yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire General] Quadriflax:
Cool. I played with it a bit more and think I managed to get it to work, too. I didn't officially try on my wife's Fire 10 yet, because the one on MediaFire seems to work fine, but it did compile eventually and it spit out an APK that launched as expected in a BlueStacks, so I assume it would work.

For anyone else, I just downloaded the source code, searched out how to rename packages, found a tutorial, and did whatever it said. Seems to have changed every instance of "launcherhijack" to what I named it. Not sure what I did different this time. Maybe someone who actually knows what they're doing can layout a step by step guide so others can create their own APKs that are unique and I assume less likely to get blocked. I can try to put something together, but it would be incredibly bootleg and half assed, since I really don't know what I'm doing.

Funny thing, though, in that FireOS isn't a new version. It's still the same version from December. I checked this morning when I put the modified app on it. I don't know what happened yesterday that caused it to get blocked in the first place, because I see no signs of an actual update.

I dunno why they're bothering to block it. There can't be too many people using it. It's not even a perfect solution since it glitches out sometimes (though still far better than default, so no complaints). Hopefully just renaming the package keeps it working.
[Fire General] art.gutierrez111:
Thank you very much!!
[Fire General] digixmax:
I couldn't find the old v3 version to de-install it, but was able to install the new cloned version just fine.
[Fire General] Bulldog260:
Thank you! Worked on my firetab 10 (2017). Well done!
[Fire General] c9gunner:
Thank you! The clone worked as a charm!
[Fire General] oystersmile:
I think the design could still be greatly improved without removing all the Amazon adware. I also agree with others that the percentage of users using this tool must be very minimal and the type of people choosing to go to take the effort are not going to be diehard Amazon ecosystem enthusiasts. By blocking other launchers they are just pissing off their customers (who may indeed support Amazon regardless of launcher preferences).

If they decide to block the updated package names then the only route to go would be for everyone to manually rename their package to something unique. I hope I won't have to bother with that but it's reassuring that the solution seems relatively simple.
[Fire General] AskKim:
Thank you!

The clone works great... thank you FreakyLike for your work! No deinstallation needed.
[Fire General] 123knarf:
For Uninstalling the old App use a uninstaller from google Playstore. Works fine on my Fire HD 8
[Fire General] Robotech_Master:
Apparently this program called AppCloner automates the process of creating a renamed version of an existing app--at least according to a thread in the LauncherHijack issue-reporting forum. Haven't tried it out myself; standard warnings against installing unfamiliar software apply.

I don't think there is an actual update. I think Amazon just added it to the blocklist of whatever tool they use to block malware packages with known names--keyloggers, exploits, etc.--from running on the Fire. Since they'd want to be able to block malware as soon as they know about it, a malware block wouldn't require an OS update--but it would also be something quick and dirty that anyone who intentionally wanted to run such a program could easily bypass with a little know-how.

Don't be too sure of "not too many people using it." I've written a blog post on how to install LauncherHijack on TeleRead, and it's frequently one of the most heavily trafficked posts on the blog according to the Wordpress control panel statistics display, right along with my post about how to install the Play Store utilities. Apparently the first thing a lot of people who get a Fire do is try to figure out how to make it less Fire-like.
[Fire General] sga999:
I am curious about why I have not run into this problem about launcher hijack being blocked. I have a Fire HD 10 2017 with the latest update 5.6.4.0. It has an unlocked bootloader (and TWRP), root with mtk-su, and updates prevented with both build.prop change and a renamed DevicesoftwareOta APK.

I was running version 3 of this launcher hijack app when I first read about this issue. But I was not having any problem. So "for fun", I went ahead and installed version 4.0.3 almost a week ago. I am still not having any problems.

The last post seems to say that the preventing of updates should not be what is helping me succeed with these versions. So does someone have an idea about why I am not encountering this issue?

If and when I do have the problem, it's nice to know about the app cloner apk mentioned in the prior post, as well as the modified apk that was posted earlier.
[Fire General] DB126:
Renaming DeviceSoftwareOTA; build.prop change is useless. Been the same formula since 2012 (FireOS v3). One file, one action, complete solution.
[Fire General] Robotech_Master:
The problem only hit me day before yesterday, but when I googled the matter I discovered some people had it happen 2 or 3 days before. At a guess, the blacklist may have staggered updates, only rolling out to a fraction of Fire users every day, to avoid clobbering Amazon's servers by rolling out to millions upon millions of devices all at once. So give it a few days and it'll probably hit you, too.
[Fire General] sga999:
There are lots of posts about how to block updates. I chose this one which mentioned both actions.

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=77133868&postcount=9

Since I'm blocking updates, the point of my post was to ask what the reason might be for me not encountering this Launcher Hijack problem. Post 425 seems to address this by mentioning the blacklist. I'll have to wait and see if it ever hits me.
[Fire General] DB126:
Yes, plenty of baseless speculation. The scenerio laid out in post 425 is quite possible and rather rational. That said, it remains speculative at best.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
https://teleread.org/2019/05/02/ama...-switching-tool-launcherhijack-ineffectively/
[Fire General] cuvtixo:
Don't worry about

Your mistake here is thinking this will turn into "cat and mouse" thing. I wouldn't bother unless you really want to learn AndroidStudio. Amazon has a history of doing the minimum amount for Kindle app protection/security, as explained by Chris Meadows (Robotech_Master?) in his article https://teleread.org/2019/05/02/amazon-blocks-fire-launcher-switching-tool-launcherhijack-ineffectively/ (which has a link back to page 40 on this thread, sorry for looping) Considering how little Amazon is doing to prevent things like installing Google Play on Kindle Fires, I don't think they will follow up with Launcherhijacker.
[Fire General] DB126:
Agree if past behaviors are any indication. Saw this on 3rd gens when they attempted to block access to towel root (effective against FireOS v3) in Silk. Never followed up with similar sites.
[Fire General] Robotech_Master:
Thanks for the link. But as I also point out in the article, this could very well be an issue Amazon cares enough about to make an exception. The whole reason Amazon makes its tablets so cheap is that they're assumed to be subsidized by the media content Amazon can sell to you through them. And the Fire default launcher, with all those tabs for books, movies, music, etc., is a big way Amazon promotes that content to you.

While I don't have any direct figures on how many people actually use the app and change their launcher, I will say that my article got 5,106 hits yesterday, making it one of, if not THE, most popular Teleread articles ever. (And my articles about how to do it, and add the Play Store, have been constant top-visited articles ever since I first posted them.) That would indicate to me that an awful lot of people are looking for the answer to and fix for why their new launcher just stopped working. It's not just a few geeks and hackers, but a significant chunk of the population. That could give Amazon more incentive to take additional steps to protect their revenue stream.

If they did go that far, I would hope that Amazon would at least see fit to offer to unlock changing the launcher for an additional fee the same way they'll disable ads for a fee (or often for free if you just ask their customer service).
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
I agree with both of your accounts. I suppose it all depends on what they truly see as a threat. Anything that cuts profits would be on the top of my list for sure. But on a technical level, they stand to sell more tablets by letting a lot of the things we do 'slide'. I'm sure they're very capable of stopping most of our smaller hacks. As for the root minus the unlock, that may have been a mistake on their part that they didn't see as much of a bother to spent on a new custom kernel source. Though I don't know if their security patches are actually patches or if they just changed the dates, so whatever happened they may not have been willing to fix.

With that said, I'm sure they are aware of our doings. But to keep it cheap, attack the front lines the cheapest way possible.
[Fire General] zonta:
very nice thank you. (fire hd 10)
[Fire General] Zboy745:
So, if what you say is true, Amazon is going to continue to try to keep blocking Hijacker, maybe we should try to find another exploit we can use to change the launcher. I get that it's one of their "revenue intake points" but it's my device that I purchased, and I can run any app or game I desire on it, because it is my device. If Amazon is this butthurt about this, how long until we see a block for the temp solution ? And, if I may also ask, is it possible to find something else that works that would take them even longer to block ? Or an exploit ? Their launcher is extremely buggy at times too.
[Fire General] mrmazak:
Yes. Use the unlock exploit, install twrp, and remove stock launcher, put Nova in its place

Downside is Kindle reader will no longer work on device, without further modifications
[Fire General] Zboy745:
Well, I didn't know there was an unlock method, I have the 2017 Fire 7, and last I recall, there wasn't a root for it. If you could link it for me, that would be great. Would the kindle reader work if install the version from Google play ? If I am correct, the one that comes with fire is is different than the regular android one.
[Fire General] mrmazak:
Yes, you can find the bootloader unlock and root method here

https://xdaforums.com/amazon-fire/development/unlock-fire-t3899860

This also opens up the ability to use lineageOS. Yes there is a long term stable version available.
[Fire General] DB126:
You may think so but that's not the way the world works. Ask any iPhone/iPad user. Even the courts can't decide; there have been rulings both in favor and against the right to customize.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
A battle for the ages.
[Fire General] UsualNoise:
Anyone else unable to install the repacked version? I just get a flicker and nothing else.
[Fire General] Zboy745:
That's why I am an android guy. I'm ok only using this thing till I can afford a real android tablet.
[Fire General] DB126:
Do your homework; many are locked down by the mfg and have limited/no known root exploits or bootloader unlock. General direction of newer Android devices.
[Fire General] rbro3:
greetings. I have installed mediafire.com/file/kqa89yndk468itf/Launcher.Hijack.v.4.0.3.b.43.Clone.apk on my fire HD7 10th Gen with OS 5.6.4.0.

Launcher Hijack starts up but there are no launchers to choose from. Nothing. I don't see any launchers to choose from. (redundant, I know). In settings Hide System Apps & Launchers Only are both checked. I did a factory reset and then ran the clone apk again and I still don't see any launchers to choose from. Could anyone kindly direct me in the right direction because it appears I'm doing something incorrectly. Thanks in advance. rbro3

(please forgive me if this message appears in multiple places)
[Fire General] rlowens:
Did you install any other launchers to choose from? I like Nova Launcher Prime https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher.prime&hl=en_US
[Fire General] rbro3:
Missing Launchers

Not sure I was clear. There are no launchers to choose from. I don't see Nova or any others. None. Launcher Hijack is a blank empty white screen. I have a picture but I can't put a link up on account of I'm a newby.

Your advice is appreciated!
[Fire General] Quadriflax:
You have to install them separately to see them in the list in the launcher hijack app. I also use Nova. You may need to side load the Play store if you haven't already done so. The hijacker doesn't install any other launchers, you have to do it yourself.
[Fire General] DB126:
If you don't have or want to install the Play Store grab the launcher of your choosing from a trusted app repository such as APKMirror.

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/teslacoil-software/nova-launcher/
[Fire General] Zboy745:
Mhmm, you're right. I will, thank you
[Fire General] mcondor:
(Not fully on topic) I just tried the hijacker and Nova launcher on my new 2018 HD8 and it

is working as expected for a non-rooted system. I was just wondering if there is any way

to hide the Nova launcher from the recent apps screen?

Before I rooted my HD10 in December I did this and do not recall seeing the Nova launcher in the recent apps - but my mind is getting more forgetful. . .

Thanks
[Fire General] rbro3:
Thank you! I found sideload instructions online and I'm good to go!

---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------

All the steps are given on that page. I was able to complete this with no problem. I'm good to go. Thank you!
[Fire General] DB126:
Free version of AppCloner works a treat; I snagged the 'premium' add-on for additional capability and to thank the developer. Ignore the crappy Play Store ratings from ignorant/arrogant posters with a 30 sec attention span and no appetite for self-enlightenment [RTFM]. Education by tweet don't work. Again, free version is all you need for this simple rename task.
[Fire General] tahrang:
Cannot download from mediafire.
[Fire General] DB126:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/applisto/app-cloner/
[Fire General] FreakyyLike:
My Apk is still up and works well. Just click on the Link or copy it into your URL.

Download: https://www.mediafire.com/file/kqa89yndk468itf/Launcher.Hijack.v.4.0.3.b.43.Clone.apk/file
[Fire General] Robotech_Master:
Someone just left a comment on my article saying that Amazon has now blocked "the navigation tools at the bottom of the page" for as long as you are using Launcher Hijack. I assume they mean the buttons at the bottom of the home screen, but mine are still there. (But then again, it took several days before the original app ban kicked in on my devices, too.) Does anyone know what this person is talking about?
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Part of the unlock was to be able to circumvent ota altogether. If people don't want to unlock, at least root. Otherwise it's asking for trouble. As long as there is no ota app (there is just one) they can't block anything. If my HD 8 was still kicking, it's been on 5.4.0.1 pretty much since the day I bought it...3 years prior.
[Fire General] d-nogger:
I had this problem as well.

The 3 navigation icons at the bottom of the screen were also gone.

But I could solve it myself.

Problem is apparently that in the background in the invisible Amazon launcher is an update search. The overlying Nova Launcher can not recognize this.

I proceeded as follows:

I deactivated the LauncherHijack first. -> Open settings and navigate to "Accessibility -> To detect home button press" and press disable

The Amazon launcher becomes visible again. Then I restarted the device.

This is followed by an update search with the orange Amazon interface (the 3 navigation icons are not displayed here). When this process is complete, you are back in the ordinary Amazon launcher and the 3 icons are visible again.

Then you activate the LauncherHiJack again -> Open settings and navigate to "Accessibility -> To detect home button press" and press enable

Then you start the Nova Launcher app.

Now the Nova Launcher is running and the icons are also visible again - even after another reboot.
[Fire General] alexo2035:
It worked here as well, Amazon busted my NOVA Launcher, with your App I busted Amazon. Thanx a lot!
[Fire General] Maxpawner:
Guys try to clear Cache in boot Menu when U have ui Bugs :)
[Fire General] Gazorninplat:
Aww looks like it's now blocked on my Fire HD8. Worked yesterday, blocked today!
[Fire General] d-nogger:
Which is blocked?

The cloned LauncherHijack or the original?
[Fire General] ctodd111:
This worked for me! Thanks.
[Fire General] AmznUser444 Dev:
Uninstall or downgrade this unwanted apps like Arcus Android Client (com.amazon.nimh)
[Fire General] joeldf:
At first, I thought I had lucked out. But yesterday, my HD8 8th gen finally decided to disable the Launcher Hijack app on me out of nowhere. It wasn't even after an update - the 6.3.0.1 update was two months ago - so I don't know what finally triggered it.

But, I downloaded and ran the clone app, and all is good again.

Thanks for the good work.
[Fire General] 7357:
My HD8 gen 6 says that I am still running 5.3.6.4 but it still managed to block the app. Not sure how, but one day out of the blue it just stopped working. I still had the Launder Hijack apk saved, so I reinstalled hoping that would work again. It did not. However, I just installed the clone and it works like a charm. Thanks guys.
[Fire General] sutt2m:
Thanks I had the block on my fire HD 8.. the abouve app worked fine.. thanks dev
[Fire General] AmznUser444 Dev:
Can you uninstall or downgrade this blocking to Arcus Android Client (com.amazon.nimh)
[Fire General] sutt2m:
?

Think you just need to try..?
[Fire General] AmznUser444 Dev:
Don't worry, I have a cloned LauncherHijack.apk file LauncherHijackCloned.apk

Just I modified the package name of LauncherHijack.apk com.baronkiko.launcherhijack to com.baronkiko.LaucherHijack2
[Fire General] Saul_Andreph:
I tried using this version and the previously posted version in this thread but it doesn't seem to work on a fire stick 4k v6.2.6.4. Any ideas? Do I need to run a command in ADB to get this to work? Any help is appreciated!
[Fire General] kbocek:
I'm trying to install LauncherHijackCloned.apk. It says 'accessiblity services disabled.' Under Settings | Accessiblity the Detect Home Button option does *not* have a switch.

Can anyone help?
[Fire General] emylyano3:
The apk shared did the work for me too. Not necessary to uninstall the old version.

Deep thanks.

---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 PM ----------

You have to enter Settings>Accesibility and enable the "To detect home button press" entry.
[Fire General] kbocek:
Yes. Under accessibility the 'detect home button' option says off. If I select it I get a black screen and nothing happens.

Does anyone have any idea what's going on?
[Fire General] kbocek:
I downloaded Apex launcher through Google Play. It runs great.

Running Launcher Hijack I still get the 'Accessibility Service Disabled' message. If I tap past that I see Apex Launcher listed. Tapping that I get Set Launcher but the ok and cancel buttons are grayed out.
[Fire General] Intenti0n:
This is a step by step guide that i used on my 4K firestick
[Fire General] Ghost1475:
Hi i install,for a friend, the Google playstore for a fire hd8 7gen device.

and then i install LauncherHijack(403), +nova launcher

but i dont have the switch for "detect home button'"

only Nova launcher did i find under settings -->Accesibility

Any Ideas?
[Fire General] AmznUser444 Dev:
[MENTION=8089882]BaronKiko[/MENTION], Its your troubleshooting to fix your LauncherHijack blocking:

https://xdaforums.com/hd8-hd10/help/troubleshoot-fix-launcher-hijack-t3951694

---------- Post added at 07:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:56 PM ----------

Want to fix your LauncherHijack?

https://xdaforums.com/hd8-hd10/help/troubleshoot-fix-launcher-hijack-t3951694
[Fire General] AmznUser444 Dev:
[MENTION=8768672]Baronk[/MENTION]ilo, Please add the device administrator to your LauncherHijack
[Fire General] gtuturbo:
Thanks, I tried the PC method with powershell and the new install from you (com.amazon.nimh.apk) per step 4 but I get the same message as member "kbocek" which I get EVERY TIME.

It all seemed to go well and reboot to no avail. :(

---------- Post added at 08:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 AM ----------

This may be a workable method but for the life of me can't connect with the remote ADB app on my Fire HD8 version 6.3.0.0 ...

Thanks for giving me a shot though!
[Fire General] MajicDroidPirate:
Thank you this worked perfectly when followed every step to a T!!!
[Fire General] kar999:
Can't revert back to Amazon

I've installed and used this successfully on my 2017 HD8 but wanted to revert back to the Amazon launcher. It does this but then all app icons on Amazon launcher won't work including settings. Can't get into to Hijack App icon either so have to uninstall the Hijack app and reinstall.

Anyone know how to switch back and forth between launchers successfully. Fire OS etc all up to date

Thanks in advance.
[Fire General] ParadoxGBB:
I have an HD8, anyone else have the following issues overriding the Amazon experience? This worked great until now.

(seemed to start as an issue on upgrade to 6.3.1.2 on 8/27)

1) Only back button exposed (as opposed to home, app flipping options)

2) No downswipe at all for options. Dealbreaker for me.

---------- Post added at 03:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:31 AM ----------

I have an HD8, anyone else have the following issues overriding the Amazon experience? This worked great until now.

(seemed to start as an issue on upgrade to 6.3.1.2 on 8/27)

1) Only back button exposed (as opposed to home, app flipping options)

2) No downswipe at all for options. Dealbreaker for me.
[Fire General] joeldf:
Yes. The recent update did mess up the navigation buttons. Even reverting to the default launcher didn't clear it up.

However, I did do the 40 second reboot (or is it 32 second). Hold the power button down for at least 40 seconds while the tablet totally shuts off. Wait a moment, the press the power button again to restart. All the nav buttons should come back.

Now, I did this while it was back on the default launcher. I haven't tried re-initializing the hijack.
[Fire General] ParadoxGBB:
Actually, this was straightforward for me to fix. It appears to be a conflict with the upgrade's first boot experience.

1) Go into Accessibility and turn off "To detect home button press"

2) Reboot (I did a full power down, power up but it shouldn't matter)

3) Go through first boot experience (disable / enable Alexa, etc)

4) Turn on " To detect home button press" again

5) Reboot

That did it for me.
[Fire General] rob.1:
I was trying everything and nothing else worked. This did the trick! Thank you. Even Nova Launcher came up as default. :good:
[Fire General] MajicDroidPirate:
UPDATE

So this method did work as i said BUT it caused voiceover to suddenly turn on in NetFlix and HULU I couldnt for the life of me figure out why I even went as far as to call netflix support thinking it was an issue with there app...after hours on the phone being transferred and being called back they never fixed the issue...then i realized when i force closed the "Settings test" app that is a required video step vola! no voice over BUT also no launcher hijack, only thing to bring back launcher hijack is running setting test, moment I do...back to the same issue with voiceover on Netflix ..I asked TechDoctorUK for help, the one who made the video, but he has not responded so i'm still stuck.
[Fire General] sil_el_mot:
Is it somehow possible to have this apk for a freetime profile on a rooted 5.0.1 fire?