yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] AFTVnews.com:
How to disable the app blacklist and re-enable FireStarter on a rooted Fire TV

More details here for those who need it.

adb shell
su
pm disable com.amazon.tv.settings/com.amazon.tv.settings.tv.AppDisableService
pm enable de.belu.firestarter
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] eXOBeX:
If anyone's interested in a decompiled /system/priv-app/com.amazon.tv.settings/com.amazon.tv.settings.apk file: http://www.decompileandroid.com/complete/664580?key=957615ef1bc02fb97735eead4b13dc9f

The interesting file if you download the source.zip file is /src/com/amazon/tv/settings/tv/AppDisableService.java which contains this little snippet:-

public AppDisableService()
{
super(TAG);
ArrayList arraylist = new ArrayList();
arraylist.add("com.altusapps.firedtvlauncher");
arraylist.add("de.belu.firestarter");
DISABLE_APPS = new SettingStringList("DisableApps", arraylist);
}
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] xeon2k8:
Whoa great info mate. By looking at that snippet I can see now why fire OS sucks sometimes, rudimentary coding. Thanks man.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] BirdOPrey5:
I hope everyone affected had updated their reviews at Amazon accordingly. You can find your old reviews here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=16465311

You can also find the product the normal way, click to write a review, and you should be given the edit option if you already had a ticket.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] -BoneZ-:
So, I just installed TWRP and rooted 5.0.5.1 onto my FTV2, blocked OTA's, stopped the app disable service that disables FireStarter, and then re-enabled FireStarter. FireStarter is still not working correctly. It appears on startup, but the home button isn't working with or without ADB turned on.

I have stopped FireStarter, cleared cache and data, and FireStarter will still not work using the home button with or without ADB turned on.

---------- Post added at 05:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:45 PM ----------

Did that, but FireStarter is still not working correctly with or without ADB enabled.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Habs69M:
i flashed sloane-5.0.5-rooted_r4 and all is working like it should :)
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] -BoneZ-:
You're correct, it's working fine on 5.0.5, but I just flashed 5.0.5.1 and it's not working as it should. So, either FireStarter needs updated for 5.0.5.1, or Amazon is still messing with the app somehow.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Habs69M:
yeah well 5.0.5.1 is the same as stock but its rooted so will most likely have the same anoyance, nothing wrong in running 5.0.5 instead :), while firestarter is modded to work like it used to :)
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] spotmark:
From what I understand, starting with 5.0.5.1, Amazon changed the code for what happens when the home button is pressed. That's why the Firestarter home detection settings don't work. Until something is figured out I'm content to stay on 5.0.5, where Firestarter works the way it should. Imo, without the home button detection, there really isn't a need for Firestarter.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Claude Koch:
Other than the shortcuts to sideloaded apps, has anyone uncovered anything better about OS 5.0.5.1?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] -BoneZ-:
Agreed. I am currently downgrading my ROM on FTV2 to 5.0.5 for now until this is resolved.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
I'm interested in trying to block any future updates. I've read some methods posted online involving jffs partition and ssh in your router that my router isn't capable of. However, in my netgear wndr4500 I can "block sites containing these keywords or domain names". Wouldn't that also effectively block the update?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] -BoneZ-:
Blocking through a router is not recommended. Disabling the update service is the most surefire way to block updates. Method 1 or 2 (method 1 being the best) will be your safest bet:

http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-block-software-updates-on-the-amazon-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] xeon2k8:
I don't think home button will work anymore since new Fire OS is overriding home button listeners on this release, as [MENTION=2371173]spotmark[/MENTION] already said. And also agree with him that FS is not so useful anymore, I use it only for keeping Kodi up to date.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
Can method block number 2 be tested afterwards to see if it worked?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] deanr1977:
I use method 2 on my sons firestick & it works just fine, it's not rooted & has been on 5.0.5 for ages no updates Have been pushed using this method, it just can't find anything on going to updates (it just keeps searching)
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] -BoneZ-:
Correct. The Home button isn't working with FireStarter on 5.0.5.1. I flashed back to 5.0.5 and FS is working perfectly now. I'll stay on 5.0.5 until FS is updated to work with 5.0.5.1.

---------- Post added at 08:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 AM ----------

You can test it by going to FireTV's settings, system, about, search for updates. I'm not sure of any other way.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
Can I use adbfire for this, and the adb shell in it?

---------- Post added at 04:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

Thanks method 2 worked. It's telling me error when I try to check for update. Good deal. Is this update proof now unless I factory reset? I should mention I did it on my Fire Tv gen 1 that is still on 5.0.5. I read somewhere else that OS5 uses the command pm disable com.amazon.dcp rather than pm disable com.amazon.device.software.ota.

Also, it survived reboot, but I got a message at reboot that said something about optimizing system storage and applications and can take up to 10 minutes, although it only took a few seconds, and it did not do that again on a second reboot I did.

When I go to system in settings, to look at current version, installed date and last checked always say "checking now". Is this going to cause any problems?

Did I do mine correctly? Am I update proof unless I factory reset?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] deanr1977:
Yes you have done it right, fingers crossed you should now.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] ulises.rodriguez:
Since, unfortunately now the Home button isn't working with FireStarter on 5.0.5.1, maybe the developer of Firestarter should consider reassign the functions of the Home Button, to some of the others buttons on the Remote, freeing the Home button to be Used only by the FireOS system.

So, we could always use another button of the Remote, instead of the Home Button to quickly switch among launchers.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Claude Koch:
The only other potential button is the microphone otherwise you would seriously hinder the usefulness of the remote.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] cat2115:
Not sure if you already know, after updating to the latest FireTV Stick version 5.0.5.1, I can now mark Kodi as favorite and it will show on FireTV Stick under App. Also, Kodi show on Home-->Recent of FireTV Stick.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] -BoneZ-:
If you have a custom recovery, you could always flash back to 5.0.5 (like I did) and have FireStarter working again until it is updated. Gotta have my FS. :)
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] jkchr1s:
Home button detection does not work in 5.0.5.1 for 2 reasons:

1. The adb executable in /system/bin was removed in 5.0.5.1 - this breaks the "ADB" method in settings.

2. The fallback method fails because Amazon changed some internal calls to work with the new Recent Apps option in the launcher.

You can use http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=66215906&postcount=592 in the meantime until sphinx02 updates for the new changes. Single press detection works, double-click is eaten up by Amazon's new Recent Apps option.

---------- Post added at 09:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 PM ----------

You can stay on 5.0.5.1 and use the patched version found here: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=66215906&postcount=592

Amazon removed /system/bin/adb from 5.0.5.1. You can either replace the executable or install the patched version that bundles it in to the app.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
As I said, method 2 worked. I am curious to know if one needed to factory reset if there is a strategy in place from allowing it to update since that's the first thing it does upon factory reset. Is it possible to redo method 2 before you allow it to connect to the Internet?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] MrWolfman:
you could try this disconnect the internet from the router but keep the wifi switched on, the stick should connect to the wifi but will be unable to get access to the net to update, it may then switch on maybe?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] ulises.rodriguez:
jkchr1s thanks for the information!

I just installed the FireStopper that suggested me, until [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION]*could release a proper update, and apart of Home Button (that I was aware that can not work anymore with 5.0.5.1) the FireStopper APP finally works Again!

However, I am a little worried because we have not heard anything from the developer of the FireStarter APP yet!

Do you or someone here knows if [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] is aware of the problem and would launch a new fixed version of the Firestarte APP soon?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
With FireStopper:

Single Home Button detection works as long as you have ADB Debugging turned ON. If you use an ADB tool or apk. You will need to cycle the ADB Debugging setting three times for best result.

Double Home Button is gone. Amazon has taken over that completely. Will need to get replaced by another button(s).

Sphinx02 works on this app as a hobby. So when he has the time he will work on it. We know this by the time between the 3.2.2 & 3.2.3 release. Luckily jkchr1s figured thing out & got a mod apk out. Patience.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] ulises.rodriguez:
Thanks Y314K for the additional information.

That's what I suggested before...

Since, now Amazon has taken over completely of Double Home Button, [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] needs to find a way to replace the Double Home Button by another button(s) on the remote.

I really hope Sphinx02 have the time to work on a new update with fixes for 5.0.5.1

Luckily jkchr1s has figured a temporary fix and released a mod apk out that we all are currently using it successfully!
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
There you go. Yeah I will leave the modem off and just let it connect to router wifi if I ever factory reset.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] siroques:
I don't know if someone suggested this already in one of the last 70 pages but I think we don't need a double home button function.

Before my FTV upgraded itself, I could press the home button ONE TIME and it opened my favorite app (Kodi).

So far so good...

But if I pressed the home button ONE TIME again, it switched back to the amazon home screen ... and so on.

So I never had to use the double tap function.

I could switch between the amazon main screen and Kodi by pressing the home button only one time.

I don't know why this happened, because at the first time I had to double tap the home button for Kodi as configured.

Maybe it was a bug, but the one tap switch was really very very comfortable and I liked it much more than the double tap...

It should be simple to implement this as a "desired" function! :fingers-crossed:
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Claude Koch:
The other nice thing FireStarter does is manage Kodi and SPMC updates. An app that did just this alone might also be handy, seeing that Kodi doesn't seem to be heading in the self-update direction.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
I love Firestarter for the kodi updates as was mentioned but also love with the click or double click of a button, quick access to force stop Kodi on the occasion that it hangs up and saves me all the extra clicks of going thru settings and manage running apps.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] siroques:
Yeah, but how many times do you make an update and how many times do you switch between favourite apps.

If you double tap the home button, you are also able to start any other app or FireStarter to do the updates. :)
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
Do you mean "Home detection via ADB" needs to be turned on within Firestarter? Because that's the only way I get single home button to work. With firestarter using single click, is there another button to click to get from Kodi to the fire tv home screen?

---------- Post added at 01:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 AM ----------

Just answered my own question. When in Kodi, if I click home button once, immediately followed by two back button clicks, it goes to the home screen, rather than firestarter, which it normally goes to with one click. This works for me. Quick access to both home screen and fire starter.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] cooltwou:
Has FireStarter quit working because it doesn't show on either Fire TV I have and I can't reinstall it by ES file explore or adb or by a flash drive and when I used adb or flash drive it says it's installed but under all applications it doesn't list it and in ES file explore says the link was deleted because of spam
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] deanr1977:
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-disable-amazons-app-blacklist-on-a-rooted-fire-tv-2/
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] cooltwou:
I don't have either Fire TV Rooted
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] vger74656a:
Hey all,

Is there any way to downgrade to a version that doesn't block FireStarter then block the updates?

Cheers,

V
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Start reading from page 59 or 60 of this thread & you should be all caught up on your options.

---------- Post added at 10:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:35 PM ----------

You would need to be more specific then that. But as a general rule. You can only downgrade when you are ROOTED & are running Pre-Rooted Roms. NEVER downgrade on stock Roms or you'll brick yourself.

If the ? is regarding a 1st Gen device then you will have to wait until the new Bootloader/TWRP/ROM for FireOS 5 get release for it.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] vger74656a:
Basically I am being screwed by the new Amazon OS (FOS?) update that kills Firestarter, like a lot of other people. I was wondering, rather than updating the software that might be killed in a new update, if there was a way to revert my Fire Stick back to the previous version of FOS then lock the auto update down?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
For FireTV Sticks which all are 1st Gen devices. You will need to wait for FireOS 5 ROM's to be release. Also there would need to be a FireOS 5.0.5.0 Pre-Rooted Rom released. Which is very unlikely since the first Rom that will probably will get release will be based on 5.0.5.1. Although we might be surprised by having both versions released.

Either way. All that would be needed to get FireStarter (FireStopper) going again would for some one to compile it again with just one change. No biggie.

Right now if your FTVS already updated to the latest. All you can do is block updates &/or Root it. But without a Bootloader or a Rom there isn't much point.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] vger74656a:
Do you have to have an Amazon account assigned to the Fire Stick for it to update or will it update without one?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Since a DeRegistered FTVS would kick you back out to request you log in or create a new account. I would say it should not update. But it would also not be usable. And there wouldn't be a point of keeping it plugged in.

That said in the past some brand new FTV(S)'s came with an update preloaded & ready to run. It would tried to install it at first boot/startup. But they rarely updatde to the latest FW. But this only affect some brand new FTV(S)'s at first bootup.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] FoneFreak786:
All you need is Firestopper for now until another solution is found.

The firestopper install instructions are here http://www.yourkodi.com/how-to-install-firestopper-for-fire-tv/ and if you use ADB then here http://www.yourkodi.com/push-zip-files-kodi-fire-stick-adbfire/ this is for those that need help installing it.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] AFTVnews.com:
[MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION]

I did some experimenting today to try and restore full FireStarter functionality on a rooted 5.0.5.1. You can disable the new default double-press action by the following:

pm disable com.amazon.venezia/com.amazon.venezia.list.AppsLibraryDeeplinkEventReceiver

(guide here)

This doesn't disable the actual built-in double home button detection, but rather, it disables the receiver that opens the app library after the double-press is picked up by the OS. I thought this was a better solution than disabling the detection because it would allow [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] to monitor the log for:

I/FireTVKeyPolicyManager( 519): handleDoublePressOnHomeCustom

and probably detect double-presses more reliably because he can piggyback on the new built in detection. Note that FireStarter's current double-press detection still does not work after disabling the default double-press action, because of changes made with 5.0.5.1.

Also, It's simple to restore the internal ADB client (guide here) and regain FireStarters ADB abilities.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] _u2pop_:
[MENTION=5957312]AFTVnews.com[/MENTION] great notice
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] dirtbag_td:
I was able to reinstall back Firestarter but Double Click Home Button does nothing.

I have Home Button Single Click Application set to FireTV Home and HOme Button Double Click Application set to Kodi. Whenever I tried to double click it just brings me to the Your Apps Library page.

Am I doing something wrong?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Unless your device is rooted or rootable. Which would expand your options. Just Start reading from page 59 or 60 of this thread & you should be all caught up on your options.

Short Story: Amazon claimed the double home button for their My Apps option on the last FW update (FireOS 5.0.5.1). And the only way to revert that is thru ADB but ONLY ON a ROOTED FTV(S). And single home button only works with ADB Debugging turned on.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] TMonte87:
I installed "Firestopper" last night and noticed that my single button home click was not working either. Does that functionality go away if you are not on a rooted device?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
Can anyone verify this code in the fire devices? Encouraging if true. http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-expl...e-love-in-the-latest-fire-tv-software-update/
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
It still works fine on an unRooted/Rooted device.

Make sure you have FireStarter chosen under the "Home Button Single Click Application" FireStarter Settings.

Uncheck the "Home-Detection via ADB" Setting.

Click on "Open ADB Settings" & cycle the "ADB debugging" setting ON/OFF/ON/OFF/ON/OFF/ON. Leaving it on ON. (Cycles setting 3 times))

Check the "Home-Detection via ADB" Setting. And test out the setting by backing into FireStarter Apps & hitting Home. You should see the Amazon Home for a sec. And then FireStarter Apps section should show

If you still have problems. ReStart your device.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] AFTVnews.com:
For anyone that wants to verify what I found, decompile the com.amazon.tv.launcher.apk system app in 5.0.5.1 and look at line 353 in the file /src/com/amazon/tv/launcher/cms/CmsReader.java

Note that "0x7f0a01c9" in the code refers to Kodi's package name as defined on line 2484 in /src/com/amazon/tv/launcher/R.java and line 514 in /res/values/strings.xml
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] axxel6307:
Does anyone think blocking updates may ever affect functionality? Lets hypothetically say for someone who only uses the Fire device for only Kodi.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] xeon2k8:
Nope at all.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] callanish:
I'm more than willing to take that chance, but I highly doubt it.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] TMonte87:
Is it possible to block updates on a non rooted device?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Yes, do Method 2 or Method 2+4 ...

http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-bloc...-amazon-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/#withoutroot
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Claude Koch:
Sorry to say, it looks like Amazon might've take out Sphinx as well.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
:confused:
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] ulises.rodriguez:
I thought everyone would like to know that 12 days ago sphinx02 responded to a message on GitHub page for FireStarter, where apparently confirms that knows all the problems of the Firestarter APP with the latest FireOS 5.0.5.1 update, and says that he hopes again to trick Amazon somehow and help provide a better experience with FireStarter, so I think that we will see a New and Fixed version of Firestarter very soon:

https://github.com/sphinx02/FireStarter/issues/50

“sphinx0212 days ago

Can not yet confirm as none of my 3 devices has already received the 5.0.5.1 update.

If your reports are true, this is a really unfair measure by Amazon. The question is: what is the trigger for the uninstallation of FireStarter. Either it is a special characteristic or functionality of FireStarter which is triggering the uninstallation or they really start to blacklist Apps on the FireTV. If this is really true I do not want to think of which App is the next one being placed on their blacklist .. Kodi?, SPMC??

On one side the new built-in double-click home-button feature kind of replaces a part of FireStarter but on the other side this step by Amazon drastically restricts the possibilities the user have on the FireTV and will in future lead to more rooted / jailbreaked FireTV’s.

As soon as one of my devices has received the 5.0.5.1 update, I will further investigate and see what I can do. But this time this really sucks as it seems to be a measure targeted especially against FireStarter.

The whole circumstance shows how popular FireStarter has become in the last time and how many people are using it. Btw the last version (v3.2.2) had have over 3 million downloads on GitHub. I hope we can again trick Amazon somehow and help to provide a better FireTV experience with FireStarter..”

Y314K thanks for suggesting to follow up and monitor the GitHub page for FireStarter , to search and see a commit or something new committed or posted by Sphinx02!
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] morphfxf:
Can you change the app installation name maybe it will work
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] xeon2k8:
That was already done in this thread. Look up for FireStopper.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Start reading @ page 59 & you'll be all caught up. :cyclops:
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] morphfxf:
Lol im not in the mood for some light reading ? but thanks firestopper is working. The only bummer is that I lost all my app positions and wallpaper and had to start back from scratch. Other than that it's working fine. ?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Glad it's working for you. It takes me a few minutes to setup FS. So didn't mind it as much. Hopefully it won't become a constant. :eek:
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] morphfxf:
I would suggest you create a backup. I found out there's a backup and restore option in the settings... Although I didn't make a backup last time, I should be good if everything goes south in a future update. I learned my lesson, never rely on something to work forever.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Great recommendation. Since the backup is put in "/SDCard/" it should pulled from there regarding of version. Then it should be a one setting click to restore settings from now on. I had not paid attention to the Export/Import options. Thanks.... :good:
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Tedly002:
Any possibility of someone writing a new software/firmware installation that does away with Amazon's firmware and utilizes the firestick and FireTV's hardware. Kind of like and Android override, or removes/strips away all their Amazon stuff and get Amazon out of the picture completely?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
http://xdaforums.com/fire-tv/development

http://xdaforums.com/fire-tv/development/cm12-android-tv-rom-development-t3016587

http://xdaforums.com/fire-tv/orig-development

http://xdaforums.com/fire-tv/orig-development/fire-tv-2-ubuntu-headless-install-guide-t3323351