yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire General] ravenchaser210:
there are 4 system service that always run in the background, anybody know if these are safe to remove? I have tried to remove these, the only thing I noticed is more processes poping out, haven't been using it all that much to notice any different.

com.amazon.tcomm

com.amazon.imp

com.amazon.precog
[Fire General] DB126:
Android 4.x-5.x included a 'guest mode' that I suspect few ever used. A separate account was used to support this functionality which makes perfect sense. The account can be disabled if not needed. I have not researched how Android shares apps on a multi-user system as I do not use that capability (and never will). An educated guess is permissions which also must take into account entitlements which can occur at the device, network or user level. The assumption that all installed apps must be available to all users of the device is unsupported and likely erroneous.

As for the burning question around removal of the "guest account" you would need to ask Google or take a dive in SDK technical docs. If the account (or whatever) can be effectively disabled and consumes little/no resources then there is no need to support removal. It might be possible to exclude 'guest' functionality on a custom roll-up; to date I have yet to see that listed as a desirable feature on numerous custom ROMs.

Perhaps Google should have named it differently (Utility, Worker, etc) to temper the anxiety. Also possible origins go back to Linux roots.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Well I've installed busybox...into /data/local/tmp. Have to use ADB for this.

Place busybox file into the folder with ADB:

adb push ./busybox /data/local/tmp
adb shell
$ cd /data/local/tmp
$ ls

ls should list all the files, including busybox, stored in /data/local/tmp:

$ chmod 777 ./busybox
$ ./busybox --install ./

Now type ls again. Every busybox command/app should come up. Now you should be able to make these available everywhere by typing:

export PATH=/data/local/tmp:$PATH

Although it appears to have been exported as you get no errors, I can't seem to find it.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
I tried to disable and remove it. It just reappears.

EDIT: I should've said all SYSTEM apps would be available to guest etc.
[Fire General] Hallo32:
On 5.4.0 there is no guest account.

Could it be, that the user function is also used for the Amazon FreeTime implementation?
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
I am on 5.4 and I can assure you, there is a guest account. I haven't touched it or played with it since my last reset, so that's probably why it doesn't show in 'pm list users.'
[Fire General] DB126:
LOL - the FireOS UI doesn't expose it.
[Fire General] Hallo32:
./adb shell pm list usersUsers:
UserInfo{0:eek:wner:13} running
[Fire General] DB126:
OK - in fairness I'll walk this one back since I don't have FireOS running on any of my devices at present. Nor do I want to get bogged down in this somewhat pointless discussion (note to self: don't step into the sandbox if you aren't going to play nice and share toys). Newbies should probably scan resources such as this so see the intent behind AOSP builds recognizing FireOS is a highly (cough) tuned variant that was never intended for customization. Enjoy.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Download Activity Manager from play store, tap upper left, all activities, scroll to settings, tap, scroll to users. Guest user.

Before my last reset, I uninstalled the Appstore from it from my account. There is a guest account and IDK why it's not showing now. As the output says "running." If I haven't played around with it since the reset, it's not "running." That doesn't mean it's not there.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
from the link:

Can't remove or disable it so there goes the "explicit" part. What does Amazon want with it so badly to stop us from doing so? I would assume it would then serve another purpose than just 'Guest.'
[Fire General] DB126:
Possibly for device management related functions (keep in mind this ain't AOSP). Not sure "so badly" fits. It's there for whatever reason on a self sustaining device aimed at non-techies. Doubt thirteen high ranking Amazon engineers huddled in a dark room for nine months devising ways to preserve the coveted 'guest account' in the event of nuclear disaster (or worse). Likely a set of start up scripts that restore 'broken stuff' on boot along with permissions to prevent inadvertent deletion between reboots.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
And how do we find out the permissions this so called guest has?
[Fire General] Nachoztyle:
Hi, not sure if someone already posted this, but here: https://www.android-hilfe.de/forum/amazon-fire.2359/amazon-fire-namensgebung.839052-page-2.html is a list of 84 Apps, which can be uninstalled without loosing the home button. (Scroll down a bit, the post with some red text) If you want to use the printer however, do not uninstall the last entry in the list. I just did that and it really helps and launcher_hijacker does now work without showing me the fire launcher first. Also the whole device feels a lot smoother.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Thanks. I updated the original posting with that link.
[Fire General] DB126:
For awareness: https://xdaforums.com/amazon-fire/g...lity-tool-bloat-removal-t3641151/post73153113
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Not sure any of this matters...I have files in the main directory marked 7/24/17...new files protect_f and protect_s...whatever those are. So much for stopping OTA. Question is, what is controlling the downloads?

EDIT: never mind. It was a media tek tool I was using.
[Fire General] BaronKiko:
For those with a broken home button I have been hard at work and have a sneak peek for you, was going to wait till I polished it up but it's 10 past 6 am and I can't really wait the day or 2. Be warned this is a massive work in progress and the link will be taken down when I release Launcher Hijack V3 so don't expect any technical support, it either works for you or it doesn't.

So install the apk, open the app and hit start. Make sure you have the app open in the background or it will stop working. At present it will only open nova so make sure you have that installed.

It should work if you haven't broken your home button too but I can't test.

Hopefully dragonfire will be less mad at the home button now.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B87XJSBXv-wlZWRERFZoY2pjeEk
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Lol more like irritated. I thought I would be ok, but you don't realize how much you use it until it's not there. To be honest, I'm actually surprised that was the worst of the issues.
[Fire General] BaronKiko:
Does it work for you, I'm noticing some issues but would be nice to know.

Currently I noticed that if you hit back in recents it crashes and if you close all apps it crashes. Looking into ways to solve that but android is a lot more open in those areas because it's not the home button.

Still can't recommend deleting the fire launcher though.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Sorry I haven't tried yet. I've been trying to get Live Wallpapers to work.

What the hell is the point of making files have all permissions (777) if they don't hold over to another device? I have the live wallpaper APKs (stock) on my rooted phone. I changed all permissions to 777 for all APKs. I transferred them to my PC then to the tablet and the permissions are 660. What the hell is the point of all these damn permissions if they aren't kept? Sorry for the cursing but that's just total BS.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
IDK if it exists in the Fire 7, but in the HD 8, if you have Activity Launcher app, tap top left, all activities, scroll to System UI, App Switcher. If I want to close apps I launch that activity, swipe the apps to close, and its a miracle, NO blackout and I do NOT get kicked back to the lock screen.
[Fire General] DB126:
Permissions are not maintained across different file systems. Most Android based devices use EXT4 in the system/user partitions while your PC is likely NTFS. Since Windows does not support EXT4 you would need to you a different host or operating system to maintain file level permissions.

Same thing happens if you copy a file from a primary Windows storage device (presumably formatted w/NTFS) to a SD card (typically formatted FAT32, although many can handle other formats).
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
It's not the permissions. If you want a stock tablet there are tons on Amazon. My point here is that there is little to no possibility of getting your Live Wallpapers to work. Period. You need it in the /system/ and you don't have the permission to write. Even if you did have root, you would need to have the right apk. Unless your phone is running Lollipop (which is 3 years old btw) It won't work. Keep trying, but no-one is holding their breath. I think we are done here.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
What if I copied the files/APKs from one android to the other?
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
It works. I can get the wallpapers to run as samples. Holo Spiral works perfect, it's just not a wallapaper because it covers the whole screen. The samples are all there. Even Google's 'Wallpapers' and Nova Launcher give the option to use them. However when I go to launch them, the tablet blocks them. it doesn't close them. It covers them with an overlay window.

This has zero to do with being a system app or not. Not one single 'live wallpaper' of ANY type, Android Stock or not, will run on these tablets (and I'm not even talking about rooting at this point). If it was the system, then why won't 3rd party live wallpapers work? If I thought it had anything to do with the system, I wouldn't keep trying. Just like with disabling these apps. System or not, we were told it couldn't be done.

EDIT: My post about being able to get busybox to install systemless was also totally ignored. But hey what do I know.

EDIT 2: If we wanted stock tablets, we'd all have bought them I would assume. Why are any of us spending any amount of time on these then?
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
So please, stop telling me they don't, can't or won't work. Makes a great screensaver. It's also interactive.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Anyone else want to tell me I am wrong? You know what the shame is in all this? This one is really f***ing amazing. Again, great screen saver.
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
Sigh... Have at it.

Your post wasn't ignored, it just wasn't seen
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
The only thing these APKs lack is something simple in the manifest:

<permissions>
<feature name="android.software.live_wallpaper" />
</permissions>

Like the script to add widgets, this XML in /etc/permissions/android.software.live_wallpaper it tells us exactly what they need. It's a matter of placing it in the right spot. Doesn't say anything about system.

GL support exists, though when I go into developer mode and enable the features, it reverts on reboot. CPU is not even a problem on these and the RAM might have been with all the Amazon apps running constantly.

EDIT: I keep getting an AppOps message pop up when In play with some of the wallpapers. It wants me to refresh an AppOps page and give them permissions...I'll grab a screen shot or at least try, when or if I see it while playing around.
[Fire General] Hallo32:
Be careful with the list . Disabling webview can trigger a bunch of problems. ;)
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
You can install Android System Webview from the play store.
[Fire General] Hallo32:
Yes, but it should happen before you disable the amazon webview. The playstore depends on the webview. ;)
[Fire General] DB126:
Depends on the integrity of the copy command (binary) and whether it is designed to retain existing file permissions across storage media associated with different devices.

---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:11 PM ----------

These aren't wallpapers as presented; they are images/animations that happen to fill the entire screen. I understand what you are trying to accomplish but an underlay wallpaper is a completely different beast. Yes - FireOS "blocks" this functionally likely because Amazon never intended to support that level of user customization. Or perhaps intended to use it for other purposes (eg: branding or ads).

---------- Post added at 07:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 PM ----------

Exactly. Some electronics are designed for (or at least permit) heavy customization; clearly these appliances don't fall into that category in their present form. Plenty of cheap, rootable and sometimes bootloader unlockable Android devices on the market. Those partial to Amazon should consider a used 3rd gen HDX which happily runs KitKat/Lillipop/Marshmallow/Nougat ROMs with twice the onboard storage (no SD slot), fastastic display and far more horsepower. Similar price point to a non-discounted Fire 7.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
I've said all along they aren't wallpapers, in the current form. These would technically be a screen saver, as presented. They also blocked widgets. Well sort of. I still wonder a bit about that one. I've tried to find the article/link to no avail, that showed a way to list the current running services and disable them. I had seen one service labeled simply 'wallpaper.' Maybe, just maybe, if that service, if an Amazon one, can be shutdown, it would open the capability. I'm still trying to figure out AppOps on here and how to grant through that. I can't get the usage right. That could also be a way in.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
You don't seem to understand my position, and that's ok.
[Fire General] Hallo32:
The Fire 7 has been very very cheap at the special offer. A quick search for alternatives with community support did have had a price tag around two time as high. A SD slot is a must have for me.

Playing around with the Amazon stuff/software/bugs is a nice extra for me.
[Fire General] DB126:
A deeper search will yield competitively priced options with decent community support. But I get your point about ease of access and irresistible​ promotional offers. I have a handful of these gizmos, all purchased at ridiculous low prices.

I also understand and appreciate the learnings, enjoyment and reward that can take place via tinkering. I have torn apart more physical and electronic items than you can shake a stick at and owe much of my laymen's 'expertise' (cough) to those experiences.

Where I draw the line is lambasting Amazon or whomever for not supporting things the device was never intended to do. Navigation, wallpapers, launcher customization/replacement, ROM modification/replacement, screen casting, etc, etc. Most Fire devices are propritary Amazon marketing, purchasing and content consumption appliances, not generic Android tablets open to modification. Same can be said for most Apple "i" branded products, Roku streaming gadgets, and numerous other consumer electronics.

That doesn't mean folks aren't sucessfull 'hacking' them but should recognize the limits. Nor should there be legislation prohibiting such activity as it exists or is being proposed in some countries/regions. Just follow the story of John Deere equipment. Farmers really take it on the nose...and in the wallet.
[Fire General] Hallo32:
Can you mention a few examples?

Nice to hear this. :)

By the way, are there any I2C or SPI ports accessible on the Fire 7 ? I would like to add a NFC reader. :D

Sure, I'm thinking absolutely the same. You bought the tablet with the features it has had at the time you bought it. Not more but also not less.

Lambasting Amazon is only allowed if you

didn't modified

the tablet and some of the feature which are directly related to Amazon and the content consumption is not working. Amazon Video, Alexa, Amazon Appstore for example. In this case it is the job of Amazon to fix the problem if it is not user related.

Exactly.

Didn't really follow this topic. 'John Deere' is not a favourite manufacturer of vehicles in cities. ;)
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Most of the devices we 'tinker' with and 'hack' weren't 'meant' to do much of the things we end up doing to them and they certainly weren't intended for these modifications. In terms of wallpapers, I would have to disagree. There's a difference between a device not supporting something, and a device going only halfway. You also don't rub it in more by allowing 'live wallpapers' apps in your own Appstore when or if your devices don't or aren't intended to support them. These functions already exist on the tablets, regardless of it being Fire OS or iOS or any OS. I'm not taking something that doesn't exist at all and trying to make it work. I'm trying to make work, what alreazdy exists.

I have this tablet. Not another generic one. Not a cheaper one. This one. If I have the ability to in some form or another, make it better for myself or others, so they can have more fun and enjoyment from it, I don't see the problem in sharing such info. We all have to agree on that level, otherwise we wouldn't be wasting our time here or spent the past few months searching for these various things that we've managed to somehow accomplish. telling someone to go buy another one because of a difference of an opinion, isn't helping any of our matters.
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
Can the "Kindle Fire HD 7", HD Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB - Includes Special Offers (Previous Generation - 3rd)" have an unlocked bootloader or installed the custom rom? I just found this on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Tablet-...8&qid=1501082191&sr=8-4&keywords=Fire+3rd+gen
[Fire General] DB126:
Rootable; not sure about bootloader unlock (suspect not). No stable custom ROMs due to high initial price point and crappy specs. Never very popular; didn't receive much developer support. In many ways viewed as inferior to the ground breaking 2nd gen HD.

FWIW - a used 3rd gen HDX (vastly superior) can be found on many auction sites for around the same price point.
[Fire General] DB126:
- 3rd gen HDX

- 2013 Nexus 7

- various BLU devices (smaller screen)

...to name just a few. And, of course, 5th gen Fire (likely preowned) with FireOS < 5.3.2.1.[/QUOTE]

Haven't looked; others who have cracked the case haven't mentioned hidden ports (only pads).

:good::good::good:

Nutshell: owners are not allowed to perform any maintenance; changing a light bulb can void the warranty on a $100K+ machine. Onboard computers monitor everything. There is a grey market for software 'hacks' the enable certain features the manufacture blocks and permits owners to perform basic repairs without triggering a lockout. Deere is aggressively pursuing violators. Legislators are being told owner modifications are dangerous (same argument Apple uses to block 3rd party repairs). These are the folks that put food on our tables regardless of whether you're a city dweller or live in an outer ring. Sad, selfish and borderline sick.

---------- Post added at 05:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------

We'll agree to disagree on this one. Amazon can do as they please provided features perform as advertised. I suspect they are mum on the topic of side loading wallpapers so it is up to interpretation.

Sure - thinker to your hearts delight. However, when a noob comes along thinking they have to jump through hoops and/or live with compromises I will be quick to point out caveats and alternatives (including considering another device) if not called out in the OP. Someone (forget who) whipped up a simple 'debloat' script for unrooted devices partially based on your work and others which is likely to prove popular provided side-effects are manageable. So good things are happening that may benefit the Fire 7 community.

:)
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
XD that was me who created the script,

Also the only side affect I noticed was that you can't set wallpaper in the Fire settings but you can in Nova///
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Haven't looked; others who have cracked the case haven't mentioned hidden ports (only pads).

:good::good::good:

Nutshell: owners are not allowed to perform any maintenance; changing a light bulb can void the warranty on a $100K+ machine. Onboard computers monitor everything. There is a grey market for software 'hacks' the enable certain features the manufacture blocks and permits owners to perform basic repairs without triggering a lockout. Deere is aggressively pursuing violators. Legislators are being told owner modifications are dangerous (same argument Apple uses to block 3rd party repairs). These are the folks that put food on our tables regardless of whether you're a city dweller or live in an outer ring. Sad, selfish and borderline sick.

---------- Post added at 05:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------

I don't expect anyone to do anything they don't want to do. Nor do I require it nor do I expect they'll like any such hacks. But again we're back to the same argument...here we are doing the same things we are discussing. So either we like to debate or argue with each other, or we have more of the same goals at heart, but don't want to admit it. Nonetheless we are all still here so take it how you will.

I'm not here to offend anyone or a company or degrade them. But I'll say it again: If I have or find ways for people who own such devices, to enjoy them more and or appreciate them, they're are entitled to such hacks/fixes/etc. I've spent a lot less time on this site than most if not all of you and I've seen countless posts about how many people were disappointed with these tablets based on Amazon's bloat and blockings. More than I had anticipated. I've then seen many of those people turn around and have new light on them and now actually love them, because of what WE are doing. So clearly they think were doing something right. We muct think the same on some level too otherwise we'd be talking to ourselves.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Well I have managed to edit the LiveWallpapersPicker.apk witht the permission needed to run Live Wallpapers. But 1) The tablet still won't accept the permission automatically or manually 2) Adding that permission downgrades the picker apk to alomost the very first version. That confuses me greatly. How can a program be downgraded nearly 2 versions just by adding a permission into manifest? That in of itself really isn't a problem seeing as the apk still works, but none of the wallpapers recognize it. I suspect maybe because they didn't exist as of yet? so don't recognize the program. I'm really stumped with this one because everything should work fine.
[Fire General] ch90045:
Hi Dragonfire,

I did read the whole thread 2x and somehow I did miss how the homebutton issue was fixed. The home activity app? That one sucks as it is not really catching the home button, it's catching the area above it.

Can you add the final solution in your how-to?

Cheers,

Christian

Gesendet von meinem ONEPLUS A3003 mit Tapatalk
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
You'll have to reset and use the tool, which is linked in the OP here. Savvy's tool will do what you need to ensure the home button remains active. Once you download the .zip, you can go into the .bat file and delete the lines for the apps you want to keep, then run the tool. I should have been more specific and I will make a clear note of that in the OP. My apologies.