Related
WARNING: I am not responsible for any bricked devices caused by attempting this howto. If you haven't read this how to twice, and fully understand the requirements, then please don't attempt it.
Introduction (not important):
First, this may not be the best way to do this, and if someone knows a better way, I'll be happy to listen.
I kinda stumbled across this solution after trying the many other ways to solve the problem, but all the other ways seemed to have something incomplete with them and ended with no ADS, but no something else, like rotating lock screens or something.
I started with the assumption that the ADS program (dtcp) can be disabled through a flag somewhere on the system, for if you pay the extra $20 you get a kindle with no ADS, but same Android build. After looking through lots of sqlite databases I found it in the com.android.providers.settings/settings.db file.
Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge of databases
SQLite Editor Pro (Free on 1Mobile Market)
DroidWall
Steps:
Open SQLite Editor
Open "Settings Storage" (com.android.providers.settings)
Open settings.db
open "global" table
Highlight entry "IS_DTCP_ENABLED"
Click the Edit Record button at the top
Change the value from a 1 to a 0
Click Save
Go back
Make same change on the "secure" table
Reboot kindle for new options to take effect.
Other Thoughts:
This just changes the value temporarily until the device checks back in with Amazon and then the value will get overridden again with the correct value. To prevent that install DroidWall and whitelist only the applications you need to access the internet. DroidWall requires root, which is why root is in the subject. But you should be doing this anyways to prevent OTA updates.
cool
Does this mean that you will now get the rotating native wallpapers that you would have if you paid for the dismissal of the ads? Currently I use adaway on my s4 hotspot and the only one I blacklist is (spectrum.s3.amazonaws.com) this has blocked updates because I am still on old software with no other blocking in place and I have noticed it also has blocked rotateing ads accept I have the same 1 at all times.
Edit: YAY !!!! and yes I now have rotating native wallpapers
Btw thank you for sharing and it is quite refreshing to see a new member join to share useful information in a well thought out and presented OP and not just join to start a thread with a question that is the heading of so many other threads that has been beat to death already..burying perfectly good information..thank you for joining us at XDA!
Awesome!!!! have been looking for a way to do this without factory reset for a while! You da man! Gonna spam that thanks button for a while lol
Thanks so much, that was easy!
Mind after a few days .2 went straight black lock screen
Anyone know what exactly I need to enable in droidwall to have internet but no ota updates or Amazon changing the lock screen back to ads?
Uhg
This mod works fine. No ads, rotating wallpapers appear every time. No reversion to black screen. No need for Droidwall. Use of Droidwall is impractical for this purpose. Who knows what not to include in some giant white list?
It appears that the wallpapers will continue to appear without reversion if you have blocked updates using the root kit.
earlgrey_44 said:
This mod works fine. No ads, rotating wallpapers appear every time. No reversion to black screen. No need for Droidwall. Use of Droidwall is impractical for this purpose. Who knows what not to include in some giant white list?
It appears that the wallpapers will continue to appear without reversion if you have blocked updates using the root kit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, what's the root kit?
dras99 said:
Sorry, what's the root kit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First link in this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53451623&postcount=3
I assume the block update action from the rootkit is responsible for the lack of reversion to ads since I haven't done anything else except the steps I outlined in the post and the data base tweaks explained above. My kindle has been running for 5 days now without ads and with the startup wallpaper.
earlgrey_44 said:
First link in this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53451623&postcount=3
I assume the block update action from the rootkit is responsible for the lack of reversion to ads since I haven't done anything else except the steps I outlined in the post and the data base tweaks explained above. My kindle has been running for 5 days now without ads and with the startup wallpaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also blocked updates with the root kit. Then I followed this tutorial and it worked great however it did revert back to adds after a reboot or 2.
conan1600 said:
I also blocked updates with the root kit. Then I followed this tutorial and it worked great however it did revert back to adds after a reboot or 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strange! What's different about my install I wonder?
earlgrey_44 said:
Strange! What's different about my install I wonder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm left scratching my head over that as well. Tomorrow I will re run the ota block script as I'm now concerned that it perhaps did not do something correctly. I did check for updates and it says last update failed but better safe than sorry. I DO NOT want to end up getting updated again. I finally have this tablet running rather nicely and am quite satisfied with most aspects. Still need much more customization options but it's serviceable now. And this tablet has always had the best touch input response of any I've ever used. I'd hate to have to throw it back in the closet.
I am getting now BLACK SCREENS. Any way to change this?
Script
For anyone who wants to run this from command line (e.g. on reboot or network change event) you can create a script like below and use SManager to run it periodically. You will first need to install sqlite3 binary (google "SQLite Installer for Root").
Here is the script that needs to be executed as root:
Code:
#!/system/bin/sh
sqlite3 -batch /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db "update global SET value='0' where name='IS_DTCP_ENABLED'";
sqlite3 -batch /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db "update secure SET value='0' where name='IS_DTCP_ENABLED'";
Spent this weekend putting all my root goodness back on my G4 -- thanks again to all the devs who worked on this. I didn't realize how much I missed being rooted until I was again!
I had been running AdBlock Plus on my previous phone, galaxy S4, and never thought much about it, but in the course of reading various threads while waiting for root on the G4, it seems like most people mention AdAway as the preferred ad blocking tool. I gave it a shot, and it seemed to be far inferior to AdBlock. So I feel like I must be doing something wrong and was hoping for some discussion on this.
AdAway works by changing the hosts file to block known ad sources. For me this caused several problems. Web pages still load slowly (perhaps because of timeouts associated with trying to access a non-responding server?). There are still large areas on the screen with broken link icons where the ads used to be, which is pretty ugly. I tried using the AdAway local server, to provide a response to the spoofed/blocked domains, it didn't seem to make much difference. Finally, using the default config, many commercial web sites are just blocked entirely, which is a non starter.
My understanding is that AdBlock instead creates a proxy. With AdBlock web pages load MUCH faster than with AdAway, even when running the local server. It also removes the content entirely, instead of just blocking, so the output is a lot prettier.
The difference in web browsing experience was stark for me. AdBlock was the clear winner. So I'm trying to understand why so many people seem to prefer adaway. I would rather use a more light-weight solution if it works as well, but it just didn't seem to for me. Am I missing something?
I prefer AdFree, http://adfree.bigtincan.com/.
jamtre said:
Spent this weekend putting all my root goodness back on my G4 -- thanks again to all the devs who worked on this. I didn't realize how much I missed being rooted until I was again!
I had been running AdBlock Plus on my previous phone, galaxy S4, and never thought much about it, but in the course of reading various threads while waiting for root on the G4, it seems like most people mention AdAway as the preferred ad blocking tool. I gave it a shot, and it seemed to be far inferior to AdBlock. So I feel like I must be doing something wrong and was hoping for some discussion on this.
AdAway works by changing the hosts file to block known ad sources. For me this caused several problems. Web pages still load slowly (perhaps because of timeouts associated with trying to access a non-responding server?). There are still large areas on the screen with broken link icons where the ads used to be, which is pretty ugly. I tried using the AdAway local server, to provide a response to the spoofed/blocked domains, it didn't seem to make much difference. Finally, using the default config, many commercial web sites are just blocked entirely, which is a non starter.
My understanding is that AdBlock instead creates a proxy. With AdBlock web pages load MUCH faster than with AdAway, even when running the local server. It also removes the content entirely, instead of just blocking, so the output is a lot prettier.
The difference in web browsing experience was stark for me. AdBlock was the clear winner. So I'm trying to understand why so many people seem to prefer adaway. I would rather use a more light-weight solution if it works as well, but it just didn't seem to for me. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a thought, but AdBlock Plus has to be running 24/7 in the background, so some people may notice or think it takes a hit on battery and system resources. I am running AdBlock Plus now as well, but I downloaded AdFree after the user above recommended it, I'll give it a go.
geoff5093 said:
Just a thought, but AdBlock Plus has to be running 24/7 in the background, so some people may notice or think it takes a hit on battery and system resources. I am running AdBlock Plus now as well, but I downloaded AdFree after the user above recommended it, I'll give it a go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try AdFree too, hadn't seen it before. But it seems to work the same way as AdAway does so I'm not expecting much difference...
I used to use adaway but it broke my Pandora app, and after switching to adblock plus it hasn't crashed
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
Some people don't like ABP's "Approved Advertisers" (or whatever they call it), where some ads aren't blocked by default. I know my boss complains about it, but it doesn't typically bother me. That may be the reason some people prefer AdAway (or some other similar host blocker).
I noticed that with Adblock Plus, anytime I tried to go to Android Central i'd get a Error 400 and couldn't open the site. With Adaway it loads fine, minus the godawful scrolling ads.
I used to use AdBlock Plus but I remember there was a reason I switched over to AdBlock instead. I think they were blocking all ads, even those you should just leave alone to support sites you enjoy or something along those lines. Since switching to AdBlock I'm never bothered with ads and enable ads for sites I respect.
I've never really had any of those issues with Adaway. I haven't used ABP in a while but the last time I did (and to the best of my knowledge out still works this way) it was just a proxy, which newer versions of Android wouldn't let the app configure itself. I could never get it working without being really slow and clunky and I couldn't figure out how to use it on a data connection at all. I'm away from wifi a lot so something that doesn't work at all half the time and works poorly the other half was useless to me.
Zorque said:
I've never really had any of those issues with Adaway. I haven't used ABP in a while but the last time I did (and to the best of my knowledge out still works this way) it was just a proxy, which newer versions of Android wouldn't let the app configure itself. I could never get it working without being really slow and clunky and I couldn't figure out how to use it on a data connection at all. I'm away from wifi a lot so something that doesn't work at all half the time and works poorly the other half was useless to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's only if you aren't rooted. There is no manual config if you are. You need to be rooted for adaway no matter what so seems fair to compare root mode of ABP only.
I have been using adfree since before they pulled all ad blocking apps from the play store. Adfree doesn't slow anything down or leave broken links in web pages. Pages load fast like they should plus it blocks ads and popups in apps also which is great cause I have been going almost postal on some of these ads popping up when I close some apps. I guess I'm OCD about that.
Yea I noticed that when using Adblock Plus, my links on SlickDeals.net won't work. They get a redirect error and just fail.
Going through a Proxy is dangerous too since any and all traffic goes through them, so be careful when entering login/credit card information. You are also creating a bottleneck where all traffic must go through, so if the Proxy is overloaded or offline, so is your connection unless you change your local routing (I guess by uninstalling the app).
For me it is a back and forth issue. I prefer NOT to use a Proxy. This is a work related phone so I do not want to have any 3rd party company playing Man-in-the-middle with my data traffic.
Personally I like to just block apps on my device. Yes it causes longer page loading times while crap sits there and times out... but at least my data is safe and the page is easier to navigate once the ads are gone.
I just downloaded AdFree from the official website but it requires Root (I haven't rooted yet). I think all Ad blocking apps require root.
Many sites on slickdeals redirect through viglink.com or similar for revenue. All you have to do is whitelist those [*.viglink.com] and it will begin to redirect just fine
player911 said:
Yea I noticed that when using Adblock Plus, my links on SlickDeals.net won't work. They get a redirect error and just fail.
Going through a Proxy is dangerous too since any and all traffic goes through them, so be careful when entering login/credit card information. You are also creating a bottleneck where all traffic must go through, so if the Proxy is overloaded or offline, so is your connection unless you change your local routing (I guess by uninstalling the app).
For me it is a back and forth issue. I prefer NOT to use a Proxy. This is a work related phone so I do not want to have any 3rd party company playing Man-in-the-middle with my data traffic.
Personally I like to just block apps on my device. Yes it causes longer page loading times while crap sits there and times out... but at least my data is safe and the page is easier to navigate once the ads are gone.
I just downloaded AdFree from the official website but it requires Root (I haven't rooted yet). I think all Ad blocking apps require root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the proxy is on you own device. Not in any other server.
seb93 said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the proxy is on you own device. Not in any other server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either way adblock downloads the whole page ads and all then removes it. Adblock app has to be running in background to strip ads.
Adaway blocks access to the ad site altogether.
As for site formatting being wrong or not pretty would be the site page programmer programming certaib spaces in the page dedicated to thr ad that was supposed to show there.
I also like no ads in apps and youtube. Hence why I prefer adaway.
Parcing a large host file may require more resources..
In both you can whitelist if youre missing content you'd prefer to see.
clockcycle said:
Either way adblock downloads the whole page ads and all then removes it. Adblock app has to be running in background to strip ads.
Adaway blocks access to the ad site altogether.
As for site formatting being wrong or not pretty would be the site page programmer programming certaib spaces in the page dedicated to thr ad that was supposed to show there.
I also like no ads in apps and youtube. Hence why I prefer adaway.
Parcing a large host file may require more resources..
In both you can whitelist if youre missing content you'd prefer to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just saying that adblock is not "dangerous" because he thought the traffic goes through another server.
Envoyé de mon LG-H815 en utilisant Tapatalk
seb93 said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the proxy is on you own device. Not in any other server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Proxying elsewhere can be very dangerous.
I think I can answer this question...ADP sucks (and I use it religiously in Chrome) when it comes to your phone.
It COMPLETELY broke MMS for me (on Cricket). I removed ADP, rebooted, and was good to go.
I've always Adfree as it is simple and lightweight only modifying the hosts file.
Adblock kills MMS for me. Cannot send or receive.
I was rooting all my phones very soon after unboxing. I rooted S5 after 1 hour, S6 after 12 days (I was waiting until root is released). But now I'm going to not root my S7. Why?
Here are my reasons for root and answers why it isn't required root more:
Annoying sound when the phone starts.
With root you can delete the file.
Now is there no sound.
Annoying sounds when you start charging.
With root you can delete the file.
Now you can disable the sounds in settings.
Shutter sound in camera.
With root you cound modify custom.xml and new checkbox appeared in the application.
You can mute system sounds and the camera is quiet. Or you can do it by Tasker.
Adaway etc.
With root you can modify hosts file.
Now you can use Adblock for Internet application. If you need block ads also in applications, you can use this tool (paied): Adguard
Changing appearance
With root you can use e.g. circle battery icon etc.
I don't know full working solution without root. But it is very weak reason for losing warranty for me.
Network speed in notification bar
With root you cound use xposed module.
Without root you can use an application. But yes, the appearance is not soo impressive. Again, it isn't reason for loss of warranty
Blocking bloatware
With root you can use e.g. Titanium backup and freeze or uninstall any application.
Without root you can use Package Disabler Pro
Backup and restore applications and their settings
With root you can use TB
Without root seems Helium like very good solution.
High volume warning
With root you can disable it in xposed or flash custom ROM
I've found this application which brings a workaround: Hearing Saver It is not perfect but it works. You can also do it in Tasker. Check when an earphone is connected and then change media volume to maximum and immediately after that change it back. It works for me.
I agree that without root is the initial setting more laborious but KNOX 0 is good bonus for me.
Do you have any other reasons for root? With or without solution?
libb said:
Adaway etc.
With root you can modify hosts file.
Now you can use Adblock for Internet application. If you need block ads also in applications, you can use this tool (paied): Adguard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this, it didn't block ads in apps, only in the browser.
Blocking bloatware
With root you can use e.g. Titanium backup and freeze or uninstall any application.
Without root you can use Package Disabler Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a nice alternative, but deleting those applications is more satisfying
Backup and restore applications and their settings
With root you can use TB
Without root seems Helium like very good solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used the app before, but are you sure you can save data with the app or just the app?
Just tried it, it does restore data but it can't restore mms, only sms.
You can also use mybackup to backup and restore sms/mms without root https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rerware.android.MyBackup&hl=en
But lets not forget about xposed + gravity box + any other useful modules, this is the biggest reason to root the phone. But the reasons you gave are definitely good alternatives for some people.
Multi window....
I had an awesome setup on my note 3. I can have my google maps navigation running and a split window with pocketcast or spotify on the bottom. That's how I would drive everywhere and it worked amazing for me.I coudl even pop over my text messages to the bottom if I was at a stop light.
Now, however, since pocketcast is not a multi-window supported app, I can no longer do this. Lame.
I want root so I can put xposed framework which lets me add any app I want into multiwindow mode.. Sigh
Greenify and xposed are consecutively a reason for me to root. Lucky patcher my top priority.
TehPirate_ said:
Greenify and xposed are consecutively a reason for me to root. Lucky patcher my top priority.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xposed is gonna take time, they only recently fixed the samsung issue in 5.0 I believe, I do not use neither Greenify nor Lucky Patcher so I cant comment on them. [Tried lucky patcher, couldn't get through with it and greenify doesn't feel anything changed so i stopped using it]
I used stock roms with root, just to record my screen/audio. Do you know of a great free or paid, non-root screen recording app? Then I'll have no need to root as well
I kinda hope I will be able to use this phone without root at least for 6 months .... I held on with the GS1 over 2 months ... since then.... root was the first thing I did .... so hope I will find ways or workarounds not to root s7 immediatelly
peachpuff said:
Tried this, it didn't block ads in apps, only in the browser.
Its a nice alternative, but deleting those applications is more satisfying
I haven't used the app before, but are you sure you can save data with the app or just the app?
Just tried it, it does restore data but it can't restore mms, only sms.
You can also use mybackup to backup and restore sms/mms without root https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rerware.android.MyBackup&hl=en
But lets not forget about xposed + gravity box + any other useful modules, this is the biggest reason to root the phone. But the reasons you gave are definitely good alternatives for some people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About ads, you have to wait a while until cache clears probably. I can confirm that it is working on wi-fi and also on 4G
Helium really restores also data.
About xposed etc (Gravity box isn't working on Samsung, or does?) the changes are too little for me.
HTCMDA said:
I used stock roms with root, just to record my screen/audio. Do you know of a great free or paid, non-root screen recording app? Then I'll have no need to root as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In games it should be albe to do in Game Tools. And I'm sure some applications are but I've never needed it.
battler624 said:
Xposed is gonna take time, they only recently fixed the samsung issue in 5.0 I believe, I do not use neither Greenify nor Lucky Patcher so I cant comment on them. [Tried lucky patcher, couldn't get through with it and greenify doesn't feel anything changed so i stopped using it]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know Lucky Patcher.
But I believe that there isn't any reason for using Greenify on MM.
I use root to delete unused system apps and free about 500-800mb of storage. I used xposed but can wait for it to be updated. I can not live without Adaway on my phone. If i have to i will just buy a rasberri pi and create a dns adblocker
The top reason for me is AFWall+ (firewall). I don't want apps gathering my data and sending it to HQ. Is there a non root alternative for this?
Vorsprung said:
The top reason for me is AFWall+ (firewall). I don't want apps gathering my data and sending it to HQ. Is there a non root alternative for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adguard has some firewall but I didn't investigated yet deeply. There is 7 days trial so you can try it.
Leeum said:
I use root to delete unused system apps and free about 500-800mb of storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what? The system partition is a fixed size, and that space cannot be re-allocated to any other partition or accessed by the user. Deleting unused system apps frees up space you can't do anything with, so there literally is no more benefit than just disabling the apps.
Root dont make ya lose the hardware Warranty but the software....
BUT if ya know how to root your sphone, ya know how to fix software problems...
I always root all my devices and never lost my warranty when I needed to repair screen, usb charger, and any other hardware problems...
We can fix the other ones
root is available now as TWRP was released recently
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/development/recovery-official-twrp-herolte-t3333770
you just need to flash the latest SuperSU file
CafeKampuchia said:
For what? The system partition is a fixed size, and that space cannot be re-allocated to any other partition or accessed by the user. Deleting unused system apps frees up space you can't do anything with, so there literally is no more benefit than just disabling the apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh i see but then it still removes the possibility of any of the uninstalled apps of running to hopefully improve battery life and more free ram
Leeum said:
Ahh i see but then it still removes the possibility of any of the uninstalled apps of running to hopefully improve battery life and more free ram
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabled apps don't run, don't use any battery, and don't consume any RAM. Seriously, there is absolutely zero benefit to deleting them, but do whatever you want.
I need root for
Adaway
Lower the dpi (its way too high)
Anything else is just a nice bonus
kenjiwing said:
I need root for
Adaway
Lower the dpi (its way too high)
Anything else is just a nice bonus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both is possible without root
Work told me I'm not allowed to be rooted anymore. I was rooted for adblocking only. Is there a rootless ad blocker that actually works?
I highly recommend against using rootless ad blockers. What they do is run your data connection through a VPN server which performs the ad blocking. Since all your data is running through someone else's server, your private information may be compromised if you transmit anything sensitive (bank accounts, SSNs, etc.).
That really sucks about your work requirement. How specific are they on no root? Can you root, install an ad blocking host file (manually or with something like adaway) then unroot without wiping your phone? That would be what I would try.
postal302 said:
I highly recommend against using rootless ad blockers. What they do is run your data connection through a VPN server which performs the ad blocking. Since all your data is running through someone else's server, your private information may be compromised if you transmit anything sensitive (bank accounts, SSNs, etc.).
That really sucks about your work requirement. How specific are they on no root? Can you root, install an ad blocking host file (manually or with something like adaway) then unroot without wiping your phone? That would be what I would try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No root at all and they have spyware to check for root.:crying: Is there at least a good browser + plug in that works?
460cidpower said:
No root at all and they have spyware to check for root.:crying: Is there at least a good browser + plug in that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's an older article about three ad blocking browsers.
Also Adblock Browser in Google Play is from the makers of Ad Block Plus.
postal302 said:
Here's an older article about three ad blocking browsers.
Also Adblock Browser in Google Play is from the makers of Ad Block Plus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use these vpn add blockers just make sure to white list apps you dont want to use vpn server then your private data is not going through it. Like whitelist google play for sure any apps you purchase stuff with. Phone and messaging apps. And remember you can usually just toggle the adblocking off if your in doubt. I recommend DNS66 ad blocking it has this feature to whitelist apps and dns servers and its free. But like the OP says beware your stuff is being rerouted. So understand how and what they do before you install and run them. Just get use to turning the adblocker on only when needed
postal302 said:
That really sucks about your work requirement. How specific are they on no root? Can you root, install an ad blocking host file (manually or with something like adaway) then unroot without wiping your phone? That would be what I would try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't root, modify, then unroot without tripping DM-Verity. Any modifications to the system will trip DM-Verity.
460cidpower said:
No root at all and they have spyware to check for root.:crying: Is there at least a good browser + plug in that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use an Adblock Plus extension with Samsung internet browser, works very well. Though I have to unblock some websites since they detect ad blockers.
I use the "Block This" app. It only creates a LOCAL VPN, so your data does not go through a different server, at least as I understand it. Been using it for several months, and really like it. Works as well as the rooted ad blockers I used to use. Blocks ads in apps and browsers.
Disconnect Pro appears to work, as long as you haven't disabled KNOX.
Disconnect Pro is pretty decent and free right now too...otherwise, it is about 25 dollars. Also, check out Adguard, they do local VPN, but does come at a slight battery price though. Trade off for not having root and avoiding ads....though they do help sites and apps continue to function.
460cidpower said:
No root at all and they have spyware to check for root.:crying: Is there at least a good browser + plug in that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Brave browser, it's available from Google play
Edit: WARNING A few reports of AdAway temporarily stopping the service. You could possibly double up with Adguard or a similar connection blocker. But it's not going to be 100%. Router blocking or a Pi-Hole setup is going to be more secure, so only use this as a temporary measure.
---
I have been able to block FireTV updates using the latest AdAway. It still has the normal rooted method for the lucky folks (edit hosts) but now has VPN "emulation" for those without root. This supposedly uses "VPN API but does not connect to a VPN server" like with editing the DNS but all local to the device. It's open source, on XDA, and has been around forever, so I trust it more than the OpenDNS option.
I don't know how well this works and for how long, but update checks are coming back with errors. It also has a request logger and shows softwareupdates.amazon.com is being triggered & denied. No other domains are checked by the updater after that one fails FWIW.
Latest version 5.11.0
[APP][ROOT/NONROOT][OFFICIAL] AdAway v6.1.0
AdAway AdAway is an open source ad blocker for Android using the hosts file. Google Play Store notice According the Google Play Developer Policy, especially the "Device and Network Abuse" section, ad blocker like AdAway violates the "Apps that...
forum.xda-developers.com
TLDR setup: Sideload it, select the VPN option during setup, let it sync their block lists (mine kept going, so I just force closed and restarted after a few min), add the 5 domains under the router block method here: AFTV, ensure it's set to autostart in preferences. I also turned on "monitor connection" and IPv6 support but may not be needed. Restart.
INSTALL / SETUP
Sideload it
Select the VPN option during first run. I had to use my remote w/cursor but may be able to get around this if you just click ok after moving around a bit or force close it and can get it to start up w/out setup.
Let it sync their default block lists. Mine kept going, so I force closed AdAway after a few minutes.
ADDING AMAZON UPDATE DOMAINSOn the main page, select "Blocked" at the top. Add these from the AFTV article then hit APPLY.
d1s31zyz7dcc2d.cloudfront.net
amzdigital-a.akamaihd.net
amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net
softwareupdates.amazon.com
updates.amazon.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there are any more, please share. This seems to do the trick though, and the built-in logger doesn't show any other connections triggered when softwareupdates.amazon.com fails. If this prevents another app from working, you can add the app to the exclude list in preferences.
PREFERENCES
Go to Preferences (bottom left) -> click VPN based ad blocker
Make sure it's enabled at startup
I also selected monitor connection and IPv6 support but no idea if its needed
You can exclude apps. Useful if something isn't working OR one of the domains they block by default messes with an app.
Restart the device
Once you're back up, check the notifications and there should be a persistent notification for AdAway, showing it is active. Go check for an update in the FireTV settings. It should show a connection error.
OPTIONAL AUTOMATIONIf you're super paranoid and want to get fancy, AdAway also responds to external commands. If you use something like Tasker or Automagic, you can send intents to start & stop the service. Example workflow: periodically test the update URLs, if they come back with a normal response then AdAway isn't blocking and probably isn't active, send start service intent.
Automation
AdAway is a free and open source ad blocker for Android. - AdAway/AdAway
github.com
thank you very much, looks like it worked! now i get the update error.
i hope this method will stay, but i cant see why not. nothing will update on the firetv now so it should stay.
5.11 will not install due to an error that it requires newer SDK version in Fire OS 6.2.8.1.
I tried this method with Blokada and it seems to work the same so for people having trouble with AdAway I recommend this app instead.
l_p_4_7 said:
I tried this method with Blokada and it seems to work the same so for people having trouble with AdAway I recommend this app instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I have Blokada installed in Nox from a few weeks ago and it works great. I had forgotten about it since I only used it for blocking the VM ads and it didn't occur to me that I could also use it for the FS4K.
l_p_4_7 said:
I tried this method with Blokada and it seems to work the same so for people having trouble with AdAway I recommend this app instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the info, i tried adaway one my first firetv cube and it works great, but on my second one somehow it adaway doesnt use a VPN. will give blokada a try.
is there anything special to mind when using blokada?
I just added the domains listed above to the blocked hosts list and then excluded a few apps that might be affected by the VPN (I've excluded YouTube, Plex and Kodi). I haven't noticed any other problems so far.
some feedback:
adaway seems to not autostart anymore on my devices, so i switched completely to blockada.
Blockada seems to work fine now and also autostarts.
Time to set up a pihole it seems.
Codiox said:
some feedback:
adaway seems to not autostart anymore on my devices, so i switched completely to blockada.
Blockada seems to work fine now and also autostarts.
Time to set up a pihole it seems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah unfortunately I think it's having problems for me as well. I caught it mid-update today. Got the pihole planned for this weekend. But all this effort just to use the launcher we want... No idea how the devs here stay motivated to stick around.
psymsi said:
Yeah unfortunately I think it's having problems for me as well. I caught it mid-update today. Got the pihole planned for this weekend. But all this effort just to use the launcher we want... No idea how the devs here stay motivated to stick around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually i just set up the pihole last night, was really easy following a tutorial and it works great.
I recommend using RaspberryOS light without a Desktop. With this the RaspPi only uses about 1-3% CPU and like 5MB RAM while operating.
i used an old RaspPi 1B+ i bought back in 2012.
l_p_4_7 said:
I tried this method with Blokada and it seems to work the same so for people having trouble with AdAway I recommend this app instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you enter those 5 lines in blocked hosts in Blokada? Or where did you enter them? Someone on another posts mentioned they entered them in the blocked hosts so i did the same but it did not work or block updates.