yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Slickone_:
How do I switch launchers? The circle at the bottom (which used to be shaped like a Home) does nothing. And there is no Home under settings. I have Google laucher enabled and still have Nova installed, so there should be a choice.

Also for some reason I can't find Google's Camera app on the Play store. Is it being hidden from me?

I could d/l the Camera apk but there are many versions and I'm not sure which to use. ie. at apkmirror, the newest ones say android 6+, but the older ones don't state:

http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/camera/camera-3-2-042-release/#downloads

FYI, Google wouldn't let me install their calculator, but there are plenty of other calulator apps. Or the Amazon calculator is about like Google's. Might it be helpful info to anyone before disabling Amazon's calc.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Once a launcher is set as default, the Home key (circle) always takes you to that launcher. Most launchers have an option in launcher settings to turn off default, but in my experience it seldom "releases" the Home key. So . . .

Use Block/Unblock and UNBLOCK Amazon, then block it again. You'll get black screen (I think) because system doesn't know which launcher to use, but Home key will work and let you choose between launchers. If you tap "Just once(?)" the Home key will prompt whenever you press it. If you choose "Always," the chosen launcher will be set as default.

At ApkMirror you need to click on a version and then look at the panel below description to see Minimum Version.

Just a suggestion: Your discoveries related to disabling system apps will help more people if posted in your favorite safe-to-remove list.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Slickone_:
On my phone (Kit Kat), I can select which launcher I want to use. This is with Google's launcher enabled. So why wouldn't Google launcher on the Fire let me choose? I disabled the Fire launcher, as it was listed in sd_shadow's list.

Also what is the name of the English keyboard app? It's not listed in on sd_shadow's page. I installed Swiftkey so don't need it.

I planned to post my list and actually did post it as a reply but since the forum software concatenated it to my other reply, I took it out. But all I did was use the lists already given. Since I need to give over this tablet over soon, I don't have time to test so I won't disable anything not already in someone else's safe list.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
What can I say? This is not your phone, not true Android. On Android you can control default launcher in settings. Not so on Amazon tablets, so we find workarounds. You can see if Google Now settings has the option to "turn off" default, but even if it does that may not make home key give you options. If you used "pm disable" to disable Firelauncher, the BLOCK/UNBLOCK tool will enable it. Otherwise you'll have to undo whatever you did to disable.

I don't know name of Amazon keyboard. You may be able to set Swiftkey as default in Keyboard/language settings.

EDIT [MENTION=6108345]Slickone_[/MENTION] : See if you can turn off Google Now default in Settings/Apps/All-->Clear default.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Slickone_:
Actually that's what you can say. Sorry and thanks.

---------- Post added at 02:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:48 PM ----------

As quirky as the launchers are on the Fire, I better ask first, is it safe to uninstall Nova, and delete Fire launcher through the console, if only ever want to use Google launcher?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] doe_eyed_gazelle:
Thanks for your assistance.

Thank you for pointing out that I was on 5.1.2.1. I was previously rooted (through Kingroot on 5.1.1 by bibikalka). I then went back and used bibikalka's thread to as per your suggestion/instructions in your first post " If you're already rooted, use that tutorial to upgrade". I went back and checked in his thread and in step 3 where he said to flash 5.1.2(5.4.2) and attached link I didn't realize it was in fact 5.1.2.1.

Does this make any difference to then use your tools? Is it only designed to work on 5.1.2 and not 5.1.2.1?

So yes I am still rooted. I thought it had upgraded but it looks like I installed it myself.

I apologize, after posting , I went back looking for the Nova Launcher in priv/app. I have root explore and show hidden files activated. I was expecting to find it alphabetically in a folder as with all the other items there. I then found it at the bottom of the priv/apps listed as only an apk on it's own, not in a folder. This morning, after numerous attempts last night Nova decided to work after I rebooted. No more black screen.

I then tried to install Go Launcher through step 3 and it would not recognize either Go or Apex as an apk file in the user_launcher folder. So I just installed them myself as normal and blocked Amazon Launcher giving me the option to pick which one I wanted to use and selected always. It seems to be working for right now. I'm just weird.

I have to say that I applaud you on your efforts, I think this is an great tool.

Now if you could juuusssst figure out how the change the wallpaper on the lockscreen. :)

Thanks so much for this tool!!!
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
5.1.2.1 is fine with tools. I realized after asking that you had to be rooted or tools you used wouldn't have worked

You got "No apk in user_launcher folder?" Are you sure they were both *.apk files and in user_launcher, not user_apps folder? The problem with a regular install is that you can't place widgets. (But don't try to install again with the tool without manually uninstalling first.)

You should be able to set wallpaper in Settings/Display. Launcher may need to be installed to /priv-app, but I don't think so.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
I'd keep Firelauncher so, if for no other reason, you can upgrade in TWRP. Your launcher in /system/priv-app will be wiped out with an upgrade, so you need either an enabled Firelauncher or a launcher "regularly" installed from Play Store.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Slickone_:
OK glad I asked first.

Forgot to ask, Fire Tools copied over the Nova and Google launcher APK's to system/priv-app. Any reason they need to be on the device?

And do you by chance know where the wallpapers are stored? I'd like to copy Nova's wallpapers before uninstalling it. I couldn''t find them in ES File Explorer. Do I need to use the root explorer in ES?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Well, the apps won't run without those APKs. :D Use the Uninstall Launcher tool to get rid of all Nova, including its apk. No idea where Nova wallpaper is, but would guess in some file where you can't get at them. There are a gazillion wallpapers on play store or the web. Most launchers will find any images you put on the sdcard.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] doe_eyed_gazelle:
Yup, definitely in user_launcher, I double checked just to make sure as I thought I could have made the mistake of putting them in the user_apps folder as well. I made several attempts to install. I used those exact apk's to install normally, so that was all good. I not that fussed about widgets so I'm all good there. I may try changing it up again later and see what happens ala my experience with Nova. Thanks for your advice to uninstall the regular apk before trying to put it in priv/app.

Got my wallpaper all set up in Go Launcher (I would really like to use my favorite Next 3D Launcher, but that does not install, too bad).

I was wanting to change the wallpaper in the lockscreen, which I had done but I think I was in developer preview 5.0 or 5.0.1.

Hey, how about the possibility of replacing the Amazon Locker to a custom locker instead as you have done with the launcher ?!?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Slickone_:
Oh. I thought the APK's were like EXE's and only used for installs. I've never seen any on a device until now.

Does the Uninstall Launcher tool let you pick which launcher to uninstall? Scared to try it to find out myself.

Yeah I realize there's a lot of wallpaper, but I liked these and thought i'd just leave them there since they're already there. Figured I'd ask while posting, thinking maybe you knew a lot about Nova since you chose it to include in the tools. :)
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Mainly I chose Nova because it's immensely popular. ;)

Yes, the tool lets you choose. If you renamed or deleted Firelauncher you'll get a big warning about uninstalling custom launcher with no stock, but it will let you do it since you have another custom launcher.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Would you please post the names of the launcher files you were trying to install? Thanks.

Wallpaper: Yeah, on dev preview we could have different wallpapers on launcher and lockscreen through Amazon settings. No more. And locker wallpapers are in a systemui apk so I can't change them. :(
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
With [MENTION=5449794]doe_eyed_gazelle[/MENTION]'s kind assistance, we tracked down the problem of Other Launcher tool saying there's no apk in user_launcher folder and refusing to continue. (Hey, it's a feature! :D )

This happens when the Windows username has spaces in it. I'll be posting an update in the Tools thread.

EDIT: Workaround posted here: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=66913752&postcount=12
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Team Scream:
Flag on the mother F'n PLAY !!

All I had to do was a factory reset, and I was rooted in minutes, followed the steps as outlined and I am there.

Amazing piece of work Mr. DoLooper. Way to put it all in one package so goofballs like me can figure it out!!

Many thanks to you sir ! This is AMAZING!
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] barch27:
Amazing clarity and detail in instructions, worked perfectly, thanks!!!
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Mancobbler:
It worked great! But I am having an issue, so after the whole process the play store fails with the error "Error retrieving information from server. [DF-DFERH-01]". After a couple attempts at redoing the whole process it seems to happen after Google Play Services update.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
I assume you're on OS 5. Play Store doesn't work on OS 4.

I don't know this error message, but here's the standard procedure for fixing errors. Try the Play Store after each one. Let me know how it goes.

1. Reboot

2. In Settings/apps/all apps, scroll to Play Store and force stop then clear data (which should clear cache, too). For Play Services, force stop, Manage Space and clear data. Reboot

3. Reboot to recovery [hold Power and Volume-up] and Clear Cache

4. Uninstall/re-install play store: (A) Uninstall in App settings or with Fire Explorer. (B) Copy com.android.vending-5.9.12-80391200-minAPI9.apk from Jobs folder to user_apps folder and run Install Apps tool on menu to reinstall it, then Reboot
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Mancobbler:
Thanks for the reply! I tried all of them but I'm still getting the same error.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
I just did a quick google search. Most suggestions are same as I posted, but you may find something new to try out there. Could first try clearing data in google framework and account manager. Sorry, that's all I've got :(. It's working fine for me on OS 5.1.2.

Maybe someone else knows this problem?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Mancobbler:
I was thinking it had something to do with Google Play Services because it breaks when that gets updated. Maybe we could try flashing the latest version of Gapps?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
That should work! Sometimes there are problems when you flash Gapps on Gapps, so first uninstall the 4 Google packages: Play Store, play services, google framework, google account manager. Use post #2 on this page to boot TWRP: http://xdaforums.com/fire-hd/general/how-to-upgrade-to-lollipop-root-gapps-t3163950. Flash the Gapps package in post #1 on that page along with the 5.4.1_1133_stock_recovery_uboot.zip, post #2, assuming you're running OS 5.1.2.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] nameiwillforget:
Can´t downgrade

I have a similar problem as one of the guys before me: when I try to sideload the 5.1.2 bin, when it comes to 46% it stops with e:failed to verify whole-file signature, E: sigtanture verification failed

instalation aborted. The other guy found out that he had a fire instead of a fire hd, but mine is a genuine hd 6 ariel with os v 5.1.2.1. Any ideas?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Confirm filename is update-kindle-20.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin and your build date is March 30/31. If both are true, only thing I can guess is that file is corrupted. Try downloading again.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Mancobbler:
It's not working. I even tried restarting from scratch but flashing the new version of gapps instead.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Not sure I follow. Are you flashing in TWRP? When you say restarting from scratch, what steps exactly did you do.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Mancobbler:
Wait, was I supposed to flash 5.1.2 in TWRP?

---------- Post added at 03:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:55 AM ----------

When I started from scratch I followed your steps from your post but instead of installing gapps with the original method you described, I used the method for the new version.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
No, no, not the 5.1.2 update, but Gapps. I meant did you flash Gapps in TWRP as I explained?

---------- Post added at 03:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:55 AM ----------

By original method, you mean using the Play Store tool in the FIREHD_TOOLS, right? You didn't do that, which is good. But I don't know what you mean by " I used the method for the new version." Does that mean you flashed Gapps in TWRP and Play Store still doesn't work?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Mancobbler:
Sorry I'm being confusing. I used the method you told me to and that didn't work.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
It's weird to get Play Store error when you install Gapps in TWRP. I PM'd you.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] wallywallywally:
I did the sideload method and I was able to backward install 5.1.2 dated February 27, 2016 2:05AM
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] spyroz540:
hey guys i have a kindle hd fire 6 running fire os 5.0.1 (stock) and i am really confused what to do.... i want to have nova launcher, google play store and game guardian so i can cheat in games like hill climb racing

help is appreciated :good::good::good:
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] siamonsez:
Can't get signed into playstore at step 8. Keeps saying "there was a problem communication with google servers. Try again later."

I've repeated a couple dozen times, interspersed with reboots, force stoping playstore, clearing the cache for playstore and google services.

Signing into google via Silk browser worked fine.

Anything else to try?

Is it ok to skip this step? Why do I need to be signed into playstore before steps 9-11?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Bracken_wood:
doing the exact thing at the min, been stuck on step 8 "log in to play store" for the past 2 hours, it just wont sign in

so far I've cleared all the cache's for google (services playstore etc), deleted and reinstalled them.

edited the host file for local host, no dice here,

updated the google play servies manually, still nothing,

booted into recovery and wiped the cache.

I'm at a loss and just want to know if I can skip this step and come back to it
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Sure you can skip it, but you'll probably get error again when you do sign in. (If you don't, please post again and let me know.) Although installing play store this way is pretty common, I'm learning it isn't as reliable as I'd expected. I'm looking for a solution.

[MENTION=7501799]Bracken_wood[/MENTION]: Didn't see your post earlier. This applies to you too.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Bracken_wood:
No problem, thanks for That.

It's a weird problem, because when trying I randomly keep getting emails from Google saying I've signed in from a new device, yet on the kindle its showing that I couldn't sign in, yet if I was to mistakenly type the wrong email it would know that I have, or it would let me create a new account, but when it comes to logging in, that when it just says try again later.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] siamonsez:
I did it the way you mentioned below and got it working. A few more steps, but play store login worked the first time. Thanks for replying.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Bracken_wood:
I went about and did it a different way,

I factory resetted again from recovery using the update-kindle-20.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin file then set up the kindle as you would a new device , user details wifi etc and copied these google files found in this link (the 4 APK's) to my downloads folder

APK mirror link should be on 1st post

I then used amazon app store to download and install es file explorer,

enabled apps from Unkown Scources & installed them in order as follows -

Framwork

Play Services

Account Manager

Play store

This gave me a working play store (but unrooted) **this will also work on the latest kindle OS if you dont need a root, just install the four files and youtube, so no need to recover and sidload

you can stop at the above work around if you dont want or need a rooted device.

i then logged into the store and downloaded youtube in order to update the play services (once open it will prompt you to update)

I then carried on with with using Fire HDtools v1.2

#In the Fire HD tools, run RUNME.bat and choose INSTALL KINGROOT *ob prompts you through rooting and blocks OTA. When prompted to replace Kingroot with SuperSU, say YES.

#Run INSTALL NOVA LAUNCHER to install Nova and disable the stock launcher. *You can install a different launcher later if you want it

#If you have ads, run BLOCK/UNBLOCK and choose BLOCK ADS

i now have a working google play , removed ads and custom launcher, :D

no idea what way is easier, as we both tackled it in different ways, but both ways apparently work

(as Dolooper has found, google settings isn't working with this work around at the min, and as a safety measure OTA should be disabled before installing playstore, so a better work around is being made)
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Great! I'm running 2 devices set up by the script just fine, but I retested yesterday and got the same error as you and [MENTION=7501709]siamonsez[/MENTION]! I'll test your method and see if I can set up a script for it. Glad you got rooted with launcher :)

EDIT [MENTION=7501799]Bracken_wood[/MENTION]:

Thanks, much better :D. I modified your workaround a little (below). Mainly, user should be rooted so OTA is blocked while installing PS. Also, no youTube needed with later GSF. Since info in linked page was a little fuzzy (2 gsf versions), and we can use a later playstore, I'm supplying files downloaded from apkmirror. (That guy links a zip with a torrent) :)

Really glad you found and shared this. Working fine so far.

EDIT: Oops! Google settings is force-closing after play services update. More testing before posting new workaround
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Bracken_wood:
Just checked also having the same issue here with google settings, I'll have a play here too
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Sorry for delay. I've got Play Store going--a lot more recent version, too--but we'll have to live without Google Settings. (All settings can be changed at in-app settings or in your Google account.)

Will post updated Play Store tool with the update to FIREHD_TOOLS in next couple days. Until then, install Store using the TWRP method at step 8 of the OP.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] CauselessWarrior:
This is awesome thanks! I've never rooted a device before so I was afraid but it turns out it was really easy!

I just have to questions concerning the root, if you don't mind.

Is it possible to return to the normal Amazon launcher instead of the Nova Launcer without unrooting? And is it possible to still use the Amazon Appstore after installing the root and the Play Store?

Thanks!
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Sure! There's an Unblock Amazon choice in the Block Tools. Takes you right to Amazon.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] tst1212:
I just got a kindle fire hd 6 (4th gen/OS 4.5.2), see details below.

I was able to root with Kingroot, however it won't replace kingroot with superuser, any help would be appreciated.

BUILD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FIREOS Version: 4.5.2

BOOTLOADER Version: 452004220

RELEASE Version: 4.4.3

BUILD Number: 452004220
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
Do you mean you still have Kingroot after running the Replace Kingroot tool?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] tst1212:
When I get to the section to Update SuperSu binaries, Continue, Normal the tablet gives me "Installation failed" I then ran Check Root and it said No, so I Installed Kingroot again and now check root says Yes.

So basically I have kingroot but can't replace, could it be cause I'm on 4.5.2?

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 PM ----------

When I try and replace kingroot, I get a SuperSu message "Other superuser apps aside from SuperSu ..... Uninstall?" Ok / Cancel
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
I just tested on OS 4.5.3 and it went straight through and replaced Kingroot and SuperSU binaries updated fine, so should be working fine on all OS 4.

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 PM ----------

So did you try "OK"? If that doesn't work, look for both kingroot and supersu and unroot in the apps then uninstall them. Factory reset and try again. I think you missed a prompt somewhere.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] tst1212:
YES!!!! Worked!

The first few time of trying to update the SuperSu binary failed

Thanks you!
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] mgmcderm:
Need help rooting Fire 6

I have version 5.1.2. It doesn't say build date, but it does say updated April 2016, so I'm assuming it's really 5.1.2.1 right?

So the first thing is to load 5.1.2, so I held the power and volume up key but the device just cycles between an Amazon splash screen and a Fire splash screen. After several cycles of that, I released the buttons and it boots up normally.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
You're right about needing OS 5.1.2. To get into recovery, turn off device, hold down power and volume+ until you see amazon logo and then let go OR plug into PC with adb drivers installed and type:

adb reboot recovery
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Slickone_:
Does anyone know the name of the Amazon keyboard file(s)?

Why does a custom launcher APK have to remain on the device when APK's for anything else don't?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] rapidan:
Just wondering, has the Play Store tool been updated yet?
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] jdu7:
Thanks for this post, has worked a treat, until...

adb reboot recovery

Not rebooting to TWRP, only to Amazon System Recovery screen. Where have I gone wrong?

Thanks
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] jdu7:
No problem. Solved it. Again, thanks for the post.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] BatteriesIncluded:
What did you do to solve the problem. It would be nice to know in the event others experience the same problem.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] jdu7:
Essentially, I started again. Did a factory reset and followed the instructions again from the top. I think the issue was with the KingRoot as this process played out differently to the first time I did it. Must not have rooted correctly. After that everything went perfectly.
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] Emerald9:
Cannot replace Kingroot with SU

Hi,

I was able to follow your guide to get the tablet to root but without GAPP yet. I am afraid to proceed because I am not able to replace Kingroot with SuperSU. When SU runs, I get the option to install with Play store or TWRP. Since I don't have Play store, I choose TWRP. SU installer then starts to download SU...after I clicked Continue, nothing happens.

Your Tools tells me I'm rooted though. I can see both Kingroot and SU in my app drawer. Please help. (and Oh, I'm running 4.5.5).

Thanks in advance
[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] OrphanedPixel:
Is there a way to root my 4th Generation Kindle Fire HD 7 with Fire OS 5.3.1.0 installed? If not, are you working on a method of doing so?