I recently installed the NoRoot Firewall app so I see which apps are accessing the internet and block those which shouldn't need access. The good part is that I haven't seen any apps access the internet that shouldn't - no flashlights, notepads, etc.
The problem is that I'm seeing some apps that will need internet access trying to connect dozens of times. I haven't used soundhound in months and it's trying to connect dozens of times in a half hour period. There are other apps that I rarely use that are trying to connect once in a while, like flickr, cloud drive (which isn't even set up), that I wish I could disable unless I need it, but I can live with those.
My questions are:
Why are some apps connecting so often when they're not in use?
Is there a way to disable apps from making connections until I'm actively trying to use them?
Thanks.
jrocket said:
My questions are:
Why are some apps connecting so often when they're not in use?
Is there a way to disable apps from making connections until I'm actively trying to use them?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're connecting because they want to sync or maybe load some infos in the background. You can force them into hibernate mode with Greenify, but should all only work perfectly with root. Else you can't directly access the internet access.
Try Greenify and you will see if it works event without root. Not the best solution but a good beginning
Skulldiver said:
They're connecting because they want to sync or maybe load some infos in the background. You can force them into hibernate mode with Greenify, but should all only work perfectly with root. Else you can't directly access the internet access.
Try Greenify and you will see if it works event without root. Not the best solution but a good beginning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know they're trying to connect, but my thinking is that they shouldn't when there's no account set up and all notifications are disabled. With apps like evernote where they're set to sync every few hours that makes sense, but if it's not serving ads, and there's no account to sync, I don't see why it needs to connect. I'm sure the app dev thinks it needs to, but I wish there was a way I could better control it.
I'll try greenify, thanks for the suggestion.
Related
I can often use wifi for free, while 2G/3G has a cost per MB. I'm sure many are in the same situation.
When I'm on wifi, I'd like to have e-mails, TimeScape, weather, contacts, etc synced quite often. (As my current settings allow.)
When I switch to 2G/3G, I don't want these apps to sync, unless I ask them to.
Is there an app to control which apps get to use 2G/3G, or even to store different sets of permissions (one set for wifi, another for G)? Or perhaps an app to change sync times for all apps? Or perhaps the "background data" option in google sync has something to do with this?
I think I have seen a similar thread, but 30 minutes of searching didn't help, sorry.
Well, one app i know is Droid Wall but is not working on X10 yet
At least i couldn't get it to work.
You might want to give it a try but, you will need some iptables modules for kernel and iptables binary.
If you find a different app or you have success with Droid Wall please let me know.
Installed Skype, because I use it ocasionally. Added it to some task killer to prevent it to start at boot time. I reboot, it's on. I take an other task killer, kill it. Still on.
I go in Skype, logout; I try relogin, it asks me for password.
How to make it behave like on my computer ? have it run only when I need it, have it off when I don't need it, and make it NOT ask me password when I login ?
Where is the "quit" button ? quit without forgetting the password !
Short WA: rename the package in /data/app, and reboot. But ... really, isn't there a nicer solution ?
I don't have any problems. Go to Skype settings and change the go offline time.
Have you tried the market for stop skype type apps? I used to use stop skype but apparently this doesn't work with the latest version. There are other out there though...
Unless it's actually using battery, there's no reason to kill it. You're just wasting more battery and resources by using a task killer. Android does a decent job of managing memory on its own, so let it.
If it bothers you THAT much, or if it's eating through battery, freeze it with Titanium Backup. I believe you'll need the Pro key to freeze apps. With the free version you can make a backup of it (this will save your password) and uninstall it when you're not using it. Just restore your backup when you need to use it. Freezing is a lot easier, though.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Skype has a lot of hooks for when it starts, so if you took it out of startup then it might be in connection changed or something like that.
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500
plainjane it's not draining my battery, it's draining my data plan !!! and when on data plan, since Skype is banned by my phone provider, my friends see me go online-offline every 20s ... I keep blinking and ennoying them. I want Skype to run only when I am on Wifi, and disable it when on GSM. All other apps have options in Prefs ... Skype doesn't. Skype just sux. So, the easy fix would have been to do like other naighty apps: use Tasker to ask it to kill Skype when no wifi is available, and Skype restarts itself ...
You all guided me to something I had not found yesterday; changed the conf, will see tomorow.
TB is a good idea; did not pay yet, but I may pay for pro, for other reasons. But I have other things to test before that.
Thanks for chat.
A recent update seems to have ruined Skype TBH. I switched to Viber but you could also try Fring.
Skype now behaves more like a virus than an app for me.
I didn't think about the data thing, I'm used to having unlimited data & I'm usually on wifi anyway.
If it's a data thing, try using Droidwall. In Droidwall you can deny connectivity over mobile data or wifi. Just deny it over mobile data & allow it over wifi. The app may still run, but it won't be able to connect. Be sure to select menu > apply rules, just checking the box won't do anything. Also ensure that the firewall is enabled, and enable the log as well so you can check to see that it's being blocked. The app is free and works well, I use it for other things.
It's not a permanent solution, but it will keep it from eating your data until you find a way to stop it.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
plainjane i have found how to tell Skype to never connect anymore; I will still install droidwall for other reasons.
I don't mind that much about data plan cost; but my friends complained I was blinking, and boring them
Fring is not an alternative; Fring no longer supports Skype (Skype complained to Fring, and frorced Fring to remove their internal skype-compatibility-plugin); I am not asking for free voice calls; I need Skype specifically, for their uniq services (Skype Out to call foreign number at low cost, and Skype-only contacts ... friends who are too lame to use anything else than Skype ... ).
I could WA my provider limitations and disconnecting issue by activating my tunnel (tunnels will ensure quality service, prevent discos, and re-establish connexions transparently when my providers shut's down the link; transparent for app, and fast enough to "not see any disconnexion at application level", just some lag ).
But my root issue was to get Skype not start at boot, and shut-up when i am bored. And if the next Skype update removes the options you helped me to discover, I will activate DroidWall which looks very nice
Thanks, issue fixed.
Apps not working when connected to WiFi.....apps background sync doesn't work when connected to WiFi......please help me....I am using stock android
Probably an issue with your WiFi. Can you open a browser? Does it work?
Browsing works....but the background sync doesn't work
amitkapate said:
Browsing works....but the background sync doesn't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by apps don't work on Wi-Fi? Also, the apps that don't sync, which ones and is back getting syncing enabled.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Delete and re-install it...
Means the I get Facebook notifications when mobile n/w is on.....but when I connect to WiFi there is no notifications.... Same with whatsapp also
BAckground Apps IsSue
amitkapate said:
Means the I get Facebook notifications when mobile n/w is on.....but when I connect to WiFi there is no notifications.... Same with whatsapp also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I have recently started having the same issues with my F6 not being able to load any background data as well. I believe your solution can lye within the apps that are being used. I Use a stock ROM too for my phone as there are no others out yet for it, and so, I also use ROM toolbox. This morning i could not for the life of me remember what i was doing to make the phone function this way, but remembered that i was dabbling with the DNS and server operations on ROM toolbox the night prier. I was a bit frustrated that there was no easy answer posted anywhere online (google) and had to figure it out myself.. (not so bad) . and since i have been constantly figuring out my ROMS abilities on STOCK I have acquired much knowledge for the F6 root and recover operations. IF you are having problems with any data being transmitted between apps and have been disabling ads through ROM toolbox be sure to make the right changes. For when you wake up to having no data app connection and your clearly connected to the internet it can become jarring.
hope this helps
How can I force a specific app not to use mobile data but only WIFI?
My use case is:
I like reading news through Play Newsstand, but it uses up way too much data for my plan... I would be happy to let it sync every night through WIFI and then just read the stuff from yesterday, without it constantly pulling new stuff using tens of MBs.
Any way to do that without using flight mode every time??
Thanks!
Disable background data on the app
Settings > Data > choose app then restrict background of said app.
radicalisto said:
Disable background data on the app
Settings > Data > choose app then restrict background of said app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked at that already, but for example today I see 25MB of Foreground data and only 5MB of background data, enough to make me think that the effect of that flag would be minimal.
In fact, the most data is downloaded while I use the app rather than in background.
Anything else I could try? I am also rooted.
Hmm, Xprivacy (xposed module) may work although I have never personally used it. But from what I have read about it, it restricts app data etc. Give it a whirl and see perhaps?
The play newsstand app has it's own setting:
'Download via Wi-Fi only'
Does this not work as advertised, or am I missing something?
eddiehk6 said:
The play newsstand app has it's own setting:
'Download via Wi-Fi only'
Does this not work as advertised, or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not unfortunately
That flag only controls how data is synced in the background, but my problem is when I actually open the app to read the news. In that particular moment it starts downloading all news (and images) for the feed I open every time, and that generates tens of MB of mobile traffic.
Gatz said:
It does not unfortunately
That flag only controls how data is synced in the background, but my problem is when I actually open the app to read the news. In that particular moment it starts downloading all news (and images) for the feed I open every time, and that generates tens of MB of mobile traffic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could get a firewall program (maybe you'll need root for it), and block it from accessing 3G (but allow through wifi)
then use tasker to turn on wifi when you are using the app. this way, the app will never use 3G
radicalisto said:
Hmm, Xprivacy (xposed module) may work although I have never personally used it. But from what I have read about it, it restricts app data etc. Give it a whirl and see perhaps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
paperWastage said:
you could get a firewall program (maybe you'll need root for it), and block it from accessing 3G (but allow through wifi)
then use tasker to turn on wifi when you are using the app. this way, the app will never use 3G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestions.
I could try both, but waiting for Android 4.4.3 to install Xposed.
If any of those can do "Prevent app XYZ from using mobile data" then it's fine.
Xprivacy could be a better choice as it doesn't sound like it's going to use up as much cpu/mem/battery as a firewall.
Gatz said:
Thanks for the suggestions.
I could try both, but waiting for Android 4.4.3 to install Xposed.
If any of those can do "Prevent app XYZ from using mobile data" then it's fine.
Xprivacy could be a better choice as it doesn't sound like it's going to use up as much cpu/mem/battery as a firewall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm using Xprivacy... XPrivacy isn't completely foolproof either.
there's an option to block "internet".
In android, you can call "isConnected()" function to check if you are connected, and then not do anything. XPrivacy overrides that function and can return "false".
however, apps can "ignore" or not use those functions, and just force it's way to connect to the internet. it can still succeed (you can test to see if this happens)...
firewall shouldn't be using a lot of your CPU cycles...
paperWastage said:
i'm using Xprivacy... XPrivacy isn't completely foolproof either.
there's an option to block "internet".
In android, you can call "isConnected()" function to check if you are connected, and then not do anything. XPrivacy overrides that function and can return "false".
however, apps can "ignore" or not use those functions, and just force it's way to connect to the internet. it can still succeed (you can test to see if this happens)...
firewall shouldn't be using a lot of your CPU cycles...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Could you suggest a firewall app in particular, considering that I don't need advanced functions at all, but merely the bit to turn mobile data off?
Gatz said:
It does not unfortunately
That flag only controls how data is synced in the background, but my problem is when I actually open the app to read the news. In that particular moment it starts downloading all news (and images) for the feed I open every time, and that generates tens of MB of mobile traffic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol 'Download via Wi-Fi only' is a misleading setting!
Another possible way, xposed and 'App Settings' module, could also prevent internet access I believe, but not sure if it can specifically block mobile only.
eddiehk6 said:
Lol 'Download via Wi-Fi only' is a misleading setting!
Another possible way, xposed and 'App Settings' module, could also prevent internet access I believe, but not sure if it can specifically block mobile only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI, AFWall+ seems to work just fine!
I will also maybe try Xprivacy when 4.4.3 comes out and I will install Xposed.
So far, happy with the firewall approach, might come in handy for more apps that I want to prevent from using up data when underway.
So after upgrading to marshmallow Portal doesn't work. It keeps trying to download even though everything been downloaded and then says there was an error. I've uninstalled and reinstalled a few times and each time it installs it downloads the data fine and let's me play. Once I close it and reopen it it does the same download and fails. Turning off wifi makes it work but that's annoying.
Is there a way to just stop the app from accessing internet as of my wifi was off?
Hawkhell said:
Is there a way to just stop the app from accessing internet as of my wifi was off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course! Netguard. The best firewall for Android.
Niii4 said:
Of course! Netguard. The best firewall for Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried all those apps and it still has the download and fail crap. I spend over an hour last night using all of those apps.
Did you configure Netguard properly?
I believe so. I'm fairly sure I've tried everything with the app. I tested it on Facebook and Facebook wouldn't connect.
You should block WiFi and mobile by default. Also, show and edit system apps! Maybe the game uses a system app to go online.
Looks like it uses Google Play services.