[Q] How to remove Facebook suggested ads? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi.
I just wanted to know how to remove all the suggested ads in the news feed of Facebook application. I tried to block some permission which could eventually be the cause of this or even use adblockers but nothing worked for Facebook. So if you have a solution it would be gladly appreciated.
Thank you

That is pretty interesting I have to say. My first idea "impossible as there are no elements that would be easy to distinguish from the other items of the app", but I might be very wrong.

olokos said:
That is pretty interesting I have to say. My first idea "impossible as there are no elements that would be easy to distinguish from the other items of the app", but I might be very wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I see but still it must be a line of code which implements ads as in every free app with ads but I must admit it that as you said, ads in Facebook are in the core of the app and not just a third-party layer. I mean most of ads in others apps are "Google ads" but it's different for Facebook. Maybe decompiling the apk and search for the part with suggested ads could help ^^

Isn't the suggestions just pushed as a news feed item?

shinji257 said:
Isn't the suggestions just pushed as a news feed item?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is so then I have to find the line where the item is implemented and set it to "false" or something like that no? I kind of suck in coding but I'll give it a try one day.

I was almost sure that it can't be as easy as it sounds and it actually isn't. You were taking about bools. Those are either true or false. Unfortunately I was right...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I can upload decompiled Facebook apk if you want to dig it further.

olokos said:
I was almost sure that it can't be as easy as it sounds and it actually isn't. You were taking about bools. Those are either true or false. Unfortunately I was right...
I can upload decompiled Facebook apk if you want to dig it further.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll do it with apk tool or apk studio and see what I can change and if it's possible to get some results. I was thinking of making a test on for example deactivate news from a specific user (this could be done from options too) from the apk directly and maybe with a little chance the suggested ads work the same way. If it's the case it's kind of easy to block them I guess.
PS. Did you find the bools.xml in the fb apk? Because I can't find it ^^

Yup. Facebook apk indeed. Disassembled just before my previous post. Nothing helpful in that xml anyway. It's a good idea although I think it won't be that easy.
Good luck though. Shall you need any help, just let me know and I'll do my best to help you. Post anything you find here.

olokos said:
Yup. Facebook apk indeed. Disassembled just before my previous post. Nothing helpful in that xml anyway. It's a good idea although I think it won't be that easy.
Good luck though. Shall you need any help, just let me know and I'll do my best to help you. Post anything you find here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I think I was searching it in the wrong place, I went in /data/app then directly in the apk nvm ^^
Well I'll start this tomorrow and see what I can do. I have to say I'm not a genius in coding, only worked in python but it's more logic than anything else. If something looks weird I have Google

Try starting from how to decompile an apk. I also want to mention that smali which you'll need to know to dig REALLY DEEP is more like assembler not like python
---------- Post added at 09:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 PM ----------
Byte code <- smali <- Java

Related

[Widget] Moogly to-do widget needs testers

Hi everyone! Im the developer of Moogly, a simple but useful todo-list widget that started as a project for Honeycomb.
Its supposed to look like this:
But there have been reports that it doesnt work properly on some devices! If someone could be so kind as to try the Lite version and if it doesnt stretch properly, send me some screenshots and log files!
Also people have had problems with the widget picker not showing Moogly till reboot, so some feedback on that would be appreciated as well...
You can also post issues at the main thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1202211
Thanks, i really appreciate this kind of feedback it helps improve the app a lot!
Oh come on guys? No takers at all?
i tried it on my galaxy tab... it gave no prolems. No problems with stretching at all. I could not recall that i had to switch off my tab... worked immediatly.
running 3.2 btw. on galaxy tab 10.1
Good to know, thanks. Ive just increased the number of entries in the free version by the way!
please update:
Tick graphic tweaked
Increased size of tick indent
Added option to expand to full screen when focusing on notes
Added Right-to-left (beta)
ftgg99 said:
Good to know, thanks. Ive just increased the number of entries in the free version by the way!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, was going to remove it because i found a free todo list which had more entries available... now still have moogle... like the lay out.
is it also possible to give small in-app previous from the themes?
Yeah that would be cool!
I would like to - just havent had time yet. But:
I was wondering - if someone is interested in shring their themes?
You can post the hex numbers here and ill add them to the app!
No takers i assume? I want to add a few themes that would go with TouchWiz...
Ive bought the gtab as for your reccomend - moogly is the first thing i put on it
Yeah, its not a bad device...
Now i have seen you bought it as well! Good on ya!
How is the new build?
Working perfectly! Thanks a million!
Master_B82 said:
running 3.2 btw. on galaxy tab 10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you get Android 3.2 for GT10.1 if i may ask?
poisike said:
Where did you get Android 3.2 for GT10.1 if i may ask?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Must have been a fever dream but really, its there if you know where to look...
I would be glad to try it for you, but I don't want to pay for it just to help you test it. Do you have an APK you can send me?
Just use the lite version.
OK so downloaded this the other day... Just about what I was looking for. Small foot print, themable... And so far works perfect on my tab. Good job dev!!!!
One request... Not sure it can be done with out access to a server. Right now my goto app for my to do app needs is EverNote, for the main reason that I can make a to do list on my Tab on the train ride to work in the morning. Then have that to do list on my eVo all day as I run around my kitchen (I'm a chef) checking off things I complete or adding more things to do. I can also check and add items from my desktop if I get some office time.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Other than that it's a great app, simple and straightforward.
Sent from my Galaxy10.1 TouchWiz/ADWex equipped Starship.
Its a more complex feature... but we have thought of a way it could be done without a server

[Q] i hate being laughed at

i would like to get rid of the contact pic when on the phone and in messaging. i dont have facebook installed so i have zero pics assigned to contacts. so what i get is the standard dude with a big smile. the same with messaging. i would rather not have the contact pic next to every single text.
i am running the latest aokp with nova. and i do not want to put in a full blown theme because i really like the one that came with it. i have seen a few topics that talked about phone apks and such but it seems like that too would take me away from the theme.
what can i do? thx.
Don't know how to do a whole batch but for each individual contact, you can Edit then tab on the pic then select remove picture.
i just tried it. that only works if there is a pic stored for the contact. what i get for options is take pic or choose from gallery.
thanx anyways and thx for the fast response
go through the other ICS ROMs. and find the one you want,(the message apps) theres bound to be one you find just as good bro. you can always extract just the messaging.apk (or converstations.apk) and move it over to SYSTEM/APPS on your phone, with a root explorer on R/W. rename your current messaging app to Messaging1 or something and keep it just in case you want to go back.
as far as i know theres no way of takeing off just the ICS Avatar Guy. hope i helped!
cdromo90 said:
as far as i know theres no way of takeing off just the ICS Avatar Guy. hope i helped!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats what i was afraid of. what i need to do.... is learn to code. not the easiest thing to do though when ur 37 and a legal mmj patient. seems like if i knew what i was doing... i could go in there and at least make the size of the thing smaller on the phone. it fills up half of my screen and is blown up so much it looks really pixelated.
thanx for telling me where the apks are located. i might just start diving in and see if i can screw it up.
phermey said:
i just tried it. that only works if there is a pic stored for the contact. what i get for options is take pic or choose from gallery.
thanx anyways and thx for the fast response
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You meant you want to remove the entire empty template?
yes
edit: trying to edit within es file explorer is impossible i guess. i can get into the apk and see all of the xml files... but there is no way to edit the margins and/or image size. ill keep hunting. might just start dloading roms like cgromo90 advised.
i just remember this being a non issue when using touchwiz. trying to get back to that while still keeping the badassedness that is aokp.
What about using a different messaging app out of Google Play? Or try the CM9 nightly.
CM9 has the same messaging apk
The messaging isn't as important as the phone.
The more I think.about it... the more I think I need to take a pic of something simple and just use it for all of my contacts. Or.just download a PNG of the android robot.
I looked in it for Sammy rom, but couldn't find a simple way of removing it.
Might have to dig into smali for that one.
this is ewhat i ended up doing. it got rid of the avatar and is much much better to look at. not perfect, but i guess i cant have my cake and eat it too.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
thank you all for your help.
be well
Good work but how do you replace the template?
Do what I do! See this girl?
No clue who she is. But under my girlfriends contact info, she's right there! Have fun with pictures! I've gotten my grandmother to look quite a bit hotter as well searching Google for pics. Good luck!
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium

[SOLVED] Being forced to save contacts to google account?!

Hello all,
I've spent over an hour fiddling with my phone + searching the forums and google to no avail.
Issue: I'm forced to save contacts to google acct. which is NOT what I want.
Objective: I'd like to save them directly to SIM card only.
ROM: JellyBeer 3.57.3
Options: Accounts Sync is off (nothing is syncing)
Thanks in advance.
Bump!
when you add a contact, it ask you very clearly if you want to save the contact to your google account or not. This is basic android operating....I will not post another reply or even open this thread .............I'm going to to take an asprin......opening a thread around here is like playing russian roulette these days
btw, the time between you opening this thread and you bumping your own thread (double posting...just rude) could have been used to actually read what was showing up on your phone screen and/or using google to figure out the answer. I wish I had the time to post questions and and wait for other people to give me the answers to my problems. Must be nice
Re: [Q] Being forced to save contacts to google account?!
Maybe you're not searching correctly? I know how to do it. It's simple.
jagpoag said:
when you add a contact, it ask you very clearly if you want to save the contact to your google account or not. This is basic android operating....I will not post another reply or even open this thread .............I'm going to to take an asprin......opening a thread around here is like playing russian roulette these days
btw, the time between you opening this thread and you bumping your own thread (double posting...just rude) could have been used to actually read what was showing up on your phone screen and/or using google to figure out the answer. I wish I had the time to post questions and and wait for other people to give me the answers to my problems. Must be nice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aren't we feeling a bit almighty when we THINK we know or understand things better than others?
And it DOES NOT ask me to store my contacts under SIM or Phone, it only shows my email. I'm not blind.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
In that same square to the right of your email address is a small triangle(arrow). Select it and it will bring up a menu allowing you to select "Google", "Sim", and "Phone." Unless the JellyBeer ROM does not have that option.
:laugh::laugh: I knew I said that there wouldn't be another reply from me here but I just couldn't help myself.
youngunix said:
I'm not blind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please read the last three lines for me? Thanks
OK, I'll leave you alone now. No need to pour salt into a gun shot wound.
Agoattamer said:
In that same square to the right of your email address is a small triangle(arrow). Select it and it will bring up a menu allowing you to select "Google", "Sim", and "Phone." Unless the JellyBeer ROM does not have that option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, that's not working. It seems that it is disabled or unavailable.
I found an app that provides a temporary workaround.
Thanks.
jagpoag said:
OK, I'll leave you alone now. No need to pour salt into a gun shot wound.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up.” Jesse Jackson

[App] Wear Screenshot (Device Art Generator)

{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Screenshot frame generator for Android Wear
​
Super nice, thank you! :good:
Nice app, thank you.
Free version is a piece of crap. I get nothing but ads. Can't tell if it really does anything.
PolishPoet said:
Free version is a piece of crap. I get nothing but ads. Can't tell if it really does anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please explain more about the problem. I don't like crap
PolishPoet said:
Free version is a piece of crap. I get nothing but ads. Can't tell if it really does anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know something dude, I gonna remove the ads. It makes my app look silly
you can download and install the apk on the attachment, it has no ads and soon I'll publish new version to the play store
Thanks for reporting
I was never able to take a screen shot. Nothing but ads would pop up. As soon as one would appear and I'd close it another popped up. I uninstalled, rebooted and installed again with exactly the same results. The normal screen would be viewable but maybe a second. If certainly like to try this app, but so far out has been impossible. I don't know if it was your implementation of the ads or something with my phone. But as it was it was totally unusable.
I don't mind ads if used unobtrusively and have always paid for apps I find useful. In this case was unable to determine anything about the app. I'll try the version you posted and be happy to review.
Sorry I called the app crap.
---------- Post added at 03:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------
OK, I've tried the app and find it useful. I'd like to see a square face added if you're so inclined. BTW I paid for it just now. I'll pm the gmail account of your like.
PolishPoet said:
I was never able to take a screen shot. Nothing but ads would pop up. As soon as one would appear and I'd close it another popped up. I uninstalled, rebooted and installed again with exactly the same results. The normal screen would be viewable but maybe a second. If certainly like to try this app, but so far out has been impossible. I don't know if it was your implementation of the ads or something with my phone. But as it was it was totally unusable.
I don't mind ads if used unobtrusively and have always paid for apps I find useful. In this case was unable to determine anything about the app. I'll try the version you posted and be happy to review.
Sorry I called the app crap.
---------- Post added at 03:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------
OK, I've tried the app and find it useful. I'd like to see a square face added if you're so inclined. BTW I paid for it just now. I'll pm the gmail account of your like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your support!
I just published a new version with few improvements and 5 new frames for plus version
-Moto 360 2015
-Huawei Watch
-LG Watch Urbane
-LG G Watch <-- square
-Samsung Gear Live <-- square
And of course it has no ads
Note: it may take few hours till it appear in play store
Thanks for the extra frames. I use them when I share my faces.
Any news on this app doesn't store the picture after using the save button.

Materialized App Icons for ALL Android (Download & Tutorial)

Hi, this is my first real thread and I hope this helps or makes someone's day
Apps like Snapchat, Instagram, Kik, among others are behind on material design. Their launch icons are not material. I am not claiming that I have found this, but I'd like to share this.
First, you will need APK Editor Pro, in the Play Store. When you open it, it will say
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
If you have APK with you downloaded, use it. If not use APK from app(system apps can't be used, you'll have to extract the apk or convert to user app or uninstall and reinstall).
Pick the app's icon you are going to change. I chose ROM Toolbox Pro.
When you click it, it will say this..
You'll want to click simple edit.
When you do that, you'll come up with this---
NOW read very carefully there are two ways of replacing the image.
Way 1: Find the HDPI folders.
Android apps have these folders that contain the images of the app. You can find them usually by clicking /RES folder. In ROM Toolbox Pro, the app icon is here.
We got lucky, but in some apps you'll have to replace it multiple times for multiple DPI and HDPI's.
Click the little pencil and box right next to the floppy disk(save) icon and replace the image with absolutely any image you want. I changed it already, but for the sake of this tutorial, I'll change it again.
As you can see I've already downloaded and done some apps, I'll show then at the end.
Once you pick an image,
Hit the save button.
Way Two:
Go to images, find the launcher icon, replace and save.
HINT: the name is usually either: appicon ic_launcher_icon or something along that line.
Hit the save button.
It will come up with this.
Click install and you have your custom/materialized icon!
Gallery:
Disclaimer: IF THE APP UPDATES YOU WILL HAVE TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BROKEN APKS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND YOU INFLICT. GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE.
If anyone wants my APK's just ask and I'll see what I can do.
Tales From The Borderlands Before and After:
Credit for Icon : POOTERMAN @ DeviantArt-
Nice post but kinda useless as apps are constantly updated so you be doing this a lot.
There is a better solution which is Desktop Visualizer from playstore.
You will only have to do the process once and it's done.
---------- Post added at 07:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 AM ----------
After update it will stay like that.
Nice post but kinda useless as apps are constantly updated so you be doing this a lot.
There is a better solution which is Desktop Visualizer from playstore.
You will only have to do the process once and it's done.
---------- Post added at 07:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 AM ----------
After update it will stay like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get what you're saying, but for me, I want material design icons on stock TouchWiz, and this allows me to do it. Plus, you can change it to absolutely anything, so that's honestly my point. Using this gives us extra freedom and customization to our Android devices.

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