[5.0+][ROOT][3.5.3] AFWall+ IPTables Firewall [28 JUN 2022]

[IronTechmonkey]

Other way around: What VPN app you are using that cooperates with AFWall+?

FWIW I have used PIA VPN with Afwall in "allow selected" mode with "Active rules > VPN" enabled, and with the VPN app (and a handful of system components and selected apps ) given a pass through the firewall. A subset of system components and apps also requires a pass through VPN. This is by no means, a mission-critical lockdown, not even close, but it does serve a purpose for browsing and email access in web interfaces.

 

[IronTechmonkey]

Everytime I try to change settings and open afwall 3.5.3, it shows an empty window and android shows the application not responding dialogue. Restarting won't help, waiting neither.
What can I do here on an android 10, poco f1?

Does this occur when you change the rules in the main view, or change the settings via the menus? A screenshot might help as might more details about the device, eg is it rooted? Beyond that, an answer might be found by deeper troubleshooting and logging.

 

[selemine]

Does this occur when you change the rules in the main view, or change the settings via the menus? A screenshot might help as might more details about the device, eg is it rooted? Beyond that, an answer might be found by deeper troubleshooting and logging.

I can't change rules and settings as the app doesn't render any text or checkboxes. It shows up empty when i hit the launcher shortcut or the persistent notification.
Yes the device is rooted via Magisk as i doubt the app works without it.
It helps if you force close afwall via long press on the icon via the android system settings, but after a while of usage that is necessary again. It is not a permanent solution to the problem.
It is a Poco F1 with Android 10 and the rooted Stock Rom by XIAOMI.

 

[IronTechmonkey]

I can't change rules and settings as the app doesn't render any text or checkboxes. It shows up empty when i hit the launcher shortcut or the persistent notification.
Yes the device is rooted via Magisk as i doubt the app works without it.
It helps if you force close afwall via long press on the icon via the android system settings, but after a while of usage that is necessary again. It is not a permanent solution to the problem.
It is a Poco F1 with Android 10 and the rooted Stock Rom by XIAOMI.

OK, it's not just the combination of android version and root method (I'm using the same combo as are most likely many other people) and it's not lack of root (apologies for asking but sometimes ... ) or a few other things I was fishing for as possibilities. That being said, one of the past issues I was thinking about involved what I would describe as a stacking or an accumulation of many rapidly placed SU requests. IIRC the issue was not widespread nor has it occurred on my devices for some time but it's easy to test for. See what happens after disabling SU for Afwall+ in Magisk and then force close Afwall and then restart it. It should open with a warning that it wants root but then go to the UI. Note: after re-enabling Afwall+ Su in Magisk then force close Afwall+ and reopen it to get it so request root again. Beyond that it might be a matter of testing in clean install (if you are not already) and logging and reporting to the developer at github.

 

[fullerorb7]

It says to Uninstal before reinstall.

I thought it would be a good idea to export my saved preferences.... but it Uninstalled my export data too

 

[fullerorb7]

[5.0+][ROOT][3.5.3] AFWall+ IPTables Firewall [28 JUN 2022]

Welcome to official support page for AFWall+ Disclaimer - As Usual. I'll not take any responsible if something goes wrong when using AFWall+ Introduction AFWall+ is an improved version of DroidWall(front-end application for the powerful...

forum.xda-developers.com

I'm not the 1st person this has happened to.

Dear dev. Please add this in a few places.
Step 1. Export data from free person version
Step 2. Install donate version.
Step 3. Import data from free person version to donate
Step 4. Disable the firewall on free
Step 5. Uninstall free version
Step 6. Enable firewall on donate

Each version is installed in its own folder... delete the app and you also delete the export data


___________________________________
Or you can be a non-lazy dev and setup the installation process of the donate apk to automatically do steps 1-6

Price increase of 1$ to 10$ I should have the right to call you a lazy dev

 

[IronTechmonkey]

[5.0+][ROOT][3.5.3] AFWall+ IPTables Firewall [28 JUN 2022]

Welcome to official support page for AFWall+ Disclaimer - As Usual. I'll not take any responsible if something goes wrong when using AFWall+ Introduction AFWall+ is an improved version of DroidWall(front-end application for the powerful...

forum.xda-developers.com

I'm not the 1st person this has happened to.

Dear dev. Please add this in a few places.
Step 1. Export data from free person version
Step 2. Install donate version.
Step 3. Import data from free person version to donate
Step 4. Disable the firewall on free
Step 5. Uninstall free version
Step 6. Enable firewall on donate

Each version is installed in its own folder... delete the app and you also delete the export data


___________________________________
Or you can be a non-lazy dev and setup the installation process of the donate apk to automatically do steps 1-6

Price increase of 1$ to 10$ I should have the right to call you a lazy dev

It's nice that you took the time to find that someone else experienced the same thing but the bad tone and unrealistic expectations of your first post undermined it. Seriously, who wants to listen to you trash the developer for something without even asking if there is a reason for it being that way or if it is even possible to change. Also, you also may be unaware of or unwilling to apply best practices that would have prevented the problem. At least in your second post you were more reasonable and provided a previous reference so... getting to the productive side of the conversation:

- It is apparent from subsequent responses to the quote you posted that the developer is aware of this and that other user acknowledged the developer's acknowledgment. A good way to follow that up would to ask (rather than demand) what's up with that previous request, and whether or not is this something that can be changed.

- There are many apps where beta, release, paid or free versions use different package names and therefore may (or may not) use the same set of configuration files. Regarding Afwall+ you might be able to find the reasons for by asking the developer why it is so.

- Best Practice: In any environment from home to large enterprise one of the most universal bits of advice for backing up any data is to immediately make a copy of the backup elsewhere. Simply put, if you're not doing that you're not protecting your backups. I don't say this to slam you, many people omit this step but one of the most important things about any backup is that you can access it later and that should be secured the moment you create the backup.

Although I've never needed to use those Afwall exported backups (because I use full app backups) I am also curious about why backups are saved where they are and whether or not they could be saved elsewhere.

 

[IronTechmonkey]

Regarding exporting rules and settings, some possible clarification:

Another previous report from someone who lost settings after a change in the installation: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...es-firewall-28-jun-2022.1957231/post-84816417

Those reports are from before a change in what Google allows; explanation from developer: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...es-firewall-28-jun-2022.1957231/post-84816775

The location of exported items is described in Afwall+ FAQ at Github https://github.com/ukanth/afwall/wiki/FAQ

"(50) Where are AFWall's settings stored?

Exported content like profiles are stored under your internal sdcard /sdcard0/afwall all other stuff is stored under /data/data/dec.ukanth.ufirewall/."

Although I do think it would be beneficial to have a more prevalent warning about the possibility of losing exported material when uninstalling, we are provided with information which indicates that location is a system/app location on the root path rather than user storage.

 

[fullerorb7]

It's nice that you took the time to find that someone else experienced the same thing but the bad tone and unrealistic expectations of your first post undermined it. Seriously, who wants to listen to you trash the developer for something without even asking if there is a reason for it being that way or if it is even possible to change. Also, you also may be unaware of or unwilling to apply best practices that would have prevented the problem. At least in your second post you were more reasonable and provided a previous reference so... getting to the productive side of the conversation:

- It is apparent from subsequent responses to the quote you posted that the developer is aware of this and that other user acknowledged the developer's acknowledgment. A good way to follow that up would to ask (rather than demand) what's up with that previous request, and whether or not is this something that can be changed.

- There are many apps where beta, release, paid or free versions use different package names and therefore may (or may not) use the same set of configuration files. Regarding Afwall+ you might be able to find the reasons for by asking the developer why it is so.

- Best Practice: In any environment from home to large enterprise one of the most universal bits of advice for backing up any data is to immediately make a copy of the backup elsewhere. Simply put, if you're not doing that you're not protecting your backups. I don't say this to slam you, many people omit this step but one of the most important things about any backup is that you can access it later and that should be secured the moment you create the backup.

Although I've never needed to use those Afwall exported backups (because I use full app backups) I am also curious about why backups are saved where they are and whether or not they could be saved elsewhere.

Your right. I'm sorry I was slightly... abnormally rude. Some other issues caused me to lash out and I shouldn't have.

After previously dealing with some other BS, I spent over an hour making the perfect settings on afwall+... and learning the app too.
I decided I liked the app enough to get premium.
I do what his instructions tell me to(uninstall the old version to avoid problems)... and all my EXPORTED data gets deleted.

1. He could have coded that problem away.(not required)
2. Just give a real set of ... instructions. My 1-5 step set that I just wrote would have prevented everything. ... I got the right to be upset.

Extreme but accurate analogy:
What if android didn't tell you after 3 login attempts you get a factory reset? And what if there was no option on your phone to disable that or change it to 20-30 attempts?

Bruh give me(or anyone who is fluent in multiple coding languages) the source code and access to Google... that wouldn't take a week... or max of two....
Now..... a simple set of instructions for this issue not to happen. 2 MIN!!!!!

those 2 minutes that he didn't want to spend(on just text instructions) wasted over 1 of my hours. And I paid him 10$.

{Mod edit: In reference to rule no. 2.1 inappropriate language removed. Oswald Boelcke, Senior Moderator}

 

[fullerorb7]

Some x years ago 10$ for its current state would be worth it.
I'm downloading netguard.... I think I'll use both of these simultaneously.

Netguard has a good logger that afwall doesn't have(which is the only reason I paid for premium)
I need to use netguard to figure out which app ID matches the logs in afwall+.

I am being a fool, yes, maybe a little too much, but what I'm saying can be reasoned with.

{Mod edit: In reference to rule no. 2.1 inappropriate language edited. Oswald Boelcke, Senior Moderator}

 

[fullerorb7]

Apps usually don't have an export function.
If there wasn't I'd use titaniumbackup like usual and be good

@dev
I know it doesnt sound like it, but you have my support. Good app. Just needs minor updates.

 

[Tom Mix]

@ukanth there are some out there knowing what you are trying inside the pile of called android
but remember: "a common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof
is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools"
keep on


@ consumers...
[OT]one should consider that this whole 'android-thing' is a WiP and no guarantee/warranty is given at anytime for anything!
so everything based or operating on this immature alpha-code merchant platform will fail, sooner or later!
luckily nobody cares about that [/OT]
keep on consuming

@IronTechmonkey
nobody RTFM

 

[IronTechmonkey]

nobody RTFM

People who don't want to lose their data or the data of the people they support do RTFM and if they fail to do so the loss is nobody's fault but their own.

 

[IronTechmonkey]

I appreciate that you mitigated your initial tone but you’re still all over the road and factually wrong about some things. There’s no need for the continued verbal abuse as you’ve already made a point, so distilling things back down to the issue at hand and clarifying a few things here we go…

1. He could have coded that problem away. (not required)

Experience with some (but not all) other apps would seem to indicate that is true but we don’t know that until the dev speaks to it. That is why it is logical to ask before criticizing.

2. Just give a real set of ... instructions.

Yes, instructions for exporting which include a reminder that the data export will be in the app folder could have prevented the loss but if you had followed due diligence this would not have happened. In the universe of rooted devices there is a reasonable expectation on users to understand the ramifications of their actions (IE due diligence). Afwall may have been able to prevent this loss but since we don’t know that for sure the responsibility is ours.

… give me(or anyone who is fluent in multiple coding languages) the source code and access to Google... that wouldn't take a week... or max of two....
Now..... a simple set of instructions for this issue not to happen. 2 MIN!!!!!

those 2 minutes that he didn't want to spend(on just text instructions) wasted over 1 of my hours. And I paid him 10$.

Then stop squawking and go design a better firewall app. Not only did you not do your due diligence to protect your data even though the information was available to remind you to do so but you seem to have no idea about the reasons for the developer’s recent light presence. I'm looking forward to seeing your shiny new and perfectly behaved IP tables based android firewall app shortly but in the meantime I'll get back on topic in the next post. .

 

[IronTechmonkey]

I posted this reply separate the because it’s actually about on topic of issue you reported unlike most of the previous stuff.

Some x years ago 10$ for its current state would be worth it.
I'm downloading netguard.... I think I'll use both of these simultaneously.

Netguard has a good logger that afwall doesn't have(which is the only reason I paid for premium)
I need to use netguard to figure out which app ID matches the logs in afwall+.

Netguard’s logging features are indeed sprawling and robust. That being said, because Netguard uses VPN instead of IP tables (which is why you may be able to run both simultaneously) there may be different limitations regarding logging, most notably because Netguard does not require root while Afwall+ does require root. I’m not saying this is so but considering it as a possible factor.

Apps usually don't have an export function.

This is inaccurate. Not only do many apps have an export function but some can export any of a number of different configurations for the given app, some allow a choice of location, and some come no choice but with a reminder to go get your backup before the app gets deleted.

I know it doesnt sound like it, but you have my support. Good app. Just needs minor updates.

I don’t care about whether you like the app or not. I care about having a respectful and productive dialog, and keeping in mind the request at hand. Regarding that request alone: Call me a +1 for having some way to preserve exported data when the app is uninstalled, or to get an explanation of why that cannot be done if it cannot be done.

 

[fullerorb7]

Then stop squawking and go design a better firewall app. Not only did you not do your due diligence to protect your data even though the information was available to remind you to do so but you seem to have no idea about the reasons for the developer’s recent light presence. I'm looking forward to seeing your shiny new and perfectly behaved IP tables based android firewall app shortly but in the meantime I'll get back on topic in the next post. .

He made a good app. I'm impressed. I don't mind spending 10$.
I'll continue to use it.

A reason for the 500-900% price increase would be ideal.
I'm saying goodbye to this thread now...... sorry for being a fool once again.

I'm a failing addict and can't manage my own priorities. I won't be making one.

{Mod edit: In reference to rule no. 2.1 inappropriate language edited. XDA is a website for all ages. Please watch your language! Oswald Boelcke, Senior Moderator}

 

[gigel20007]

Is there a working guide to enable init.d on Android 11? Using magisk. I tried mounting rw and adding a rc file in /system/etc/init like in this stackexchange answer https://android.stackexchange.com/a/214753 but get rejected with No space left on device

 

[deechte]

Hi, I've found that AFWall+ sometimes is set to disabled after a device reboot. I have to go into the application and enable it again. Is Android 13 not supported yet maybe?

 

[dope77]

Hi, I've found that AFWall+ sometimes is set to disabled after a device reboot. I have to go into the application and enable it again. Is Android 13 not supported yet maybe?

Ye works well on Android 13.
But the issue you're talking about exists even on Android 10-12, afwall randomly fails to apply rules for no reason.

 

[deechte]

Ye works well on Android 13.
But the issue you're talking about exists even on Android 10-12, afwall randomly fails to apply rules for no reason.

Thank you. Would it be possible to get a notification about that, to your knowledge? In order to not leave such a situation unnoticed.