Hi everyone. I'm scratching my head here and struggling to find a solution that doesn't require root.
I've got a hosts file that I love as it blocks nearly all advert servers on my phone.
I know there are several adblocking apps but they all require root.
I have had to remove root as I have some critical apps that still don;t work, even after hiding magisk from the apps within the Magisk Manager.
I've got a magisk patched image that I can "fastboot boot" with and can edit the hosts file (after remounting /system as rw) but when I then reboot afterwards, the hosts file has been overwritten.
Can anyone help me please or give me a pointer of how to make the hosts edits remain following a reboot?
edit2add
I am using stock ROM with latest August patches on my Mi A1
You can't without root even if you do it your system partition will be modified and it will result in phone not booting or just safetynet won't pass.
Use a vpn or I'm pretty sure there's app that can fake a vpn with a ad ban list
Dead-neM said:
You can't without root even if you do it your system partition will be modified and it will result in phone not booting or just safetynet won't pass.
Use a vpn or I'm pretty sure there's app that can fake a vpn with a ad ban list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting idea regarding spoof VPN.
Do you know how the hosts file is generated? If it's copied over from somewhere during boot then could I edit the source file it's copied from?
If it's generated procedurally, might I be able to script it to add my edits during creation?
wodgey said:
Interesting idea regarding spoof VPN.
Do you know how the hosts file is generated? If it's copied over from somewhere during boot then could I edit the source file it's copied from?
If it's generated procedurally, might I be able to script it to add my edits during creation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
System partition ? so that's a good idea but you'll have to compile a rom to change this file. On Linux distro the host file is a thing you can modify easily. On android it's just deprecated by google as it's use mostly used as an adfilter. And google is an ad company. That's my guess.
Anyway host file will always need root even on Linux.
Simply because it can be used against you.
The problem is more on apps that blocks you because you're rooted than being rooted for changing this file.
If any app could modify host then bang you go to YouTube and it redirect you to something else.
Maybe for you it's just an adblock file but it's a little more than that.
So sorry but it's root or vpn.
Dead-neM said:
System partition ? so that's a good idea but you'll have to compile a rom to change this file. On Linux distro the host file is a thing you can modify easily. On android it's just deprecated by google as it's use mostly used as an adfilter. And google is an ad company. That's my guess.
Anyway host file will always need root even on Linux.
Simply because it can be used against you.
The problem is more on apps that blocks you because you're rooted than being rooted for changing this file.
If any app could modify host then bang you go to YouTube and it redirect you to something else.
Maybe for you it's just an adblock file but it's a little more than that.
So sorry but it's root or vpn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So? Could I possibly extract the system.img from the stock ROM, make the edits there and then recompile?
(I've got a copy of payload.bin that I extracted a few weeks ago, when trying to flash the August security patches (this was before I did a compete flash of stock ROM using fastboot)
That actually seems like it wouldn't take too much effort
wodgey said:
So? Could I possibly extract the system.img from the stock ROM, make the edits there and then recompile?
(I've got a copy of payload.bin that I extracted a few weeks ago, when trying to flash the August security patches (this was before I did a compete flash of stock ROM using fastboot)
That actually seems like it wouldn't take too much effort
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will lead to a corrupt system partition modified. As i said the worse thing is you could not boot and the good just won't pass safetynet.
Dead-neM said:
This will lead to a corrupt system partition modified. As i said the worse thing is you could not boot and the good just won't pass safetynet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I understand.
How does the device 'know' that the system partition is corrupt? Does it perform a hash check perhaps?
How would compiling my own custom ROM avoid this same problem?
wodgey said:
Ok I understand.
How does the device 'know' that the system partition is corrupt? Does it perform a hash check perhaps?
How would compiling my own custom ROM avoid this same problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does many thing to know that its have been touched. You'll have to modify some stuff and it will work. You'll loose certification but you'll have you own rom.
Dead-neM said:
It does many thing to know that its have been touched. You'll have to modify some stuff and it will work. You'll loose certification but you'll have you own rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any chance you can outline the other stuff I'd need to change?
If it's really in-depth then don't worry but if it's just a few bullet-points that I can Google more info on, I'd appreciate it.
wodgey said:
Any chance you can outline the other stuff I'd need to change?
If it's really in-depth then don't worry but if it's just a few bullet-points that I can Google more info on, I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search "dm-verity" and "safetynet". The first one is what will look at any r/o partition like system and kernel. It's been a long time since i dig into this. I'm not into this anymore.
But You can disable it but you'll loose safetynet, encrypted partition etc... (i may be wrong but you got the idea). And safetynet look if partition have been modified and you are a certified device if it won't pass the banking app and apps like Pokemon go etc won't work.
Magisk hide the fact that the kernel img have been touch and most app that detect it detect just the app itself. That means magisk capability (su, hide and module)
So you could maybe compile stock rom with a custom host file. Never touch vendor partition! Make a backup before! By booting and not flashing twrp. Do not flash twrp just use the "fastboot boot command"
You'll need to make a custom kernel and system img to flash in order to do it.
I'll try to do a rom without anything modded except kernel without dm verity and system with your host and i guess it needs change too.
I dunno if it will pass safetynet after.
Just don't brick your phone ?
Keep in mind that you'll loose ota. There's a chance that the rom work with just some changes but i can be a mess to do.
Why not trying a custom rom like lineage os?
Using their supersu zip won't you be able to replace the host file then remove root?
Once you make a backup a move it to a pc as a savestate. You are free to try different solution
Dead-neM said:
Search "dm-verity" and "safetynet". The first one is what will look at any r/o partition like system and kernel. It's been a long time since i dig into this. I'm not into this anymore.
But You can disable it but you'll loose safetynet, encrypted partition etc... (i may be wrong but you got the idea). And safetynet look if partition have been modified and you are a certified device if it won't pass the banking app and apps like Pokemon go etc won't work.
Magisk hide the fact that the kernel img have been touch and most app that detect it detect just the app itself. That means magisk capability (su, hide and module)
So you could maybe compile stock rom with a custom host file. Never touch vendor partition! Make a backup before! By booting and not flashing twrp. Do not flash twrp just use the "fastboot boot command"
You'll need to make a custom kernel and system img to flash in order to do it.
I'll try to do a rom without anything modded except kernel without dm verity and system with your host and i guess it needs change too.
I dunno if it will pass safetynet after.
Just don't brick your phone ?
Keep in mind that you'll loose ota. There's a chance that the rom work with just some changes but i can be a mess to do.
Why not trying a custom rom like lineage os?
Using their supersu zip won't you be able to replace the host file then remove root?
Once you make a backup a move it to a pc as a savestate. You are free to try different solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for info I'll investigate later in the week when I have more time. Monday has arrived too quickly!
Appreciated though
Related
I am thinking of keeping my phone stock given (Android Pay, Security Updates, Work requirements for email/messages). Is there any way to update the hosts file without unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP? I just want to get rid of the ads as they are soo annoying for non-donate/IAP/Pro-version apps.
Thanks! :fingers-crossed:
Don't Think it is Possible
Unfortunately I do not think that it is possible to adjust the host file without root access. It is in a protected area of the system storage.
Zlatty said:
I am thinking of keeping my phone stock given (Android Pay, Security Updates, Work requirements for email/messages). Is there any way to update the hosts file without unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP? I just want to get rid of the ads as they are soo annoying for non-donate/IAP/Pro-version apps.
Thanks! :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no way to do this without root access, it's within the /system partition so that says it all really. You don't have to install TWRP, you can live-boot it instead. There's no way around unlocking your bootloader though, plus I'd strongly recommend unlocked it anyway, if something goes wrong with your phone one day and you can't unlock it you're gonna wish you did.
Dang it. I gave non-root a day. It's not for me. Thanks y'all!
can the system.img be modified so that the hosts file is overwritten? when i go in through TWRP and copy an edited hosts file over the one in /system/etc, i can copy it back out and confirm that the file has had its contents changed. but once the device boots up, it acts as if nothing is different.
is it a matter of when the system folder is mounted/read-only?
640k said:
can the system.img be modified so that the hosts file is overwritten? when i go in through TWRP and copy an edited hosts file over the one in /system/etc, i can copy it back out and confirm that the file has had its contents changed. but once the device boots up, it acts as if nothing is different.
is it a matter of when the system folder is mounted/read-only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://source.android.com/security/verifiedboot/
As far as I understand it, dm-verity will overwrite those changes on boot. Many ROM / Kernels disable it for that reason. Maybe @Heisenberg or someone else can give you a better explanation, though.
Hi all,
has anyone been able to do this? Following the guide here, no longer works for Android N. The phone boots, but ignores all changes to system. How do I modify both build.prop and hosts? It seems that there are now possibly two system partitions?
Thanks!
Same issue on Nexus 5X
No answer on this? How is it that nobody else seems to be having this issue?
What I've done
It looks to me like everyone has moved to systemless and the /system partition cannot be adequately modified in this way anymore.
Maybe this will help others:
I was modifying the system directory for two reasons: 1. modify /system/etc/hosts to remove ads and modifying build.prop to increase lcd.density. I found that here are the alternatives for each:
Removing Ads
Using something similar to AdAway_systemless_hosts_v2.zip (google it for a copy) and modifying the hosts file in that zip file to be the one I use (and rezipping, deploying on the Android device). This basically mounts over /system/etc/hosts with a custom hosts file instead of actually modifying the system specific hosts file which is no longer writable.
The alternative is to use Netguard which routes non https network traffic through a private VPN where you can block ads according to a hosts file. This seems to work OK, but I have noticed that websites seem to take longer to load.
Modifying lcd.density
You can use the same trick as AdAway_systemless_hosts_v2.zip uses, but modify it to also mount a modified copy of build.prop. Alternatively just use the Android N Display settings that are small (what I did anyhow).
I have been able to edit build.prop and still maintain systemless root.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app
I was able to modify my system partition; by installing busy box to /su/xbin and running "su busybox mount -o rw,remount system" (no quotes) in material terminal with root
ArminasAnarion said:
I was able to modify my system partition; by installing busy box to /su/xbin and running "su busybox mount -o rw,remount system" (no quotes) in material terminal with root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you been able to do this with simply fastboot boot <twrp-image>, mounting system in rw mode and modifying it? I did that as I didn't want to root the phone, and while it looks like it did the write, it does not affect the system partition that is used by the phone after boot. I think there are two system partitions, and twrp mounts only one in rw mode. It does seem like it may be possible to do what you say using adb though after the phone is fully booted up. I'll try that!
dontblinkwatchout said:
Have you been able to do this with simply fastboot boot <twrp-image>, mounting system in rw mode and modifying it? I did that as I didn't want to root the phone, and while it looks like it did the write, it does not affect the system partition that is used by the phone after boot. I think there are two system partitions, and twrp mounts only one in rw mode. It does seem like it may be possible to do what you say using adb though after the phone is fully booted up. I'll try that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem. I don't want to root but I do make a few changes to my /system partition through adb in recovery such as the hosts file and some font files (namely the Emoji font file). I had modified stock boot image to not enforce encryption. I would boot back up into the system and couldn't see any changes made. The only thing I found that worked was installing a custom kernel (I use ElementalX). After that, changes I made to /system in TWRP were reflected in the OS. I don't know enough about kernel development to understand why on (mostly) stock kernel my changes couldn't be seen but on a custom one they were.
I never had this "problem" prior to Nougat.
Same issue here. Something has changed with how this is handled in Nougat.
I don't want to root just to overwrite the hosts file...
I'll keep debugging but my capability in this is definitely limited!
I use a similar approach as described in the OP's linked guide except I use my own recovery image that I compiled as an engineering build from source, and I am also experiencing the same behavior. Modifying the hosts file seems to have no impact on the system though the changes persist. Comparing the host file I installed and the host file from the latest Nexus 5X image with 'ls -lZ' the SELinux info looks to be the same. The only information that appears to differ is the modified date and one additional line in the file itself for testing. I thought I was doing something wrong with my hosts file, even though I have been using this approach since Android 6.0. However, I agree, it appears that changes to system are being ignored. Further, changing the system partition no longer shows the red warning at boot about the system being corrupted.
---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 PM ----------
DanRyb;68654939 I would boot back up into the system and couldn't see any changes made.[/QUOTE said:
Oooh. You're right. Neither /etc/hosts or /system/etc/hosts is modified in the booted OS after I modify it from live image, but the change is retained when I reboot into live image and mount system. Hmm, so either:
1) Need to figure out where the the system files are being loaded from and modify them from live image if possible
2) Use a mechanism similar to what dontblinkwatchout described AdAway is using of having a custom mount setup (have to reverse engineer AdAway I guess to see what it's doing)
3) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's absolutely no way to modify or mount system partition r+w unless you disable dm-verity
Enviado desde mi Nexus 6P mediante Tapatalk
alexiuss said:
There's absolutely no way to modify or mount system partition r+w unless you disable dm-verity
Enviado desde mi Nexus 6P mediante Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dm-verity has been around since Android 4.4. Are you saying there is something new around this in Android 7.0?
You can modify the system partition by compiling an engineering build of Android and booting it, then mounting the system partition and modifying it. I've been doing this to update the hosts file since Android 6.0 for every OTA update (since more recently OTA updates bomb out unless you reflash the clean "uncorrupted" system.img first). Changing the system image before Android 7.0 did result in an extra screen with a red warning about a corrupted something or other (I'm sure because dm-verity checking failed). Regardless, you can still change the system partition, the information just no longer seems to be used, which is a bit perplexing to me atm.
crashenx said:
dm-verity has been around since Android 4.4. Are you saying there is something new around this in Android 7.0?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android 7.0 introduced redundant bits for reed solomon forward error correction into the system and vendor partitions and code in the kernel to perform the error correction.
Your changes are being written to emmc but when you boot with 7.0 kernel with dm-verity enabled your changes are being treated as data corruption and on-the-fly error corrected back to original.
You can see your changes if you boot into twrp because it has dm-verity disabled. However if you boot into android with dm-verity enabled it will look like original image again even though your changes are technically still there.
It took me a day to figure out what was really going on because i initially had no idea they added this feature to Android N.
The simple way to disable dm-verity is to install SuperSU, but you can also accomplish the same patching your own kernel, installing pre-patched kernel, installing custom kernel, etc.
sfhub said:
Android 7.0 introduced redundant bits for reed solomon forward error correction into the system and vendor partitions and code in the kernel to perform the error correction.
Your changes are being written to emmc but when you boot with 7.0 kernel with dm-verity enabled your changes are being treated as data corruption and on-the-fly error corrected back to original.
You can see your changes if you boot into twrp because it has dm-verity disabled. However if you boot into android with dm-verity enabled it will look like original image again even though your changes are technically still there.
It took me a day to figure out what was really going on because i initially had no idea they added this feature to Android N.
The simple way to disable dm-verity is to install SuperSU, but you can also accomplish the same patching your own kernel, installing pre-patched kernel, installing custom kernel, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good info and makes total sense. Thanks! Pretty neat actually, just a bummer for me.
Yeah so SuperSU path is not really one I want to pursue. I could learn how to update the dm-verity shas used for verification. That'd probably be the most secure, but it's gonna be a PITA I bet. I imagine I'd need to compile my own image similar to how I made my live image and update a few things. Might have to deal with encryption which is probably an even bigger headache. Also, I bet it would break OTA and have to reflash to update, though that's true now.
I'm really curious what AdAway is doing. Maybe I should pursue reverse engineering that.
I really appreciate you pointing us in the right direction.
I am glad found this thread..willing to assist here without permanent root..
Ericarthurc said:
I was able to modify my system partition; by installing busy box to /su/xbin and running "su busybox mount -o rw,remount system" (no quotes) in material terminal with root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was trying to create a /system/xbin/post-boot but couldn't remount /system, and so I added busybox to the front of my command. I am not using adb so I cut that part off. Thanks a lot!
Hey, I'm having an interesting issue that I haven't seen before on my previous phones. Normally, I'll occasionally flash magisk to root and update my hosts file with Adaway (and several lists that I've added to it which seem to block most/all ads), then unroot my phone. I noticed with the 6T that after I unroot (restore images, then uninstall through Magisk Manager) that the hosts file seems to be restored back to the stock file without any of my blocks. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks!
the00guy said:
Hey, I'm having an interesting issue that I haven't seen before on my previous phones. Normally, I'll occasionally flash magisk to root and update my hosts file with Adaway (and several lists that I've added to it which seem to block most/all ads), then unroot my phone. I noticed with the 6T that after I unroot (restore images, then uninstall through Magisk Manager) that the hosts file seems to be restored back to the stock file without any of my blocks. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without having some type of ramdisk patch in place, like Magisk or custom kernel, the system will default to the stored system image and effectively undo any changes to the /system partition. Any changes to the system partition that you have made will not be there until you install Magisk or a custom kernel again.
So basically with the stock boot image unmodified you cannot make persistent edits on the /system partition from my experience.
Wow, I was not aware that the system started keeping a clean system image like that. Historically I've always been able to modify /system with root and then unroot and the changes would remaim. Since TWRP is part of /boot now, perhaps that would be sufficient to prevent the stock boot from rewriting my /system changes...? Are there any other ways to prevent the system from being restored to stock after unrooting?
the00guy said:
Wow, I was not aware that the system started keeping a clean system image like that. Historically I've always been able to modify /system with root and then unroot and the changes would remaim. Since TWRP is part of /boot now, perhaps that would be sufficient to prevent the stock boot from rewriting my /system changes...? Are there any other ways to prevent the system from being restored to stock after unrooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know the phone wont boot with just TWRP installed, you need Magisk as well. So if you don't want to keep Magisk installed I suggest installing only a custom kernel. I personally love Smurf Kernel here (https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6t/development/kernel-smurfkernel-2-0-49-t3868360). Although I have not tested to see if /system modifications stick with only custom kernel but I feel like they should since it is modifying the ramdisk to allow the phone to boot modified. I know that Smurf Kernel will detect if you have Magisk or not and patch the boot image accordingly. So you will be able to run just a custom kernel without root if this is what you want.
Also if you are not aware you can disable all root access from the Magisk app without having to uninstall anything, maybe that could work for you as well.
Make sure to hit the thanks button if I was able to help you out here!
the00guy said:
Wow, I was not aware that the system started keeping a clean system image like that. Historically I've always been able to modify /system with root and then unroot and the changes would remaim. Since TWRP is part of /boot now, perhaps that would be sufficient to prevent the stock boot from rewriting my /system changes...? Are there any other ways to prevent the system from being restored to stock after unrooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could always, edit the partition directly in TWRP and install an alternative host file.
tech_head said:
You could always, edit the partition directly in TWRP and install an alternative host file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue is that Android will replace the /system partition with the stored stock system image if you do not have a modified ramdisk. So if you remove Magisk and don't use custom kernel you effectively cannot modify anything on /system as it will not persist.
yerger said:
The issue is that Android will replace the /system partition with the stored stock system image if you do not have a modified ramdisk. So if you remove Magisk and don't use custom kernel you effectively cannot modify anything on /system as it will not persist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully the community can find a workaround eventually for this that won't replace the /system with a clean image, or find a way to patch the clean image when performing root operations. Some apps can still detect/are broken by magisk, as good as it is, and I hate running any of my phone without ad blocking. I tried going the DNS route, but have yet to find a good private dns provider that oxygen os plays nicely with that also doesn't log.
the00guy said:
Hopefully the community can find a workaround eventually for this that won't replace the /system with a clean image, or find a way to patch the clean image when performing root operations. Some apps can still detect/are broken by magisk, as good as it is, and I hate running any of my phone without ad blocking. I tried going the DNS route, but have yet to find a good private dns provider that oxygen os plays nicely with that also doesn't log.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using just a custom kernel. You can do that without root and it should prevent /system from being overwritten with the stored system image. The issue is that you need a patched ramdisk in order for the /system partition to boot modified. No way around that unfortunately.
I personally use Smurf Kernel (https://forum.xda-developers.com/one...-0-49-t3868360) and get much better battery life than the stock kernel. The phone is much smoother and snappier as well.
yerger said:
Try using just a custom kernel. You can do that without root and it should prevent /system from being overwritten with the stored system image. The issue is that you need a patched ramdisk in order for the /system partition to boot modified. No way around that unfortunately.
I personally use Smurf Kernel (https://forum.xda-developers.com/one...-0-49-t3868360) and get much better battery life than the stock kernel. The phone is much smoother and snappier as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you all for the information. It seems I need to read up more on how android pie works behind the scenes particularly with the ramdisk and how the system position is managed.
https://blokada.org/
Non root adblocker, many lists available, DNS change
Or just use Adguard DNS. Works great.
As the title states, I want to make it get help making or have someone make(lol) a flash able zip to install hosts file of my choosing to /system/etc
Have you tried adaway? Only issue ive had is Google adverts on shopping listings.
Good idea though, but you'd need to update constantly.
Adaway is way more practical.
You need to use magisk, either a module or adaway with systemless hosts enabled in magisk manager.
^this!
dladz said:
Have you tried adaway? Only issue ive had is Google adverts on shopping listings.
Good idea though, but you'd need to update constantly.
Adaway is way more practical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lossyx said:
You need to use magisk, either a module or adaway with systemless hosts enabled in magisk manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
galaxys said:
^this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adaway does not work for, even using systemless mode with magisk. I have an older twrp flashable zip that works for Oero and older but don't know how to update it to work with Android 10+
jamescable said:
Adaway does not work for, even using systemless mode with magisk. I have an older twrp flashable zip that works for Oero and older but don't know how to update it to work with Android 10+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's just not true buddy, I'm using it now.
I have zero ads...what version have you got installed??
dladz said:
That's just not true buddy, I'm using it now.
I have zero ads...what version have you got installed??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried version 4.03 all the way to newer version. The newer version doesn't work because I get not enough space which IS wrong because I would even delete apps from /system and /product to ALLOW more space just in case
jamescable said:
I've tried version 4.03 all the way to newer version. The newer version doesn't work because I get not enough space which IS wrong because I would even delete apps from /system and /product to ALLOW more space just in case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your don't have enough space because you're not using systemless mate, no other reason.
I'm currently on 4.38
Everybody using xXx using using it, everybody who's rooted is probably using it
dladz said:
Your don't have enough space because you're not using systemless mate, no other reason.
I'm currently on 4.38
Everybody using xXx using using it, everybody who's rooted is probably using it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it's because I am on custom rom RR
jamescable said:
Maybe it's because I am on custom rom RR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh buddy, this is why you explain what operating system you're on, what firmware when asking about a problem, especially when it seems odd to others.
This question should be asked in the RR thread, as it's not relevant anywhere else.
I've never used RR but anything I suggest is going to be futile because of the fact that you're running RR.
For example, Titanium does not work for me on Carbon, simply would not see root so I couldn't restore a thing.
The advice I've provided in regards to what needs to be done in magisk to get adaway working is accurate..
For RR id have thought that it would be the same, now I don't think that's the case.
See what they say in the RR thread mate.
jamescable said:
Adaway does not work for, even using systemless mode with magisk. I have an older twrp flashable zip that works for Oero and older but don't know how to update it to work with Android 10+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jamescable said:
I've tried version 4.03 all the way to newer version. The newer version doesn't work because I get not enough space which IS wrong because I would even delete apps from /system and /product to ALLOW more space just in case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't delete them, it's impossible. All devices launched with Android 10 and dynamic partitions have read only system, vendor, product etc and zero free space is by design. That's why magisk is the only option.
Tell your custom rom dev to reserve free space and allow R/W for system when compiling the ROM, that's the only way to directly modify the system.
Systemless hosts does work on custom ROMs, I have tried it myself. After enabling systemless hosts, reboot, then open adaway and try again.
^there you have it!
galaxys said:
^there you have it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. No one paid attention to the title. Update the flashable zip so we can just flash a hosts file of our choice and no apps needed
jamescable said:
Not really. No one paid attention to the title. Update the flashable zip so we can just flash a hosts file of our choice and no apps needed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will need to be updated pal
dladz said:
It will need to be updated pal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and it's called Energized Protection or whatever adblock module in manager. Take the source (as reference), edit hosts and zip it up.
It's pointless to update the zip because whatever installation method it has won't work, only a module will work which is basically creating a whole new zip.
Lossyx said:
Yes, and it's called Energized Protection or whatever adblock module in manager. Take the source (as reference), edit hosts and zip it up.
It's pointless to update the zip because whatever installation method it has won't work, only a module will work which is basically creating a whole new zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My point was, that the hosts change, it will need to continually need to be updated.
Counterintuitive.
dladz said:
My point was, that the hosts change, it will need to continually need to be updated.
Counterintuitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. I used that SAME zip for 4 years and had no ads system wide. No ads in apps, youtube, chrome, etc never updated
jamescable said:
Not really. I used that SAME zip for 4 years and had no ads system wide. No ads in apps, youtube, chrome, etc never updated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, well good for you..
I've also used this method and they do slip through, that happened in a lot under 4 years???
Either way I can't help with this.
So, not possible to flash a hosts file to /system_root/system/etc/ ? It seems that everytime I flash the file it get overwritten at boot.
jaheaga said:
So, not possible to flash a hosts file to /system_root/system/etc/ ? It seems that everytime I flash the file it get overwritten at boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't get overwritten because it doesn't modify anything in the first place. It's not possible to modify the system on stock software. Either magisk or VPN based adblocker like Blokada is your option.
Hi , so apperntly the only way currently to modify system files of OnePlus 8 Pro is through flashing magisk modules , Tried using several file explorers but couldn't change permissions , tried via twrp but system won't be mounted , so my question is if there is a magisk module that someone made to mount r/w , if there is , I would like to get it , if there isn't , I would appreciate if anyone can create that for me , and please don't tell me to go to terminal and type commands because IT DOESN'T WORK, I don't know exactly what flashing magisk modules do but I figured out that it's the only way I can change system files , please help
Mounting system as R/W is impossible on stock software (OOS, OneUI etc).
This applies to all devices launched with Android 10, so, 7T/Pro and up.
https://source.android.com/devices/tech/ota/dynamic_partitions/implement
Your best shot is to create a module that 'modifies' the system systemless-ly.
Lossyx said:
Mounting system as R/W is impossible on stock software (OOS, OneUI etc).
This applies to all devices launched with Android 10, so, 7T/Pro and up.
https://source.android.com/devices/tech/ota/dynamic_partitions/implement
Your best shot is to create a module that 'modifies' the system systemless-ly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's literally the magisk module i'm asking for
ilan0098 said:
That's literally the magisk module i'm asking for
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Literally not. You asked for a module that could make system R/W.
Anyway good luck
As mentioned, no r/w module...
galaxys said:
As mentioned, no r/w module...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyway such a module won't do any good IMHO. System/product/vendor partitions are combined into a single "super" partition.
The individual parts for /system, /vendor, /product are then mounted from there.
You will never be able to physically write on files in those partitions (if that is/was your intention).
However, you can write a Magisk module (easily) which replaces files with others (e.g. I replaced my /system/etc/hosts files with a version that has ad-blocked IP addresses). You can "delete" files by making them "empty" with a Magisk module (e.g. I have hidden the OnePlus phone/dialer/calculator/messages/notes apps in this way as I prefer the Google variants).
It's not that hard ... assuming you have a bit of Linux dev skills.
Can you be more specific about what exactly you want to do? Edit some file?
foobar66 said:
Anyway such a module won't do any good IMHO. System/product/vendor partitions are combined into a single "super" partition.
The individual parts for /system, /vendor, /product are then mounted from there.
You will never be able to physically write on files in those partitions (if that is/was your intention).
However, you can write a Magisk module (easily) which replaces files with others (e.g. I replaced my /system/etc/hosts files with a version that has ad-blocked IP addresses). You can "delete" files by making them "empty" with a Magisk module (e.g. I have hidden the OnePlus phone/dialer/calculator/messages/notes apps in this way as I prefer the Google variants).
It's not that hard ... assuming you have a bit of Linux dev skills.
Can you be more specific about what exactly you want to do? Edit some file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also if I do want to edit a system file , I can't , it won't let me do that , the file I edited just won't save
foobar66 said:
Anyway such a module won't do any good IMHO. System/product/vendor partitions are combined into a single "super" partition.
The individual parts for /system, /vendor, /product are then mounted from there.
You will never be able to physically write on files in those partitions (if that is/was your intention).
However, you can write a Magisk module (easily) which replaces files with others (e.g. I replaced my /system/etc/hosts files with a version that has ad-blocked IP addresses). You can "delete" files by making them "empty" with a Magisk module (e.g. I have hidden the OnePlus phone/dialer/calculator/messages/notes apps in this way as I prefer the Google variants).
It's not that hard ... assuming you have a bit of Linux dev skills.
Can you be more specific about what exactly you want to do? Edit some file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would very much like to edit the build.prop file, and let Adaway (F-droid) edit the hosts file to add its adblocking lists.
Are either of those things possible? Thanks!
R2-Brute said:
I would very much like to edit the build.prop file, and let Adaway (F-droid) edit the hosts file to add its adblocking lists.
Are either of those things possible? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enable systemless hosts in magisk manager and adaway will work. And for editing build prop, look up "resetprop", it's a magisk tool to modify build prop systemlessly.
Thank you so much! Adaway is up and running! I just got a new phone, and got so worried when it dawned on me that the System folder was locked down!
And I found "MagiskHide Props Config". Is it better or worse than Resetprop, or the same? "Props Config" has already flaked on me in the half hour I've been using it, but since a reinstall, it's working again.
I'm hoping it's just getting comfortable, but if you think Resetprop is more stable, please tell me.
And thanks again! Feeling good about technology.
I have ROOTED, rooted mean now you are Administrator of all in your phone. But live is not like a dream, I can't delete or modify anything in system folder on my rooted samsung phone, when using Z Archiver to delete empty and junk folder it says failed even sometimes it says Access Denied ( maybe the problem is here) converted RO->RW, tried through ES File it says in use or busy, Root Explorer is useless even if I adds write permission, but when using lucky patcher to uninstall & install and apps as system then it can creates or delete in systm app, which means there may be a way for me to modify it, if the trash can't be deleted then the system partition will be filled with garbage forever and can only get fatter. Who know how to solve it?
You have to patch super image to make everything r/w.
[GUIDE] How to make your System RW / Super R/W read/write-able
Welcome to the one and only, the original, universal SystemRW / SuperRW feat. MakeRW / ro2rw by lebigmac This script removes the read-only lock of all partitions embedded in the super partition of your stock firmware. This allows you to mount...
forum.xda-developers.com
in case someone still struggling with that
i wanted to copy trusted certificate ".0" file from storage to /system/etc/security/cacerts
i couldn't and tried to do the adb mount thing but i couldn't
anyway it worked when i tried MT manager ( i literally shocked ) its not in play store but you can find it online
if that didn't work i guess you have two option
1) open platform tools after enabling usb debugging and do "adb push /sdcard/yourfile /system/etc/security/cancerts
that will copy the file from sdcard to system/etc/security/cancerts
second option i didn't really tried but i saw it worked for some
is magisk module called "overlayfs" if you can't find it online i will attach it here
BUT before all that try MT manager .. idk how it really worked lol
Mazen550 said:
in case someone still struggling with that
i wanted to copy trusted certificate ".0" file from storage to /system/etc/security/cacerts
i couldn't and tried to do the adb mount thing but i couldn't
anyway it worked when i tried MT manager ( i literally shocked ) its not in play store but you can find it online
if that didn't work i guess you have two option
1) open platform tools after enabling usb debugging and do "adb push /sdcard/yourfile /system/etc/security/cancerts
that will copy the file from sdcard to system/etc/security/cancerts
second option i didn't really tried but i saw it worked for some
is magisk module called "overlayfs" if you can't find it online i will attach it here
BUT before all that try MT manager .. idk how it really worked lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have installed overlay fs but i can edit only /system, /product and some files in /vendor and /system_ext, i have android 13 with one ui 5.1