Issues casting from Android devices using Unlocator - Google Chromecast

Hi All,
Just wanted to give people a heads up it looks like unlocator is causing some issues with communication between android and the destination chromecast.
From my testing this configuration can result in an ssl handshake error, switching to another provider (i started using overplay) this does not occur. This doesn't appear to be related to a build of the chromecast but may be related to the version of Google play services installed or possibly since Google updated their ssl certs in November.
I've contacted unlocator and will update with what they say, if anyone else has any input pleasr comment below
Kind regards,
Kyonz of Team-Eureka

How are you using Unlocator? With iptables redirection of Google DNS, or with static-route blocking of Google DNS in the router?
And with which services? Netflix or something else?
Some recent tests reported here have shown that the Android Netlfix app has been changed to use Google DNS as a secondary DNS, but in a way that requires Google DNS to be reachable even if it is not used as the primary DNS. You can only view the content on Android using an alternative DNS if your router does not block Google DNS. On the other hand the Chromecast requires Google DNS to be blocked in order to use the alternative DNS, so you can't have it both ways. You can make it work if you select the Chromecast as the player for Netflix before you select a title to play on Android.

Hi DJames1,
My person setup is dns changed on the chromecast and on the phone, it seems to affect even basic apps like YouTube. My belief is it might be region based for unlocator as I've seen the issue in both aus and nz but others seem to be reporting things working correctly.
I have tried using the new phone vpn but same issue, changing to another smartdns provider resolves it so I'm pretty sure it's something to do with them.
They're going to put me in touch with one of their devs so hopefully I can work with them to see what it is.

I'm interested to see how this turns out.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

narrowed down to video apps from android devices
Hey is there any update on this issue? I have been running some tests and narrowed it down to casting video apps from android devices only (I have a nexus 5 and nexus 10) when unlocator DNS is activated. The cast option is there but it fails to connect. Youtube, Netflix, Plex, WatchEspn all have problems for me. Google Music works just fine.
My wife has an iPad which works on Netflix and Plex so it is an android issue.

Reported issue to Unlocator. They were going to flash chromecast and see if they can replicate problem. Agreed to do some testing for them on 28 Feb. They've never come back to me since. Sent another email yesterday but haven't received any response yet. I have been using unblock.us and unotelly for a few days now and both work flawlessly. Shame I subscribed to Unlocator (12 months) before rooting my chromecast. I will let you all know when I learn of any solution.

Guys from Unlocator keep working on it, however there is no solution to the problem so far. I notice that Unlocator DNS work absolutely fine as long as they are not used on android device to cast to chromecast. Any combination of even different DNS servers providers on android and rooted chromecast will work seamlessly - as long as both are set to the same region. Change DNS to Unlocator on your Android phone and you wont' be able to connect to chromecast.

Just deleted Unlocator's secondary DNS on android and all problems are gone.
My current setup: DNS1 185.37.37.37 DNS2 178.62.32.60
Hope it helps.

Related

Canadian Netflix users

I take no responsibility for this fix and cannot guarantee it will work for you but always worth a go. I cannot remember where I read this so unfortunately I can not give credit where it is due.
If like me you are a Canadian Xoom user with a netflix account then you have surely gotten the unsupported device error when trying to stream from netflix, well I ran through this quick fix and now netflix works great for me in canada using the newest netflix apk.
What you have to do to get netflix working is download a proxy app from the market like proxydroid. Then you find a free US proxy ip address (google it) insert the proxy ip and port into proxydroid and enable the proxy, try to surf the web, when you finally find a proxy that works (took me awhile to find one) then open up the netflix app and login with your info and start streaming anything. Let it go for a few secs then stop it, remove the proxy and uninstall proxydroid if you want, go back to your regular connection and bam netflix works in canada. Mine has been working great since i've done this. Only time I had to repeat the procedure was when I installed the newest apk.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.netflix.mediaclient
Supports Android 2.2, 2.3, and 3.x in the USA, Canada, and Latin America.
Don't have my Xoom with me right now but installed and streamed on my Nexus one no problem! Hope this one works on the Xoom when I get home!!
O- Located in British Columbia, Canada
Grr....click on app, stats to load then sits on the loading circle screen.

Google music outside the US, now even easier!

With all the negativity about google music not being available in the UK, or outside the US in general, i figured this may be good news for some here.
I'm not sure if this has been covered before or not so here goes.
I basically found a way to get the google music service working in the UK, no fake google accounts, settings to change or anything like that is needed here at all.
If you just try and go to music.google.com from outside the US you normally get a message saying it's unavailable so here i tell you how to get around this for quick and easy access to the ability to store 20000 songs for free.
1. Go to www.unblock-us.com and sign up for a free 7 day trial by giving them your email address. This site is great for also accessing other US content such as US netflix and all sorts of other things outside the US (I actually subscribe to this service as i think it's brilliant, others may not want to do so).
2. Update your DNS settings on your computer/laptop/router as per the guides on the above site.
3. Once up and running on the Unblock-US DNS, fire up your favourite browser and go to music.google.com and sign in. NOTE you will no longer get the message saying it's for users in the US only.
4. Set up Google music, download the music manager to your computer and start uploading music.
5. You can now remove the Unblock-US DNS settings and go back to using your normal settings. Your Google account will still work even if using a non US internet connection and you will be able to access the Google music site from any computer.
6. Enjoy Google music anywhere, on any connection.
Please hit the thanks button if this helps.
Rik.
You can also use the TOR browser, keep refreshing until you have a US based proxy then just navigate to Google music and register your account. Once you've registered you can use Google music anywhere (normal browser, android app, etc)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
aindow said:
I'm not sure if this has been covered before or not so here goes.
I basically found a way to get the google music service working in the UK, no fake google accounts, settings to change or anything like that is needed here at all.
If you just try and go to music.google.com from outside the US you normally get a message saying it's unavailable so here i tell you how to get around this for quick and easy access to the ability to store 20000 songs for free.
1. Go to www.unblock-us.com and sign up for a free 7 day trial by giving them your email address. This site is great for also accessing other US content such as US netflix and all sorts of other things outside the US (I actually subscribe to this service as i think it's brilliant, others may not want to do so).
2. Update your DNS settings on your computer/laptop/router as per the guides on the above site.
3. Once up and running on the Unblock-US DNS, fire up your favourite browser and go to music.google.com and sign in. NOTE you will no longer get the message saying it's for users in the US only.
4. Set up Google music, download the music manager to your computer and start uploading music.
5. You can now remove the Unblock-US DNS settings and go back to using your normal settings. Your Google account will still work even if using a non US internet connection and you will be able to access the Google music site from any computer.
6. Enjoy Google music anywhere, on any connection.
Please hit the thanks button if this helps.
Rik.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do all of that using way simpler methods via Hotspot Shield or a web based proxy (e.g. hidemyass.com).
I'm pretty sure this subject has been covered before here on XDA, but thanks anyway. :good:
Had access for a while, been able to do this since the day it launched. I even managed to get some of the free music.
As someone who occasionally buys music (I know some must think I'm mad to pay for it) I'd like the option of being able to use the store. Its no problem though i just buy elsewhere and let my PC add it.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2
I'd probably see if tunlr.net works first.. no point in paying for something you can get free.
I wish google would start rolling out some of this stuff.. they put all these features into jelly bean then when you run the OS you get the same old..
I used tunnelbear a few weeks back. Was a painless installation, adequate speeds since I just had to accept the google music terms and conditions, painless removal from my computer and I was up and running with google music in 5 minutes or less.
when I was signing up I just used a SSH tunnel to a (virtual)server I rent in the US worked fine.
I would also like the ability to be able to actually purchase music from the google store, my music collection is in dire need of an update.
Is it also possible to get google magazines and google books working?
Google music is up and running at my phone for about 5 months now.
Market Unlocker is the easiest in my opinion. Pro version fetches proxy automatically and all you have to do is turn it on.
Sent from my U8800 using Tapatalk 2
I also used TunnelBear. Really easy and quick to setup. I had tried the Tor browser before but didn't have any joy. So I recommend TunnelBear.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app
Yes, +1 for tunnel bear. Tor browser only ever set my location to anonymous proxy. Funnily enough Google wasn't fooled!
brb123 said:
Is it also possible to get google magazines and google books working?
Google music is up and running at my phone for about 5 months now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The apps themselves work, but whenever I try to make purchases, it tells me that I need a US credit/debit card
But I have been trying to get hold of some prepaid voucher american/canadian visas in order to counter this, but there don't seem to be any available to buy online.
So if any Americans fancy going to a local store for me and buying a couple, please do (will pay obviously...:cyclops
AleT said:
Yes, +1 for tunnel bear. Tor browser only ever set my location to anonymous proxy. Funnily enough Google wasn't fooled!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow! thanks. i installed tunnel bear, registered in google music and then uninstaled tunnel bear and it works!
i'm in portugal using Google Music
thanks!
is there a chance that once Google Music comes to the UK, users who used this work around could be affected from not using the UK service?
twistedh said:
The apps themselves work, but whenever I try to make purchases, it tells me that I need a US credit/debit card
But I have been trying to get hold of some prepaid voucher american/canadian visas in order to counter this, but there don't seem to be any available to buy online.
So if any Americans fancy going to a local store for me and buying a couple, please do (will pay obviously...:cyclops
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought some music the other day with my Aussie credit card. I set a US address (hint: look up real estate sites for a genuine address ) and set this as my default shipping and billing address. You have to do this in http://wallet.google.com prior to logging on to http://music.google.com. Remember to reset this for your regular purchases through the Play Store.
I've had Google Music in Canada for months now. Used super hide ip and signed up.
I'm unsure if it's harder to sign up now then it was when I signed up.
Sent from Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
Devices:
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Asus Transformer tf101
Music uploaded not showing on tablet
Hi guys
I have a problem with this process. I used Tunnel Bear and i was able to install Music Manager without a glitch. As i type this my music library is uploading at a steady rate. I live in Spain (where the Nexus is available since just a couple of days, although no music service so far) but bought the Nexus 7 trough a friend in Canada a few weeks ago (could not wait, ha). The Google Music app is, therefore, preinstalled, but my music so far is not showing at all. There`s only a message to use USB to transfer music locally. I did try to sideload the app, but it did not make any difference. Same result rebooting the tablet. Nothing showing. So far i have about 100+ songs uploaded, but there`s nothing to show for in my tablet. Surely i`m doing something wrong?
sith1970 said:
Hi guys
I have a problem with this process. I used Tunnel Bear and i was able to install Music Manager without a glitch. As i type this my music library is uploading at a steady rate. I live in Spain (where the Nexus is available since just a couple of days, although no music service so far) but bought the Nexus 7 trough a friend in Canada a few weeks ago (could not wait, ha). The Google Music app is, therefore, preinstalled, but my music so far is not showing at all. There`s only a message to use USB to transfer music locally. I did try to sideload the app, but it did not make any difference. Same result rebooting the tablet. Nothing showing. So far i have about 100+ songs uploaded, but there`s nothing to show for in my tablet. Surely i`m doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the exact same problem! Not working on nexus 7 with preinstalled music.app but its working on my galaxy s2 using the music.apk provided by xda!
Any solutions? Would be great to be able to use the app on nexus 7!
Just picked up my Nexus 7 today on launch day in Holland and will definitely be trying any of the aforementioned options.
Thanks so much for the valuable info.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Dainemeid said:
Got the exact same problem! Not working on nexus 7 with preinstalled music.app but its working on my galaxy s2 using the music.apk provided by xda!
Any solutions? Would be great to be able to use the app on nexus 7!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you both tried clearing the app data in settings? That should fix it
BTW, +1 for tunnel bear. I was trying for over an hour using various proxys, none worked. This did it in 2 mins. Got over 2 thousand songs on now, not even a 1/3 of the way through......

Using NetGuard to prevent Amazon OTAs but allow Google services?

Has anyone tried using NetGuard or another firewall to prevent Amazon services from phoning home?
I have 5.3.1.0 on my Fire, so no root. But fortunately NetGuard doesn't need root.
I'm trying to find exactly which packages to block and allow to make sure Amazon can't update my OS, and preferably also block ads, while allowing the Play Store.
The problem I have been running into is that NetGuard lumps some services/apps together, so if I try to enable, for example, Android Contact Storage, it also enabled all of the Amazon contact related options, including all the social media connectors.
I haven't found a combination that allows me to login to Google but prevents system updates.
Has anyone successfully done this? I'd love some tips or maybe even an export of your NetGuard config.
S.Mayer said:
Has anyone tried using NetGuard or another firewall to prevent Amazon services from phoning home?
I have 5.3.1.0 on my Fire, so no root. But fortunately NetGuard doesn't need root.
I'm trying to find exactly which packages to block and allow to make sure Amazon can't update my OS, and preferably also block ads, while allowing the Play Store.
The problem I have been running into is that NetGuard lumps some services/apps together, so if I try to enable, for example, Android Contact Storage, it also enabled all of the Amazon contact related options, including all the social media connectors.
I haven't found a combination that allows me to login to Google but prevents system updates.
Has anyone successfully done this? I'd love some tips or maybe even an export of your NetGuard config.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This approach has proven unreliable on various Amazon device going all the way back to 2nd gen Tate:
- you can't block the relevant OTA services without root
- blocking by IP is only a temporary fix as Amazon rotates addresses
Despite claims to the contrary no local 'firewall' can be 100% effective without root access.
Davey126 said:
Despite claims to the contrary no local 'firewall' can be 100% effective without root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info. Just to be 100% sure, are you aware that NetGuard functions as a local VPN service, rather than using iptables? When connected to a VPN, the device should be sending all traffic that way. Whether it does or not, I can't actually say.
S.Mayer said:
Thank you for the info. Just to be 100% sure, are you aware that NetGuard functions as a local VPN service, rather than using iptables? When connected to a VPN, the device should be sending all traffic that way. Whether it does or not, I can't actually say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was aware but good to ask the question. A VPN *should* capture all traffic. Whether it does on FireOS is the $64K question. To my knowledge there are no widespread reports of VPN effectiveness blocking Amazon OTA updates, but that could simply reflect the limited number of attempts. Until recently VPNs were rather difficult to understand/implement for most non-technical users.

Android cannot join Wi-Fi if google.com is blocked.

I have Nexus 6 + Pure Nexus Android 7.1.1. I have blocked google.com with OpenDNS. Android seems to be using it to check if wifi is online. I am now wondering is there some way to change that? If i have to decide do i want to keep google blocked or use wi-fi on my phone i must decide to keep google blocked because of many reasons. If someone have idea how to change that google.com to some another page would be very helpful. Wi-Fi is saying "connected but no internet connection" when google.com is blocked.
Either you live in China or you're being excessively paranoid if you feel you have to block Google at the DNS level. So does the wifi function when not using OpenDNS?
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Either you live in China or you're being excessively paranoid if you feel you have to block Google at the DNS level. So does the wifi function when not using OpenDNS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wifi works great until i block google.com (it gets blocked when i block search engines category.) If i allow it wi-fi works normally but i am using OpenDNS mostly to block google so its kind of bad issue. My wi-fi says "connected, but no internet connection" when google.com is blocked. I am wondering is there some way to change google to test internet connection from some other site.
Do you have Google apps installed?
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Do you have Google apps installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, what does it matter?
Google's apps all phone home to Google, especially Play Services and the Google App. When you block Google through OpenDNS, which I assume is the Android version, those apps cannot do their jobs effectively. If you want to block Google, though why is beyond me, you'll have to forego the Google apps as well. That means looking for alternatives for each Google app. A simpler solution is to let the device connect to Google.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
No, you simply decided that you were going to cop an attitude towards someone who was trying to help you. Someone whose reputation is pretty much unimpeachable.
Out of sight, out of mind. Don't bother replying, as you're a knuckle-dragging lackwit who can't compete with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read your answers and wonder how did you try to help me? If i would have been someone living in china you would have asked me to buy another phone or move another country?
"Letting the device connect to Google IS the answer. It's just one you don't like."
That helps people in china alot even there would have been working solution which was beyond your abilities.

Is there a magisk module to prevent play store from detecting VPN?

I live in China so in order for me access play store I must use a VPN. Play store however, has disabled me from accessing and downloading updates via VPN.
I can activate (after each time I upgrade the system) play store by not being in China or setting up a VPN on a router and then connect my phone to the router. Either way is a bit annoying.
A third way is to use NAT mode when using VPN apps, but this usually means I have to create my own VPN apps (or modifying a third party VPN app I guess, I don't know how tho). This is the method I am using now. The downside is the VPN will consume more battery.
Then when I need to download updates or a new app, I must first navigate to a specific page, tap update or install, and then switch off the VPN for play store to start downloading and then quickly switch on the VPN before the download fails. This is quite annoying too. Or in my new NAT mode VPN, I need to switch the VPN to NAT mode before going to the play store or youtube.
Is there a way via some root trick that I can just disable play store from knowing I am using a VPN?
I am on Android-10 and play store 18, some older devices don't have this problem, btw.

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