How to completely disable the firewall on Android: 5 working methods

A ​​firewall (or firewall) on Android is a protective barrier that controls the network traffic of applications. It can block suspicious connections, restrict Internet access for individual apps, or even shut down the network completely in the background. But sometimes users need to disable it - for example, to test applications, solve connection problems, or work with specific software.

However disabling the firewall on modern versions of Android (12+) without root access is often impossible through standard settings. Manufacturers (for example, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) integrate protection at the kernel level, and third-party antiviruses (like Avast or Kaspersky) can restore their rules after a reboot. In this article, we will look at all the current methods - from simple to technically complex ones, and also tell you what completely disabling protection entails.

1. How to disable the built-in Android firewall through settings

On most smartphones with pure Android (for example, Google Pixel, Motorola), the built-in firewall is hidden from the user and is managed automatically. But some manufacturers add their own network monitoring tools. Let's consider options for popular brands:

On devices Samsung (series Galaxy S/A/J s One UI) the firewall is built into the system as part of Knox. To pause it:

1. Open Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings.
2. Find item Anti-malware and devices (may be called Device protection).
3. Disable the option Scan device and Real-time protection.

This will not disable the firewall completely, but will reduce its activity. data-i="67">(MIUI) the path is different: Xiaomi (MIUI) the path is different:

• 🔹 Settings → Applications → Application management → Trojan (or Security).
• 🔹 Disable Network protection i Firewall (if any).
• 🔹 Reboot the device - some settings are applied only after reboot.

On Huawei (EMUI) the firewall is called Network protection and is located in Settings → Security → Network protection. Here you can temporarily suspend its operation, but complete disabling requires unlocking the bootloader.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 13+ even disabling protection through the settings can be reset after system updates. Manufacturers are actively fighting against manual intervention in network security.

2. (Avast, Kaspersky, Norton)

If your Android has an antivirus with a built-in firewall (for example, Avast Mobile Security, Kaspersky Internet Security or Norton 360), it can be disabled or uninstalled. However, many such apps are protected from simple removal - they restore themselves through administrative rights.

To completely deactivate a third-party firewall:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find the antivirus in the list and open its settings.
3. Click Delete or Disable (if the button is inactive, first uncheck Device administrator in the section Security).
4. For Kaspersky additionally, go to the application itself and disable Network protection manually.

Some antiviruses (for example, Bitdefender) are integrated into the system as VPN proxy. In this case:

• 🔹 Go to Settings → Networks and Internet → VPN.
• 🔹 Find the antivirus VPN and disable it.
• 🔹 Return to the application settings and deactivate Firewall.

⚠️ Attention: Antiviruses with a firewall often block not only malicious traffic, but also legitimate connections (for example, for Tor or custom VPNBefore deleting, check whether you are using functions like Secure browser or Wi-Fi protection.

3. Disabling the firewall via ADB (without root)

If standard methods do not work, you can try disabling the firewall via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for devices without root access, but requires a connection to a computer and debugging mode enabled.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer mode 7 times: go to Settings → About phone and click on Build number.
2. Go back to Settings → System → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, install ADB Tools and run the commands:

adb shell
settings put global firewall_enabled 0
settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0

These commands disable the built-in network check and part of the firewall rules. However, the effect may be temporary - after rebooting the settings. will be reset. Samsung And Xiaomi The effect may be temporary - after a reboot the settings will be reset.

For a deeper shutdown (for example, for Pixel or OnePlus) use:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.firewall

If the command returns an error Package not found, then your device does not have a separate firewall package - protection built into system services.

4. Completely disabling the firewall with root access

On devices with unlocked bootloader and root access (for example, through Magisk) you can disable the firewall at the system level. This method is the most radical and potentially dangerous - it removes the protection completely, opening the device to network attacks.

Steps for Magisk:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Go to folder /system/etc/iptables/ and delete the files:
   • firewall.sh
   • init.firewall.rc

ro.firewall.enabled=0

For Xiaomi (MIUI) you also need to disable service com.miui.firewall:

su
pm disable com.miui.firewall
pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.firewall

On Samsung s One UI the firewall is tied to Knoxand its complete removal may trigger the flag Knox 0x1which will void the warranty and block some functions (for example, Samsung Pay).

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system firewall files may cause bootloop (boot loop) on some firmwares. Before making changes, make a backup copy via TWRP or OrangeFox.

5. Alternatives to disabling the firewall

Before completely deactivating protection, consider safer options:

• 🔧 Adding exceptions: Many firewalls (for example, in Avast or NetGuard) allow you to allow traffic for specific applications. Go to the firewall settings and add the required software to White list.
• 🔧 Using a VPN: If the firewall blocks access to certain sites, configure VPN (for example, ProtonVPN or Warp) - traffic will pass through an encrypted tunnel, bypassing some restrictions.
• 🔧 Local proxy: To test applications, you can deploy a proxy server on your PC (for example, Fiddler or Charles) and redirect phone traffic through it.
• 🔧 Mode developer: Enable Do not limit background processes i Disable absolute data volume in the settings for developers.

If the problem is blocking ports (for example, for Tor or P2P networks), check if does your operator use DPI (deep packet inspection). In this case, it will help:

• 🔹 Switching to DNS-over-HTTPS (for example, 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8).
• 🔹 Using Tor with bridges (in settings Orbot select Use Bridges).

6. Risks of disabling the firewall on Android

Complete deactivation of network protection makes the device vulnerable to:

• 🚨 MITM attacks (traffic interception in open Wi-Fi networks).
• 🚨 Data leaks through vulnerabilities in applications (for example, old versions WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🚨 Botnets: without protection, the device can be infected and used for DDoS attacks.
• 🚨 Phishing: blocking of suspicious domains is disabled, increasing the risk of reaching fraudulent sites.

It is especially dangerous to disable the firewall on devices:

• 🔴 With banking applications (for example, SberBank Online, Tinkoff).
• 🔴 Connected to corporate networks (with MDMprofiles).
• 🔴 With an outdated version of Android (below the 10th), where there is no built-in protection against exploits.

If you do turn off the firewall, take precautions:

• 🛡️ Use VPN with encryption (for example, WireGuard).
• 🛡️ Regularly update applications and the system.
• 🛡️ Disable Installation from unknown sources in the security settings.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android Enterprise or Samsung Knox disabling the firewall may lead to automatic reset to factory settings settings the next time you connect to the corporate network.

7. How to check if the firewall is disabled

To make sure that the firewall is really deactivated, follow these steps:

1. Checking ports: Install the application Network Scanner (for example, Fing) and scan open ports on the device. If the firewall is disabled, you will see all active connections.
2. Test connections: Try connecting to a previously blocked resource (for example, torproject.org or 1.1.1.1).
3. ADB commands: Run:

   adb shell iptables -L

   If the rules are empty or contain only ACCEPT, the firewall is inactive.

4. Traffic logs: Use Packet Capture or tcpdump to analyze network activity. Without a firewall, you will see all unfiltered traffic.

To check third-party antivirus:

• 🔍 Open Settings → Applications → [Antivirus name] → Permissions.
• 🔍 Make sure it does not have rights to VPN or Changing system settings.
• 🔍 Run the test on GRC ShieldsUP (a browser on a PC is required).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about disabling the firewall on Android