Related
Is there another ad blocking app that you can use with being rooted? This one is just not working no matter what I do, and emails to the dev have gone unanswered.
NO, unless you block the servers tru a Firewall, you also have to be rooted for AdFree to work. if you are rooted, just download the hosts file and copy it to "/etc/hosts" via adb, root explorer or whatever you like to use.
Do you leave it zipped, or unzip it first before moving it?
edit: Thanks, but that did not work.
Are all ads showing up or just some? If it is just some then the adserver might be missing from the hosts file.
All of them are being shown. That's certainly why I was hoping to find an alternative app. I have been working with this since I rooted and nothing works.
There's been a lot of speculation on what can and can't be removed as well as how to remove them without causing force-closes, boot loops, and other headaches. So I wrote this script that will let you disable all of the bloat with none of the hassle.
After a few prompts to find out if there's anything you want to keep that can't be replaced in the market, it will do its magic -- renaming files to a .bak extension so they are no longer recognized by Android. This will cause some system services to fail and force-close loop until you reboot (and the script reboots for you). Also included is a script that will undo all of this.
If you select every option, including the default launcher and text messaging apps (which are confirmed safe to remove without losing SMS or MMS ability or push notifications), then here's the list of apps removed:
AdService.apk, android-syncservice-app.apk, ArcVideoEditorLite.apk, BackupAssistanceClient.apk, Blockbuster.apk, BlurHome2.apk, BlurSNMessagingEngine.apk, BlurTasks.apk, BlurUpdater_VZW.apk, BooksPhone.apk, CitrixReceiver.apk, CityID.apk, Conversations.apk, DLNA.apk, DlnaSystemService.apk, FriendFeed.apk, gotomeeting-stub-1.0.74.apk, GuidedTours.apk, HelpCenter.apk, IMPresence.apk, IndexingService.apk, Kindle.apk, MessagesWidget.apk, Messaging.apk, MOTOPRINT.apk, MSExchangeService.apk, MyVerizon.apk, NewBayVault_4.2.99.36.Market.apk, NFLMobile.apk, OnlineAlbum.apk, PhotoEditor.apk, PortalStandAlone.apk, Preloaded.apk, RichLocationVzW.apk, SkypeBourbon.apk, Slackerradio.apk, SocialMessaging.apk, SocialShare.apk, StatusWidget.apk, SuggestionsProvider.apk, SuggestionsRuleCheckerCore.apk, SuggestionsServiceScheduler.apk, Swype.apk, ToggleWidgets.apk, UniversalInbox.apk, Upgrader.apk, VCAST_TONES_4_5_7.apk, VCASTMusic.apk, VCASTVideo.apk, VSuiteApp.apk, vzw_vnav_DROID3_rel_PROD_signed.apk, VZWIM.apk, VZWInstaller.apk, WeatherWidget.apk, ZumoCast_1.0.17.apk
Make sure you run these scripts using Script Manager or a comparable app and be sure to enable it to run as root or it won't have permission to make changes to /system/app.
This is version 1 of the scripts -- if any of the apps removed wind up causing problems or more are found, I'll add it to the list. I've tested the scripts back and forth myself and have tested it as much as I can without finding any issues. Also, some apps are removed without asking, such as ZumoCast or VCAST or NFL Mobile. You can find these apps in the market, so there's no point keeping them locked down in system.
Enjoy! Comments are welcome.
UPDATE 9/1/2011: fixed a typo in one of the variables (thanks everyone who reported this), added more options to keep (Swype and Car Dock Voice Commands), split into two versions -- one for the stock 5.5.959 build and 5.6.890 update (late August OTA), added a warning about removing the home screen without a launcher and that it removes the Calendar widget.
Great, but maybe it would be nice to make a y/n option for each .apk where it asks you if you want to delete that apk
script
instructions for use?
thanks
DoubleYouPee said:
Great, but maybe it would be nice to make a y/n option for each .apk where it asks you if you want to delete that apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't delete them -- we don't have an SPF yet. Someone posted the complete /system/app contents and you could restore, technically, manually, but it's a bad idea. Renaming to a .bak is completely effective.
lodisax said:
instructions for use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the post.
You'll want to use Script Manager -- unzip the two scripts to your SD card (internal or external), launch Script Manager (free version is fine), find the script and click it, then tick on 'root' and then run the script. Follow the prompts from there.
script
thanks for the answer
psouza4 said:
You shouldn't delete them -- we don't have an SPF yet. Someone posted the complete /system/app contents and you could restore, technically, manually, but it's a bad idea. Renaming to a .bak is completely effective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeh sorry that's what I meant.. Option to y/n rename the apk.
I'd like to use the script once I get my droid 3 but would like to 'keep' some of the apks.
DoubleYouPee said:
Yeh sorry that's what I meant.. Option to y/n rename the apk.
I'd like to use the script once I get my droid 3 but would like to 'keep' some of the apks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's Y/N for anything you'd want to keep. About 6-7 questions in total. Anything that you can't find in the market that isn't definitely bloat has a prompt.
script
script manager that you use?
I use script manager and asked me if I want to remove each apk or not.
There is a script manager that does everything automatically?
thanks for the answer
lodisax said:
script manager that you use?
I use script manager and asked me if I want to remove each apk or not.
There is a script manager that does everything automatically?
thanks for the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read the thread thoroughly -- I'm going to ignore obvious questions like these.
psouza4 said:
There's Y/N for anything you'd want to keep. About 6-7 questions in total. Anything that you can't find in the market that isn't definitely bloat has a prompt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what if I wanna keep DLNA, photoeditor and socialmessaging?
DoubleYouPee said:
So what if I wanna keep DLNA, photoeditor and socialmessaging?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then answer 'Y' to the prompts asking if you want to keep 'DLNA' or 'social messaging'. There are plenty of photo editors in the market, so there's no prompt on that (although if you were so inclined, you could just rename the .BAK's back to their original files). I feel you haven't actually looked at the script or read my post.
psouza4 said:
I've tested the scripts back and forth myself and have tested it as much as I can without finding any issues. Also, some apps are removed without asking, such as ZumoCast or VCAST or NFL Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the ultimate test is to do factory reset and see how device will go through initialization stage. It can be surprises which are not noticeable during normal use. Without this it is kind of premature to say what is safe to delete and what is not.
serg675 said:
I think the ultimate test is to do factory reset and see how device will go through initialization stage. It can be surprises which are not noticeable during normal use. Without this it is kind of premature to say what is safe to delete and what is not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ehh I agree with you to a point, because i made the very noobish mistake of uninstalling bloat that i knew would not effect daily use; however, I did a factory reset to test a theory for krazy and learned that something I uninstalled makes the setup process FC and wont let you get to the blur launcher, luckily other launchers work and I was able to batch install via adb.
Thing is though is if the phone reboots when this stuff is renamed then it will survive a factory reset, though it may do the same thing mine has done. If it does its no big deal to load up adb and rename the files back so that you can complete the setup.
You forgot the World Clock widget in your removal script; the only clock that thinks it needs a permanently-resident service, regardless of whether it's running or not.
Xenoproctologist said:
You forgot the World Clock widget in your removal script; the only clock that thinks it needs a permanently-resident service, regardless of whether it's running or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That messes with the dock though, so I don't consider it bloat.
I know its a lot to ask... but can someone either create a comprehensive list of what each one actually does... or point us in a direction to where there already is one?
Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk
Seirÿu said:
I know its a lot to ask... but can someone either create a comprehensive list of what each one actually does... or point us in a direction to where there already is one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open the script in a text editor and read my comments -- it gives each one a title.
@psouza4 - nice work, it's about time someone took a more organised approach to figuring out what apks are safe to remove.
I tried to get a similar effort going here :-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17004394&postcount=11
but the way people behave on this forum, it's like trying to herd cats.
thingonaspring said:
@psouza4 - nice work, it's about time someone took a more organised approach to figuring out what apks are safe to remove.
I tried to get a similar effort going here :-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17004394&postcount=11
but the way people behave on this forum, it's like trying to herd cats.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
Couple of notes, too:
It was asked in IRC why I'm removing 'android-syncservice-app.apk'. This service is the extra backup stuff that Verizon added on (as evidenced inside the package in /assets/system.properties you'll find several references to verizon servers for sync, like sm_connection_url=http://syncba.myvzw.com/syncml). This service doesn't do anything beneficial for you unless you really have a hard-on for Verizon's sync stuff. I've had it disabled since we achieved root and it has no affect on account sync services (contacts, gmail, calendar, reader, etc.) nor SMS/MMS push notifications, etc.
Also, a fellow PM'd me saying he got errors that variable names were invalid -- turns out he had edited the script in Windows, saved it, and that broke the UNIX-style line endings. If you're going to modify the script, use Notepad++, UltraEdit, or something that will maintain the correct line endings. Or just use an editor on the phone, such as in Root Explorer.
Thanks a bunch man, works great. About to run a benchmark to see the results!
Hi
I've not been able to change the DPI or install AdAway. Device has been rooted and Superuser is installed.
I'm not very knowledgable about this kind of stuff so I may be missing something obvious.
Thanks
After some extra reading I'm guessing this is because rooting it doesn;t give access to the sections where this info needs to be written.
Is this right?
*edit
seems like it no longer works with updated youtube apk.
but give it a go anyway
hi guys
this is a simple trick which uses editing of hosts file to block youtube ads. works on KK, CM, AOSP JB etc.
i know alot of people use xposed and adblock and what not to block ads in youtube or use alternative youtube apps
however if you hate using 3rd party programs then this thread is for you.
Requirements*
-rooted phone
- file manager with root access (ie Root explorer, ES, CM file Manager etc)
- either edit hosts file manually or download my hosts file and push it to system/etc
-reboot
copy and paste the following into the hosts file and reboot (please note hosts file has no extension so DO NOT rename it to .txt, or .doc or anything like that, jsut leave it without any extension)
Code:
127.0.0.1 https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 https://ad.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 https://s0.2mdn.net/ads/*
127.0.0.1 http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/*
127.0.0.1 http://stats.tubemogul.com/stats/*
127.0.0.1 http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 ##div.video-ads html5-stop-propagation
127.0.0.1 ##div.pyv-afc-ads-inner
127.0.0.1 youtube.com###osd-id
or alternatively
downlaod and push https://mega.co.nz/#!Hsg2iTSI!pCNvYDEtoUQzoDWCGqwKjiSopsUBQLxgWVFet1npir8
this to system/etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or simply install adaway ...
mrassol said:
or simply install adaway ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or simply read?
i know alot of people use xposed and adblock and what not to block ads in youtube or use alternative youtube apps
however if you hate using 3rd party programs then this thread is for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have no problem with 3rd party apps so clearly this thread is not intended for you... Some people do or just want to learn how to do things manually, this is xda DEVELOPERS after all...
Not sure why I'm even bothering to reply to a troll
This is nice
It isnt easily detected from sites when you edit the hosts, nice work!
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
adamsmth663 said:
hi guys
this is a simple trick which uses editing of hosts file to block youtube ads. works on KK, CM, AOSP JB etc.
i know alot of people use xposed and adblock and what not to block ads in youtube or use alternative youtube apps
however if you hate using 3rd party programs then this thread is for you.
Requirements*
-rooted phone
- file manager with root access (ie Root explorer, ES, CM file Manager etc)
- either edit hosts file manually or download my hosts file and push it to system/etc
-reboot
copy and paste the following into the hosts file and reboot (please note hosts file has no extension so DO NOT rename it to .txt, or .doc or anything like that, jsut leave it without any extension)
Code:
127.0.0.1 #https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 #https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 #https://ad.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 #https://s0.2mdn.net/ads/*
127.0.0.1 #http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/*
127.0.0.1 #http://stats.tubemogul.com/stats/*
127.0.0.1 #http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 #http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/*
127.0.0.1 ##div.video-ads html5-stop-propagation
127.0.0.1 ##div.pyv-afc-ads-inner
127.0.0.1 youtube.com###osd-id
or alternatively
downlaod and push https://mega.co.nz/#!244n0CTJ!SC3nPlmtmt1i2d4R2z9txPSM6aIYwASihoAqxKorFB8
this to system/etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went on etc/hosts file on ES File Manager and tried to edit it. Copied this and pasted on it but it won't save. I have root and ES File Manager has root permissions... This is weird.
V4LKyR said:
I went on etc/hosts file on ES File Manager and tried to edit it. Copied this and pasted on it but it won't save. I have root and ES File Manager has root permissions... This is weird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it wont save then it means you might not have full root, try running the latest easy root again..
adamsmth663 said:
if it wont save then it means you might not have full root, try running the latest easy root again..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But Root Checker says I have full root... :laugh: Really weird.
I downloaded host file push to system/etc
And reboot but it looks not working when I try to watch YouTube there still have ad
Do I need to change permission?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
paullu said:
I downloaded host file push to system/etc
And reboot but it looks not working when I try to watch YouTube there still have ad
Do I need to change permission?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try removing the # infront of each address listed
if that dosent work
download this host file it has 1000's of adddresses listed
https://mega.co.nz/#!Hsg2iTSI!pCNvYDEtoUQzoDWCGqwKjiSopsUBQLxgWVFet1npir8
try pushing this to system/etc (its 1.3 mb, the old file is 20kb, so you should be able to tell now if it has been pushed to the correct folder)
mrassol said:
or simply install adaway ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adaway doesn't seem to block ads from the updated version of YouTube apk.
I've event tried adding the http listed here in my blacklist in adaway, reboot and still didn't work.
had to open the host list and add this list in manually for it to finally block ads in the YouTube apk.
"#" cannot be read by system. You should remove them from links. Also last entry blocking directly Youtube.com
dilldoe said:
adaway doesn't seem to block ads from the updated version of YouTube apk.
I've event tried adding the http listed here in my blacklist in adaway, reboot and still didn't work.
had to open the host list and add this list in manually for it to finally block ads in the YouTube apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this mean it worked? I've tried using YouTube Adaway (Xposed Module) + Adaway and still had ads in the original YouTube application.
I manually added the hosts to d away black list (since the actual file is too large to edit with all the text editors I've tried) and have gotten a majority of the ads blocked. The problem with adding hosts to the blacklist is that they need to be in the form of just the server name. Including anything else results in adaway complaining about it not being a proper host name.
I don't know how adaway handles these blacklisted host names, meaning I have no clue if it adds a /* to the end, but doesn't blocking just a server result in everything being blocked to begin with ... Since adaway doesn't allow us to add directories after the server we can't really be too specific about what we block..
Therefore I wasn't able to block anything coming from YouTube.com itself or else I'd block the site completely.
It would he a good idea to move your download link to Box for example (Dropbox probably also works but just tested it with Box) so that people with Adaway can copy the Box URL and add it directly to AdAway's Host Sources list so it automatically updates when they press update, so they don't need to always check here to see if any changes were made.
Here's my test link that works, (as far as adding to Hosts Sources in AdAway...whether or not YouTube ads are blocked I've yet to test fully again). It's fine if anyone wants to use this one, but there's no guarantee I'll update the list if the OP updates their list.
Link Deleted
Rebooted and after a bunch of tries, I ended up catching an ad. I'm going to see if I can catch some of the new URLs. Btw, this was with adaway's default hosts sources plus the YouTube hosts you posted as well as the moab list that's posted here on xda (that's a lot of hosts getting blocked...that moab lost is huge and as the name says, Mother Of All Ad Blocking. It does seem to be blocking some of the ads as they seem less frequent but could be placebo.
Edit: Seems like the adaway final merged lost of my goat sources is getting malformed cause after a
PHP:
grep "120.0.0.1 youtube.com###osd-id" /etc/hosts
Nothing is returned. Lemme reboot and see of the updated link I provided fixes the issue after applying the list again...
-----------
Well I unchecked all sources except the YouTube hosts from the Box link and even though it says it successfully applied the changes..it didn't..so off to try other cloud storages...might have to just create a webpage and put it there as I know that works but I don't see why this isn't working.
# when applied only "YouTube.com" gets redirected ..also is duplicate entries and I guess not formatted correctly to automatically import into adaway....
Update: Used logcat and checked the ad URLs and they are correct as listed here. So, I parsed through a little more and found where YouTube was pinging for ads, and then found the code in smali. Pretty sure I've found the ad URL constants and doing a build now where I just set each one to 121.0.0.1 and have it redirect back just as if in the hosts file and leave the rest of the code intact to reduce chances of error.
---------------------
Seems like only ads from googleads.g.doubleclick.net are passing through. Oh, yeah I found another URL to add to the YouTube list to redirect or add to adaway blacklist.
Code:
csi.gstatic.com
Looking at the code, it appears that the app pings a request for an ad and then receives it and passes it on to the actual video playback classes, so the URLs may not even be hard coded. If I could find what framework I'm missing I could look and see, still working on that.
I tried a few variations last night on changing the source, which I can decompile. Tried removing all the ad request calls by just returning void and leaving the methods empty and not removing the actual classes. I could use search and try removing all references to the classes so the entire ad interface is removed but doing so cleanly will take a lot of time.
In the mean time I'll keep adding new URLs as I find them. I just need to figure out the flow more...there's a lot of code. If anyone can decompile the resources .. It would be helpful (or know what framework I'm missing...I need to try again and look at the error log and find out what jar/apk the class is in.
---------------------------------------
Finally got resources to decompile. Stupid apktool mobile is picky about imported framework naming. And I has to import them manually but got it straight .. Anyways can't find any host or proxies in there or URLs .. Time to check the /data folder for YouTube though. Guess I couldn't technically modify the XML there so that the ads aren't visible but that's not what im after right now.
----------------------
The Google Services Framework database contains tables which also contain booleans for controlling ads (both in /data/data and /data/0/user. The googleads.g.doubleclick.net host is also apparently controlled here and looks like the reasoning why this was passing by was due to it being enabled and therefore white listed. Use SQLLite Editor and you'll see what I mean. This has been mostly what I've been looking for. Several other ad switches can be turned on and off here.. Some ads are still fetched by youtube.com/whatever, but I haven't manually added that to my hosts yet as was looking for a way to maybe disable those as well elsewhere. There's a lot in gsf I probably looked right past and missed.
Since when hosts file can block elements? Hosts file can't read anything besides domain name. Guys don't waste your time adding this nonsense to your hosts file. It might even slow down your browsing because it won't read the hosts file and it will wait till it times out. If you wish then download a proper hosts file but don't add these lines manually.
---------- Post added at 06:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 AM ----------
MidnightHarvester said:
Some ads are still fetched by youtube.com/whatever, but I haven't manually added that to my hosts yet as was looking for a way to maybe disable those as well elsewhere. There's a lot in gsf I probably looked right past and missed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easiest way to see all URLs by using your router if you have tomato or ddwrt installed. All you need is enable dnsmasq log and then you can see all urls requests. I didn't spend much time only about 15 minutes but I couldn't block ads using hosts file and I blocked most of the requests using hosts file. Maybe I missed something but anyway give it a go and don't use wildcards, slashes, divs, or http in hosts file. A proper hosts file must look like
127.0.0.1 domain.com
or
127.0.0.1 www.domain.com
Almazick said:
Since when hosts file can block elements? Hosts file can't read anything besides domain name. Guys don't waste your time adding this nonsense to your hosts file. It might even slow down your browsing because it won't read the hosts file and it will wait till it times out. If you wish then download a proper hosts file but don't add these lines manually.
---------- Post added at 06:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 AM ----------
The easiest way to see all URLs by using your router if you have tomato or ddwrt installed. All you need is enable dnsmasq log and then you can see all urls requests. I didn't spend much time only about 15 minutes but I couldn't block ads using hosts file and I blocked most of the requests using hosts file. Maybe I missed something but anyway give it a go and don't use wildcards, slashes, divs, or http in hosts file. A proper hosts file must look like
127.0.0.1 domain.com
or
127.0.0.1 www.domain.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I had to clean this up before even trying.. I have all ads blocked now anyways thankfully. Some ada are manages in Google Play Services and stored in one of the databases in the data file for that, and is most likely white listing these certain domains we can't block. My host file is formatted correctly ..been using them forever before uneven started using them to block ads.
Normal hosts I use blocks most the ads, blocked the g.googleads whatever it is domain via editing the play services database so other APS don't see them, then added my code in the smali eliminating YouTube from even pinging for ad servers...so all good
Thanks for the tips though in sure they'll be useful ')
This procedure works great!
I cannot post links for the moment. Try to search on Google this two keywords: "lolloland youtube"
The first link "TechNote: How to remove video ads from Youtube without ..." is a good procedure to configure your hosts files not to see pre-roll Youtube Ads.
Numerio said:
I cannot post links for the moment. Try to search on Google this two keywords: "lolloland youtube"
The first link "TechNote: How to remove video ads from Youtube without ..." is a good procedure to configure your hosts files not to see pre-roll Youtube Ads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really does not work I don't get why android's hosts file gets ignored if it is about the Youtube app.
Is there a way to filter or block ads in the apps ? In android is possible to mod a hosts file through apps such as AdAway or AdFree; has WP8 something similar ?
the gladiator said:
Is there a way to filter or block ads in the apps ? In android is possible to mod a hosts file through apps such as AdAway or AdFree; has WP8 something similar ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No !!!
You can edit the HOSTS file with an interop-unlocked phone. There's no current way to do it on a phone without interop-unlock, though.
Eye to change the host file First, as gooddaytodie says you need to interop and then enable full access to get full access to system folders. .. I have tried to edit the file to remove the ads from app but then I found myself with 3g and wifi not working.. So I thought I'd put the original file but are no longer able to replace it because Microsoft protected.. I had to Flash the full partition. Informed well before modifying it
It`s not the way with Windows Phone 8, but anyway. I`m using my router Netgear router to block the ads. Of cource it will work only when you`re connected to your Wi-Fi spot (or LAN with PC, Laptop or any other Ethernet-compatible thing).
I appreciate the information you gave me (and to the forum). A big thanks to GoodDayToDie who gave some hope and a "grosso grazie" to BlackSilverGT for the heads-up.
GoodDayToDie, could you please elaborate a bit your answer in order to avoid what happened to BlackSilverGT ? The alternative would the work-around suggested by winphoneuser
I have no explanation for what happened to @BlackSilverGT, so I can't promise how to avoid it. I used an app which moves files via CRpcComponent (rather than using the full access via MTP hack) but I have modified the HOSTS file that way, and it works. Maybe the problem was the *particular* modifications you made? I wasn't trying to block ads or anything like that, just intercepting traffic from an app. The tool I wrote for the purpose was a one-off and I seem to have deleted it, but I have a more general-purpose file editing utility under development.