yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Amazon Fire Phone] mpogue1975:
Downgrade works after OTA update to 3.5.1

I can confirm the downgrade works beautifully. I had intended to root with towelroot straight from the box, but I accidentally left wifi enabled and it updated while I was out of the room. I downgraded, rooted, installed ES File Explorer, Xposed framework and HDXposed. I also installed device control, supersu, and root checker. Finally I have installed Go Launcher and Google Apps.

The only problem I have discovered is that the Kindle app does not open directly, but can be opened through the kindle bookstore.

I left my lock screen on as is. My question is: how can I help others make this process easier?

Also, I have not been able to use fastboot to send commands to the phone in Fastboot mode. What is the current progress if any, on unlocking the bootloader?

By the way, this is my first android phone...thanks!
[Amazon Fire Phone] Rapidaps:
Hey guys!

I am new here in the xda forum and I bought a Amazon Fire Phone yesterday. It's really awful to have no access to the Google Play Store. How far is your Guide? Will a newbie like me understand it?^^ Thanks so far for your great commitment in writing a Guide.
[Amazon Fire Phone] mpogue1975:
Re: Guide

First, the most important thing I can tell you is: DO NOT let your phone upgrade to 3.5.1. In fact, turn off wifi to prevent it from doing an automatic over-the-air update when you're not looking like mine did. If you do let it update, you will have the extra headache of having to downgrade your phone's software in recovery mode before you can root!

Next, you will need to install the Android Developer Bridge (ADB) tool and USB Drivers for your device which are part of the Android SDK...Google and this site's forum are your best good friend Bubba.

Next, Google towelroot and download tr.apk by clicking the lambda on the screen and save the file to your computer.

Go to Settings--->Device--->Get info on your Fire Phone---> Tap the Device Name 7 times--->Tap Developer Options---> turn on developer options---> check USB Debugging. Then attach your phone to your computer.

Next is the fun part, assuming you have installed ADB and the USB Drivers for your device, namely the ADB Composite Driver and Kindle Fire USB Driver if you are on Windows, open a command prompt or Terminal window (you will want to have Administrator or root privileges in either case) and type the following:

adb start-server

-and-

adb devices

If you see your device listed, good to go, type:

adb install tr.apk (making sure you're either in the same directory as the target file, or do adb install \path-to-file\tr.apk).

Finally, on your phone, locate the towelroot app, run it, and tap the make it rain button.

If all goes well, you have rooted your phone...Congratuations!

Next, you will want to install the free ES File Explorer app from Amazon app store and navigate to the System/app/ directory on your phone. Remove the files in this directory that are listed in the first post of this thread which are responsible for automatic OTA updates.

Next you will want to Google and download the Xposed Framework and the HDXposed module.

adb install their .apk flies and then install and enable them on your phone respectively.

Finally, you will be able to follow other guides on this forum for installing the Google Play Store and Google Apps! Whew! :)

Hope this helps and good luck!
[Amazon Fire Phone] crutchcorn:
Good job on instructions. Only a few things that I will add.

First off, if you do have 3.5.1, there is a way to downgrade. If you need that and cannot find a simple enough guide lemme know.

Next, as previously mentioned, only certain versions of Google Apps (GAPPS) will work and you need to make other modifications to get them to work 100%. If you cannot understand I'll do my best to make it easier.

I am also not claiming any credit for any of this info, this goes respectively to mpogue, Euneiro, and other brilliant minds working on this. All I'm doing is trying to help people out who might not understand some if the more complicated terminology. :) Thank you to everyone working on this phone.
[Amazon Fire Phone] mpogue1975:
Read all posts CAREFULLY...2x if necessary lol

If you read my post more carefully, you will notice that I already mentioned the downgrade, and what a headache it might be for a newbie because it involves booting into recovery mode, putting the phone in sideload mode from the recovery menu, and then doing adb sideload nameoftheupdatehere.bin. I know, because I also mentioned in my post that this is EXACTLY what I had to do myself when I accidentally left wifi enabled on my phone and left the room. The phone performed an OTA update to 3.5.1, without asking for permission I might add, while I was away.

You are quite correct about versions of software, and Eunerio's post shows the correct ones to use and the order that they should be installed, also you should not open any of them on the phone until all 4 are installed, and a reboot afterward is probably a good idea. If Google Play Store keeps giving you stop issues, reinstall it...simple. Also, you should IMMEDIATELY disable auto-updates from the Google Play Store settings.

Best of Luck
[Amazon Fire Phone] crutchcorn:
Oh, my bad. I didn't notice at all. Sorry, I'm hoping you weren't offended.

I know his post mentioned the version numbers, which is why I linked his post. I'm not trying to be rude or take credit or anything of the nature, just trying to simplify it. Probably out of line. Sorry
[Amazon Fire Phone] jakeemery16:
adb is not letting me sideload the bin file

How did you all install the drivers? It's confusing me cause it works when the phone is on, so I did "adb restart recovery"

I go to update via adb, and then do the adb sideload command but the computer/adb doesn't see the device.

Btw, if you hadn't noticed, Im trying to downgrade the phone.

Thanks guys for giving this phone hope. I really hope we can put cyanogen mod on this:laugh::confused:
[Amazon Fire Phone] mpogue1975:
Re: Drivers

Ok...so I'm assuming that adb recognizes your phone in normal usb mode? in other words, when you type:

adb devices you get:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX device

If so:

Then you want to do:

adb reboot recovery

and then go to Update from ADB from the menu and press top button once.

you should receive instructions on the sideload command.

Do the following:

Disconnect the phone

adb kill-server

adb start-server

Reconnect the phone

adb devices

you should see:

XXXXXXXXXXXX sideload

then

adb sideload nameofupdatehere.bin

check the phone for confirmation that the update loaded successfully

reboot and be patient...done
[Amazon Fire Phone] jakeemery16:
I had to uninstall the driver, reboot PC, uninstall again, update, let me choose from file, and and composite, then your imstructions,. Thanks!

Now I can start tweaking system and helping out!!

Excited!!!
[Amazon Fire Phone] Rapidaps:
Hey! I got my Firephone today and I am afraid to say that it was delievered with version 3.6. So I have to downgrade it -.-. I'm not so happy with the phone. It hasn't so much opportunities to personalize it. But I got it for 10 Euro because of a price mistake of Amazon.

Perhaps I should mention that I come from Germany and my Phone comes from there too of course. Thanks a lot again :D
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
Seems that the german T-Mobile locked Fire Phones are going up to 3.6.2..

Not clear if it will work with the downgrade to v3.5 of AT&T, maybe there are minor hardware differences, like LTE-Frequencies?

Will examine today a little more.
[Amazon Fire Phone] mazeprince:
I successfully downgraded my simlocked german Fire Phone to 3.5. Then rooted. Everything is working fine. But be aware, in 3.5 there is no german language and no real multi tasking....

I mainly followed Euneiro's post.
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
Same here.. worked. What i did not get to work, was the GApps-Stuff. As soon as i start the Play Store (which can' connect to anything) i get the constant gapps crashes, also with these versions mentioned in the thread and the running order of installation...

Maybe it would be cool to have a link, where these versions are available for download? I'm not sure if i really catched the ones mentioned.

And what i'm lost with: "and put on the Xposed Installer. I then installed the HDXposed module"

I know the Xposed Installer, but i have no idea what is the HDXposed module?

Ciao,

grx
[Amazon Fire Phone] Xerx3sHipe:
Problems with rooting my device

Hey guys,

I also downgraded my simlocked german Fire Phone to 3.5.

Euneiro's guide was pretty detailed.

After downgrading I used towelroot and confirmed my root-status with an root checker...

But still after all my system/apps folder is still read-only (ES says 'Permission denied')

Sadly I have no clue what went wrong. Can you guys pls tell me what exactly you did to your phones?

P.S. Is there any possibility to return to the german fire os 3.6? I dont want/need to. Just want to know.

Cheers,

Xerx

---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 PM ----------

This is where I got it from:

GApps

Xposed Installer

HDXposed

Hope this helps :)

Cheers,

Xerx
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
Yes, actually the same way you downgraded. The problem is that amazon didn't released the 3.6 Firmware (Let's call it EU), as binary for download. Or i'm to stupid to see it.

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:46 PM ----------

Ah. Now it worked like a charm! Thx!
[Amazon Fire Phone] Xerx3sHipe:
Next step

hmm... ok nvm. So I have to wait, if I ever want to get on stock rom again ^^ not that important.

You are welcome :)

Mine is now also working fine with alle benefits of GApps :D I still cant access the system/apps folder but that seems not to be a big deal...

Now the only thing that bothers me is, that its all american (and at&t)... Firefly wont work :( (but also not such a big deal ^^) Since I havent called T-Mobile about my Simcard, my phone is still without one. Is yours aktivated and working fine?

Cheers,

Xerx

---------- Post added at 03:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 PM ----------

Just another thing you probably can help me with:

I have no clue how to install an custom keyboard (like ai.type), does anyone know how to install one?

Cheers,

Xerx
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
I'm using it now without SIM-Card. I'm looking for a Congstar-Prepaid, no shops in the nearby seeling those ^ ^

By the way, is there a chance to get the SIM-Unlock Input, without a inserted (foreign) SIM?

Regarding Keyboard, since the Settings of FIreOS doesn't allow to change the keyboard, i have no idea where to activate it.

I managed it, to deactivate the fireOS Keyboard (Which is called Swype), but still the 3rd party keyboard wanted their "activation".

By the way, really cool would it be to have Softkeys (Home, Menu etc.) on the lower side.

There is an app in the Google Store for that, but it doesn't work with the fire phone.
[Amazon Fire Phone] Xerx3sHipe:
Sorry, cant tell you something about that... I didnt activated it yet and dont want to since I dont know how T-Mobile handles Sim-Reactivation (in case my Fire Phone stops working).

I think I'll just test it for some time now whithout Sim and maybe (one day) I activate it :D

Yeah, that's also my point where I got stuck ^^

I like the handling of fire OS without this bottom bar.

I just configured Nova-Launcher that the lower Button takes the place of a Homebutton and a swipe from beneath-screen to mid-screen is 'back'. Works perfectly for me ^^

Cheers,

Xerx
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
Ok, i got that. There is a XposeModule (Dynamic Ultra Navbar), which made it.

Of couse the dock of the launcher does not "know" that it is there. Slightly uncomf ;)
[Amazon Fire Phone] Xerx3sHipe:
Update:

K, lets say I played Hammertime. Im really new to this stuff (I think you can see this) ^^

I just deleted system/apps/Swype.apk (yes, my root works fine now) and renamed an old version of the ai.type apk to Swype.apk (I think it was 1.9.9.4).

Works sometimes :silly: Im still trying and hoping that it will work fine someday :D

If anyone got an idea, what could help... :D

Cheers,

Xerx

//Edit:

just works fine now :D I had to update the old version with the appstore.
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
That's nice. I tried a different approach, but with no luck. I transferred the com.android.setting.apk from a KIT KAT Android (Cyanogenmod) to the Fire and installed it. In fact this works, i now have a standard android settings panel working.

BUT guess which entry is the only one crashing if i tap it? ;) Language and Input... Need a log for this.

or maybe a real settings.apk from a 4.2.2 android.

---------- Post added at 12:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 AM ----------

just to add, i played around with disabling the system settings apk before installing and vice versa, but it doesnt seems to be necessary.

Then always a good idea to have a backuped system.img.

And maybe we should start another thread, because we're leaving the topic "root".
[Amazon Fire Phone] Euneiro:
Any chance you can post that settings apk? The only thing bugging me still is using the Fire Settings.
[Amazon Fire Phone] B1ackByte:
i will make a guide for root and customize the firephones
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
Sure. It's taken from a CyanogenMod 10.1.3 (Android 4.2.2) for a Nexus 4.
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
But that's not useable for every day life: Wifi, Data Usage, Display and Language and Input is crashing.

Logcat from last one i.e.:
[Amazon Fire Phone] B1ackByte:
thats a real problem... i have the same issue :/

i will try an other settings.apk

maybe you can look to my guide for other nice things :)

http://xdaforums.com/fire-phone/general/guide-make-fireos-looks-feel-normal-t2898921
[Amazon Fire Phone] natter_deluxe:
One basic question (sorry in advance :) ):

After rooting Fire OS version 3.5 (e.g. after downgrade), is it possible to use OTA update again to get newer Fire OS version without loosing root access?

Thanks for comments.
[Amazon Fire Phone] Xerx3sHipe:
I tried but it just gives me an update failure message.

But im also running american Fire OS 3.5 on a german Fire Phone in Germany... so probably it just cant reach the american amazon servers... hope this helps at least a bit.

Cheers,

Xerx
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
No, it was already mentioned, you should disable the automatic updates.

The HDXposed Module for Xposed Installer includes that, but there is also a way via adb shell.

I'm just to lost in tabs now for finding it ;)
[Amazon Fire Phone] Xerx3sHipe:
oh... :p yeah :D thats why my update wont work... stupid me :eek:

Cheers,

Xerx
[Amazon Fire Phone] le-grx:
And the partition layout of the "SD":

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 DDR -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p5

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 aboot -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p14

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 boot -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p15

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 cache -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p18

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 dbi -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p4

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 fsc -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p2

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 fsg -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p12

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 misc -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p1

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 modem -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p6

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 modemst1 -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p10

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 modemst2 -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p11

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 persist -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p13

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 recovery -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p16

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 rpm -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p7

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 sbl1 -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p9

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 ssd -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p3

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 system -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p17

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 tz -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p8

lrwxrwxrwx root root 2014-02-23 16:23 userdata -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p19
[Amazon Fire Phone] mnknight:
cant find device services

Hey I might be blind but I can't find the device services platform in that folder could you point me in the right direction?

thanks
[Amazon Fire Phone] Euneiro:
Anyone find a settings apk that actually works? The one posted here installs but I had to rollback as it's basically useless because most of the options crash.
[Amazon Fire Phone] paddy124453534:
I rooted the phone and installed the US OS, but now i am not able to connect to the mobile Internet. I live in Germany, Phoning is working.

I Unlocked the SimLock.

Is this because of the US OS?

Edit: Had to add the Access Point manually, of course. I'm an idiot :D
[Amazon Fire Phone] Xerx3sHipe:
and with this edit your Device connects to the mobile internet and is working?
[Amazon Fire Phone] paddy124453534:
Yes, i am now connected to the O2.de mobile internet (Germany).
[Amazon Fire Phone] mnknight:
Stopping OTA

would editing the otacert.zip stop the OTA?

/ system / etc / security / otacerts.zip edit the file name otacerts.zip otacerts.zip.bak

The phone has it and it works on kindle fire hd.
[Amazon Fire Phone] Pryxus:
How did you do this? By paying 99€:eek:?
[Amazon Fire Phone] paddy124453534:
Yeah i did. 109€ for a new phone is a good price :good:
[Amazon Fire Phone] Kevinreid1:
What are the files I need to delete the OTA

What are the files I need to delete to stop OTA updates?

Also to downgrade 3.5 via sideload adb version has to be higher then 1.27 took me forever to figure that out.

I have downgraded and done a factory reset, but it is already trying to upgrade. Thanks for your help
[One (M8) General] zeyarwynntun:
Out of the Box, my M8 comes with 1.60.708.2.

I've been so upset that I can't go S-OFF with Firewater.

As for Sunshine method, in-app payment declined my credit cards (Myanmar).

And even with my Fav custom ROM, due to base OS difference, there were problems with boot time, boot logo, ...

Finally I found this site

http://bbs.gfan.com/android-7496959-1-1.html

These are what I did.

Stock Nandroid backup and Stock recoveries downloaded from this thread

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2701376

1. I firstly restored to 1.60.708.2 by restoring Stock Nandroid from that thread via TWRP recovery.

2. Restored to Stock recovery from that thread.

3. Relocked the bootloader.

4. Download this and rename to HBOOT.zip

http://pan.baidu.com/share/link?shareid=2359888657&uk=622017286

Download this and rename to 0P6BIMG.zip

http://pan.baidu.com/share/link?shareid=2360886064&uk=622017286

5. Enter RUU mode by the command:

fastboot oem rebootRUU

Then flash HBOOT by

fastboot flash zip HBOOT.zip

6. Then, transfer the downloaded 0P6BIMG.zip to the root of mSD via Card Reader, then insert to the phone.

7. Reboot to bootloader by

fastboot reboot-bootloader

ROM flashing will start automatically.

It will take a long time to complete.

Then ur phone will boot up with 1.54.708.5 downgraded OS.

8. Then Unlock Bootloader.

9. Flash TWRP recovery.

10. Root with SU zip in TWRP.

11. Finally, use Firewater to get S-OFF.

DO IT WITH YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY

I've tried this method and now with SuperCID :D
[One (M8) General] morben:
Thanks for this. Worked a treat. I didn't need to downgrade the ROM just the bootloader and firewater worked!
[One (M8) General] cruzargel:
I just purchased sunshine a couple of days ago :( this made me sad. $25 is not so cheap.

Sunshine devs won't be happy with this post. lol
[One (M8) General] archioptrics:
It's a small price to pay, for less stress plus everything else is free on xda.
[One (M8) General] beaups:
"lol" sunshine devs are the firewater devs.
[One (M8) General] Tigerstown:
How did people not know this. Lol.
[One (M8) General] thecrunked:
does this only work with hing kong m8 or will it work on usa att m8
[One (M8) General] richteralan:
And yet you can afford this phone and a Sony Xperia Z2. O the mysteries.
[One (M8) General] Rouz.:
I'm sorry, but I don't agree with you.

buying two devices doesn't make 25 dollar for a s-off (per device) cheap. Developers have been offering such services on XDA free for years. And there are always people who are willing to donate to appreciate their effort.

Remember there was a bounty thread where people were willing to pay up to 2 grand for s-off. But the devs asked us to pay a premium price per device, and that's just not in the spirit of XDA.

This is just my two cents. and you have every right to disagree with me.
[One (M8) General] richteralan:
Of course I am going to disagree. Another take-for-granted user.
[One (M8) General] pedyvirus:
will this work on all gsm unbranded m8's?
[One (M8) General] n1234d:
Will this work for whelped users?
[One (M8) General] mdorrett:
Any idea if it works with VZW? If so would I just RUU a stock ROM afterwards?
[One (M8) General] zeyarwynntun:
I'm sorry friends.

I'm just an end user and just sharing my experience with my Hong Kong version of M8y with this method, which perfectly ok on downgrading and then S-Off'ing my Device.

I don't know it will work on other devices or not.

Anyway, mine was also a whelped device with 1.60.708.x.

Sent from ViperOne M8
[One (M8) General] vacoray:
Ok guys, who has the guts to try?
[One (M8) General] amirsardari:
i will try now . I have international gsm version. I will post result after try
[One (M8) General] Tigerstown:
I wish one of my 5 m8 were still lock an s-on. I would try worse case I have to buy a new phone. No biggie to me I know not the case for others.

---------- Post added at 07:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------

You have a unbranded m8? R you in the USA or no? Just wondering myself I didn't need this as I'm s-off since day 1.
[One (M8) General] n1234d:
Was it whelp, it has been patched, or whelp, no amount of flashing will help?
[One (M8) General] zeyarwynntun:
Yes, patched.

And succeeded with this method.

Again, mine is Hong Kong version m8y.

Sent from ViperOne M8
[One (M8) General] sunnytse1:
i have a hk m8(m8y) and sunshine s-off. I'll try this method next week.Have to return it to stock and take it to repair....burn in on screen:crying:
[One (M8) General] angelo.bautista5:
What do you mean by patched? Tried your this method but still whelped. I guessed I've done something wrong along the way. Going to try again later.
[One (M8) General] sardroid:
Mirror for hboot and rom: https://mega.co.nz/#!5h8jyZCI!gzX0VBQnfet54-6POqe5_QoAvgbU0PxU8ghFX_ZdISM
[One (M8) General] zeyarwynntun:
I mean, I was getting this message when I tried to do S-OFF with Firewater before the Downgrade:

The first bottle is open

chugging..........

whelp, that bottle is empty, opening bottle 2

chugging..........

remember the golden rule, NEVER take an OTA? Of course you don't

****** device patched by HTC, you are out of luck *********
[One (M8) General] angelo.bautista5:
tried the steps here and perform firewater method. still no luck. tried sunshine s-off (desperate move).. encountered network error. wow.. i guess my network or the network on my country is blocking all s-off method. LOL... my bad luck
[One (M8) General] sunnytse1:
use vpn
[One (M8) General] angelo.bautista5:
What do you mean? Need help with this one
[One (M8) General] sunnytse1:
What is vpn

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network

Free vpn

http://www.vpngate.net/en/

Set up vpn on Windows

http://www.softether.org

Dunno if that will work, but worth a try
[One (M8) General] pedyvirus:
well im really great in these things because in my country most of the websites are blocked :P

you need to use a vpn on your htc one m8 and your pc

you need vpn on both because firewater needs to get access to their source on both devices
[One (M8) General] sunnytse1:
[MENTION=5498286]angelo.bautista5[/MENTION] you may install these free apps on your m8 for easy and faster vpn access.

easyovpn:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.easyovpn.easyovpn

openvpn:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.openvpn.openvpn

(install both)

appcobber:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ultravpn.vpn

tunnelbear:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tunnelbear.android