but thats also because the iPhone has had longer to mature. The Facebook app has much more support (Groups, chat, etc) and is very quick. I was always annoyed with the WP7 Facebook app (and other apps) because when you scrolled in the list it would have very strange scrolling (can't describe it, but you know what I mean). The iPhone Facebook app doesn't have this scrolling issue and since I can run it in the background it is just as quick/quicker than WP7 and the People hub. These same observations can be applied to almost any app shared between the two phones. WP7 feels really, really smooth in all the default applications, but for third party stuff it's just not the same.
Also, I never did any speed tests between the phones over 3G/Edge because I'm on a tiered plan and didn't feel like using it up for tests.

bnlf said:
in your case seems like a network problem to me. Whats your phone mike?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trophy 7. Also, my carrier is Vivo (not TIM anymore). And my phone takes forever just to refresh Facebook app (if it don't show up a message saying to check my connection).

ErikWithNoC said:
Third party apps are much better on the iPhone, but thats also because the iPhone has had longer to mature. The Facebook app has much more support (Groups, chat, etc) and is very quick. I was always annoyed with the WP7 Facebook app (and other apps) because when you scrolled in the list it would have very strange scrolling (can't describe it, but you know what I mean). The iPhone Facebook app doesn't have this scrolling issue and since I can run it in the background it is just as quick/quicker than WP7 and the People hub. These same observations can be applied to almost any app shared between the two phones. WP7 feels really, really smooth in all the default applications, but for third party stuff it's just not the same.
Also, I never did any speed tests between the phones over 3G/Edge because I'm on a tiered plan and didn't feel like using it up for tests.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just looked into the app I am programming currently (and I will present here as soon as I reached this 10-Post-Thread-Limit).
At first I thought everything runs smoothly but the longer I use my app the unsmoother it gets. I looked in the code but couldnt find anything that could cause this slowness (like expanding memory-need) and even added manual GarbageCollection that will delete unused space from memory but it didnt improve the slowness. Seems like theres a bug in the Silverlight/.Net-Framework.
Sincerly,
DeathLamp

DeathLamp said:
I just looked into the app I am programming currently (and I will present here as soon as I reached this 10-Post-Thread-Limit).
At first I thought everything runs smoothly but the longer I use my app the unsmoother it gets. I looked in the code but couldnt find anything that could cause this slowness (like expanding memory-need) and even added manual GarbageCollection that will delete unused space from memory but it didnt improve the slowness. Seems like theres a bug in the Silverlight/.Net-Framework.
Sincerly,
DeathLamp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're a genious!
But that sounds bad. I would prefer to hear that developers were coding it wrong. Hope Microsoft fix this soon. Seriously, I love the OS, but these little things are pissing me off.

Private DNS ad-blocking

I used to always unlock bootloaders, install TWRP, flash clean Android and load up AdAway until my latest S20 acquisition. The intention was to wait out the 2yr warranty period and then do it until I learned that ad blocking was possible using the Private DNS setting.
Over the first days of using my new S20 I was really shocked at the volume of crap blasting at me that AdAway was blocking in the past, so trying out Private DNS was a welcome relief (dns.adguard.com).
It's only been a few days since I've done this and I just applied the setting to the wife's (stock) Huawei P20 Pro, and yes a large volume of ads are now missing, a sight for very sore eyes.
Just wondering if others have had positive and/or negative experiences using Private DNS for ad blocking. I saw Pixel 2s were rebooting but I'm sure the latest versions of Android would have sorted this by now. I haven't experienced anything untoward so far but I'm a very light user and only had the phone 4 days.

Works great for me! No more Blokada, DNS66, et al. Been using this since my Note 9.
Install youtube vanced and you're all set.

Tried dns.adguard.com before but some ads were still going through so i stuck to blokada, but now it seems to work fine, no more vpn icon

Used AdAway on rooted devices too ... with dns.adguard.com i had no problems while using it .... if you want, try this.. dns.keweon.center ..which i currently use...also excellent DNS

No need to use VPN Ad blockers.
Instead of dns.adguard.com use nextdns.io
Get free account and configure it as You want, with many filters full loging etc. It's better than AdAway.
Then You can set private dns to Your custom nextdns config.

krogoth said:
No need to use VPN Ad blockers.
Instead of dns.adguard.com use nextdns.io
Get free account and configure it as You want, with many filters full loging etc. It's better than AdAway.
Then You can set private dns to Your custom nextdns config.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this tip.
I've just set it up after a week of quite successful dns.adguard.com ad blocking but I really like the enormous flexibility of nextdns.io and its (potential) threat protection, as well as the logging (in CH) and analytics. Reminds me of OpenDNS but with ad blocking as well!
I have recommended it to a friend with two younger boys, he might appreciate the content filtering side for them, but generally the one thing that has irked me about smartphones is the potential for accidentally landing on a new malware site even if it is unlikely to infect Android.

The problem with the any DNS or VPN based blocking method: Chrome will randomly stop functioning whenever I am connected to any wifi network.
It will just stop loading random sites, not show all pictures in Google Image search, not show anything anymore when you click back and forward or just stop loading anything at all.
Go to mobile connection, it immediately works. Disable the DNS/VPN blocker, it immediately works.
Reconnect wifi, it will work again for a while. Can be two days, can be ten minutes. It's completely random.
I am not able to figure out ANY reason why this is happening.
I know Chrome has its own DNS resolver and you should disable it when using DNS based blocking methods (disable async dns resolver and clear dns cache), and while this fixes the problem that not all ads are blocked in a reliable way, it doesn't fix the wifi connection loss.
Using DNS or VPN based blockers only cause problems in Chrome, no other app.
I know I could just switch browsers, its just that I use Chrome on desktop as well and like the synced bookmarks.
Does anyone have any idea why using a VPN/DNS based adblocker would cause Chrome to specifically stop working randomly only in a wifi network, but not via mobile?
I have had this issue over several devices and Android versions for years now and I can't figure it out.

fBx said:
Does anyone have any idea why using a VPN/DNS based adblocker would cause Chrome to specifically stop working randomly only in a wifi network, but not via mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it happen only on your home network? If so, are you using additional adblockers such as Pi-hole or dns.adguard..com as your router's default DNS?
Interesting that it happens only with mobile Chrome. Just another reason to stop using Chrome....

just use Disconnect Pro instead, Adblock through KNOX.

Sorry guys you all lying to urselfs... best adblock is still only via root available! Energized or AdAway is where it's at.

chieco said:
Sorry guys you all lying to urselfs... best adblock is still only via root available! Energized or AdAway is where it's at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks captain obvious! Now go root my north american snapdragon s20...

Adguard for Android is nice, not the app store version either. It's on adguard.com
Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[email protected] said:
just use Disconnect Pro instead, Adblock through KNOX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a fantastic solution!

[email protected] said:
just use Disconnect Pro instead, Adblock through KNOX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this! I missed adhell so much since it worked through Knox as well. Right now I'm running private dns on my phone from adguard and I'm going to use this app along with it as well.

Just go buy a Raspberry Pi Zero W and throw an SD card into it, install Pihole on it and VPN into your home network. Most modern routers have a VPN server built into them, Samsung phones all have a VPN client built in, and you can get a Pi Zero for $10 (or under $20 bundled with an MicroSD if you don't have one lying around from an old phone).
No root or special software on the phone end needed, and once the Pi is set up it's plug and play.
---------- Post added at 05:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:40 PM ----------
sublimaze said:
Does it happen only on your home network? If so, are you using additional adblockers such as Pi-hole or dns.adguard..com as your router's default DNS?
Interesting that it happens only with mobile Chrome. Just another reason to stop using Chrome....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome is purposely crippled to do this - there's even a dev flag to disable the behavior. It's the main reason I stopped using it and disabled it entirely. I went to Samsung's browser and have actually been really happy with it - the dark mode actually makes all web sites dark, even the ones that don't work with Chrome's.

Thank you.

Do you see any issues accessing very secure sites like banks thru the DNS blocks?

sublimaze said:
Does it happen only on your home network? If so, are you using additional adblockers such as Pi-hole or dns.adguard..com as your router's default DNS?
Interesting that it happens only with mobile Chrome. Just another reason to stop using Chrome....
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rustyram02 said:
Do you see any issues accessing very secure sites like banks thru the DNS blocks?
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If the blocker is doing its job correctly, it shouldn't have issues with any legit site. This actually protects you since most of the blockers also block malicious domains so if you accidentally click a phishing link it *might* keep you from getting to it.
The problems you WILL see if that sponsored results in search engines will stop working, because they route through an ad site rather than directly to the thing you want to go to. Once you get used to ignoring the top few results in Google, it's not so bad. There's also the issue of sites that block you if they detect an ad blocker. Most sites aren't smart enough to be able to detect a DNS based blocker, but if they are you will either not be able to use the site, or you'll need to turn the DNS blocker off or whitelist the site while you do.

Illrigger said:
If the blocker is doing its job correctly, it shouldn't have issues with any legit site. This actually protects you since most of the blockers also block malicious domains so if you accidentally click a phishing link it *might* keep you from getting to it.
The problems you WILL see if that sponsored results in search engines will stop working, because they route through an ad site rather than directly to the thing you want to go to. Once you get used to ignoring the top few results in Google, it's not so bad. There's also the issue of sites that block you if they detect an ad blocker. Most sites aren't smart enough to be able to detect a DNS based blocker, but if they are you will either not be able to use the site, or you'll need to turn the DNS blocker off or whitelist the site while you do.
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Yeah I stopped clicking the top search results a long time ago. I was an avid AdGuard user, but their app used too much battery. I changed my default DNS to dns.adguard.com and it blocks ads as well as their app, without the battery hit.

In 2017, I purchased two Adguard lifetime licences for $10/each ($20 total), one of my best purchased ever! Now the same license is $70/each.
Have not had a need to root and still no ads on our phones for years now!

Why can't I have it all?

Today is one of the days per year that I have a full Saturday without my family around to bug me. As I sit here wasting my day trying to figure out how to "have it all", I have to "vent". I don't understand why this is so difficult. It's not about the money, I would write a check with several zeros if someone could find a solution for me. All I want, is a phone that Google and Apple can't track, but is still functional for my needs.
LineageOS with Micro is ALMOST that solution. But, every day something doesn't work like it should. I need to be able to schedule texts and send MMS messages that don't sacrafice quality. What do you user for that? Google Messages. Well, I don't want to sign into Google so none of those features work. In fact, even if I do sign in, none of those features work. Ok, I'll try Textra. Nope. Won't work with MicroG because it "needs google service". I have tried around a dozen messaging apps, but either they don't schedule texts or they don't send MMS.
I drive 1,000s of miles for work in different vehicles in unfamiliar areas. I listen to many podcasts and take lots of phone calls on the road. So, given the amount of travel and variation of vehicles I drive, having a physcial GPS or using a phone mount isn't practical. Using my phone as a handheld GPS isn't smart. What's left? Android Auto. Ok, I've tried using a separate phone for Android Auto, but then phone calls don't come through. I've almost crashed trying to juggle those.
What am I working on today? I've been using Brave Browser, but I also use 1password. 1password functionality is broken on 90% of the sites I visit on Brave, so I downloaded Firefox. 1password works great, but my corporate security app routes everything from Firefox through itself, and breaks everything. It doesn't happen with Brave and I can't delete my work app. So Brave wins that battle.
So I thought -- why don't I just install LinesageOS with gapps, create a brand new google account to login with, and never use that google ID anywhere else. But after some research and asking on different message boards, THAT doesn't work either.
At this point, how does someone in my shoes not just say f#*k it, you win Google/Apple, and go back to a stock OS?

faknit said:
have to "vent"
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Kinda know this feeling.
faknit said:
want, is a phone that Google and Apple can't track
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How about Librem? Or at least iodeOS?
faknit said:
Google Messages
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Why in the 1st place?
faknit said:
What's left? Android Auto
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Well, other than that, perhaps Osmand?
faknit said:
you win Google/Apple, and go back to a stock OS?
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NO WAY, over my dad's cat!
I do understand and share your frustration but giving up is not a good choice here.
Sometimes less is more, I don't use MicroG at all and people keep pestering me since years to get Whatsapp, Signal, Threema, Telegram, Slack, Discord and all that ****. Nah, stop being stupid and just keep using email, SMS or jabber.
Unless another Noah posts free tickets for Ark 2 on whatsapp, I am perfectly fine, I guess

A little late on my reply! Figured I'd still throw this out there.
I can't use Librem & iodeOS because of work requirements. I have to use their applications for email/messaging etc. Unfortunately the apps also detect/block Custom ROMs so I have no choice but to root so I can use magisk.
Literally the only reason I want Google Messages (which, for what I want requires chat features enabled) is to schedule messages without losing other functionality. QKSMS works great, but you can't share videos. Several others that are recommended won't work without Google services. There was one that worked really well but crashed every couple hours and would only work after uninstalling.
Android Auto, I could care less which application I use TBH, but nothing else will do what I need. I need the map to display on the cars screen so I'm not staring at my phone. A second phone isn't an option because 1. I'd lose it 2. Work won't pay for a phone because they suck and I can't afford 2 plans. Same excuses for a dedicated GPS. A phone mount is difficult because of the sheer variety of vehicles I drive, and I usually don't know what I'll be driving. So I'd have to take several styles of mount on every trip.
All that said --- I vented and I feel better. I'm just dealing with the problems.

faknit said:
Work won't pay for a phone because they suck and I can't afford 2 plans
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That sounds familiar. A previous company insisted on iphone which I despised but I tried anyway for a month, ever since I hate everything crapple even more
But wait, can't solve issue 1... issue 2: Hotspot on company phone? Muahahahaaa