[APP][ROOT/NONROOT][OFFICIAL] AdAway v6.1.1

Search This thread

mariosaraylian

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2008
629
112
Los Angeles
HTC U12+
Copy Failed of Hosts File Update

martyfender & ktmom:

Here is the verbose logcat of whats going on. I am still getting the "Copy Failed" error when I try to update hosts and at "Bulding Hosts File" stages in AA.

For the sake of diagnosing, I cleared the App Data and Cache and restarted AA. When I did that it shows "Enabled Newest host filed enabled" (with the green check mark), but when I tap "Check for Updates", I see "Update Available: newer hosts files available", then I tap "Update Hosts" after it downloads the current hosts files and it says "Applying, building hosts file", that is exactly when I get the "Copy Failed" error.

This is driving me NUTS!

Thanks for any help you guys can provide!
 

Attachments

  • 2019-10-29-13-02-07.txt
    3.7 KB · Views: 12

ktmom

Retired Forum Moderator
Apr 22, 2015
5,176
3,387
Deep Space Station K7
martyfender & ktmom:

Here is the verbose logcat of whats going on. I am still getting the "Copy Failed" error when I try to update hosts and at "Bulding Hosts File" stages in AA.

For the sake of diagnosing, I cleared the App Data and Cache and restarted AA. When I did that it shows "Enabled Newest host filed enabled" (with the green check mark), but when I tap "Check for Updates", I see "Update Available: newer hosts files available", then I tap "Update Hosts" after it downloads the current hosts files and it says "Applying, building hosts file", that is exactly when I get the "Copy Failed" error.

This is driving me NUTS!

Thanks for any help you guys can provide!
That enhanced log didn't help [emoji6]. I was kinda hoping for the path that was being used.

I scanned back through the thread/your posts, and I don't see what version of Magisk your running.

Somewhere around Magisk 19.3, things changed for systemless hosts. I say that based on date stamps on the files on my device.

I have always had the systemless hosts setting enabled. On my device, I have (had) a /sbin/.magisk/modules/hosts/system/etc/ path with a hosts file that is older than my last hosts update. Disabling the systemless hosts, then rebooting had no affect on my ability to update the hosts file with Adaway.

The updated file now lives in /sbin/.magisk/mirror/system/etc. So I completely removed the systemless hosts module. As expected, there was no negative effect on updating hosts, and the file in the mirror path definitely is updated. I guess I missed a change log entry for Magisk.

So, if you are on at least Magisk 19.3 or newer, I think the systemless hosts module is a red herring.

This also is consistent with recent posts confirming that Adaway is working without systemless hosts enabled on A10. I'm sure there's changes were made due to the inability to mount / on A10. The entire partition is mirrored.

What OS and Magisk version are you on?
 
  • Like
Reactions: IronTechmonkey

ipdev

Recognized Contributor
Feb 14, 2016
2,546
1
5,157
Google Nexus 10
Nexus 7 (2013)
@mariosaraylian

From the steps you describe.
I didn't see you mention AdAway requesting and gaining root access.

I haven't run into it lately, for me, it was always Magisk related.
All other apps / modules seem to work fine but, AdAway always showed me when my Magisk install was broken.

I know I've seen others mention just being able to toggle SU on or off/on for AdAway in Magisk's Superuser settings. If you take a look at the log file in Magisk, you should see a su request once or twice while AdAway is updating (or attempting) to update the hosts file.

@ktmom

May be a change coming down the line but, for now I would still recommend enabling the magisk systemless module.

Just tried on my Pixel 3aXL with Magisk systemless hosts module disabled.
Looks like systemless hosts still have to be enabled in AdAway.
The hosts file is updated but can not be viewed in AdAway.
After a reboot the hosts file is back to stock and systemless in not enabled in AdAway. With the Magisk systemless hosts module enabled, AdAway works just just like it should.

(3aXL is running stock 10 and rooted with Magisk canary-debug.)

Cheers. :cowboy:
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20191029-192819.png
    Screenshot_20191029-192819.png
    92.9 KB · Views: 817
  • Screenshot_20191029-192849.png
    Screenshot_20191029-192849.png
    62 KB · Views: 815
  • Screenshot_20191029-193007.png
    Screenshot_20191029-193007.png
    184.5 KB · Views: 813

ktmom

Retired Forum Moderator
Apr 22, 2015
5,176
3,387
Deep Space Station K7
...

May be a change coming down the line but, for now I would still recommend enabling the magisk systemless module.

Just tried on my Pixel 3aXL with Magisk systemless hosts module disabled.
Looks like systemless hosts still have to be enabled in AdAway.
The hosts file is updated but can not be viewed in AdAway.
After a reboot the hosts file is back to stock and systemless in not enabled in AdAway. With the Magisk systemless hosts module enabled, AdAway works just just like it should.

(3aXL is running stock 10 and rooted with Magisk canary-debug.)

I'm pretty convinced we'll be in a confused state with all of the different combinations of devices, software and Magisk for awhile.

While I'm on Magisk 19.3, Pie and a Pixel 3XL, my experience is very different from yours. Without systemless hosts enabled in Adaway and without systemless hosts in Magisk, I can modify and view the hosts file and after multiple reboots, everything sticks. In this case, the file is in /sbin/.magisk/mirror/system/etc

Originally, when I tested, the file was modified in the mirror directory regardless of the enabled/disabled state of the Magisk systemless hosts module.

However, if the systemless host module in Magisk is disabled, and the systemless hosts settings in Adaway is enabled, the file gets put in /sbin/.magisk/modules/.core

BUT, when I just reinstalled the systemless hosts module and rebooted (yet again), now the hosts file is placed where you would expect; /sbin/.magisk/modules/hosts/system/etc

I'm thinking that what you upgrade from/to plays into how the glitches settle out.

While I am on an "older" Magisk release, I don't think using the bleeding edge channel is a good baseline either. [emoji6]
 
  • Like
Reactions: ipdev

ipdev

Recognized Contributor
Feb 14, 2016
2,546
1
5,157
Google Nexus 10
Nexus 7 (2013)
I'm pretty convinced we'll be in a confused state with all of the different combinations of devices, software and Magisk for awhile.

While I'm on Magisk 19.3, Pie and a Pixel 3XL, my experience is very different from yours. Without systemless hosts enabled in Adaway and without systemless hosts in Magisk, I can modify and view the hosts file and after multiple reboots, everything sticks. In this case, the file is in /sbin/.magisk/mirror/system/etc

Originally, when I tested, the file was modified in the mirror directory regardless of the enabled/disabled state of the Magisk systemless hosts module.

However, if the systemless host module in Magisk is disabled, and the systemless hosts settings in Adaway is enabled, the file gets put in /sbin/.magisk/modules/.core

BUT, when I just reinstalled the systemless hosts module and rebooted (yet again), now the hosts file is placed where you would expect; /sbin/.magisk/modules/hosts/system/etc

I'm thinking that what you upgrade from/to plays into how the glitches settle out.

While I am on an "older" Magisk release, I don't think using the bleeding edge channel is a good baseline either. [emoji6]
I'm curious also.
I have noticed slight differences on device(s) when updating Magisk versus a clean flash before. (OT here.)

I did clean flash my 3aXL last week. Installed magisk and enabled systemless hosts module. Never installed AdAway until tonight after I disabled systemless module and rebooted.

I'll try to find sometime this weekend to test on a few other device.
Some are new SAR bring-up so Magisk stable 20 will be the only option on those.

Will let you know what I find out. :)

Cheers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ktmom

mariosaraylian

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2008
629
112
Los Angeles
HTC U12+
That enhanced log didn't help [emoji6]. I was kinda hoping for the path that was being used.

I scanned back through the thread/your posts, and I don't see what version of Magisk your running.

Somewhere around Magisk 19.3, things changed for systemless hosts. I say that based on date stamps on the files on my device.

I have always had the systemless hosts setting enabled. On my device, I have (had) a /sbin/.magisk/modules/hosts/system/etc/ path with a hosts file that is older than my last hosts update. Disabling the systemless hosts, then rebooting had no affect on my ability to update the hosts file with Adaway.

The updated file now lives in /sbin/.magisk/mirror/system/etc. So I completely removed the systemless hosts module. As expected, there was no negative effect on updating hosts, and the file in the mirror path definitely is updated. I guess I missed a change log entry for Magisk.

So, if you are on at least Magisk 19.3 or newer, I think the systemless hosts module is a red herring.

This also is consistent with recent posts confirming that Adaway is working without systemless hosts enabled on A10. I'm sure there's changes were made due to the inability to mount / on A10. The entire partition is mirrored.

What OS and Magisk version are you on?
Android 8.0.0 on Magisk 20.0 (20000)

I am kind of lost now because Systemless Hosts in Magisk has always been on, as well as in AA.

---------- Post added at 12:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 AM ----------

@mariosaraylian

From the steps you describe.
I didn't see you mention AdAway requesting and gaining root access.

I haven't run into it lately, for me, it was always Magisk related.
All other apps / modules seem to work fine but, AdAway always showed me when my Magisk install was broken.

I know I've seen others mention just being able to toggle SU on or off/on for AdAway in Magisk's Superuser settings. If you take a look at the log file in Magisk, you should see a su request once or twice while AdAway is updating (or attempting) to update the hosts file.

@ktmom

May be a change coming down the line but, for now I would still recommend enabling the magisk systemless module.

Just tried on my Pixel 3aXL with Magisk systemless hosts module disabled.
Looks like systemless hosts still have to be enabled in AdAway.
The hosts file is updated but can not be viewed in AdAway.
After a reboot the hosts file is back to stock and systemless in not enabled in AdAway. With the Magisk systemless hosts module enabled, AdAway works just just like it should.

(3aXL is running stock 10 and rooted with Magisk canary-debug.)

Cheers. :cowboy:
ipdev:

I see the SuperSU prompt working fine for SuperUser Rights working just fine. I see the toast prompt and it is toggled ON in Magisk.

I am seeing conflicting information here on everyone's suggestions. Should I maybe uninstall Magisk all together and reinstall it, or just uninstall the Systemless Hosts Module in Magisk, Reboot, Clear Data in AdAway, reboot, and turn on Systemless Hosts in Magisk again, then reinstall Adaway and try again...????
 

Hifexar

Member
Oct 30, 2019
5
2
DNS Log

Hi!

I use Adaway 3.2 for several years. Looked full changelog, and did not see the change necessary for me in the latest version 4.2.9.

Can the developer add a log of blocked DNS records? This is sorely missed.

I do not use sources of hosts from a network, I add records only manually. And my own list is very large several hundred entries. And sometimes, something doesn't work because it has blocked something that is needed rarely and only for a specific situation. And then it is very difficult to find in the whole list the reason why it does not work. One by one only. It is very long and time consuming. But the log of the blocked records would allow to solve such problems very quickly! And from it it would be possible to form a white list. Which would be much shorter, and whose records need to be activated only occasionally.

Please add the log records are blocked, it is very necessary!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: westhaking

ktmom

Retired Forum Moderator
Apr 22, 2015
5,176
3,387
Deep Space Station K7
...
I am seeing conflicting information here on everyone's suggestions. Should I maybe uninstall Magisk all together and reinstall it, or just uninstall the Systemless Hosts Module in Magisk, Reboot, Clear Data in AdAway, reboot, and turn on Systemless Hosts in Magisk again, then reinstall Adaway and try again...????

You are an example of the complexity of the problem. You do not have a system as root (SAR) device*, but are on Magisk 20. I think this is the core of your problem.

I personally would be interested in what would happen if you deleted the systemless hosts module itself, rebooted, then tried to install a hosts file. It will error out again I'm sure.

Then re-enable systemless hosts which should download the module again, reboot and try again with Adaway.

If that doesn't work, I would revert Magisk to 19.3 (which was still a SAR A10 fix) or earlier. I'm sure that will work.


*SAR devices are all minimally released with 9.0

---------- Post added at 08:29 ---------- Previous post was at 08:27 ----------

...
Please add the log records are blocked, it is very necessary!
This exists. It's called DNS logging.
 

Hifexar

Member
Oct 30, 2019
5
2
.

This exists. It's called DNS logging.

In my Adaway 3.2 this DNS log does not display domains that are already blacklisted. And I need to detect attempts of applications to make DNS request which domain is already in the black list. That's what I need.

DNS Log does not allow this now. Or in 4.2.9 the log works differently, not as in 3.2?
 

ktmom

Retired Forum Moderator
Apr 22, 2015
5,176
3,387
Deep Space Station K7
In my Adaway 3.2 this DNS log does not display domains that are already blacklisted. And I need to detect attempts of applications to make DNS request which domain is already in the black list. That's what I need.

DNS Log does not allow this now. Or in 4.2.9 the log works differently, not as in 3.2?
That would be called white listing and yes, this has worked for a long time. Did you carefully read that page?
 

Hifexar

Member
Oct 30, 2019
5
2
For example, it can be implemented like this:

1. Change in Adaway 127.0.0.1 to 127.0.0.5 for forwarding.

2. Run the tcpdump:
tcpdump -i any -s 0 host 127.0.0.5 -w /tmp/dnsblock.pcap

3. generated some traffic, for example, so:
wget 44444.ru
where 44444.ru is blacklisted by Adaway

4. We get in the dump something like:
16:08:55.446532 IP 44444.ru.35318 > 44444.ru.http: Flags , seq 3975137463, win 32792, options [mss 16396,sackOK,TS val 3364337500 ecr 0,nop,wscale 7], length 0
16:08:55.446563 IP 44444.ru.http > 44444.ru.35318: Flags [S.], seq 1338750778, ack 3975137464, win 32768, options [mss 16396,sackOK,TS val 3364337500 ecr 3364337500,nop,wscale 7], length 0
16:08:55.446587 IP 44444.ru.35318 > 44444.ru.http: Flags [.], ack 1, win 257, options [nop,nop,TS val 3364337500 ecr 3364337500], length 0
16:08:55.446633 IP 44444.ru.35318 > 44444.ru.http: Flags [P.], seq 1:107, ack 1, win 257, options [nop,nop,TS val 3364337500 ecr 3364337500], length 106
16:08:55.446662 IP 44444.ru.http > 44444.ru.35318: Flags [.], ack 107, win 256, options [nop,nop,TS val 3364337500 ecr 3364337500], length 0
16:08:57.553569 IP 44444.ru.http > 44444.ru.35318: Flags [P.], seq 1:619, ack 107, win 256, options [nop,nop,TS val 3364339607 ecr 3364337500], length 618
16:08:57.553599 IP 44444.ru.35318 > 44444.ru.http: Flags [.], ack 619, win 266, options [nop,nop,TS val 3364339607 ecr 3364339607], length 0
16:08:57.553689 IP 44444.ru.35318 > 44444.ru.http: Flags [R.], seq 107, ack 619, win 266, options [nop,nop,TS val 3364339607 ecr 3364339607], length 0

5. Select domains from the text, remove duplicates, and save log:
cat /tmp/678.pcap | grep "http >\|https >"| awk '{print $3}'|sed s/.https/""/|sed s/.http/""/|uniq > /tmp/dnsblocklog

6. Result:
[root@xxxxxxxxxx etc]# cat /tmp/dnsblocklog
44444.ru

You can also apply some sort in the command.

This is an example way. Developers please add this feature. You'll probably do much better than I suggested.

---------- Post added at 04:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:11 PM ----------

That would be called white listing and yes, this has worked for a long time. Did you carefully read that page?

Sorry for my bad English, maybe I don't understand you or you don't understand me.

Version 3.2 100% doesn't have what I'm talking about. I have not yet installed, 4.2.9, if there is something changed, it is good, if not, we do not understand each other.

In changelog, such a feature from 3.2 to 4.2.9 was not declared.

Later I will specifically update the version and see for myself.


P.S. I installed 4.2.9. And there is no such log, about which I spoke!!! There is no such functionality!

Moreover, in version 4.2.9 became just a terrible interface! Very uncomfortable. Usability has deteriorated greatly. I'm going back to version 3.2.
 
Last edited:

Hifexar

Member
Oct 30, 2019
5
2
Upgraded the algorithm.

1. Change in Adaway 127.0.0.1 to 127.0.0.5


2. Run the tcpdump:

tcpdump -i any -s 0 dst host 127.0.0.5 -l -t -q > /tmp/dnsblock.pcap

Now you can not turn off tcpdump, as in Adaway.


3. Getting a list of hosts that are accessed by applications and that are already added to the Adaway blacklist. Оne command.

cat /tmp/dnsblock.pcap | grep "http: \|https: " |awk '{print $4}'|sed s/.https:/""/|sed s/.http:/""/|uniq


Here is such would add in Adaway. Or do something different.
 

Pip_X

Senior Member
Mar 1, 2008
259
16
Bukit Jalil
Magisk Manager 20.0, enabled Systemless Host, Adaway 4.2.9.
It doesn't prompt for root request.
In Magisk's superuser app list, Adaway doesn't appear.
 

Pip_X

Senior Member
Mar 1, 2008
259
16
Bukit Jalil
Hide Magisk Manager is not enabled.
I cannot disable ad blocking as it's not enabled
Fresh install of Magisk and Adaway.
Lenovo K5 Pro with GSI Linage 16.0 Android Pie 9
 

Pip_X

Senior Member
Mar 1, 2008
259
16
Bukit Jalil
Do other apps request root access? Have you rebooted after installing everything? Have you tried grabbing a log while enabling ad blocking?
Yes, File Manager such as Xplore requested for root and I can see it in Magisk Manager superuser app.
I have rebooted and clear Adaway data few times.
How do I grab the said logs?
 

Top Liked Posts

  • There are no posts matching your filters.
  • 1
    Non root uses VPN, hence make sure you don't run another VPN in parallel
    If it helps, an example of that mistake of trying to run (non-rootable) two VPNs at a time would be to try to use both of these at the same time.

    AdAway (non-root system-wide hosts-based ad blocking)
    NetGuard (non-root system-wide hosts-based ad blocking)
    adblocker_netguard_vpn.jpg
    1
    I've been using the app for many years now, but have had massive problems in the last few weeks. Latest Android 14 with February patches. Network connection suddenly stops working after a while and only works again after manually stopping/starting the app. Notifications are not delivered. Restarting / reinstalling or updating the sources only fixes the problem temporarily. Problem occurs on several devices.

    Found some Bug reports on devs github, but no solution.

    Non-rooted Devices...
    1
    So what do you suggest for 'not rooted' devices?
    For developers to fix it?

    Tik Tok has connection problems...
    Screenshot_2024-02-28-20-36-58-088_com.zhiliaoapp.musically.jpg
    1
    1. Yesterday I installed AdAway and set it up as my VPN app.
    2. Today I installed an app that SAID it has no ads but it has ads.
    • <ht tps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quantum.updater>
    AdAway does NOT block those ads.
    • AdAway doesn't block the full-page ads
    • AdAway doesn't block the bar ads
    Why not?
    What did I do wrong in my setup?
    1
    Do it by logDNS. Check the Wiki:

    Start the log and open your preferred site.
    Whitelist what has to be whitelisted.
    Followed the guide. It's simple enough until I try to find the hostname I am supposed to white list - there are probably 50 entries just clicking on one article. Plus the names don't give any clue what they are related to. I tried white-listing about a dozen different entries but none allowed the comments to be read. At this point it's still easier to turn off Adaway and scroll the articles then turn it back on when I'm done.

    Thanks for the guide though.
  • 3363
    icon.png
    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 block or interfere with another app displaying ads." rule and can't be distributed on distributed on the Play Store.
    As Free and Open Source Software, AdAway is available from F-Droid Store or this XDA thread :good:


    Requirements

    This application requires Android 8 or above and does no more require root.

    For older Android versions, a rooted device is required.


    Changelog

    If you don't want to read each announce post of this thread, you can:


    Downloads

    Stable versions are available on GitHub releases and F-Droid Store:
    Beta versions are available on GitHub releases only: AdAway 6.0.2b

    The app provides an in-app updater for both GitHub and F-Droid builds.
    Keep in mind beta channel is limited to GitHub builds, and F-Droid releases usually have a several days latency.


    Problem? Read this

    * If you use Chrome and still see ads on web pages, remember to disable the "data saver" or "reduced data usage" browser option.
    * Check your APN settings for any proxy, the proxy itself could be allowing ads. Disable the proxy.
    * After you install or make any change to AdAway, you must reboot for those changes to take effect.
    * If you are still having issues please read and understand all the info in the wiki before asking for help here.

    Otherwise, this is the right thread to discuss about it or file a bug report here.


    Contributors

    PerfectSlayer, Vankog, jawz101
    Source Code: https://github.com/AdAway/AdAway
    170
    Hi all,

    A new year is coming and I wish you all to have nice holidays :victory:

    Just few words about this ending year. There was about 12 releases in 2019 which brings you a new UI, a lot of bug fixes, Android 10 support, Gist and GitLab hosting support and better Magisk support.
    All of this is possible thanks to the community to help users to discover the app, learn how to use it and report any new bug and also your moral, nice words and thanks you can send to me, and financial support.
    Thanks a lot for all donators, GitHub sponsor and the Pixel 2 you sent me to test Android 10 support.

    For the next year, I hope to release the next version (V5), at least in beta to start. It's been 9 months since its first lines of code and things are working quite nicely.
    It aims to make the app simpler to use for the main use cases, support rooted and non rooted devices and remove old hacks/workaround which are no more needed on recent setups.

    But before this big next update, I still have time to fix current issue with a new release :p

    Changelog:
    • Fix GitLab hosting support (commit date parsing failed)
    • Translation update

    Thanks:

    Special thanks to @gallegonovato for its helpful bug report and @Vankog for translation update.

    Download:

    AdAway 4.3.2 on AndroidFileHost (md5: 78fde09a0e92044c45e901bb1cec8e2e)
    159
    Hi all,

    Long time no see! It's been more than two months since the last update.
    I can't say I was not active on the project as I start working on a new version (5.x.y) as a side project.
    I won't share the source code yet as it is not ready at all and I don't want to give an ETA but this new version targets the following goals:
    • 1. Revamp the UI
    • 2. Clean up old support
    • 3. Address one of the main drawback of the app

    1. The card based UI does not feel right. Welcome card takes too much space, update button / status has a lot of critic. I guess I can do better.
    I started a new simpler and lighter design which provide the most useful information on home screen and all main actions to trigger in one tap (no more burger menu).
    It is still under heavy development but I hopefully get a friend onboard, specialized in graphics and design, to help me :highfive:

    2. In order to simplify the development, I clean up the app and remove support for old features.
    I bump target SDK version so I finally get Java 8 language feature (it was released 5y ago…) and move to topjohnwu root library (instead of home made one). It means systemless support is now handled by Magisk and other root solutions will still work.

    3. Think of what prevent most of users to use AdAway? Now it's gone!
    It's not gone forever. It's still here but there will be a fallback to workaround it.
    I won't tell more until the first public beta but I guess you get the point :fingers-crossed:

    In the meanwhile, here is a new version!

    Feedback:

    Is anyone using a hosts list hosted on Gitlab? It keeps showing "Unknown update status".
    GitLab, like GitHub do not set LastModified HTTP header so update status is not supported... yet!

    Changelog:
    • Add Gist and GitLab hosting support for hosts file
    • Add option to set default IPv6 redirection
    • Improve reboot command
    • Improve UI for overlays
    • Update translations

    Thanks:

    Special thanks to @MSF Jarvis and ralayax for theirs contributions and @andy356 for its helpful bug report.

    Download:

    AdAway 4.2.5 on AndroidFileHost (md5: ab81225745afaaa7646024109de299c0)
    148
    Hi all,

    Feedback:

    Hmm, not working for me for this URL, v4.1.0 shows something like not updated in -360 days (some large negative value). Can you please see if you can reproduce?
    https://raw.githubusercontent.com/StevenBlack/hosts/master/alternates/fakenews-gambling-porn/hosts
    It works well here. I failed to reproduce as I change the HTTP client library and how I use it.
    But update date for the source you link definitely works now.

    All the F-Droid apps I know of have manual push updates to the store.

    Isn't automatic build basically for nightlies?
    Not really. You could choose a lot of different mode.
    For example, F-Droid server watches AdAway GitHub repository to find tags which match a specific versioning pattern.

    I exist still... do you know what i have to do to transfer ownership? if i edit project it doesn't let me change the primary author so i assume i have to PM some higher up to make this happen?
    Thank you so much! :highfive:

    This is now done, @PerfectSlayer is the OP of this thread.
    Thank you too!


    Changelog:
    • Add hosts source download cache
    • Add snackbar notification to update host from DNS request listing
    • Update UI from Material Design to Material Theming
    • Update gradle, plugins and dependencies
    • Fix crash parsing not defined host source last modified date
    • Fix native modules build script (required for F-Droid build server)
    • Fix Transifex issues

    Thanks:

    Special thanks to all recent donators! Your help is really appreciated :good:

    Download:

    AdAway 4.2.0 on AndroidFileHost (md5: 023169e7c345ef7297095793024f8478)
    144
    Hi all,

    I talked enough about it the past weeks and here it is: the first beta for the next version of AdAway.
    As you know, the main feature is the removal of root requirement but it also comes with a lot of improvements like an easier to use UI, a builtin updater, new cache and databases to improve reliability or even a quick pause/resume adblocking button that 3rd party apps can control.

    It took me literally a year and 330+ commits to build it (the first commit of this branch was April the 7th) and I hope it will be worth it.
    It should allow the app to be viable in the future with root being more and more difficult to achieve at each new Android release and Google hardening SafetyNet checks.

    I will try to answer to the most expected questions here so you still can post a link to this FAQ later to lost users.

    FAQ:

    Does this version replace the v4.x versions?
    No. This is still a preview version and does not replace the stable one.
    It is available to test it and report issues and feedback before being promoted to stable.

    Can I upgrade and revert safely?
    Yes. Both v4 and v5 use the same settings export format.

    Why does this version targets Android 8+ Oreo only?
    Like the v4, v5 is expected to offer support for latest devices.
    Android 8 and above represent more than 60% of device distribution and will grew through time.
    If you use an older device, root solutions work very well and v4 is here for you (like v2 and v3 stayed for legacy devices).

    How the hell does it work without root?
    This version provides two adblocking methods: the usual root one using hosts file and a new one using local VPN.
    The VPN solution allows to filter and alter connections of your devices without root access.

    Is using a VPN safe?
    In the case of AdAway, yes. It uses VPN API but does not connect to a VPN server.
    In the case of VPN client app, it depends.
    To give you more details, a VPN client app uses the VPN API to create a virtual network interface on your device and redirect all your traffic into it.
    If you imaginge the VPN like a pipe (the right word is tunnel), client VPN app outputs all your traffic on a VPN server which is able to check what you are doing on the Internet.
    With AdAway, your network is not redirected to a VPN server but your device internet connection (same as no VPN). VPN API is only used to get traffic into it to break the connections to ad servers.

    Is VPN use battery?
    Yes, like everything you do on device.
    Witouth root, a VPN service will be running permanently to filter your traffic.
    Good news is it will only filter DNS traffic. Not all traffic is redirected into it so it won't be as expensive as you can fear.

    Did you come up with this idea alone?
    Absolutely not! I spent a lot of hours trying to find altenatives to hosts based adblocking (like routes or private DNS). But nothing was better than VPN based adblocking.
    So we (MrRobinson and I) approched Julian Klode, developer of DNS66 more than three years ago to see if we can merge our apps. It wasn't that easy as we don't develop our apps the same way so I ended up by integrating the DNS66 adblocking method into AdAway. It is fine for Julian, his app is Open Source and he himself built it from the core code of AdBuster app (an VPN based adblocking app).

    Should we stop using DNS66 for AdAway?
    Not at all. DNS66 is a great app and provides some features that AdAway doesn't have (yet?), like DNS settings.
    DNS66 is a great app, keep using it if you like it!
    If both apps used the same adblocking method a year ago when I start this version, I keep adding feature to the VPN adblocking method and most of them won't be in DNS66.
    If Julian ports them back to DNS66, it's great if it can help his app and users!

    Is it me or the app put on weight?
    Yes, the app significantly grew due to new libraries like VPN related ones and Android Jetpack.
    It also stores more data on device: a http cache, a host database, a hosts copy, etc...
    I think 15~20mo of storage is still fine.

    Changelog:

    Without further ado, check the summarized changelog (it was hard to summarize a one year development)

    • Add new home screen
      • Provides all main controls from one screen
      • Displays currently blocked, allowed and redirected domains
      • Displays current hosts sources status and control to force apply
    • Add non root ad-blocking feature
      • Uses a builtin local VPN to filter DNS request to blocked domains
      • Based on the work of dns66 by julian-klode
      • Allows to excluded system applications and per user applications
    • Add builtin updater with changelog display
    • Add feature to quickly pause and resume ad-blocking
    • Add wizard screen for first run setup
    • Add feature to display and filter all blocked, allowed, redirect domains
    • Improve preferences screen
    • Add broadcast receiver to control ad-blocking from third party applications
    • Update Android target to Android 10
    • Improve root and shell support
    • Split translation files to easier understand their context
    • Add GitHub action test and build tasks

    Download:

    AdAway 5.0.0 beta (sha2: 200fd7789b174735d3af5925b4e568b09475bb3f39a79d24d6617af4b19cd19d)

    If you like my work, feel free to support me. Check my sign for donation links. Thanks all! :highfive: