[Q&A] How to block OTA updates - Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Forgive me if this was so obvious that everyone already figured it out, and I'm just the last person to get it
I was looking for a way to block OTA updates on my rooted Transformer, but didn't find anything. Some brief testing with Shark provided a solution.
When my transformer checks for an OTA update, it is goes to https://mdm.asus.com
Adding the following line to your hosts file will effectively block OTA updates:
127.0.0.1 mdm.asus.com
Hope this helps

Can any others confirm this in fact works? I have been searching for a surefire way to block OTA's and so far haven't found one that appeared to be 100%. Lots of different thoughts on how to do it, but nothing solid. This would be great, easy, if we know it works 100%. Would love to hear from others that have done this and seen success. Not that I don't trust you jemarti, just want to be sure

If you have root just freeze/disable DMClient

Related

What is required to Root an Android phone?

I have been rooting/jailbreaking phones for years now. For me it is something I cannot live without anymore.
I know there are tons of people that are constantly working on finding new exploits and I'm very appreciative of their time.
In all of my time doing this I have never fully understood what is required to root a phone. It seems like now the devs are so good they'll make a one click root, or 3 click root/nand unlock GUI for us. Which is nice, and saves me time. But I would really like to understand it better and maybe start contributing a little more. I've searched in a couple forums for just a good explanation on what needs to be done and havent found anything. I'd like to know where would someone even start to look for an exploit, what they would do with that exploit, why some exploit would/would not work, etc. Also once that exploit is found, what needs to be changed to allow file modifications, etc.
Does someone mind explaining, or linking me somewhere to read more about what the full process is?? I realize every phone is different. But for the most part it is the same thing that has to happen on every phone.
TIA.
The root exploits I have looked at all show finagling with root permissions.
That is, you need to launch a process that you can access that has root permissions.
So if telnetd gets launched and there's no check on authentication for logging in....
or if the binary for su gets changed so that it permits you to call it from non-root accounts....
Anyway, I'd welcome a clear explanation too.
-wigout

[HOW TO] disable OTA updates

Forgive me if this is the wrong section and I know there are some threads on it, but not specific enough in my opinion as to how this device works. I was going to go to General, but I figured this was important regarding possible impending doom to our phones should a critical update be released. I've seen a lot of confusion throughout some threads on disabling updates. While the process is mostly the same for almost any phone, there is still a lot of different information out there so I figured I'd explain it pertaining directly to i337 owners.
Let's get started, shall we?
1. You'll need to be rooted - see the thread on rooting your phone in original development by djrbliss
2. Once rooted, get Titanium Backup (yes I know there are other ways, but this is the most straight forward - feel free to add if you think there is a better way)
3. Once in Titanium Backup, go to the backup/restore tab at the top and find the following three items on the list:
-keychain
-fwupdater
-AT&T software updater
4. Click on each one individually and hit the "freeze" button at the top. I'm not positive that the fwupdater and keychain will need to be blocked along with the software updater, but it certainly wont hurt anything and it is a general prereq on most phones to disable ota updates.
5. As soon as you disable them (specifically the AT&T one), you'll notice that your postponed notification will be gone. If you did the OTA update already, you wont receive them anymore which is probably a good thing until the unlock is released.
I just figured I'd post this here to be safe rather than sorry. I don't claim to be a professional with these devices and am certainly not a developer so don't flame me, but I thought I'd post and try to be as accurate as possible for those questioning these updates.
Always know that when using root to modify system files, you run the risk of bricking your device. If you are willing to accept this risk and know that your device can be rendered unusable, then proceed with caution. See you all on the other side when we are unlocked!
Just an FYI, I posted this yesterday...
OTA Update now available! - Update: Instructions to block if desired
Using a slightly different method... But works all the same.
Moved to general forum, please pay attention to what forum you are posting to
Just found that actually. I'm sorry about that. I guess it doesn't hurt to have two of them, but I didn't mean to take over yours.

[Q] blocking ads in apps

hello all,
i just bought nexus 5.... i am kind of noob when it comes to android.
is there i can block all annoying ads that crops up within apps and browser?
i dont want to risk rooting my phone.
pls suggest me easiest, secure way to do this....
thanks.
You can try opting out from Ads from Google Settings but the only way to get rid of all the ads is to use an app like adaway which needs root. I don't know why you think it's a risk rooting your phone?? You can get back to stock anytime to claim warranty.
vin4yak said:
You can try opting out from Ads from Google Settings but the only way to get rid of all the ads is to use an app like adaway which needs root. I don't know why you think it's a risk rooting your phone?? You can get back to stock anytime to claim warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello
since i am new to android, i dont want to mess up/experiment on my phone. atleast till i get hang of it.
i used play a lot with my N95 before. so, till i get firm grasp on android inner workings, i wouldnt want to do anything with its in built features.
further, rooting is bit too technical for me..... there is no application that can root with just a click like it existed with S60 V3 OS.....
so will wait till such a thing comes up.
Try to find in playstore
lambo98 said:
Try to find in playstore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank u for this grt suggestion.
fyi: all ad blocking apps r removed from playstore. only detectors r whats there.
ags84 said:
further, rooting is bit too technical for me..... there is no application that can root with just a click like it existed with S60 V3 OS.....
so will wait till such a thing comes up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though there are tools available to do this (simple search on xda will locate those), you really should take the time to understand the 4-5 (simple) steps involved in rooting. That way, you know exactly what is happening (versus a toolkit that will attempt to do everything for you, and just tell you "all done" - without you having a clue about what really happened). The advantage of understanding these steps is that later, if you want to install an update or want to switch kernels and read a guide that tells you to flash "xyz", or restore from nandroid etc, you will not be clueless. Or if somebody tries to help you with an issue, and asks you to go your recovery, you won't be asking "how do I go to recovery screen"
My suggestion: If you are ever planning to root your Nexus 5, read the first 2 posts at http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...ide-nexus-5-how-to-unlock-bootloader-t2507905 - especially the parts highlighted in red.
Then, read it again <-- repeat till you understand it. If you have questions, read/search that thread to see if somebody already asked that question - and if not, ask in that thread.
The Nexus is probably the easiest device to root. But don't root till you are comfortable with it, and understand the steps involved.
Since you mentioned in your first post that you didn't want to root, you could try https://adblockplus.org/en/about
I must admit that I tried it once and wasn't able to get it to work right, and so I just installed adaway (that requires root) instead.
jj14 said:
Even though there are tools available to do this (simple search on xda will locate those), you really should take the time to understand the 4-5 (simple) steps involved in rooting. That way, you know exactly what is happening (versus a toolkit that will attempt to do everything for you, and just tell you "all done" - without you having a clue about what really happened). The advantage of understanding these steps is that later, if you want to install an update or want to switch kernels and read a guide that tells you to flash "xyz", or restore from nandroid etc, you will not be clueless. Or if somebody tries to help you with an issue, and asks you to go your recovery, you won't be asking "how do I go to recovery screen"
My suggestion: If you are ever planning to root your Nexus 5, read the first 2 posts at http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...ide-nexus-5-how-to-unlock-bootloader-t2507905 - especially the parts highlighted in red.
Then, read it again <-- repeat till you understand it. If you have questions, read/search that thread to see if somebody already asked that question - and if not, ask in that thread.
The Nexus is probably the easiest device to root. But don't root till you are comfortable with it, and understand the steps involved.
Since you mentioned in your first post that you didn't want to root, you could try https://adblockplus.org/en/about
I must admit that I tried it once and wasn't able to get it to work right, and so I just installed adaway (that requires root) instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for the insight.
i am reading it and will root only after i fully understand it.
i did try adblockplus. got it when i searched on google.
as u said, it doesnt work right..... so i thought of asking it here as it is comman problem faced by many android users.
cheers.
ags84 said:
thank you for the insight.
i am reading it and will root only after i fully understand it.
i did try adblockplus. got it when i searched on google.
as u said, it doesnt work right..... so i thought of asking it here as it is comman problem faced by many android users.
cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ad Block Plus got nuked by Google, unfortunately. You need root to do this for all apps and on all connection types.
ags84 said:
i am reading it and will root only after i fully understand it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good on you to take the time to learn.
Short of rooting your phone and installing an ad-blocker, you would have to pay for "pro" versions of apps you use, which often remove ads from the app as part of the upgrade.
MoaAB hands down is the best add blocker! But u need root...
(Mother of all Add Blockers)
Nothing is going to fully block ads without root. Nope. ?
For unrooted try Andblock (not ABP) http://code.google.com/p/andblock/
You need to import a host file (menu > import), and set Port to 8080
Blocks web ads only
Lord Childe said:
For unrooted try Andblock (not ABD) http://code.google.com/p/andblock/
You need to import a host file (menu > import), and set Port to 8080
Blocks web ads only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just for browsers you mean? If that's the case you can just use AdBlock Plus extensions/addons for your respective browser.
Adblock (unrooted, side load APK) will still work for WiFi just not on a data connection and needs to be setup as a proxy, or is it just for data? Can't remember.
bblzd said:
So just for browsers you mean? If that's the case you can just use Ad Block Plus extensions/addons for your respective browser.
Adblock (unrooted, side load APK) will still work for WiFi just not on a data connection and needs to be setup as a proxy, or is it just for data? Can't remember.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It’s plugged as ‘Andblock’, yet the app is named ‘Adblock’ – very confusing. And I’m sure it’s intentional, given the similarities with ABP.
Before I rooted my device I used Andblock (Adblock) – it works with 3g/4g, whereas ABP unrooted only works over wifi. Anyway, standalone ABP for Android is riddled with bugs and inconsistencies – brilliant as a FF addon in Windows, might be good as a browser ext. for Android - but if you're unrooted and use a browser that hasn’t got an ABP ext. then you’re buggered.
A device isn’t completely free of ads even with root - the famed MoaAB doesn't block every app ad.

[Style 2] Anyone know any info about Poot-debug(W100).apk?

I have come across a few tutorials claiming this app can get root, but I've never heard of it and so I will not try it fit fear of breaking my phone. Just wondering if this is known malware or at least semi legit? I stress that no one actually try it unless you're ready to not be able to use that phone again, but if any brave soul is willing to take the risk I'd be interested in any info.
It's not in any way legit as far as I can tell. I ran across it while looking for an easy way to root my phone and the APK turned out to be PUP adware that tried to gain device admin privs. At first I wondered if I just got a bad package, but I was never able to find a legit version. I did test the APK I had (out of pure curiosity), and it didn't actually install a launchable application at all. Just a hidden app that runs as a device admin and randomly launches the web browser and redirects to various ads. (Malwarebytes can detect and remove what seems to be all traces of it.)

Block nagging update requests?

Is there a way to stop the update requests for Oreo?
I updated last week and some apps I use a lot quit so I went back but haven't figured out how to block the requests.
I see it asking for rights to storage and I can tell it to not ask again. Maybe that's all I need to do. But I also don't want to get it where I can't update if I want to.

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