yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] frigidazzi:
Is anyone having an issue where webpages stop loading in chrome, Google play downloads stop working, email not sending and probably other Google apps stop working after a while of up time using adaway with hosts applied? I've read some old threads online that had this issue and were resolved by removing the ad block and I'm actually havering this same exact issue. If I reboot my phone then it works fine for a while, bit then it comes on again and lasts for a while (until reboot).
[Android Apps and Games] Shepguessed:
This can be caused by a number of things not adaway related. Do you have greenify installed with aggressive doze enabled? If you do I would revert to 2.8 beta 1. Also I can confirm that custom quick settings can cause this, a complete uninstalling of that could fix it. Do you have these apps installed?

Sent from my Nexus 6
[Android Apps and Games] ΦDroid:
Try with the default hosts files only
[Android Apps and Games] frigidazzi:
I've only ever used the default hosts.

---------- Post added at 10:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 AM ----------

I'm using greenify beta with doze mode. I'll give this a try. Why would this be the cause of it? Use this mentioned else where? Thanks for the ideas guys.
[Android Apps and Games] Shepguessed:
And I just wanted to add that sometimes if you have themed or modified Google Apps this could cause these problems.

Sent from my Nexus 6
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Not quite right. I'm not so sure AdAway or other root apps need "updating" and this is a CM root issue (which affects anything needing rw access to /system). As long as AdAway is granted full access to the hosts file the DNS server uses, whatever and wherever that is, all's well. ;)

---------- Post added at 01:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ----------

What makes you think this has anything to do with AdAway? You can simply (temporarily) uninstall AdAway but keep the same hosts file, reboot, and see what happens. Your trouble seems to be with the Google apps (did you update Play services recently?) and you might simply need to clear your ART/Dalvik cache then reboot to rebuild it.
[Android Apps and Games] joeyac02:
Adaway works like a charm. One question I have problems opening some pages like Walmart even for example just error opening the page instantly I disable adaway and it works
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
When you "disable" AdAway, you merely return the hosts file to its default contents. If your pages now load that means that one of the source files or blacklist entries

YOU

selected is blocking something the pages need/want. Before you do anything else, make sure to turn on the AdAway webserver but if that doesn't suffice, follow the usual procedure of reverting to the default sources and/or reviewing the DNS Request Log.

Glancing at the source files, my guess is that you only need to enable the webserver to fool the Walmart site into thinking that you are viewing all the ads they would like you to see. ;)
[Android Apps and Games] frigidazzi:
I guess because if I revert the hosts files this doesn't happen. I've even googled Android and web lashes freeze half way through and found threads mentioning ad blocks and the solution was reverting to stock hosts files. In testing out the greenify theory now, so we'll see if that's related.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Since just about every single one of the gazillion AdAway users happily runs Google apps, you can be pretty sure that there's no direct connection! If simply reverting your hosts file to default solves your problem it's clear that you ARE (inadvertently?) blocking a host that you shouldn’t block but please before you waste too much time on this, make sure to try AdAway with only the default source files and with the webserver enabled. You could also peek at your system log and see WHY your Google apps are apparently having trouble.

FYI, Ignore the random references you might find online about "ad blocks" in connection with AdAway. In fact, if you previously installed an ad blocker, make sure it's completely disabled/uninstalled and that it didn't leave any unwanted droppings, such as multiple hosts.* files in /system/etc as some do. Contrary to what its name might suggest , AdAway is not an "ad blocker"; it's mostly a tool to ease editing of the hosts file. Unlike full-fledged ad blockers, it's not even running unless in the process of updating the source files, and it certainly doesn't have the ability to interfere with any app.. ;)
[Android Apps and Games] mrRobinson:
Nice http://www.androidcentral.com/google-play-store-2016-will-tell-you-whether-app-has-ads
[Android Apps and Games] Madmick:
Okay, I added those to the whitelist, but it's still not working. Should I just whitelist every website I see in NoScript on my desktop even though they aren't the same platforms? I recognize doubleclick.net from a lot of sports sites I frequent.

I forgot to mention additional host sources I've added to AdAway not included by default that might potentially cause deeper problems, but I don't have them enabled right now:

adblock.mahakala.is (Mother-Of-All-AdBlocking lists)

adblock.gjtech.net/?format=unix-hosts (Common US Ad Servers and Farms)

Again, for now, I've disabled these, and I'm working on getting NFL Mobile's video to operate with AdAway enabled and merely the four default host sources running, so these aren't my focus yet. Additionally, I have a lot of other adblocking software running, but NFL Mobile video has worked with all of it running and solely AdAway disabled. I've isolated AdAway as the root cause.
[Android Apps and Games] shaqman89:
Umm.. Again, no. In any case, adaway works as intended, so the cause is in the list that you have enabled.

In this case, adaway has provide a whitelisting feature since the author of the app realize that the default list might not be for everyone.

And yes, in this case, YOU decide what is the url to be whitelisted.
[Android Apps and Games] oreo27:
Certainly appreciate the updates. Downloading the latest version now. :D
[Android Apps and Games] Madmick:
You clearly misunderstood what I announced above. Let me clarify. In order to isolate the culprit causing video in the NFL Mobile for Verizon app to dysfunction I started by disabling every piece of adblocking software I had on the phone. I then tested if the video worked while adding back each one by one. It still works flawlessly with all of them enabled; the only one with which it doesn't work is AdAway. Furthermore, to be clear, I don't have any adblocking host sources/lists enabled that aren't included by default (and thus supported by the author) with the app itself. As outlined at the Github site:

https://github.com/Free-Software-for-Android/AdAway/wiki/HostsSources

adaway.org/hosts.txt

winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt

hosts-file.net.ad_servers.asp

pgl.yoyo.org/adservers/serverlist/php?hostformat=hosts&showintro-0&mimetype=plaintext

I don't have the other two adblock lists enabled. I already understand that AdAway is by itself inert (and like Torrent Clients just executes the instructions of the torrents; in this case referring to host sources that are lists of advertising websites that typically run invisibly as javascript underneath visited websites which AdAway blocks when these host sources are enabled in the app). But unless it is running one of these host sources then it's a useless program because it isn't doing anything, so simply disabling them all makes no sense. To iterate: I haven't enabled any host sources that aren't included by default by AdAway's author himself. Another poster in this forum discovered that the #3 "hosts-file.net.ad_servers.asp" was the culprit host source.

Furthermore, I have whitelisted:

*autitude.com

*doubleclick.net

*amazon-adsystem.com

*msnbc*

*nbcnews*

api.nfl.com

assets.adobetm.com

control.kochava.com

ehg-verizon.hitbox.com

imageresizer.now.nfl.com

oascentral.verizononline.com

redirect.viglink.com

static.nfl.com

AdAway

is

causing this. I can disable every piece of adblocking software on my phone except for AdAway by itself, running as it is installed by default (naturally after being activated), and video on the NFL Mobile app won't work. So one of these host lists is causing this,and it appears to be host-files.net. AdAway (as a practical, functioning application) is the source of the issue here. I'm just not sure which websites to whitelist. That's what I'm trying to figure out.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Actually, it seems that [MENTION=5701712]shaqman89[/MENTION] had correctly summarized the situation: one or more of the hosts you block interferes with your app. Saying that AdAway is "causing" your problem seems a bit harsh... and incorrect. It's merely the tool you happen to use. When you dig a hole in the wrong place, the shovel is not at fault! ;)

Assuming that your app still has problems even after you enable the webserver, the correct approach is to let the DNS Request Log tell you which specific hosts, if any, need whitelisting. If you already know in which source file the culprit lives, you can also simply ignore that list since the other defaults sources can probably already cover most of your "ad blocking" needs. Furthermore, the next update for the source file that gives you trouble may very well work better for you and require no action on your part.

My only worry about your situation is your reference to "every piece of adblocking software on my phone" which suggest that you have more than one, seldom a wise idea under Android unless the others are app-specific.
[Android Apps and Games] shaqman89:
It appears that you are actually backing up my point. One of the list is causing it, and you have actually found it. If you are sure, do yourself a favor and either disable that list, or check which host entry you need to whitelist from that source list. [MENTION=4343728]Mike B.[/MENTION] has answered in more details on the how to.
[Android Apps and Games] Madmick:
Ughhh. See, this is the downside to mega-threads. I've already run the DNS Request Log and whitelisted everything that showed up. That's how I generated a number of the whitelisted hosts I listed above. I don't really care about the semantics of the fact that AdAway is "causing" the problem. I care about solving the problem so that I can still enjoy the benefits of AdAway while not ruining the functionality of my NFL Mobile app. No AdAway, no problems....except ads. Do you guys comprehend this? Right now that's the Catch-22. You can say, "AdAway isn't causing that", but if AdAway can't effectively block adds without ruining other apps, then it's pointless using it. So that's what I'm trying to do right now. I'm trying to throw out the bathwater without throwing out the baby by figuring out what other specific hosts I'm blocking that I need to whitelist.

Also, it was another poster who said he identified the "hosts-file.net" as the problematic host source. I disabled it, and kept only the other three default host sources. Video still wouldn't play. I'll take some time to figure out if there is one in particular that is causing the problem (though, if these host sources have overlap in their blocking, I might not be able to isolate it). If I can isolate it, then I could simply disable that entire host source, but this begs the question: what happens the next time I run into a problem causes by AdAway host-blocking? Disable another source? Then another? There's only four. With that tactic it won't be long until I'm running a pointless program. That's why I'm trying to discover other means of figuring out specific hosts to block that could potentially be causing the problem. I don't need help with the process of elimination.

My great hope I would find another Verizon user on here who had previously experienced the problem who had figured out potential solutions or hosts to whitelist. It doesn't appear that I have found that.
[Android Apps and Games] shaqman89:
Actually, in this case the semantics matter. It have been mentioned so many times that the naming of this app might be the biggest flaw it has. This app is not an adblocker, rather than a host manager, and in that sense AdAway works flawlessly. That's why we care about the semantics. Also one other thing, the app creator has no control of the host source list, since it was created also by someone else. You see what I am getting? Saying that Adaway can't handle your ads is useless here, since the host source list was not created by the app creator but is included only as a convenience, not as an ultimate solution that will work for everyone needs.

And this is the reason why we said most of the time YOU are the only one who could solve this. Ads sources are really complex these day, it might differ even by the subtlest difference, some common things being: provider, apps sets you use, location, etc.

So, one solution from a user might work for him, but might not work for others. It is a good start anyway, but don't expect it to magically solve your problem.

---------- Post added at 07:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

Wait, what update? Was there an update that I missed?

Last version was 3.1, right?
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Your problem is a simple one:

YOU

are apparently blocking a host that one of your apps needs. Since you seem to know which source list is causing your trouble, the obvious easy "solution" is to not load that source file, whether you happen to use AdAway or not.

Your "No AdAway, no problems....except ads" statement strongly suggests that you do not fully understand what AdAway is and does. When you try to access your videos, AdAway is NOT actively running (you can even completely uninstall it), and as long as you use the same hosts file, your trouble will remain. You don't seem to grasp that the

suggested

source files are just that:

suggestions

. You can use them all, some of them, or none of them, it's entirely

YOUR

choice. There are countless similar hosts source files online. Pick the ones you like, but the fewer the better...

I didn't bother trying to figure out which of the 45000 entries in the hosts-files.net list your app needs but if

you

have the time and patience, you can probably comb through them all and spot the guilty entry, even though it seems somewhat pointless if unchecking the hosts-file.net source will do the same thing. If you truly wish to solve your problem, you might get valuable input by asking in whatever forums NFL Mobile users gather (most likely NOT on XDA). A quick Google search shows that the problem with NFL videos (not AdAway) is widespread and has been around for years, on a variety of platforms.

If you don't wish to use AdAway, you can enter specific hosts into your /system/etc/hosts file manually, or directly copy one of the many source files available online, but

the only thing that matters is what end up in that hosts file, regardless of how it gets there

. Consider reporting your NFL issue on the

hosts-file.net

site if you believe their source file is "wrong", and feel free to get rid of AdAway if you think it's not the right tool for you.
[Android Apps and Games] J-Hop2o6:
I use the NFL Mobile app. There is a way to have all host files enabled with videos working. What I do is make sure NFL Mobile is closed (swipe away).

Then disable Ad blocking via AdAway app.

Next, open up/start NFL Mobile. Then play a video. Once the ad is finished and the content loads, pause the video.

Then hit the home button. Now go back AdAway, then enable Ad blocking.

Now go back to NFL Mobile and play a different video. It should work now (but with ads).

AdAway will work everywhere else except for NFL Mobile and apps with Push Ads. Just make sure you don't close/back out/swipe away NFL Mobile, or you have to repeat the steps again. You might have to after rebooting. This process only takes a minute, so it's not overbearing if you have to do it alot.

I know there's two host sources that cause issues with NFL Mobile. I tried whitelisting urls that popped up in the DNS list, but that didn't work =(
[Android Apps and Games] fmc000:
After whitelisting the DNS entries, did you apply adaway protection again? Have you tried to enable the internal Web server?
[Android Apps and Games] J-Hop2o6:
I did the whitelisting. Said so in my post that it didn't work. I do not have webserver enabled. It's disabled by default, so I never touched it.
[Android Apps and Games] fmc000:
The whitelisting is useless if you don't apply adaway again after adding the entries to the list. And I usually enable the webserver.
[Android Apps and Games] J-Hop2o6:
Looks like you misread my post, or I didn't make the whitelisting part clear. Of course I re-enabled ad blocking after whitelisting urls. NFL Mobile still didn't load any videos, so I had to do the "trick" I explained above to get the videos to work while AdAway is enabled.

I don't really know what the webserver option does, so I leave it alone. AdAway still works fine with webserver disabled.
[Android Apps and Games] fmc000:
The webserver answers to all the host entries redirected to 127.0.0.1, so that the app requesting the ad gets a proper http answer and not a "conncetion refused".
[Android Apps and Games] J-Hop2o6:
Oh ok, thanks! Will try it out now. I wonder why it's disabled by default then?
[Android Apps and Games] oreo27:
No, I meant the 3.1 update. I'm a little late to the party mate :D
[Android Apps and Games] xflowy:
guys, could someone upload me his default 6.0 hosts file? thanks much!
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
After you make any change to your hosts file (including re-enabling source files, editing white/black lists, etc.) you MUST reboot your device for those changes to take effect. This is an Android requirement.

Enable the AdAway webserver! Its basic function is explained on the AdAway help screen under the obvious "How to use the webserver in AdAway" topic. Even if you didn't bother to check that convenient builtin help, you could simply search this thread for many references to "webserver".

I finally had time to take a peek at that ^%$# "NFL Mobile from Verizon" app. That thing calls DOZENS of potential tracking and ad-producing hosts (including some for CSS, scripts, etc.), not all of which go through DNS resolution. At the very least do enable the webserver, but the app still requires access to several commonly blocked trackers and ad providers likely to appear in most any "ad blocking" source file. In fact the entire app is nothing but a vehicle for various ads/promotions, which is probably why it's not an easy one to use in an ad-free environment. I know nothing about American football, but it might be time to look for a less aggressive alternative way to view those videos,,, ;)
[Android Apps and Games] frigidazzi:
Thank you. I've had aggressive dose off 2 days with no issues. Turned it on and on 5 hours had issue again. So it's off for the time being.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
A bit cryptic, but let me guess... You are asking about the /system/etc/hosts file that ship with a Marshmallow ROM? If so, you don't really NEED a hosts file, but in most case it's only a one-line file containing "127.0.0.1 localhost" and its permissions are probably "rw-r-r-" (0644). To get the exact one that came with your ROM, extract it from whatever ROM image you used or ask wherever that ROM is supported.
[Android Apps and Games] J-Hop2o6:
I forgot to mention about rebooting. But yes, after whitelisting I do reboot, but the videos still weren't loading. And like I said in my last comment above, AdAway worked fine for me with webserver disabled. But thanks for the info. I will enable it now.

Thx for looking into the NFL app. I had a feeling ads and trackers were crawling all over it. And we would use an alternative app, but the NFL league has a tight grip on their content, so there's no alternative app. And yea, Welcome to Ads of America!
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Enabling the webserver is usually a good idea when an app balks at not getting any response from a hosts it tries to contact. The webserver's "OK I'm here" reply is often enough but won't help if the app is looking for specific content. A closer look at that NFL thing reveals that it calls scripts that have the ability to in turn invoke other tracking/ad hosts, making it effectively impossible to whitelist everything it might happen to decide to push to your device. Some of those scripts appear controlled by Verizon, but others are clear NFL marketing tools. Watching a bunch of grown men in padded tights grab each other under the pretense of fighting over a funny-looking ball is not something that appeals much to me, so I'm afraid I now uninstalled the app and will consider this entire NFL saga closed, sorry... ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Madmick:
It's clear you don't possess any knowledge about this that I don't, and that you aren't going to be able to help me beyond explaining truths to me I already understand. Thank you. Good day.

Yeah, that's what I said above. I was hoping there would be another techie in here who might have enough in common with my setup that he'd identified a problematic host not already described as a potential culprit, and solve this problem in a single flourish. I did quite a bit of Googling (as well as searches of XDA itself) and reading before I came and posted.

I'm sure I could "comb through 45,000 entries", but the primary purpose of my various ad-blocking schemes is to make my tech experience

less of a hassle

; this is becoming a case of killing the patient to cure the disease. It's too bad. I'll end up ditching the app because the extreme adblocking is more desirable, but the NFL Mobile app is almost certainly the best developed sports app on the Android market. I absolutely hate the apps for general sports coverage (ESPN, TheScore, CBS, Bleacher Sports, BBC Sport, etc.). They're all stuck back in 2012. Time to catch up.
[Android Apps and Games] J-Hop2o6:
Try my "trick" that I explained earlier.

---------- Post added at 12:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 AM ----------

I had a feeling this was the main reason. I did the DNS log and seemed like certain hosts will adjust like this host (r5---sn-nx57yn7y.c.2mdn.net). Everything before c.2msn.net I'm sure changes throughout the app. Thanks for looking at it deeper.

And Football isn't bad. Play some backyard/street football and you'll love it after. You just need a good amount of ppl playing at once. Rugby is the lesser form of American football you might be able to watch easier.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
You could whitelist "*.2mdn.net" and the various trackers reported in use by that ^%$# app, but that wouldn't help when it calls an innocent-looking script which in turn redirects to a whole array of new trackers and ad pushers The bottom line is that by the time you whitelist everything it needs, you're pretty much in the same situation as if you didn't blacklist anything. For all practical purposes, that app is just as bad as the ones using known integrated "adware" that completely bypass DNS resolution.

The nfl.com web site, which seems to have many of the same or related videos, uses a similar approach to bombard the user with ads/promotions but at least it can be accessed through a proxy (such as the Chrome "data saver"?) without interfering with other apps.

OK, now let's get back to proper AdAway issues... ;)