[HOW TO] Remove ads using adfree android

[JonasDroid]

This was created when we didn't have S-OFF yet.
If you have S-OFF or /system overlay script you won't need to go through all the steps simply download adfree android.
I know most of you will be able to do this. But I believe that it might not be as easy for the beginners. So here is a little walk through.

!NEEDs ROOT!

1. Download Adfree Android
2. Wait for it to determine local hosts then click on download and install hosts.
Now it will try to replace /system/etc/hosts but fail (it should reboot the phone but it didn't reboot mine)
4. go to adb and reboot your phone into recovery (with power on+volume down OR the command: "adb reboot recovery")
5. Open up the recovery-windows (start recovery-windows (make sure your in the right directory))
6. mount your system and sdcard you might be able to just use mount and mount everything but I've mounted them serperatly.
Here's how: "adb shell mount /system" next "adb shell mount /sdcard"
7. Now we're going to put it in the etc directory where it should be: "adb shell cp /sdcard/hosts /system/etc"
8. reboot the phone ("adb reboot")

That should remove most of the adds.

I know it's explained on a really low level of knowledge but I wanted to make it accessible for all of you.

Only the needed codes:

1. adb reboot recovery
2. start recovery-windows
3. adb shell mount /system
4. adb shell mount /sdcard
5. adb shell cp /sdcard/hosts /system/etc
6. adb reboot

 

[deimdos]

has it the option to only block browser ads? when I tried it time ago it couldn't. I don't like to block the app ads

 

[JonasDroid]

No it removes the adds everywhere. It simply blocks the links to adds. it doesn't actually remove them. they are still being called but they just don't show up.

 

[PirateNL]

Hi,

I have this very same problem for a long time now, with the constant reboots etc.

Followed your steps, but after the reboot, as soon as I press the button to update the hostfile, it reboots my phone

Thanks anyway...

 

[JonasDroid]

Hi,

I have this very same problem for a long time now, with the constant reboots etc.

Followed your steps, but after the reboot, as soon as I press the button to update the hostfile, it reboots my phone

Thanks anyway...

Do you have root access?
Have you checked if the hosts file is at the root of your SD?

 

[TheGrammarFreak]

A good guide, if a little misplaced, but another option is the /system overlay.

 

[PirateNL]

Do you have root access?
Have you checked if the hosts file is at the root of your SD?

Yes and yes

 

[loogielv]

where is the most recent hosts file? I'm using a vibrant and it says it worked, but of course, it doesn't. And it doesn't copy the hosts file to my sdcard either ? odd

 

[mrle9]

Hello ,

Finally I got Adfree working

Ok it's not perfect because app continue to reboot the phone after updating the hosts file ,
and we need to copy it manually in recovery mode but it better than nothing

Thank you very much JonasDroid for this little How to .

PS:
For me step 5

5. adb cp /sdcard/hosts /system/etc

was

adb shell cp /sdcard/hosts /system/etc

Bye.

 

[JonasDroid]

Yeah indeed its adb shell cp thx for letting me know

Sent from my Legend using XDA App

 

[unknhawk]

Can you link me the apk of adfree? I can't download the app from my phone

 

[chansthename]

BTW it's 'ADs" single d
short for advertisment (notice the single d?)

 

[JonasDroid]

Fixed that English is not my main language

Sent from my Legend using XDA App

 

[GroovyGeek]

5. Open up the recovery-windows (start recovery-windows (make sure your in the right directory))

Can't get "start recovery-windows" to work. What is the "right directory"?

Things seems to have worked for me without that portion. Many thanks, I will now change my review in the market for that app from one star to three stars. If they include a note describing this problem upfront I may bump it up further.

 

[JonasDroid]

It could simply be called start recovery (depending on where you got your rooting tools)(if you've got the from The Unlockr you'll need the -windows)

If you have S-OFF or if you use an /system overlay script these steps aren't needed. (It was created when we didn't have S-OFF for our legends yet.)

 

[CrazyPeter]

Anyone having problems with adfree scripts on Legend since Froyo update? Neve had a problem witha rooted 2.1, but have lots of problems since rooted Froyo 2.2

It seems HTC may have some service which is checking for modifications to symlinks etc.

 

[frullewulle]

When I run adfree in my S-off CM7, i get an java.io.EOFException.
Someone else having this?

 

[oysteivi]

I had some problems at first, but reinstalling adfree android from market seemed to help. No problem now with CM7 (01/03 from ali ba) and s-off.

 

[xwolfn]

adfree no block ads!

Hi,
i install the adfree on my legend with 2.2 with sense.
i did download the host from the app all work ok got a message say it was success install and need to restart the phone.
i did it but still get all the ad like before on all apps.

pls help!

 

[JonasDroid]

Have you followed the steps? (explained in first post)
Note that you should have a rooted legend (if you don't know what that is then you don't have one)