New malware threat - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

This just came out:
http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlab...s-dogecoins-and-litecoins-for-bitcoin-payout/
In summary, an app legitimately installed from Play Store can use your bandwidth, CPU power, and battery power to mine bitcoins for the developer, shortening your battery life, extending charging times, and using your data plan costing you money.
What I need from you guys in light of this is recommendations for an app permission denial app that works on Jellybean and kitkat. I want to be able to completely disable internet access for any app I choose. I used to use LBE Privacy Guard but it's ratings have taken a nosedive. Any suggestions?

Wow nobody cares it seems. That blows my mind considering the gravity of Play Store apps being discovered to contain malware 2 years in a row now.

omnius1 said:
This just came out:
http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlab...s-dogecoins-and-litecoins-for-bitcoin-payout/
In summary, an app legitimately installed from Play Store can use your bandwidth, CPU power, and battery power to mine bitcoins for the developer, shortening your battery life, extending charging times, and using your data plan costing you money.
What I need from you guys in light of this is recommendations for an app permission denial app that works on Jellybean and kitkat. I want to be able to completely disable internet access for any app I choose. I used to use LBE Privacy Guard but it's ratings have taken a nosedive. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use Xposed module called as XPrivacy.
It can deny permissions of apps. I don't know if it works on JB or Kitkat.

Related

Anti-virus/malware

Anybody use an anti-virus or anti-malware app like Lookout or Kaspersky Mobile? Is it even necessary and do they have any adverse affects on functionality or battery life?
Never used any anti-virus apps in the 2 years I've been rooting my android phones. I've literally downloaded hundreds of zip files and flashed them onto my old moment and my current shift. Also I never use task killers.
Edit: Forgot to mention the effects on battery life, I cannot say for anti-virus on my phones but that is the reason I stopped using task killers, even if u kill the application it will keep trying to run in the background, same thing happens with the anti-virus apps. Plus the anti-virus app will pop up a notification asking you permission for everything, and scans every single last file you download. Correct me if I'm wrong just the experience I had bc i had to convince my gf family to take the anti-virus/task killers off their phones bc it was just wasting their battery life.
DWake014 said:
Edit: Forgot to mention the effects on battery life, I cannot say for anti-virus on my phones but that is the reason I stopped using task killers, even if u kill the application it will keep trying to run in the background, same thing happens with the anti-virus apps. Plus the anti-virus app will pop up a notification asking you permission for everything, and scans every single last file you download. Correct me if I'm wrong just the experience I had bc i had to convince my gf family to take the anti-virus/task killers off their phones bc it was just wasting their battery life.
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Click to collapse
That's what I'm wondering. I don't mind the pop-ups every time you download something but if it saps battery life, that would be a deal-breaker for me.
No noticeable difference with battery life. I use lookout only for locating phone and to make phone alarm from a secure web site. Once htcsense fixes/ improves their beta program of performing these same tasks I will use that
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Lookout is a must have
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
I have used lookout several times and have not noticed any effect on battery life.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
I'm using NetQin Mobile Security Pro (it's free in the market)... Haven't really tested it much but seems really smooth and has a lot of positive reviews. It gives you a lot of options like managing data traffic, backup contacts, and phone finder (some extra features require pro membership). But yeah... It's not all that important with Android but there is always a slim chance you download a malicious app or something, never know.
I have lookout running and haven't noticed any real extra usage in battery because of it.
I used to use Advanced task killer but found it more of a nuisance. Never worried about anti-virus since everything is screened by google before being hosted in the market and if something gets by the can remotely uninstall it, then a hard reset will fix anything that the app could have damaged.
bckoolaid said:
I used to use Advanced task killer but found it more of a nuisance. Never worried about anti-virus since everything is screened by google before being hosted in the market and if something gets by the can remotely uninstall it, then a hard reset will fix anything that the app could have damaged.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought Google let anything on their market, but screened apps brought to their attention by users or companies like Lookout. In fact, Lookout has reported many malicious apps in Google's market.
Plus a co-worker's wife was a victim of a malicious app from Google's market. It started making unwanted calls and texts. I think the extra safety net is worth the minor battery drain. I notice no difference in battery or performance. I still get well over 16 hours of battery (I still have 40% at that time). I use Lookout too since they seem to be the one reporting most malicious apps found.
So I've been using Lookout since yesterday and haven't noticed any difference in my battery life.
Just a quick tip for Lookout - you can schedule when you want it to scan all of your files in the settings. (for those concerned with battery life impact due to scanning).
Yup. I just have it set to scan once a week.
I use lookout and still get great battery life.
Sent from my 3VO using XDA App
Lookout is awesome. the way i see it, it scans my apps to make sure no bad app slipped through the cracks and most importantly i can "scream" my phone anytime from the website. also, the wipe feature is for premium customers but my thinking is that you could purchase at the time of losing the phone and still be able to lock and wipe the phone. definitely a must-have.
I use Lookout, I've used a few other anti malware apps and didn't like them. To many malicious apps on the Market to not have it.
Google only checks apps if they receive complaints.
Anybody have experience with Antivirus Free from Creative Apps? Seems to be less of a memory hog but I'm not sure how effective it is.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.zrgiu.antivirus
Anyone tried Super Security Standard? I've seemed to have good luck with it and it only scans when I tell it to or when I dowloadan app.
Kaspersky is developing a great mobile solution as well. One of the, if not the best desktop antivirus solutions next to NOD32
VoXPCS said:
Kaspersky is developing a great mobile solution as well. One of the, if not the best desktop antivirus solutions next to NOD32
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They already have one. It's a paid app.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.kms

[Q] Anti-Virus?

I know that a Virus can be an issue on the nadroid phone but is a BIG issue? And if so which Anti-Virus woukd be ideal both as a free option and paid one, also taking into mind battery consumption and system footprint?
HunterKiotori said:
I know that a Virus can be an issue on the nadroid phone but is a BIG issue? And if so which Anti-Virus woukd be ideal both as a free option and paid one, also taking into mind battery consumption and system footprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anti virus apps aint worth it.. i dont know anyone that uses them.. they deff kill ya battery..
HunterKiotori said:
I know that a Virus can be an issue on the nadroid phone but is a BIG issue? And if so which Anti-Virus woukd be ideal both as a free option and paid one, also taking into mind battery consumption and system footprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use norton and yeah they're useful... it found 5 malware apps on my phone... and battery only uses 2 percent batt. so it doesn't eat a lot of bat.
HTC EVO LTE
Just use avg to scan New apps as they are downloaded-installed. Really the only way u can get viruses on your phone since android isn't an exe haven.
As for the active protection internet crap, it is just a battery killer. Unless u have problems clicking on viagra ads and browsing jailbaitvirusjailbreak.com... Who doesn't tho rite?
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
These security firms pad their findings and make it look worse then it is, avg released a report last year about some 200 malware apps and neglected to mention they were apps that were sideloaded because the majority had already been removed by Google. These companies thrive on ignorance and fear.
So I'm guessing that anti-virus apps are kinda useless unless I'm installing apps that are not on google play right?
That's the short story...
There are phishing schemes out there too, so antivirus can help if you click on ads on accident or on purpose.
Best thing for that though is Ad-free or Adaway. They remove all ads from your phone whether it be thru the browser or in app.
You need to be rooted to use them, but they can be found on the playstore easily.
So, if you are looking for protection from apps not downloaded from google playstore then use avg or Norton, whatever u feel is the best. Keep in mind that all you need is the virus scanner and for it to be updated regularly. All the other bells and whistles contained within the programs are unnecessary.
There are only 2 ways you can get malware on your android phone. One is thru installing apks (apps). They are the executable files (exe) to windows. Unlike windows our android phone gets an install prompt to install the app as well, so u have a warning. If u didn't initiate the install or don't recognize what it is then don't install it.
Basically, if u only download your apps from google playstore you have nothing to worry about. Google scans all of the apps before they post them on play. Sometimes things get thru, but they are usually ridiculous apps made in Russia or other foreign countries. That's not to say a great app from the US won't ever sneak a virus in, but typically it doesn't happen.
Oh, and the other way malware can affect you is by clicking on ads. They are usually on sketchy sites anyways. These will be phishing schemes. The sole purpose of them is to obtain your personal info for financial gain.
Like I mentioned above, install Adaway, or adfree. If you have rom toolbox use the ad blocker in there. Or if you are not rooted then just don't click on any ads. If you do then make an educated decision before doing so. Good "phisherman" can disguise whole websites to look exactly like your bank's. Everyone can be fooled so just use your brain my friend.
Well, hope I answered your question thoroughly. I'm off to play some vidya games. Black Friday rules for game prices btw.
Good luck.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

[Q] Popup asking for Internet Access?

I like LBE Privacy Guard, especially for its on-demand permission requests when an app asks to access my SMS Inbox or whatnot; I like that I can ensure that it never accesses it, always does without asking, or continues to ask each time.
I'm also using the firewall with mixed results; I don't like having to choose each app and whether it's allowed to access the internet via 3g/wifi ahead of time. I'd like a popup request with similar options (though I guess it would be more like a timeout rather than per-session, e.g. "yes it can access the internet over my 3g connection but only for the next 10 minutes."
Is there already an app that does this? I've checked a few firewall apps like Droid Wall (and a few similar apps) and they don't offer this on-demand (or on-app-accessing-internet, I suppose!)
I'm rooted, of course, so I'm not constrained there.
+1!!! Looking for the same thing! Trying to hunt the hog that sucks my data!
Thanks!!!
Ahri said:
I like LBE Privacy Guard, especially for its on-demand permission requests when an app asks to access my SMS Inbox or whatnot; I like that I can ensure that it never accesses it, always does without asking, or continues to ask each time.
I'm also using the firewall with mixed results; I don't like having to choose each app and whether it's allowed to access the internet via 3g/wifi ahead of time. I'd like a popup request with similar options (though I guess it would be more like a timeout rather than per-session, e.g. "yes it can access the internet over my 3g connection but only for the next 10 minutes."
Is there already an app that does this? I've checked a few firewall apps like Droid Wall (and a few similar apps) and they don't offer this on-demand (or on-app-accessing-internet, I suppose!)
I'm rooted, of course, so I'm not constrained there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Goldenmeadow said:
+1!!! Looking for the same thing! Trying to hunt the hog that sucks my data!
Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I reckon that LBE Privacy Guard should help you with that: you can switch on traffic monitoring and get a listing of how much data each app has used.
I'd advise you to do this for a week and then switch it off (after you've worked out what's costing you money), as the data monitor drains battery faster!
Thanks. I already use LBE and My Data Manager. Turning APS ON one by one I try to find the sucker
But it would be easier with pop-up type app.
Ahri said:
I reckon that LBE Privacy Guard should help you with that: you can switch on traffic monitoring and get a listing of how much data each app has used.
I'd advise you to do this for a week and then switch it off (after you've worked out what's costing you money), as the data monitor drains battery faster!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my LG-SU760 using xda app-developers app

[APP]"Greenify" your battery

I already posted about this in the NRG ROM because that's the ROM I'm using, but I am so impressed with the battery improvement after using this app for a week that I had to cross post to a larger audience. I know the battery is the one major drawback on the Amaze. This is just not a problem for me anymore since I started using Greenify.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oasisfeng.greenify
I've been getting over 24 hours regularly with 3-4 hours screen time. I'm using NRG with stock kernel, but I see no reason why this app wouldn't offer improvement for any configuration. It enables effective hibernation of apps without freezing them. They'll run but only in the foreground. It cuts out all background processes of the apps you select.
You have total control over which apps you want running in the background and allows you to keep the aggressive battery hogs at bay. You select which apps should hibernate. For instance, now Google maps will really stay asleep when it's not being used, no constant wake locks, but unlike with freezing it, you can conveniently launch it when needed. However any apps with background processes that are actually useful are free to do their thing, eg, widgets you want to auto update. It's taming the beast that is android.
And not only is my battery improved, but my phone is more responsive too. Highly recommended. Here's the xda thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2155737
thanks a lot for sharing this, will try it out, always wanted an app like this, the maps kill the battery for no good reason.
My pleasure. I hope your experience is as satisfying mine.
dosnt kill maps most apps remain in idle, pending hibernation mode.
EDIT, opened my eyes and read the FAQ. - maps not gonna die :|
Q: Some of my greenified apps (e.g. Google Maps) seems not hibernating.
A: In short, don't worry about frequently awake apps. It will still hibernate in minutes after screen goes off, thus hardly add observable battery consumption. Use battery statistics in settings or "BetterBatteryStats" to confirm that.
While most greenified apps will stay in hibernation quietly, some apps do break hibernation, due to being waken up by others. Some known cases include enabled account sync, backup agent, and explicit launch by other app.
Since version 1.45, Greenify will now automatically turn off directly involved account sync of greenified apps when going to hibernate, to avoid the periodic account sync wake them up. For backup agents, Greenify will NOT disable them, to ensure your backup of app data is always up-to-date. As backup usually does not perform often, they are thus unlikely to be waken up often.
Google Maps is a typical example of explicit launch by other app. Some Google apps, including Google Now (a.k.a Google Search), will start the NetworkLocationProvider of Google Maps for its proprietary implementation instead of the public Android one if Google Maps is installed.
Since Greenify is designed to not break any explicit usage of greenified apps, these behaviors are considered "normal", and will NOT be "fixed". To clear out your unease, Greenify will still put them into hibernation when standby to protect your battery consumption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bilaliz said:
dosnt kill maps most apps remain in idle, pending hibernation mode.
EDIT, opened my eyes and read the FAQ. - maps not gonna die :|
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can manually put them into hibernation mode by selecting them, and hitting the pause button at the top of the screen. To help control maps make sure you don't have Google Now running or have it on in a very limited mode. (Google Now sucker punches battery. Honestly, I just presume that anyone interested in battery preservation has abandoned Google Now.) The other anti-maps tactic I use is to go to System Settings>>Location and disable "GPS satellites" and "Location & Google search." I can easily re-enable these through a widget I have set up when I need Maps capability, but it keeps the program quiet for the most part and Greenify does the rest.
The proof is in the screenshots. I never got any battery life like this before Greenify.
Shabidoo said:
The proof is in the screenshots. I never got any battery life like this before Greenify.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but in those pics i also see juice defender running, so that may be playing a part too. also there are no phone calls, phone calls take a lot of juice.
regarless of that i have witnessed significant battery improvement with this app, i think i'll be giving a donation to this guy. he deserves it.
bilaliz said:
but in those pics i also see juice defender running, so that may be playing a part too. also there are no phone calls, phone calls take a lot of juice.
regarless of that i have witnessed significant battery improvement with this app, i think i'll be giving a donation to this guy. he deserves it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol yea juice defender
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app
I've had Juice Defender going as long as I've had my phone. I use the customization in ultimate, but before Greenify, I was getting around 17 hours battery life. So JD has not been a variable for me in evaluating the app.
I'm not a big phone call maker, but I do use bluetooth for music streaming a lot. I think it was so minor in comparison to the screen usage that day that it probably didn't even register 1% battery usage.
So I'm giving it a try. This a pretty much a light app that kills the app you select when you aren't using it.
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app
Trying this out now but just thought I'd pass along some info that really helped me with maps. Using Autorun manager (free on playstore) I killed any process under map that had the word friend in it and it has made a big difference even though Latitude has been disabled since day 1. There are lots of other battery saving and wake lock preventing things you can do with this app.
Justin
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app
mestguy182 said:
Trying this out now but just thought I'd pass along some info that really helped me with maps. Using Autorun manager (free on playstore) I killed any process under map that had the word friend in it and it has made a big difference even though Latitude has been disabled since day 1. There are lots of other battery saving and wake lock preventing things you can do with this app.
Justin
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same and it helped my battery life dramatically.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda app-developers app
mestguy182 said:
Trying this out now but just thought I'd pass along some info that really helped me with maps. Using Autorun manager (free on playstore) I killed any process under map that had the word friend in it and it has made a big difference even though Latitude has been disabled since day 1. There are lots of other battery saving and wake lock preventing things you can do with this app.
Justin
Sent from my Amaze 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip. I am trying this out as well and after 2 days, my battery life has doubled. :good: Even works very well on my wife's GNex, where the battery life is worse than the Amaze

Help Setting Up Greenify 4.3.2.0 As It Looks Very Intimidating

I included a screenshot of all the options I'm given on the Greenify Settings tab. I've always avoided using Greenify because it seems very difficult to use; however, I keep hearing about all the miracles it does as far as battery life so I want to give it a chance.
My confusion comes from the fact that out of all the Tutorials, Reviews, Articles, etc. I've seen and read on YouTube & Google, everyone either has an older version of Greenify than me, or the options are a little different. Some versions have more options than mine, and some fewer. Some have specific settings enabled, some disabled.
For example, some tutorials said to enable Aggressive Doze and Automatic Hibernation, some said to disable them.
I would appreciate it very much if someone with more knowledge on the subject could explain to me what some of these settings do, and which would be better.
Merazomo said:
I included a screenshot of all the options I'm given on the Greenify Settings tab. I've always avoided using Greenify because it seems very difficult to use; however, I keep hearing about all the miracles it does as far as battery life so I want to give it a chance.
My confusion comes from the fact that out of all the Tutorials, Reviews, Articles, etc. I've seen and read on YouTube & Google, everyone either has an older version of Greenify than me, or the options are a little different. Some versions have more options than mine, and some fewer. Some have specific settings enabled, some disabled.
For example, some tutorials said to enable Aggressive Doze and Automatic Hibernation, some said to disable them.
I would appreciate it very much if someone with more knowledge on the subject could explain to me what some of these settings do, and which would be better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version of Android are you running? If 7,8 or 9, most likely you will not need Greenify since Android itself handles the apps very well. Only apps which could not be controlled by Android and which drain battery excessively need control through Greenify or some similar app. Doze in these versions of Android is very capable.
If you want to know something more about this, search for posts from member Davey126 in https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/greenify/beta-greenify-3-1-build-1-1-23-2017-t3544311 thread.
tnsmani said:
Which version of Android are you running? If 7,8 or 9, most likely you will not need Greenify since Android itself handles the apps very well. Only apps which could not be controlled by Android and which drain battery excessively need control through Greenify or some similar app. Doze in these versions of Android is very capable.
If you want to know something more about this, search for posts from member Davey126 in https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/greenify/beta-greenify-3-1-build-1-1-23-2017-t3544311 thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@tnsmani obviously received my check ...
Kidding aside, his guidance is spot on. If you decide to experiment further ignore all the options. They are largely refinements; defaults are fine for most. Simply respond to initial setup prompts (including the all important 'root' query), add 'offending' apps to the watch list and observe whether Greenify helps to reduce background activity.
Wait...you don't have any "offending" apps, do not know how to identify bad actors have no idea if you actually have a problem with excessive (operative word) battery consumption?? If so Greenify will only work as well as your perception of good/evil/impotent which is often an inaccurate measure of reality.
Sadly, Greenify does not have magical powers. That said, It is an effective tool to address a specific type of 'problem': reining in undisciplined app driven background activity...plus a few other gems outside the scope of this discussion. If your device is rocking Android 6/7/8/9/27 native doze does a fine job managing cranky apps that want to eat your battery any small children within a 10 foot radius. Best part: no confusing knobs and dials! It just works.
Enjoy your device.
tnsmani said:
Which version of Android are you running? If 7,8 or 9, most likely you will not need Greenify since Android itself handles the apps very well. Only apps which could not be controlled by Android and which drain battery excessively need control through Greenify or some similar app. Doze in these versions of Android is very capable.
If you want to know something more about this, search for posts from member Davey126 in https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/greenify/beta-greenify-3-1-build-1-1-23-2017-t3544311 thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll definitely give that post by Davey126 a read, thanks.
I'm using a Galaxy Note 4 with Android Marshmallow 6.0.1. The phone is not officially supported anymore obviously, but with ROOT, it's still a great phone even today.
My only issue that made me consider Greenify; I don't know if this is typical of Android, is that I charge my phone to 100% before I go to sleep, and when I wake up it's at 86%. The battery is brand new and the phone has been restored to factory settings to start fresh.
Davey126 said:
@tnsmani obviously received my check ...
Kidding aside, his guidance is spot on. If you decide to experiment further ignore all the options. They are largely refinements; defaults are fine for most. Simply respond to initial setup prompts (including the all important 'root' query), add 'offending' apps to the watch list and observe whether Greenify helps to reduce background activity.
Wait...you don't have any "offending" apps, do not know how to identify bad actors have no idea if you actually have a problem with excessive (operative word) battery consumption?? If so Greenify will only work as well as your perception of good/evil/impotent which is often an inaccurate measure of reality.
Sadly, Greenify does not have magical powers. That said, It is an effective tool to address a specific type of 'problem': reining in undisciplined app driven background activity...plus a few other gems outside the scope of this discussion. If your device is rocking Android 6/7/8/9/27 native doze does a fine job managing cranky apps that want to eat your battery any small children within a 10 foot radius. Best part: no confusing knobs and dials! It just works.
Enjoy your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The screenshot I posted are the default settings as of now for my version of 4.3.2.0 of Greenify on my Galaxy Note 4. Would it be okay to assume that if I leave "these" settings on default without changing anything, and all I do is start choosing application to hibernate that I don't use often or don't need push notifications from, it's a good start?
I do have to choose applications manually for Greenify to start working right? I keep looking at all these "Smart Hibernation" & "Automatic Hibernation" settings and my brain goes back to regular applications like the old App Managers that would start working in the background without me settings anything up or choosing applications.
I'll give your post a read as well, and see if I can learn something from it. For once, I wish I had an Android phone with good battery life like my last iPhone; it wouldn't loose any charge overnight. Loosing 14% battery life overnight without doing anything is a little annoying, but now that I've tried Android with ROOT, it's practically imposible to go back to IOS; specially with all the customizing I can do on my Note 4.
Merazomo said:
I'll definitely give that post by Davey126 a read, thanks.
I'm using a Galaxy Note 4 with Android Marshmallow 6.0.1. The phone is not officially supported anymore obviously, but with ROOT, it's still a great phone even today.
My only issue that made me consider Greenify; I don't know if this is typical of Android, is that I charge my phone to 100% before I go to sleep, and when I wake up it's at 86%. The battery is brand new and the phone has been restored to factory settings to start fresh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On 6, you may require the help of Greenify but only after you identify the rogue app/s. Unless you sleep for 24 hours a day, your idle drain is high (14% during sleep).
Visit the BBS thread, learn how to create an idle dump, install latest BBS beta from the PlayStore, take an idle dump and post it in the BBS thread and ask for help.
Merazomo said:
The screenshot I posted are the default settings as of now for my version of 4.3.2.0 of Greenify on my Galaxy Note 4. Would it be okay to assume that if I leave "these" settings on default without changing anything, and all I do is start choosing application to hibernate that I don't use often or don't need push notifications from, it's a good start?
I do have to choose applications manually for Greenify to start working right? I keep looking at all these "Smart Hibernation" & "Automatic Hibernation" settings and my brain goes back to regular applications like the old App Managers that would start working in the background without me settings anything up or choosing applications.
I'll give your post a read as well, and see if I can learn something from it. For once, I wish I had an Android phone with good battery life like my last iPhone; it wouldn't loose any charge overnight. Loosing 14% battery life overnight without doing anything is a little annoying, but now that I've tried Android with ROOT, it's practically imposible to go back to IOS; specially with all the customizing I can do on my Note 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reread previous post. Your first task is to identify which app(s), if any, are draining your battery while the device is idle. Adding apps to Greenify w/o justification is a fools errand and will likely increase overall power consumption vs reduce it. Let's keep it simple. What apps regularly appear near the top of the list in Android's battery page in settings?
There are very few "new" batteries for 4 year old devices. While you many have purchased it recently there is a very good chance it sat on the shelf for several years. Or was 'loaded' with substandard cells with less than stated capacity.
Davey126 said:
Reread previous post. Your first task is to identify which app(s), if any, are draining your battery while the device is idle. Adding apps to Greenify w/o justification is a fools errand and will likely increase overall power consumption vs reduce it. Let's keep it simple. What apps regularly appear near the top of the list in Android's battery page in settings?
There are very few "new" batteries for 4 year old devices. While you many have purchased it recently there is a very good chance it sat on the shelf for several years. Or was 'loaded' with substandard cells with less than stated capacity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery is good since I was still using Lollipop LOL not that long on my Note 4, and I felt it ran a lot cooler and battery would last longer than on Marshmallow, but app permissions were horrible in Lollipop; I had no control of my privacy whatsoever with apps.
The only top app on my battery apps list with 20% of the battery used overnight was ESPN. I don't even have push notifications enabled for this app, and I used it hours before I went to sleep and before I charged the phone. That might be the app that is harming my battery life. All the other apps are at 0.04% or less.
Merazomo said:
The battery is good since I was still using Lollipop LOL not that long on my Note 4, and I felt it ran a lot cooler and battery would last longer than on Marshmallow, but app permissions were horrible in Lollipop; I had no control of my privacy whatsoever with apps.
The only top app on my battery apps list with 20% of the battery used overnight was ESPN. I don't even have push notifications enabled for this app, and I used it hours before I went to sleep and before I charged the phone. That might be the app that is harming my battery life. All the other apps are at 0.04% or less.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ESPN app would be an excellent candidate to Greenify. Add it to the 'watch' list and observe device behavior over 24-48 hours.
Davey126 said:
ESPN app would be an excellent candidate to Greenify. Add it to the 'watch' list and observe device behavior over 24-48 hours.
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Click to collapse
Everything is as you said. Greenify's default settings are more than satisfying, specially since all I wanted to do was to find the culprit that was killing my battery.
After using BetterBatteryStats & Greenify, it turns out "ESPN" and "Samsung Peel Remote Control" are both using more battery life overnight as I sleep, than the "System" itself.
ESPN behaves as it should when I hibernate it; however, Samsung's Peel Remote wakes up overnight; it won't stay hibernated.
I've been trying to use the scissor's icon to prevent other apps from waking the Peel Remote, but it gives me a failed message.
At least now I know that my problem is not the battery or the phone.
Merazomo said:
... however, Samsung's Peel Remote wakes up overnight; it won't stay hibernated.
I've been trying to use the scissor's icon to prevent other apps from waking the Peel Remote, but it gives me a failed message.
At least now I know that my problem is not the battery or the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me thinks you should consider another app:
https://fossbytes.com/peel-remote-use-remove-smart-remote/
There are ways to tame the monster using perfectly legal advanced tools (MAT, SD Maid, etc.) but such discussion is beyond the scope of this thread.
Davey126 said:
Me thinks you should consider another app:
https://fossbytes.com/peel-remote-use-remove-smart-remote/
There are ways to tame the monster using perfectly legal advanced tools (MAT, SD Maid, etc.) but such discussion is beyond the scope of this thread.
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Click to collapse
I though I was the only one struggling with these apps. I installed an app that called AFWall+ though, that blocks Internet/Data access to the Peel Remote. I no longer get that annoying TV Guide, Ads, or VOD recommendations; just the ability to use it as a normal remote.
The last 3 days, I've only lost 5% battery life overnight with the Greenify & AFWall+ combination. If that keeps up, it's as good as it is going to get for me. If it changes back to 14%, I'm just going to uninstall Peel.
Merazomo said:
I though I was the only one struggling with these apps. I installed an app that called AFWall+ though, that blocks Internet/Data access to the Peel Remote. I no longer get that annoying TV Guide, Ads, or VOD recommendations; just the ability to use it as a normal remote.
The last 3 days, I've only lost 5% battery life overnight with the Greenify & AFWall+ combination. If that keeps up, it's as good as it is going to get for me. If it changes back to 14%, I'm just going to uninstall Peel.
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Click to collapse
A software firewall (preferably VPN based) is an excellent way to block unwanted content and network communications including ads, tracking uploads and/or malicious downloads. I run some type of software firewall on every device I own. As for idle drain rates, I average 0.15-0.25%/hr on WiFi only tablets; 0.4-0.6%/hr on phones. Pretty consistent range regardless of brand, ROM or other variables. Greenify, which I use sparingly, is the only non-native power management tool in my arsenal. No silly alarm/wakelock squashing, doze tuners, etc. Mind your settings, behaviors and app portfolio. Pretty simple stuff. Depressing news for budding geeks with too much time on their hands.
Merazomo said:
I though I was the only one struggling with these apps. I installed an app that called AFWall+ though, that blocks Internet/Data access to the Peel Remote. I no longer get that annoying TV Guide, Ads, or VOD recommendations; just the ability to use it as a normal remote.
The last 3 days, I've only lost 5% battery life overnight with the Greenify & AFWall+ combination. If that keeps up, it's as good as it is going to get for me. If it changes back to 14%, I'm just going to uninstall Peel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First and most important, it's exactly as @Davey126 stated directly above. Second in order to support your decision: For many years now, I use Greenify and AFWall+ Pro, and I confirm your observation. All of our telephones (we don't own an Android tablet etc.) achieve overnight battery drainages between 0.5 - 0.7%/h including network connection and some non-greenified apps. In airplane mode the drainage decreases to 0.2 - 0.3%/h. For quite some time till about a year ago, I also used tools like Amplify, PowerNap etc. until I realised it makes no sense to try to turn on these knobs i.e. to fight effects but not the causes - and more important I didn't gain any battery life by their utilisation.
BTW: If you're interested in trying a different firewall, NetGuard by M66B, very well known among all users interested in privacy, is an interesting alternative. Based on VPN and no-root required. The only reason why I stay with AFWall+ Pro and don't switch to NetGuard is Android's inherent limitation to only allow one VPN tunnel at a time. And as I always enable my own secure VPN connection with my RaspberryPi in our home network before I connect to mobile data or a foreign WiFi, I can't use NetGuard.
Oswald Boelcke said:
First and most important, it's exactly as @Davey126 stated directly above. Second in order to support your decision: For many years now, I use Greenify and AFWall+ Pro, and I confirm your observation. All of our telephones (we don't own an Android tablet etc.) achieve overnight battery drainages between 0.5 - 0.7%/h including network connection and some non-greenified apps. In airplane mode the drainage decreases to 0.2 - 0.3%/h. For quite some time till about a year ago, I also used tools like Amplify, PowerNap etc. until I realised it makes no sense to try to turn on these knobs i.e. to fight effects but not the causes - and more important I didn't gain any battery life by their utilisation.
BTW: If you're interested in trying a different firewall, NetGuard by M66B, very well known among all users interested in privacy, is an interesting alternative. Based on VPN and no-root required. The only reason why I stay with AFWall+ Pro and don't switch to NetGuard is Android's inherent limitation to only allow one VPN tunnel at a time. And as I always enable my own secure VPN connection with my RaspberryPi in our home network before I connect to mobile data or a foreign WiFi, I can't use NetGuard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, after doing much research online, it came down to NetGuard - NoRoot Firewall - Droidwall(now Avast) - Afwall+.
I chose Afwall+ because it seemed easier to use. The other apps seem more customizable if you know what you're doing, but for what I needed Afwall+ is more of a "click and save" type of app.
Davey126 said:
A software firewall (preferably VPN based) is an excellent way to block unwanted content and network communications including ads, tracking uploads and/or malicious downloads. I run some type of software firewall on every device I own. As for idle drain rates, I average 0.15-0.25%/hr on WiFi only tablets; 0.4-0.6%/hr on phones. Pretty consistent range regardless of brand, ROM or other variables. Greenify, which I use sparingly, is the only non-native power management tool in my arsenal. No silly alarm/wakelock squashing, doze tuners, etc. Mind your settings, behaviors and app portfolio. Pretty simple stuff. Depressing news for budding geeks with too much time on their hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curiosity bricked a few of my phones over the years LOL. I guess it's human nature.
Reading through a bunch of threads when I still didn't know what Greenify was, there were a few discussions about being able to get "push notifications" when an app was still in hibernation.
How much truth is there to those statements? I have Instagram, Messenger, Facebook, etc. installed on my phone not because I use them constantly, but because it's the easier/cheaper way for my family to contact me.
It would be great to be able to hibernate all those apps, and still know when my family is trying to contact me, even if I have to manually hibernate the apps again afterwards.
Or did I read too much into it and mixed things up?
Merazomo said:
Curiosity bricked a few of my phones over the years LOL. I guess it's human nature.
Reading through a bunch of threads when I still didn't know what Greenify was, there were a few discussions about being able to get "push notifications" when an app was still in hibernation.
How much truth is there to those statements? I have Instagram, Messenger, Facebook, etc. installed on my phone not because I use them constantly, but because it's the easier/cheaper way for my family to contact me.
It would be great to be able to hibernate all those apps, and still know when my family is trying to contact me, even if I have to manually hibernate the apps again afterwards.
Or did I read too much into it and mixed things up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Push notifications work with some Greenifed apps (must be GCM capable) but may be delayed by minutes/hours depending on Greenify settings, app design, GCM capabilities, availability of Xposed framework, timing of doze maintenance windows and a bunch of other variables. Best way to assess with your app portfolio is to try.

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