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Hi all,
I keep getting ad notifications popping up. Sometimes they're links that take me to a web page then to the G Play store for "Candy crush saga", other times they're survey questions like "Do you want an iphone 5?". I've run a few apps that look for adware, and also long-pressed on one or two when I could, and both point me to the Network app, which looks to me like the Android-native network service (it has an icon that looks like 4 or 5 bars of increasing height, kinda like you'd see for a wifi service). Is this just something I get for buying a piece of Google hardware? Or, is there some way to stop this annoying behavior w/o having to put a whole new ROM on there?
Thanks.
I use to get these mid-video on the Funimation app — it was incredibly annoying. I finally got rid of it by rooting my devices (Nexus 7 and 4) and installing AdAway (system level adblocker) from the f-droid appstore. So, no special ROM, but rooting was needed.
tautges said:
Hi all,
I keep getting ad notifications popping up. Sometimes they're links that take me to a web page then to the G Play store for "Candy crush saga", other times they're survey questions like "Do you want an iphone 5?". I've run a few apps that look for adware, and also long-pressed on one or two when I could, and both point me to the Network app, which looks to me like the Android-native network service (it has an icon that looks like 4 or 5 bars of increasing height, kinda like you'd see for a wifi service). Is this just something I get for buying a piece of Google hardware? Or, is there some way to stop this annoying behavior w/o having to put a whole new ROM on there?
Thanks.
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You can also disable notifications from certain apps. I've never gotten ads from the native ROM, its something you installed. I believe they'd apepar to come from the Network app anyway, even if they didn't. Find out what apps you installed are ad related.
tautges said:
Hi all,
I keep getting ad notifications popping up. Sometimes they're links that take me to a web page then to the G Play store for "Candy crush saga", other times they're survey questions like "Do you want an iphone 5?". I've run a few apps that look for adware, and also long-pressed on one or two when I could, and both point me to the Network app, which looks to me like the Android-native network service (it has an icon that looks like 4 or 5 bars of increasing height, kinda like you'd see for a wifi service). Is this just something I get for buying a piece of Google hardware? Or, is there some way to stop this annoying behavior w/o having to put a whole new ROM on there?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would disable the Network app's notification permissions. If it is a system app, this really shouldn't impact its performance (unless you prize the "Open Wi-Fi networks" notification. Even then though, I'm a little concerned that you have a network app. Can you give us the full name of the app and tell us what buttons are available from App Info (e.g. Force stop, Uninstall, Uninstall updates, Disable, etc.)? I just checked through four or five of my devices, and I don't have a "Network" app on any of them (including on my Nexus 10).
I'm wondering if it's not just some incredibly shady app name.
Just curious if people use Smart Switch (or similar programs/apps) to transfer all the old data/contacts/music/apps to the new phone or start fresh, re-download apps one by one, etc? When I switch to a new device, I'm usually (maybe unreasonably) fearful that some stray bit of old or unused data or file will transfer over that will affect the performance of the new device, thinking I'm making it 'dirty'. I also use it as an opportunity to purge apps I don't use enough to warrant keeping them. Over time I always collect apps I use maybe one time and I leave them there, no reason why. Time to clean house!
Coming from S7E, when I go into Best Buy to pick up the S8+ I'm sure they'll ask if I want them to OTG the data over... No thanks, I want my baby clean.
With smart switch you can chose what you want to copy. Yo
I might have to check out this smart switch. I usually back up everything with Titanium then restore on the new device. The problem is that often causes problems if you restore the data that goes with the apps (last time I did that it screwed up notifications for things like whatsapp and emails), I think it was due to going from kitkat to marshmallow on my S5 and the difference in permissions handling between them probably screwed it up when restoring data. Of course not restoring the data means I lose all my save games, old messages in whatsapp, call logs, saved wifi networks etc etc so it would be nice to restore these things without screwing up anything on the new device. I wonder if Smart Switch (never heard of it before) could do it better than trying to restore from Titanium?
I guess not, just installed Smart Switch on my S5 and it won't even run. Tap to open it, it flashes up on the screen then vanishes.
I'm going to try smart switch, loading it now on my Nexus 6.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I used smart switch on my last couple of upgrades I usually backup to PC on the morning the new phones due to arrival.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Well I still can't get smart switch to even load on my S5. Same thing constantly, tap the icon to load it, a smart switch screen flashes up then vanishes. No error messages and it stil shows in the recents menu, selecting it from there does the same thing, smart switch comes up, then vanishes again.
No idea why, I am using phoenix rom for my S5 which I think has bits of S7E firmware in it but that shouldnt cause an issue, the phone itself couldnt be running any better and its still a samsung android phone so smart switch should at least run, instead of vanishing without any kind of error message to give me a bluddy clue as to what i need to do to make it work.
Are there any good alternatives to smart switch? googling it just brings up the usual bunch of junk you get in these types of searches that i dont trust at all.
When I use smart switch it always gives me a rouge run away app that kills my batter and I end up factory resetting to correct it so what I started doing was sms backup and restore to restore my call logs, txt and sms messages including pictures and allowing Google to restore my apps ( no data) and go from there. Yeah I know I have to reset up my apps but I don't care at least I start from a somewhat clean slate and have everything I need . That's just my experience and opinion.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
If we're coming from a non-Samsung device, is there another tool we could use to do the same thing? As the bootloader will be locked, I can't rely on TiBackup or anything which I've always used in the past.
sanjsrik said:
If we're coming from a non-Samsung device, is there another tool we could use to do the same thing? As the bootloader will be locked, I can't rely on TiBackup or anything which I've always used in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helium backup and mybackup.
I like to tranfer everything because i have so much.
But funny thing is tho when i first got my s7 edge the smart switch didnt work, everything didnt tranfer.
Went to the note 7. Then went to a new note 7 (recall) still didnt tranfer my apps. Back to the s7 i went fresh and it now backs up correctly. So ill try the smart switch again.
Then box up ky s7e and ship it back
sanjsrik said:
If we're coming from a non-Samsung device, is there another tool we could use to do the same thing? As the bootloader will be locked, I can't rely on TiBackup or anything which I've always used in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smart switch works on multiple devices on Android and iOS. I'm going to give it a go first.
I always just start from scratch. Had too many problems in the past with apps misbehaving. I'd rather just devote a few hours to reloading manually than devote days to figuring out wtf is going wrong.
Starting from scratch. Had some issues with my pixel XL when I transferred my data
Nothing works 100% right when you transfer. It's just a fact. I've gone from S6 to S7, S7 to Note, Note back to S7, and other Android to Android transfers. Inevitably some app or setting screws something up. It might be minor, it might cause reboots. Not worth the risk. SmartSwitch is very slick, but it still can cause grief.
This is what I'd suggest based on past experiences.
1) Use an unencrypted SD card to copy photos, music, ringtones, and anything else media related between phones. There is no downside to this. You can save new pics to the SD card on the new phone while keeping all your old pics and it will just work. (Make sure and back stuff up. Phone or SD card, you never know when things will die.) You're coming from an S7, so you have that SD card option. If other users don't have an SD slot, copy the files to your computer and then to the new phone.
2) Make a list of all the apps that are relevant to you. There is likely a lot of baggage on your current phone you just left there. That app you downloaded once for one purpose that you never deleted. The app that is specific for the phone you're coming from and has no use on the new one. The picture editing app you downloaded but then started using something else. Bottom line, only bring along the baggage that you use. Adding back unnecessary stuff can just slow down a phone.
3) Set up your shiny new S8. Get it on your network. Get your Google account signed in. Go through ALL the system preferences. Turn off garbage settings you won't ever use (Edge sports for instance...). Set the timeout and security settings you will use.
4) Look over the apps that are on the phone already. Disable the ones you don't need/want. You can keep it basic and just do it in the app list settings or you can go a bit deeper and use an app from the Play Store to disable apps or go all old school and use pm on the phone's shell to do it. (pm -hide com.vznavigator.Generic for example) Once you've done that, your phone will be as pure as it can be without putting a custom ROM on it. Update the apps now or later.
5) Log into your Google account on a desktop browser and go to the Play Store. Use that list of apps you made before to bring them all up in the browser. Hit install there and choose your shiny new S8 as the destination. (This is just quicker than going into the Play Store on your phone and searching for each of them.) They'll download in the background on your phone as you choose them.
6) The crappy part. Set up the apps again. They're all installed fresh and clean so you'll need to launch them and put in passwords, accounts, settings, etc. It's painful, but it is the only way to guarantee that no gremlins on the phone came along with transfers.
7) Pop in that SD card you had with all your pics, music, ringtones, etc. on it.
8) Finish set up. Set your camera to use the SD card, choose the SD card as the storage location for offline YouTube and Netflix videos, etc.
9) Enjoy your new phone.
---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 PM ----------
sebastianraven said:
Smart switch works on multiple devices on Android and iOS. I'm going to give it a go first.
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Don't do it. It seems so nice and slick, but it's caused grief every single time I've used it. Subtle glitches sometimes, force quits other times.
Averix said:
6) The crappy part. Set up the apps again. They're all installed fresh and clean so you'll need to launch them and put in passwords, accounts, settings, etc. It's painful
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Thanks for the comprehensive list, good stuff there. To combat #6, I use a password manager (LastPass) which will autologin to my apps with a fingerprint. Saves a lot of typing, and I'll give the FPS a good workout and get used to the placement in the meanwhile.
i just use google account too download previous google store apps and populate the contacts. then get my 3rd party apk installed, that i keep on my sd card. things like unlimited skip pandora, etc.
I am coming from iOS, not sure how much it can be transferred... I guest only photo and contact, without apps...
Will missed some apps that I bought... need to buy it again on Google Store.
sanjsrik said:
If we're coming from a non-Samsung device, is there another tool we could use to do the same thing? As the bootloader will be locked, I can't rely on TiBackup or anything which I've always used in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cloneIT
i like to start from scratch
skyhew said:
I am coming from iOS, not sure how much it can be transferred... I guest only photo and contact, without apps...
Will missed some apps that I bought... need to buy it again on Google Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't even transfer photos. Just download Google Photos on iOS and upload them and then download them on the new device.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wondering if any of the other devs around here have figured out how to support the camera cut out in their apps. I spent a few hours last night trying to update mine but didn't get anywhere. None of the usual methods for putting content underneath the status bar or changing the status bar color or transparency seem to have any effect on the Essential. I'm actually beginning to wonder whether Essential is just whitelisting specific apps or even manually adding support to the SystemUI framework since the only apps that appear to be compatible are the built-in ones, apps owned by Facebook, and Snapchat. Any other app that tries to draw beneath the status bar gets pushed below it so you end up with a giant blank header (Spotify, Google Fit, and MFP are a few I've noticed like this). I even tried pulling the apk for some of the system apps to see if there was perhaps some flag in the manifest file that would allow it to work but didn't come up with anything. I also sent a message to their support team asking for any developer info they had but given they don't even have valid shipping info I'm not holding my breath for a response.
KalenXI said:
Wondering if any of the other devs around here have figured out how to support the camera cut out in their apps. I spent a few hours last night trying to update mine but didn't get anywhere. None of the usual methods for putting content underneath the status bar or changing the status bar color or transparency seem to have any effect on the Essential. I'm actually beginning to wonder whether Essential is just whitelisting specific apps or even manually adding support to the SystemUI framework since the only apps that appear to be compatible are the built-in ones, apps owned by Facebook, and Snapchat. Any other app that tries to draw beneath the status bar gets pushed below it so you end up with a giant blank header (Spotify, Google Fit, and MFP are a few I've noticed like this). I even tried pulling the apk for some of the system apps to see if there was perhaps some flag in the manifest file that would allow it to work but didn't come up with anything. I also sent a message to their support team asking for any developer info they had but given they don't even have valid shipping info I'm not holding my breath for a response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should probably post here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/development
tech_head said:
You should probably post here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/development
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I debated whether it should go in here because it's a question, or in the development forum because it's developer-related. Ended up going with the question forums because the ADB question was in here as well and it's not really rom or mod related. I'll leave it up to the mods to decide if they want to move it to the dev forum.
Yeah i'm looking for this info too. If it's just essential whitelisting apps...i hope they add popular 3rd party launchers (action/nova), thats where it looks the worst.
Okay, finally switched to A10 yesterday. Just did a complete fresh install, wiped everything and flashed rom. Everything seems to be working fine, however I have two things, one apparently part of A10. My two questions are:
1: The empty black space below the google keyboard, I realize it is supposedly for gestures, but I want to get rid of it. I find it annoying.
2: I have several friends who are Chinese (my wife is also Chinese) and I noticed that, especially on facebook it shows up as blocks instead of letters. I am guessing I just need to install the language pack, but I never had to do this before.
1. Not as far as I know. But I also don't want it gone. Haven't seen anything about it though.
2. I had this issue too. Emojis were not working either. Download the full package and install via local update.
Try doing this to remove the gap under the keyboard. Keep in mind if actually extends the screen rather than removing the gap. It's really only a temporary "fix" but I think it's all we got right now.
https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/hide-home-bar-android-10-no-root-needed-0198045/
Couldn't find that one listened anywhere here specifically. I'm pretty sure my phones compromised but I'll probably just get people telling me I'm being paranoid. Just notice a lot of weird stuff going on.
I'll give some examples, but it would be cool if someone else here has an A03s and could give me a full list of the system apps to know for sure if mine has some extra ones that aren't truly factory. Because I've restore it several times and they don't go away.
Like under the apps screen under the basic ones I got apps like Android auto, webview, configapk, customization service, and something called data restore tool, device health services, group sharing, meet, nearby device sharing, quick sharing, quick share, settings..etc. which to my knowledge are pretty normal apps to see on phones right? But I seem unable to control them, if I disable them and go back and check later they mysteriously reenabled again, or after that the permissions lists will be greyed out not being able to do anything. Also there is a app called "permissions controller", as well as ones called "apps", "apps update", "tools", "app recommendations", "settings recommendations"..etc. is that normal? I never noticed that with my old samsung. They are really small file size apps with pretty generic looking icons and they don't let me disable them.
What gets more weird to me though is when I enable the system apps too. I see all kinds of suspicious looking ****.
Like for the android setup, and android system apps there are two of each, and the other two have generic looking icons, also got stuff like configuration restore, audio mirroring, auto hotspot, automation test, bluetooth/bluetooth midi service, call & text on other devices, callbgprovider, camera extensions proxy, carrier login engine, sim tool kit, cell broadcast services, clipboardsaveservice, cmh provider, companion device manager (where I have no idea where my "companion is or how to control it so I must be the one being controlled?", configupdater, csc, dcktimesyncapplication, dynamic system updates, ipservice, enterprise sim pin service, external storage, like 10 different gestural navigation bars, group sharing, iaft, ims service, settings, and logging, input devices, iothiddenmenu, keycustomizationinfobnr, launcher, locale overlay manager, service mode and service mode ril, media and devices, mdmapp, vpndialogs, mmigroup,mmsservice, mobilewips, mtp host, nearby device scanning (2 instances), network diagnostic, nsdswebapp, one handed mode, osulogin, package installer, an app called "people", private share, proxy handler, quick share agent, samsung core services? (is that a real app even? I can disable it but who wants to disable "core" system apps, so touche there if it is a program deployed by a hacker on their app naming skills lol, smart switch agent, 2 instances of software update, system connectivity resources, system uwb/wifi resources, an app called "tasks", tethering, tethering provision and tethering automation, tfstatus/tffunlock always running when I never access them, usbsettings, and theres one called wallpaper services/wallpaper and style that looks really generic which is confusing because I assumed the samsung theme manager just handled all that stuff in one? We also got wearable manager installer running, and sometimes wificalling and wifi direct or work setup will be running when I don't have any of those configured.
Sorry for the huge block of text, I'm sure I missed a bunch i missed because there's some that don't show even when you tap "show system apps", like the skms agent as one example, so got a few general questions for you, so for the file/download system I got a bunch of default apps. There's two different files apps, there's a download manager and download app, and also a storage manager, and ALSO a app called the external storage that always wants to be running but can you explain that if I have no external storage? Is the built in storage space on the a03 called external storage? I even have my drive apps and stuff disabled.
Another things that's suspicious to me is secmediastorage, secvideoengineservice, secsoundpicker, secureelementapplication, media and devices + ext storage. Like why should there be a SECOND video or audio engine running when I'm old school and don't even use cast programs/features or anything like that? In fact it's usually one of the first things I just go ahead and try disable.
I noticed a lot of weird things going on with the display though too, looking really sharp then suddenly almost looking like there's two layers of gui not exactly lined up, like off by a pixels making things look blurrier. Like the one ui home is the default factory launcher right? So why does my phone also have a app called "launcher", plus another hidden launcher or something running in the background? I can't remember the name of it offhand, something GUI..
And I understand the concept of android have a permission controller, and "core apps" but are there actually apps under the system apps named that lol? "permission controller", "samsung core apps" one called "device services"...
also is service mode suppose to be running in the background? I googled into it and know it's a genuine service, but I really don't understand why a lot of these apps are stopping and running or renabling themselves.. It's like I have zero control over my own phone and if I'm just paranoid and they are meant to be just seems like a waste of complete waste of ram/data to me.
****, I was just sitting here thinking for like a few minutes about to post and almost forgot the most suspicious ones I've noticed in last few days. all the "com." overlay apps. I guess I really saw the word "overlay" as something you should be suspicious about until the vpn I recently bought had a feature that is suppose to block web browser based overlays. Then I noticed that MOST of my com. apps are all overlay apps! Lol, ranging from google/samsung to mediatek.
I won't post all of them because there's probably 20 at least but here's a few.
com.mediatek.frameworkresoverlay
com.mediatek.settingsproviderresoverlay
com.mediatek.systemuiresoverlay
com.samsung.android.networkstaack.tethering.overlay
com.samsung.android.smartswitchassistant
com.samsung.android.wifi.p2paware.resources
com.sec.android.app.camerasaver and a camera.app.cameraapp one (camera always running in background even if background and battery saver with restricted settings enabled)
com.google.android.ondevicepersonalization.services (I never used any personalization service or see a personalization app for that matter)
com.google.android.networkstack.tethering.overlay
and there's a bunch of com.google.android.overlay.gmsconfig ones /common geotz/ gsa/ photos/
com.google.android.overlay.modules.captiveportallogin.forframework
plus a overlay broadcastreceiver, ext.services, documentsui, permissioncontroller, and sdksandbox one.. tetheringresoverlay, wcmurlsnetworkstackoverlay, locale overlay manager..etc.
Also I get my service through straight talk which I think uses verizon and I noticed when I go to connections/mobile networks and network operators and uncheck the box "select automatically" that for some reason it only wants to connect to a network operator called "Home". I just thought that was kind of a weird and generic name for a network operator. I tried to use a android hidden settings app to change that because it was blocked out and thought I messed up my phone because I no longer had data and couldn't access the menu through the app anymore, but luckily a reformat fixed it but I'm still dealing with all this crap haha.
Can someone tell me I'm not crazy and there's definitely someone that is accessing and controlling my phone without my permission and what would be the best way to go about dealing with this?
Thanks.
First things fist: Here on XDA we expect you to follow the Forum Rules:
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You've copied this post at least once. We'll be removing the duplicate.
Now on to your question...
It is my opinion that the problem may not be with what you are observing, but with your assumptions. In the duplicate thread, you assume two possibilities:
You're being hacked
Your paranoia is justified
Have you thought there may be a third or even fourth option? Such as, maybe you don't understand that much about Android, you don't recognize what you see, you're assuming it's malicious, which combined with your own confirmation bias, has led you to the conclusion that foul play is afoot?
Nothing you have described sounds in any way abnormal. You have a Samsung device running OneUI (Samsung's framework overlaid on top of Android) that is powered by a Mediatek chipset. Everything you describe sounds completely normal to me, with over 10 years of experience in Android, most of that with Samsung devices.
My conclusion, to be frank: You are not being hacked, and your paranoia is unfounded.
OP your post gave me a headache trying to read it.
So...
Have it reflash to the stock firmware if you really think it's behaving erratically and a factory reset doesn't work. Change Google password and all others.
Then be careful what you install.
Don't put in foreign thumb drives or let others use it.