yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Hello, I am implementing a "scan on demand" feature, that will let you add apps to check by adding the package name (it' s tricky, not really for average users). Will be available by the end of the week.

Hello mbare, you have to wait a certain amount of time before Google Play app syncs the beta programs. If you sign for a beta and gives you the green ticket you are a beta tester (no one will take your place) but you have to wait the sync. To update the apk to the beta you have to wait if there s a version number > than your current app version, if so you will receive the update (generally it s like so), if not you have to uninstall the production version and download the beta.

And this is why I put the disclaimer when you open the app the first time.

Hola, muchas gracias :D

It s not deniable that the app suffer this problem, and probably there s nothing wrong with you, it s just an app problem and I opened a beta just few minutes ago (will be available in few hours) because so much people is reporting this problem with a 1 star gift, in sign of appreciation for being a free app. So, future versions will have ads (not xda versions, only Google Play) because there s so much claiming around.

I am actively working on this problem to let the people around the world enjoy the app as I did in the last 2 years.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
thanks for being an helper guy!

that s nice!
[Android Apps and Games] Vortell:
Two things i wish you would have put a link to play store app in op so i could financially support ya for this great app Super easy like! I don't mind ads on great apps. I prefer second ad removal app on my favorite apps with ads! That way I can be ad free and still support your coding! Second thing is as much as I like and think the the beta symbol is cool, it is hard to type out without the right keyboard or copy n paste from internet. Maybe type it out for easy of search. I mean if it was and some searched for beta with a standard keyboard boom your app!
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Hello, and thanks for the offer, but in this moment the app is completely free (I will start monetize the app next week on Google play). When you type search an app on Google play it cares about different "tags" and keysearch. Don't need to type exactly the app name, with a "beta maniac" search you'll get the app for sure. If you want to support leave a nice review, would be much appreciated.

BTW, link to my apps are in my signature (if you are on mobile you may not see it, but with a desktop browser you will). Anyway, try searching "beta maniac"
[Android Apps and Games] brunopio:
[deleted]
[Android Apps and Games] mbc07:
Hi, I noticed the automatic app scan that takes place in the background when you're not using the app can take quite a while when you have a lot of apps installed. I guess that happens because it always checks the beta status for all installed apps, even the ones you're already subscribed, so, I have a suggestion: could you add an option to only check automatically in background the apps which have a limited beta program that you're not participating yet, and, perhaps, newly installed apps that haven't been scanned before? I guess that last bit would require some sort of caching so it might not be trivial to implement, though. Then, when the user want to do a full scan of all apps, it should open Beta-Maniac and manually click the "Refresh" button there...
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
That is a nice idea too. My concern is that could be tricky for the average user and I need to do a lot of FAQ (that no one will read ?). I agree to your idea and I will add an option to make a "smart" or "short" scan (smart is not, because you can always change your beta status outside the app, and the app will have no clue about it unless it checks itself).
[Android Apps and Games] let92:
Hi Mirko, I'm also an Italian guy, but since in the forum prevails the English language, I've to write in English too :p

Anyway, I'm not able to enter the app because I receive a message saying I've any DNS or VPN active, but I've activated only AdAway and I am on cellular data, not wi-fi.

Can you help me?

Congratulations for the app, it is a wonderful idea! ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Hi, this is tricky because adaway or ad blockers uses custom dns to suppress ads. Try disabling adaway during the signin, once logged you can re enable adaway (I'm totally against ad blockers, app developers, especially free apps, earn from ads).

Try and let me know if there's any problem. Ciao mbare
[Android Apps and Games] let92:
Disabling AdAway during the sign-in, I've entered the app correctly. Enabling it again, the app works without problems, thanks!

Regarding the ad blockers, I use AdAway only for the ads on the web because there are many sites that I use everyday that show too many ads, it's so annoying...

If you tell me the site from where you show ads, I'll put it on the whitelist ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
nope, the ads will be shown in the app. You had the error because the app couldn t resolve the custom DNS. Could you please leave a review on Google Play?
[Android Apps and Games] let92:
All right, got it. I've reviewed the app on Google Play, go on and thanks again Mirko ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
I see, thanks. for any quuestions or problem you can post here or send an email.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
I uploaded a new version, with a trick to bypass vpns, could you please try to signin with your adguard enabled?

Disclaimer: you will need to uninstall your app and install this one (second post) to check if it works. Feel free to say no, this version will be uploaded on beta channel, and I can check if it works in 12 hrs about.
[Android Apps and Games] Pwz_Rqs:
Great app. Thanksssss
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
thanks for trying!
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Beta v6 available here still prevents accessing to beta pages when ad-blocking dns is enabled.

I get your point on why you're against ad blocker but given the legitimate uses over ads intrusion into users' privacy, I hope you'll get mine (stated a few pages back) - which I believe I share with many others users - that one shouldn't be forced to completely disable it in order to have only one app work as intended (in my case, it's just your app that behaves this way).

Also, if the XDA version is supoosed to be ads-free, it shouldn't even behave like this in the first place..

An opt-in in-app payment for disabling ads seems by far more fair and reasonable than an ads mechanism which will harm overall UX for not just your app.

Just my opinion
[Android Apps and Games] Raresh T:
What user privacy in 2020? That is just a myth..
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
I have to do this in-app "remove ads", that s why I did not implemented yet. The problem with adblocker is that they generate dns the app cannot resolve.

Edit: did you try if the login works?
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
None, I just stole your email and bank account. (kidding)

I don t use any service I own, so there s nothing I HAVE to include in terms of privacy.

One thing to mention is that the app (Google Play) has anonymuos statistics (device model, android version, country) to help the market strategy of the app (like 100% of the apps in the world).

If you have concerns about it, just ask and if it s worth I will include your Q&A in the third post
[Android Apps and Games] Soymicmic:
[MENTION=3153524]Mirko ddd[/MENTION]: could you set theme as system theme by default? I have dark theme on my OP6T, but your app is on light theme by default

By the way, thanks for mentioning :o
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Yes, but I m trying to fix some bug first. Luckily you rated the beta version of the app, you would have lowered my overall rating :crying:
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
One thing at a time, that's normal. However, given you have used your app for yourself for years, you obviously didn't implement any ads in your personal version I guess, part of my point is this should have been the base for the XDA version instead of the ads capable (but not enabled to display) one you've provided us with so far.

Of all apps I've used (with ads) & do still for some (not many, I absolutely hate ads I didn't consent to receive/view but am always willing to support devs I have esteem for), yours is the only one which has its main features unusable when ad-blocking (to phrase it short). This seems flawed to me, will all due respect. The app could very well function normally even with ad-blockers enabled - only I don't know how.

I did indeed try the login part of the process and it works, thanks for that, but as mentioned the beta pages still aren't accessible.
[Android Apps and Games] let92:
I've download the most recent version on Google Play (v0.0.4), the login works, but when I tap on a listed app, I receive a message saying that I've no Internet connection, but it's wrong (I'm always on cellular data).
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
there s a little confusion here. Adguard use custom dns that the app cannot resolve to let you login. Has nothing to do with the idea of putting ads in my app
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
perfect, I forgot to implement the fix in the other activity. Thanks, it was very helpful!
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
A notion that so many people don't care about or don't care enough to actually respect it that it is harmed to such a point individuals phrase such statements as yours - also because of many big tech players that feed off of personal (anonymized or not) informations have kinda forced users into abdicating or abandoning many usages thinking in the lines of "well, what's the point in even trying to limit my/our exposure" - but it still is something that can be respected by mindful tech actors such as indy devs like XDA's who still value users' freedom of choice and consider they're responsible for theirs, not forcing anybody into any kind of behavior (not that I would accuse Mirko of such intentions, don't get me wrong - I know he's eventually gonna provide this ads-removal feature in his app).

In years of XDA Forums crawling, reading and learning, the major part (not to say almost all) of indy devs who shared their work here have always put in-app ads as either bare minimal (everyone on XDA hates full-screen & unremovable-before-a-certain-time ads) like tiny banners, or offered either ads-removal option from the very first versions or even (that has always been the most respected way of doing so IMO) opt-in ads option. In that last example case, I often opted in precisely to support development because I respected and valued both devs' efforts & kindness, and the concept of offering to support their work in the easiest and most user-respecting way (not forcing anything by design).

---------- Post added at 04:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 PM ----------

How is that so ? (Genuinely intrigued) I can login without any problem to my Google account by any other means when using adguard...

Well, anyways, now it seems the app can since v6.

Still puzzled as to why the wrapper (isn't it that, essentially ?) for beta pages couldn't work when those DNS are active..
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
the problem is that I m a bad coder :cyclops: . I don t use any kind of new tech sorcery (VPNs, AD blockers, custom DNSs) and I didn t account that many people around the world do. So I could not make the app take care of this problems, that s all.

Still learning.

Btw, i added privacy policy in the 3rd thread (not even Google bothered me with that).

One more thing about privacy, I won t use Google ads, I will use Facebook ads (user can manage ads in facebook app, facebook account on the web, or instagram).
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Hoping that's mainly ironical of yours as I really didn't mean any offense whatsoever. Apologies if received as such..

---------- Post added at 04:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:19 PM ----------

V7 works for accessing pages in ad-blocking situations but text isn't displayed (see attachment).

But weird also is Google Play Services aren't in the beta list despite being already enrolled in its beta program.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Lol, nope, any offense. It s just the truth, this is an hobby (even if one of my apps has 2 millions user) and I m still learning. And the fact i didn t account for any network sorcery is real, 100% honest.
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Screenshot of a page without text
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
I dont see the attachment
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
thanks! I ll check out
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Everyone can make mistakes, I firstly (?you know what I mean ?).

Thanks again for your quickness in reacting/responding/updating.

All that is so much appreciated.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
could you please checkout the updated app? loaded in second post
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Text not displaying on beta pages fixed with v8. Thanks !

Play Services still not showing though. (With all devices tested on)
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
my fault, I chose to display only the apps with at least one activity, and google play services has any.

Give me 20 mins (time to a coffee and a quick fix on this).
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
added Google Play services availability on the list.
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Had to launch a scan for it to show but it's indeed working ! :good:
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Happy to see the first YouTube video about the app.

Is in portoguese, so maybe lot of you will not understand a single word (me included), but it s a nice thing to mention.

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvnb7pvQOpg&t=32s[/YOUTUBE]
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
yes it s obvious you should have launched a scan (or wait for the scheduled one, if autoscan enabled)

:D
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
[MENTION=5604590]mbc07[/MENTION] are you still having good time with John? :cyclops:
[Android Apps and Games] mbc07:
For people having issues with ad blockers: it looks like you'll have trouble only when using DNS-based ad blocking. I personally use AdGuard on my device, which by default uses a VPN with a custom DNS to filter the ads. I normally leave the DNS-based filtering disabled since it sometimes breaks some sites and in fact, by using only the VPN-based filtering I didn't experience any login issues on Beta-Maniac, even with AdGuard active...

Yes
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Thanks for this tip. Does this applies to the last version I posted (9)?
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Yes it is ?

Might have had some cached wizardry though, maybe I had such expectation when looking for it. Silly me out.

Thanks again
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
All you see in the list is a database (that's why you see a list even if you didn't scan) and gets updated when you make a scan. I cannot add entries to your db, but I can choose what you can add. I simply chose that you can have Google play services too ?.

BTW, I want to ask you the permission to be mentioned inside the app as french translator. If you agree just let me know (it's not a urgent thing)
[Android Apps and Games] mbc07:
I tried only v4, v5 and v9. In All of them I had AdGuard enabled (VPN filtering only, without the DNS filtering) and I could login and do scans just fine...
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Nice, as soon as I get the laptop I will quote your experience in the third post, may be useful for other users. Thanks!
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Oh so no (auto)magic.. :crying: :cyclops: ? Would having all apps checked and listed be too resources hungry ? I'm guessing it might not be practical for you to update every time users report to you not having some apps they are enlisted in the beta programs of listed in B-Maniac.

That's already more than enough for me to be mentioned here, but as long as you'd just use my username in-app, permission granted, Sir ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Indeed, would not be practical to add new apps whenever a user reports, but I chose the apps to be listed with a certain criteria: being activity apps (apps you can launch, and install from Google play). Obviously nothing is black or white and sometimes there's an exception (Google play services for instance). ?
[Android Apps and Games] Fishawy:
Is there a way we can join the beta-testing program for the beta-testing app? :D

Jokes aside, V9 works perfectly fine, I could finally sign in with AdGuard enabled. Thanks!
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
lol, i disabled beta maniac inside beta maniac :D

happy it works! for any problems just write here and I ll try to help as best as i can :D
[Android Apps and Games] Soymicmic:
Also works fine with NetGuard

Enviado desde mi ONEPLUS A6013 mediante Tapatalk
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
thank you for the feedback :D
[Android Apps and Games] ishreyas:
Feedback for beta build V9

Hi [MENTION=3153524]Mirko ddd[/MENTION], Finally latest build worked for me. Now I am a beta tester of most used apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. Thanks to you. I love this simple app UI.

1 suggestion: Please add list of Current Available Beta apps tab in app, I mean not installed on users phone. It will more beneficial for everyone if you added. Please checkout Testing Catalog website.

for eg. Firefox has slot for beta testing but I haven't installed Firefox on my phone. If I want to participate in beta test I'll search in available beta apps tab & join the testing.

If you use Telegram then creating β-Maniac group/ Channel will be more useful for everyone.

Once again Thank You.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
hi, thanks for your feedback! I received an email about it and a comment on xda portal article about the app that showed me this "feature" I could add to the app. Currently I m coding an option where you can add an app package name and check for it. It s a bit tricky though, so if there is a website that has a only beta apps catalog it would help.

Edit: I will not create a telegram group, I prefer email.
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Seconding this ask of a useful feature indeed. Having all apps (cross-devices I mean) linked to the Google account signed in with in your app would be of great help for joining some limited number of testers programs when available but not having the device(s) in hand at times. This would be very handy.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
my english is very bad, could you please explain it in an easier way? I m not sure i understood
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
thank you! hope you get all the betas you want
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Well, let's say you have two devices but not both of them have the same apps installed. However, if using the same Google account on both, all the beta programs can't be accessed on each device with your app because it will only show the programs of the apps installed on each device.

The idea would be to have the complete list of all apps installed on both devices thus making it possible to join/leave beta programs for whatever app of that complete list from either of those devices.

Hope this is easier to understand.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Oh I see! I gotta figure it out how to do this in a non invasive way. As far as I know (I totally may be wrong) asking permission for the accounts on device would let retrieve all apps installed by account (but even sensible datas, such as passwords, create and deleting credentials and so on), so I prefer to not use this (see the guy with privacy policy concerns).

If I find a good way to implement this I ll be happy to do this.

Edit: I just noticed your signature, how did u manage to put a link behind the image? Trippy!

Edit2: nevermind, I got it
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Just to have an idea of the madness

https://play.google.com/apps/publis...N3GKRUJvSnvZyi6vk46dLX70L61IO2U6kLwSx9cOsRcvA
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
403 error. ?
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
translated with google translate
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
Ain't that privacy policy concerned guy me ? ?

Using several apps that make use of Google sign-in and account access, I understand the risk for users if some malevolent devs were to abuse it but I feel it's all a matter of responsability on the users' end to make their due diligence about what apps using that can and can not do.

And, IIRC, Google also allow app developers to undergo a verified developer process to have their apps potentially accessing sensible data be validated as such and have their users presented with this certification.

Also, statements from devs are only statements but on Google Play, they also constitute engagements, don't they ? (Might be wrong)

Anyways, I couldn't read the linked page after this quoted post but I guess it might be a nightmare to implement without raising many concerns amongst other users.

In the end, that's your call anyway ;)

---------- Post added at 05:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:03 PM ----------

Definitely not me then ?

Oh, well. I understand your concerns over such a feature that would add to suspicions on some's behalf. Even though I sometimes don't get such overstatements...
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
well, the fact that the app is on Google Play "force" me to make the app as secure as I can, and the method I know to get the account app list is definitively "not secure" and requires a permission classified as dangerous (that will surely lead to a massive 1 star rain). I will try to investigate a more secure and reliable way to accomplish the feature you requested.

And the quote I liked previous was a user comment on Google Play (obviously 1 star, bad for me), and this should give an idea of the madness outsite and how developers should care about privacy and user experience.
[Android Apps and Games] ~El Julio~:
I feel for you, man.. those one star comments sound like tin-foiled hats' paranoia (which can sometimes be justified but I certainly believe not in your app's case) and sadly are legion on Play.

Must be hard to deal with that.

Devs should definitely care, that's for sure.

But most (if not all) here do and I don't remember XDA ever promoting apps of developers who don't on their portal.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
The real problem is that people who use and enjoy the app is not prone to rate unless some problem occurs (not everyone, but a good 99%) and this obviously has a bad impact when you try to engage more users.

People is like: "hm, this app has a 2 stars average rating, is not good for sure, I skip".

I noticed this with the app that has currently almost 2 millions users: not even the 0.1% voted, and they use it everyday. So I decided to remove the public version and leave the beta only, so the rating is hidden, and people just use it, thousands more everyday.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
uploaded version 11, should fix completely VPN, AdGuard and so on. if someone try a feedback is appreciated
[Android Apps and Games] dctrbnsttr:
Version 11 works well for me. I do use Adguard. Then again, there was no issue with the prior versions of beta maniac. S10+ Android 10.
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated!
[Android Apps and Games] dltdt82:
Version 11 don't work for me. I always get, your Token has experied and the App always restart. I has blokada installed, can this be the Problem. By the way, thank you for your work.

Gesendet von meinem LIO-L29 mit Tapatalk
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
Try to uninstall and reinstall the app ☺️
[Android Apps and Games] dltdt82:
Tried it three times but it didn't work. Have blokada disabled but it doesn't work. Have the mate 30 pro, can this be the problem.

Let the good times roll
[Android Apps and Games] Mirko ddd:
I don't think so, I have a friend which has a mate 30 pro with Android 10 if I remember correctly. The exact problem is that gives you no token error? I'll investigate