yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] Renegade1504:
Feature request

Hello mrRobiinson,

first I want to thank you for this awesome app which makes my data usage lasts longer as all those annoying ads are blocked.

Howere I have one feature request:

As I am using Archidroid I want to request a check box for ignoring missing symlinks. As justarchi added a special way of blocking ads he uses additional hosts files (also one for adaway) and merges them by his ROM/config app.

Therfore I can update it by hand but as the Adaway app states it is deactivated no automatic updates are possible.

May this be possible in one of the next version?

Thanks for your efforts.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Out of curiosity, why do you want to use both AdAway and Archidroid's own (rather circumvoluted) hosts-mangling DNS server override? AdAway seems drastically simpler/faster/easier, lets YOU decide what you wish to block/allow, and uses absolutely NO additional resources.
[Android Apps and Games] berniebennybernard:
On my Note 4, it keeps giving me this error whenever I tap on "DOWNLOAD FILES AND APPLY AD BLOCKING"

"Private file failed - Downloaded file could not be read"
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Which device (there are many "Note 4" models), which Android version, which ROM/kernel, which root method and control, etc.?

That error smells like a root/access problem, such as inability to properly write to /system. Have you tried to manually (from a Terminal prompt or root-enabled file manager) edit files on /system, specifically /system/etc/hosts?
[Android Apps and Games] 1337SereniTyx3:
The Steam app doesn't work after applying AdAway. It keeps saying "Connection refused". Actual Error - net::ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED

I tried white listing steampowered & steamcommunity. But no use.
[Android Apps and Games] shaqman89:
Did you check the actual DNS request from the log?
[Android Apps and Games] 1337SereniTyx3:
Yes, the entry was "api.steampowered.com" . I whitelisted it but no success.
[Android Apps and Games] shaqman89:
Does disabling adaway helps?

If not, it's almost certain that adaway isn't causing it.
[Android Apps and Games] Oum:
I don't have any issue at all using Steam with AdAway...
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
This simply means that you are blocking a hosts that your app requires. If enabling the AdAway webserver isn't enough to fool that app into thinking that it's connected, use the DNS Request Log to find out which hosts to whitelist (the strings "steampowered" and "steamcommunity" are not suitable hosts or widlcards). Before you spend too much time on this, however, try using only the default source files, in case the problem is coming from a source file that you added. Remember to reboot after any change to the hosts file.
[Android Apps and Games] ChaoticThreat:
My htc desire 816 virgin mobile crashes and reboots when adaway says applying hosts file.

Im running stock lollipop rooted.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Which version of AdAway ( latest is 3.1) and which hosts files (defaults or any additional ones)? Do you see any error message?
[Android Apps and Games] ChaoticThreat:
I've tried using 3.1 , 3.0.1 , 2.9.2

the defaults

there is no error message. it just crashes the phone after 2-3 seconds into "applying host files"

I've also tried using an explorer to change the permissions of the host file and still no luck :(
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
You shouldn’t have to do anything with permissions but you can check whether you can edit the /system/etc/hosts file "manually" from a terminal prompt or file manager. Do you have a full root or are you bound by HTC's "S-ON"? If you have S-ON, have you tried the workaround detailed in the AdAway builtin Help screen (symlink to /data)?
[Android Apps and Games] ChaoticThreat:
[/COLOR]

I just got the latest working (3.1)

I installed adfree and i was able to successfully apply the host file and then I installed Adaway and i was able to successfully install the host file with ease :)
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Adfree? That's basically a proxy that reroutes your private traffic to unknown locations and is probably not the safest/wisest/simplest approach. Uninstall it, making sure you're back to the factory hosts files, reboot, then try safe open source AdAway again.... ;)
[Android Apps and Games] ChaoticThreat:
will do. thanks for the help :good:
[Android Apps and Games] lordsinasina:
Hi Guys,

When I enable adaway and want to watch a video on YouTube app, the video quality is very low for a few seconds then it gets to the higher resolution. Is any one else experiencing this ?

Thank you
[Android Apps and Games] Renegade1504:
Hello,

for me happens also without adaway. I think prebuffering is done with lower quality till more high res data is available.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Extremely unlikely to have anything to do with AdAway. Either a host is blocked in the hosts file or it's not, and it doesn't matter if that hosts file was created with AdAway's help or in any other manner. You probably have a simple YouTube issue (bandwidth, caching, etc.).
[Android Apps and Games] imcass:
Hi everyone!

I own a Nexus 9 with the Dirty Unicorns rom.

In the past I have always had Adaway installed with no problems whatsoever. But recently I started noticing that whenever I opened the app to update the hosts, the service shows as disabled. I also have a G4 with the same version of Adaway (the latest) installed with no problems.

I thought it could be because the DU rom also has a built-in adblock, tried disabling that, but Adaway still disables itself with no apparent reason. And it is arbitrary too, I can apply the hosts and it stays enabled for like 10min or so, or I can apply the hosts, close the app, open it again and it's already disabled.

I recently did a clean flash, tried everything again, same result.

Does anyone have any idea what can be causing the problem? Thanks so much! :)
[Android Apps and Games] Promez:
It's a Dirty Unicorns problem
[Android Apps and Games] imcass:
So it's already happened to other users? The weird thing it that I had Adaway with DU before (it was like V9.3 of DU) and it worked flawlessly. Maybe it's a recent problem.

That sucks though, the adblocker that comes with DU sucks big time.
[Android Apps and Games] Promez:
I don't know on the previous builds but on the 9.7 on my Opo I was never able to use Adaway.

Encountered the same problem described by you
[Android Apps and Games] imcass:
Man, that sucks. Thanks for the help though, I'll try to get in touch with the devs of the rom to see if they're aware of the problem.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
That builtin "adblocker" is the likely culprit. If you can uninstall (or at least disable) it and make sure you end up with only ONE /system/etc/hosts file to which you have r/w access, chances are AdAway (and anything else you want to use to edit your hosts file) will run just fine.

<rant>

I wish ROM cookers/tweakers would quit trying to reinvent the wheel by including all sorts of "adblockers" as system files without explaining to their users what it does and how to get rid of it. It would be so much easier to either provide a link to AdAway or include the current AdAway as an optional user app.

</rant>
[Android Apps and Games] ronyzura:
I love this app rsrs. Thanks ?
[Android Apps and Games] Promez:
Totally support your rant :D

Anyway on others ROMs with builtin adblockers i've always disabled the integrated app and used Adaway.

On DU i was never been able to make it work
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
From glancing at those DirtyU ROMs, I suggest you try to delete ALL "/etc/hosts.*" files (hosts[0-9], hosts.alt, hosts.tmp, etc.) and maybe even /etc/started.cfg. You probably don't even need an initial hosts file at all but to be safe, create a one-line /etc/hosts file containing "127.0.0.1 localhost". Alternatively, select another ROM... ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Promez:
Already choosed the alternative [emoji14]

Next time I will try your suggestion, thanks!
[Android Apps and Games] imcass:
Thanks to everyone who tried to help with this. I deleted the host files in the etc folder like [MENTION=4343728]Mike B.[/MENTION] said and actually didn't leave or create any one, disabled the built-in adblocker and reinstalled Adaway and so far so good, the program is enabled and running, even after a reboot.

Thanks for the help (:
[Android Apps and Games] Gialloblu:
I have 10gb free but it says 'too little space on partition' what to do?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 5 met Tapatalk
[Android Apps and Games] ΦDroid:
It is trying to use space on the system partition, which cannot resize to use part of your 10GB free. Once it is full, the only way you can add anything to it is by removing something first. Instead, you can install to the data partition which will use part of your 10GB free.

Navigate to preferences-target hosts file and select /data/hosts
[Android Apps and Games] DarthKeizer:
holy hell!

Thanks!

You are a lifesaver!!! :D :good:

updated your list with adblock plus, is this legal? :angel:
[Android Apps and Games] ΦDroid:
Of course it's legal. We get to choose what does NOT load on our devices. It's only what does that can be illegal.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
You can use any list you want, but be careful when using source files intended for use with other "ad blockers". Specifically, files designed for "Adblock Plus", "uBlock", and similar tools (mostly created for use on a computer) may contain a lot more than plain host redirection entries. They often use filters and rules that at best will be ignored by AdAway and do nothing but waste bandwidth, RAM, and time. It's much wiser to stick to plain hosts lists... and as few files as necessary... ;)

The most common mistake users make is to use too many source files or use the wrong files for their specific configuration and browsing patterns. It's surprising how few entries are actually needed in the hosts file to block most all unwanted content for most Android users.
[Android Apps and Games] DarthKeizer:
Yeah only used the AdAway source file at first, but a few ads got away :P. After using the adblockplus version there were no more advertisments.?

Does it really cost bandwith/RAM and time?

Any idea how I can test this? I can remove the adblock plus source and test it out?
[Android Apps and Games] casouzaj:
In my rooted Sony Xperia Z3C phone, running the latest 5.1.1 build, the only version in which the webserver feature works is 3.0.2, built on last September, 1st. With both versions 3.1, and the recently rebuilt 2.9.2, that feature simply isn't kept. If I I turn webserver on, in Adaway's main page, and just put Adaway in background, wherever I bring it back, the webserver is turned off.

Enviado de meu D5833 usando Tapatalk
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Anything you don't need "costs" bandwidth to download/update, RAM to process and store, and time to process and scan. On some devices, the difference is very noticeable. In addition, there's always the possibility that some of those additional files contain entries that you or your apps need or want. I always recommend starting with the default source files (at most), update them once in a while (no obvious reason to do so daily) and simply use the DNS Request Log to identify the few additional hosts you might want to blacklist. If you spend any time trying to optimize and speed up your device, then you owe it to yourself to NOT burden it with unnecessary source files.

Most of us are creatures of habit and tend to always use the same apps/sites. Once you've identified the ads you want to block, chances are MOST of the entries on your hosts file will never be used. Last time I ran such a test, I discovered that I only needed a couple hundred entries on my daily driver, but then I don't use "social media" or games sites/apps... ;)

Keep in mind that ads that are not coming through local DNS resolution can't be blocked by the hosts file, regardless of how many source files you use.
[Android Apps and Games] DarthKeizer:
Hey Mike, you were right. The moment I removed them my phone and browsing got faster :)

Thank you very much!
[Android Apps and Games] Rocca23:
A litte suggestion: in the new 3.1 version, when applying the host file, it also automatically downloads the hosts lists. This didn't happen with the old 2.9 version: I used Adaway to block some hosts which I manually added in my black list, nothing more. I don't want to block all ad hosts, only those I select in the black list, so the main "apply button" shouldn't automatically download anything. The old version doesn't seem to work on my phone, so I can't roll back to it.

I see it's nice to have work done automatically, but could be a little nicer to let the user choose whether they need the lists or not.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
The button is called "DOWNLOAD FILES AND APPLY AD BLOCKING", and further described as "All hosts files from the defined sources are downloaded, merged with your own lists and installed as one hosts file on your system", which is exactly what it does in this as in previous versions. If you don't wish to download any hosts source, simply uncheck any entries you might have in the aptly-named "Host sources" dialog (accessible from the AdAway menu).

If this behavior appears new to you, it probably means that you had unchecked the default source files at one time in the old version but forgot to do so with the current AdAway. Easy to fix and you won't have to worry about it again until you delete your AdAway data... ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Rocca23:
Thanks for your explanation, I definitely missed the "Host sources" menu and it surely was all unchecked when I was using the old version. Never had to use that menu so I was unaware of it. It's all right now :)
[Android Apps and Games] randy6644:
I've noticed Adaway is having trouble with the latest Google play service update that has brought the new UI . All of a sudden, my g2 counldn't connect to google server last night. So Youtube, Play store, G+ were working at all but browsing them with chrome was OK.

I tried to clear cache , data of Play store and Play services, removed the Google account and added it again. I didn't work out. Then I Google the error "couldn't sign in there was a problem communicating with google servers", I came across several solutions but none of them worked. I sideloaded Play services of the older versions still no luck. Then I watched a video whose provider had the same problem and gave the solution, which is install the RE explorer and remove the host file. Then it occurred to me the only app that had messed with my host was adaway so I stopped the ad blocking service and reboot , the magic happened! I continued to test, I re-enabled the adaway and rebooted, the problem came back again and I stop the adblocking service , It started working again! So I think this is the fault of the HOST files. Any suggestion. BTW, I'm in China.
[Android Apps and Games] DarthKeizer:
Hey man, I added custom sources from adblock plus but I found out your program does not even ad them :(.

Do you know a way to fix this?
[Android Apps and Games] xdarthanonx:
Yes. Don't use the custom sources from ABP ;)
[Android Apps and Games] DarthKeizer:
Lol :P? But if I want to use them :P???

But fair enough, point taken lol
[Android Apps and Games] :
AdAway is not compatible with an ABP filter.

Grab one from here: https://github.com/Free-Software-for-Android/AdAway/wiki/HostsSources
[Android Apps and Games] DarthKeizer:
thanks :)
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
The short answer is that your trouble has nothing to do with AdAway. My guess is that you may be using AdAway to block some Google servers by adding your own source files. Revert to using only the default source files and if you still have problems, simply use the AdAway DNS Request Log to find out which hosts need to be whitelisted. Since you are accessing the Internet from China, your service provider may use unusual routes to reach Google, but the Request Log will tell you. Good luck!

---------- Post added at 06:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:49 AM ----------

I know a way, and so do you! I guess I'll have to quote myself. From my previous reply to you:

Please re-read the above. Adblock Plus files may work for Adblock Plus, but you're not using Adblock Plus. The way to fix this is to

NOT

use AdBlock Plus files when you're

NOT

using AdBlock Plus. Easy, isn't it? ;)
[Android Apps and Games] DarthKeizer:
Got it :), to be honest the sources that came with the app are working fine tbh :).

Good job explaining anyway :P
[Android Apps and Games] kryzeK:
I still see ads in Custom Quick Settings app. And the weirder: not appear on adware list.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
I don't know what "Custom Quick Settings app" is or does, but the answer for anything related to ads is always the same: use the AdAway DNS request log and see if any hosts need to be blacklisted. If nothing appears in the log, then your app is not going through the local DNS resolution scheme (hosts file) and there's nothing AdAway or anything that uses the hosts file can do.

The "Scan for Adware" option can only alert you about known common embedded adware providers (adnotify, airpush, appbucks, appenda, applovin, kuguo,leadbolt,nmobi, sellaring, senddroid, tapjoy, etc.), it can't possibly decipher what every app on your system does... ;)
[Android Apps and Games] JRJ442:
I know he uses the Startapp SDK for ads. He told me in an email. I actually paid to remove ads just to kick him some money for a great app, but still get full page pop ups. Lol. He said that's fixed in the next update. Anyway, here's what I got while running TCPdump. Try adding these to your blacklist then reapply

---------- Post added at 09:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 AM ----------

Its an awesome app that allows you to create custom quick setting tiles by using the Broadcast tile in Marshmallow. No root or custom ROM required. Right now you can add apps, URL's and a few system settings with it. I'm sure in the future it'll have lots of stuff added since this was just the initial release. Definitely worth checking out if you're on Marshmallow. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quinny898.app.customquicksettings
[Android Apps and Games] kryzeK:
Yes, I want paid to support this great app too, only I posted here to understand why the AdAway was not blocking. Thank you for explaining me!
[Android Apps and Games] hutzdani:
Sweet to see MM support, just flashed this after trying ABP.

Jesus ABP sucks, ill never use that again ADAWAY 4life lol
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
The answer you need is the one we give here most often: use the

AdAway DNS Request Log

(from the AdAway menu) to see which hosts you need to "unblock". For best results, start with only the default source files, at most. Without knowing which "Google ads" you have in mind, we can't get more specific, especially since it depends on your ISP, location, Google settings, etc. Remember that AdAway doesn't block anything on its own. It merely uses the source files

YOU

select! ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Alternatively, since you apparently know that there are ads somewhere that you’d like to see, access the same site (shopping.google.com?) without going through AdAway (or simply use Chrome with its "data saver" proxy enabled) and see which hosts the links point to so that you can whitelist them, keeping in mind that it might unleash MANY more ads than only the ones you want. Once again, first make sure you test with only the default source files and without adding any other list.
[Android Apps and Games] grosobart:
the link does not work v3.1, someone I can spend another or apk, thanks
[Android Apps and Games] mentat:
Just tested it (appears to be working now)... could just be current issues with AFH

SYSTEM NOTICE: Multiple Network Fibers are down in the QC Data Center causing a major outage. This will cause the site to be slow or not load. This We apologize for any bad downloads that were caused by this outage. YOU MAY SEE THE ERROR NO MIRRORS FOUND DUE TO THIS OUTAGE. This will be fixed once the network is back online. We are truly sorry for this but this is beyond our control as the fibers were cut miles away from the DC. Repairs are underway.

Message displayed on loading link...

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24052804347833565
[Android Apps and Games] abalian:
Some sites are not loading with AdAway enabled. They load super slow or don't load at all until I revert back to default hosts file. It doesn't happen immediately after enabling, but after a few hours of it being enabled. Does anyone else notice this? Has Google's Ad service found a way to combat ad blockers or simply caused by one of the sources' configuration? I've been using AdAway for years, this started happening just recently.

Also, with v3.1, no more crashing with very large hosts files during the parsing stage, so kudos for that! :)

Thanks
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Either a host is blocked or it's not. Remember that AdAway is not active unless it's currently updating its files, therefore it doesn't have the ability to magically slow down a site "after a few hours". It is however very possible that

YOU

are blocking hosts that some of your apps need. Your comment about very large hosts file suggest that you are loading a lot more than the default AwAway source files. Before you spend too much time on this, please try with only those defaults.
[Android Apps and Games] abalian:
Forget the "after a few hours" I mentioned, I was mistaken. I just enabled it and it immediately started having problems loading a forum with Google Ads/AdChoices. It tries to load endlessly. The template/top+background of the forum page loads, but does not load the actual content (forum posts). It's not just forum websites, other types of sites do the same.

I am

not

using the very large hosts file (mahakala) I mentioned, I just tried it out with the new AdAway update to see if it would crash again. It's unchecked in Hosts Sources. I'm sorry, should've mentioned that. I don't use it because it blocks actual sites I use (connection refused), not just the ads they contain.

So, I am using the defaults hosts, have been for a while now. No Blacklist or Whitelist. I'm using the Chrome app.

This forum won't load for me, for example, until I disable AdAway and refresh.
[Android Apps and Games] amandreamartino:
Have you enabled webserver? If not just do it

Inviato dal mio GT-I9505 con XDA Forums
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Are you sure you are not also using any kind of "ad blocker" or some other process that alters the hosts file, that you are only using the 4 default AdAway source files (at most!), that you have enabled the AdAway webserver. and that you have similar trouble with other browsers? If your problem only started recently, it might be due to some new entry in the default sources. A simple(?) test would be to disable each file one at a time to at least narrow down any possible overreach and make it easier to whitelist the host(s) that you need.

Please remember that AdAway is basically "only" a tool to manage the contents of the hosts file. It doesn't block anything. The optional default source files are merely suggestions and there's no guarantee that their contents will be suitable for everyone... or even anyone, but at least they are in the correct format... ;)
[Android Apps and Games] axsdenied1:
No issues loading that forum with the default settings here.
[Android Apps and Games] 2WhiteWolves:
+1 no issue
[Android Apps and Games] abalian:
Mike, thanks for the info, good to know how it works. I enabled webserver, it works now! :D:good: Thanks to you both! I know there's probably still a bad config on my end (I'll factory reset at some point or another), but webserver is a great workaround for now. Will always have it running from now on, don't know why I never noticed it before...