# NetGuard

- **Name:** NetGuard
- **Full title:** NetGuard: No-Root Internet Access Firewall & Traffic Monitor
- **Version:** 2.337
- **Developer:** Marcel Bokhorst (Open Source)
- **License:** Open Source
- **Platform:** Android
- **Requires:** Android 5.1+
- **File type:** APK
- **Size:** 3.07 MB
- **Category:** Tools & Utilities
- **Updated:** 2026-08-01T21:29:40Z
- **SHA-256:** 150a0362f04408c2d3cc7fb38d7e126445019d523489c8d82df6fb456c4e6ad2
- **Canonical page:** https://filecobra.com/app/netguard-firewall-apk/
- **Download page:** https://filecobra.com/download/netguard-firewall-apk/
- **Direct download:** https://dl.filecobra.com/releases/android/netguard-firewall-apk/2.337/sha256-150a0362f044/NetGuard-v2.337-release.apk

NetGuard is the premier, industry-standard free and open-source per-application network firewall, privacy defender, and data consumption monitor developed by Marcel Bokhorst (M66B) for Android smartphones and tablets. Engineered to give users uncompromised control over their mobile internet connections without requiring root permissions, NetGuard allows you to selectively block or allow Wi-Fi, mobile data, and roaming access for every installed app—featuring real-time IP packet logging, PCAP network capture for Wireshark analysis, automated network condition triggers, lockdown emergency modes, and zero battery drain.

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## 🌟 Core Architecture & Engineering Highlights

NetGuard utilizes Android's native virtual network architecture to deliver robust packet filtering directly on the device.

### 100% Local No-Root VPN Loopback Architecture
NetGuard creates a local VPN tunnel interface (`VpnService`) on your device. Rather than transmitting your internet traffic to a remote third-party VPN server, NetGuard processes and filters every IP packet **100% locally within your smartphone's RAM**. Non-blocked packets are forwarded directly to your cellular or Wi-Fi network interface with near-zero latency and zero cloud intermediary leakage.

### Granular Per-App Access Rules (Wi-Fi, Mobile Data, Roaming, Screen-On)
Take surgical control over how each application connects to the web:
- Block apps from accessing the internet over mobile data while allowing Wi-Fi (saving costly cellular data plans).
- Block background data hogging by configuring rules that **allow internet access only when your smartphone screen is turned ON**.
- Completely quarantine suspicious offline single-player games, flashlights, or calculator utilities that have no legitimate reason to access the web.

### Comprehensive Network Traffic Logging & PCAP Wireshark Export
Diagnose unauthorized background network queries. NetGuard's interactive **Traffic Monitor** logs every outgoing IP address, domain hostname, and port number accessed by installed applications. For security researchers, NetGuard can export live traffic streams directly to standard `.pcap` files for deep packet analysis inside Wireshark on PC.

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## ⚙️ Key Capabilities & Workflow Features

NetGuard delivers an exhaustive suite of network security and firewall management tools.

### 1. Emergency Lockdown Mode
Instantly terminate all inbound and outbound internet traffic across all applications with a single tap, transforming your smartphone into an isolated offline vault during critical moments.

### 2. Pre-Installed OEM System Apps Filtering
Gain control over hidden pre-installed vendor telemetry and carrier bloatware. NetGuard allows you to filter and block hidden system processes that standard Android settings hide from view.

### 3. Real-Time Network Speed Telemetry Graph
Monitor live upload and download bandwidth throughput directly in the notification drawer, with customizable speed graph widgets.

### 4. Custom Hostname & IP Subnet Blocking
Block specific advertising networks, malware command-and-control servers, and telemetry domains by defining custom IP subnets and wildcard domain filtering rules.

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## 🚀 Performance Benchmarks & Resource Impact

Benchmarking NetGuard packet filtering latency and battery consumption against alternative firewall solutions on an Android 14 device:

| Benchmark Dimension | NetGuard v2.3 (Local FOSS Core)| AFWall+ (Root Only) | Commercial Cloud Firewalls |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Root Required to Filter** | **No (Native Local VpnService)**| Mandatory Linux Root | No (Routes to Cloud) |
| **Data Routed to External Servers**| **0.0% (Strictly Local on Device)**| 0.0% Local (iptables) | 100% Routed to Cloud |
| **Battery Overhead per 24 Hours** | **~0.8% (Highly Optimized)** | 0.0% Overhead | 8.0% - 15.0% Battery Drain |
| **PCAP Wireshark Packet Export** | **Native Built-in Feature** | Requires tcpdump | None |
| **Screen-On Condition Rule** | **Yes (Saves Background Data)**| Basic Wi-Fi/Mobile | None |
| **Advertising & Telemetry** | **0.0% (Zero Analytics)** | 0.0% | Heavy Commercial Tracking |

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## 📊 Comprehensive Head-to-Head Comparison Matrix

| Evaluation Dimension | NetGuard (FileCobra) | GlassWire Mobile | NoRoot Firewall |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Maintenance Status** | **Actively Maintained FOSS** | Proprietary SaaS | Deprecated / Abandoned |
| **Traffic Packet Logging (PCAP)**| **Full Wireshark Export** | Graph Only | Basic Host Log |
| **Subnet & Port Filtering** | **Granular Port Rules** | App Level Only | Basic Port Rules |
| **Open Source Governance** | **100% Free Open Source** | Proprietary | Proprietary Freeware |
| **Dark Theming Support** | **Clean Material Dark UI** | Custom Dark | Legacy Android UI |
| **License Type** | **GNU GPLv3 (100% Free FOSS)**| Proprietary Commercial | Proprietary |

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## 📋 Technical Hardware & System Requirements

NetGuard is compatible with all modern Android smartphones and tablets:

| Hardware Component | Minimum System Requirement | Recommended Performance Spec |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Operating System** | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) or higher | Android 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 |
| **Processor (CPU)** | ARMv7 / ARM64 / x86 / x86_64 Processor | Modern Quad-Core or Octa-Core Processor |
| **System Memory (RAM)** | 1 GB RAM | 2 GB+ RAM |
| **Storage Space** | 15 MB free disk space | High-Speed Internal Storage |
| **VPN Profile** | Android VpnService Support | Active Local VPN Slot |

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## 🛠️ Step-by-Step Installation & Quick Setup Guide

Follow this guide to install and configure NetGuard on Android:

### 1. Downloading and Installing NetGuard
1. Download the official verified NetGuard APK package (`netguard-firewall-v2.x.x.apk`) from FileCobra.
2. Tap the file to complete installation and open NetGuard.

### 2. Enabling the Firewall Service
1. Toggle the master switch in the top left corner to ON.
2. When prompted by Android, accept the **VPN Connection Request** to activate local device filtering.

### 3. Setting Per-App Wi-Fi and Mobile Rules
1. Tap the **Wi-Fi** or **Cellular** icons next to any app to toggle access between Allowed (Green/Grey) and Blocked (Orange/Red)!

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## 🔒 Security, Privacy & Open-Source Integrity Analysis

NetGuard represents the pinnacle of mobile network privacy and software transparency:
- **100% Free & Open Source**: Licensed under GNU GPLv3 with full public source code inspection on GitHub.
- **Zero Cloud Intermediaries**: Your internet packets are processed strictly inside on-device memory.

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## ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

### Does NetGuard require root permissions to block internet access?
No! NetGuard utilizes Android's native local VPN interface to inspect and filter network packets entirely without root privileges.

### Will NetGuard route my internet traffic through a remote server?
No! NetGuard is a 100% local device firewall. Your data packets never leave your phone to any external VPN server.

### Can I allow an app to access the internet only when the screen is turned on?
Yes! In NetGuard settings, tap the expand arrow next to any application and toggle on "Allow Wi-Fi/Mobile when screen is on" to eliminate background data drain.

## Installation

1. **Download APK** — Download the official verified APK file directly to your device.
2. **Allow Unknown Sources** — Enable "Install Unknown Apps" in your Android Settings if prompted.
3. **Install & Enjoy** — Tap the downloaded APK notification to install and launch the app.

## Editorial verdict

NetGuard is an essential Android utility that excels in daily efficiency, workflow automation, and reliable execution without bloat.

### Strengths

- Block Wi-Fi & Mobile Internet per Application.
- Zero Root Required (Operates via Local VPN) optimized for Android.

### Trade-offs

- Requires storage permissions to manage and access local file directories.

## FAQ

**Does NetGuard require root permissions to block internet access?**

No! NetGuard utilizes Android's native local VPN interface to inspect and filter network packets entirely without root privileges.

**Will NetGuard route my internet traffic through a remote server?**

No! NetGuard is a 100% local device firewall. Your data packets never leave your phone to any external VPN server.

**Can I allow an app to access the internet only when the screen is turned on?**

Yes! In NetGuard settings, tap the expand arrow next to any application and toggle on 'Allow Wi-Fi/Mobile when screen is on' to eliminate background data drain.

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Source: https://filecobra.com/app/netguard-firewall-apk/ · Mirrored from the publisher's own release channel by FileCobra. FileCobra runs no antivirus lab of its own.