yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
What is this? What does it do?

I've used my free time to create a noob friendly program to complete task. It can uninstall all Amazon Bloatware. It can also Install Google, Google Chrome, and Google photos. It can install Launcher hijack as well with Nova Launcher WITH widgets WORKING. This has been tested MANY times and confirmed to work on the Fire 7. This can also remove special offers

.

WARNING

I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE. A FACTORY RESET WILL UNDO ALL CHANGES MADE.

Please do not PM me. Post in the forum and quote me if you need help. This way, everybody will receive the information.

Compatibility

This is for Windows only. I have no interest whatsoever do code this for Linux. If you want to port it, go ahead!

Please use Root Junky's Super Tool to install Amazon Drivers on Windows if it isn't working for you. I didn't need to install but you may need to. Click here to download it.

Why Google Photos and Google App?

This tool will install Google Photos because the remove Amazon Bloatware option will uninstall Amazon Photos. You will be using Google Photos instead. In the Camera app, in the bottom right corner where there is a preview, if you press it, it will go right to the Google Photos app if you used the uninstall Amazon Bloat Option.

This also installs the Google App too. Why? In Nova Launcher when you press the Quick Search bar, It will go to the Google App. Only if you use the uninstall Amazon Bloat option. How? It will uninstall the Unified Search package, so it will go to the Google app.

This no longer works on Fire OS 5.4.0.1 unfortunately, the uninstall method has been patched :(

Click here for the download link

There has been an article featuring my tool. If you want to check it out - link is here.

https://liliputing.com/2017/07/fire-tablet-tool-makes-hacking-amazons-2017-tablets-easier.html

Also I want you to know, if you choose to remove bloat, it will remove every Amazon app exept for the Camera, meaning you will be left with Camera and Settings left on your home screen.
[Fire General] Robius:
Works, thanks.

Few comments:

If Windows doesn't have the amazon drivers, it won't work.

Installing Google Play Services and Chrome was expected, but it also added Google Photos and Google App.

Either mention it or don't include the last two.

Also, why are you saying to re-install Google Play Services even if they've been installed before?
[Fire General] dudeimstoked:
worked on 5.4.0.0

thanks!
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
I am sorry. It installes Google Photos because the camera app is still there after uninstall. It uninstalls Amazon Photos and you need a photos app to veiw the pictures you took.

It won't reinstall the Google Play apps but it will install Google for you

It installs the Google App because it removes unified search which means on Nova Launcher the Google Search bar actually goes to Google Now instead of the Amazon Search. I am sorry for not mentioning it. I will edit the post.
[Fire General] ravenchaser210:
Thanks!!! used to install google play apps, and installed nova launcher, but the home button is broken though. I wonder if there's any fix for that...

(Gen 5 amazon fire 7, running 5.4.0)
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
Really? I tested this and my homebutton is fine, Are you sure you are on the Fire 5th Generation?

Check in settings > device options > and find where it says device model.

Does it say "Fire (5th Generation" without quotes? it yes, please factory reset and try again.
[Fire General] ravenchaser210:
thanks, factory reset and it's working perfectly now, thanks!!
[Fire General] Samson Lau:
v5.3.2.1 tested. Work ok, but go back to original after factory reset.
[Fire General] theflathead:
Just got my 8" with 5.4.0 in the mail yesterday. Updated 9 system updates first, then used this tool.

Everything worked fine. Nova works, google playstore and apps working. No ads on the lockscreen.

The bloat removal actually removed more things than I wanted it to, so I did a factory reset and went into the bat and took out some of the apps that I wanted to stay. Works like a charm.
[Fire General] DB126:
Keep in mind this tool doesn't actually remove system (most preinstalled) apps; it simply makes them unavailable and thus invisible to the current user. Akin to drawing the shades when you don't like the weather. The actions are reversible...albeit unlikely if OTA updates are blocked unless Amazon has another back-channel communication mechanism.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Ahem...Guest account :P
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
Oh...

On the Fire 7 there is no guest account, it listed the accounts, no guest one for me

You are using the FIRE 8 HD which does have it I think
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
I agree, as I say in the tool, OTA REMOVAL is not confirmed.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
That makes no sense to not have one then and have one now.
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
On your Fire 8 HD there is a guess account

on the Fire 7 (5th Generation) there isn't a guest account

at least on my tablet, plus I don't even think the guest account is active. But it could be, no garentee
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
It's under settings, users in activity launcher. Something activated it and I don't know what. Perhaps it's only available before everything is disabled. Either way, I see it in the user list, but I haven't been able to activate it again or for that matter disable it. Im likely to do another reset in the next day or so now that the kinks are being worked out. Hopefully the last one for a bit.

Back to wallpapers...the permission to run live wallpapers is already active in at least my tablet, of course in the damn system. I don't get Amazon. They don't want us to use them, but give the permission to, just not the APKs. They basically consider widgets a sin, but give you the activation script in front of your face. Makes me wonder if they really are sloppy, or there's a silent revolt going on internally. Either way those are pretty lame mistakes. I wonder how they're taking this being able to disable their apps.
[Fire General] DB126:
- this is an Amazon centric appliance - not a general purpose Android device

- 'good enough' probably comes into play (time/budget constraints)

- a minute sliver of Fire 7 owners will attempt to uninstall core Amazon apps unless it becomes bulletproof w/substantial advantages and no side effects

Love posts like this that pit a virtual army of heroic XDA script kiddies against evil Amazon engineers in an epic battle to control a dime store gizmo. Magnify the real business impact 1000X and you might score a footnote in some unread briefing.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Who ever said anything about being a hero much less anything about Amazon being evil? Dime store or 5th Avenue...what difference does it make? I believe we should have the freedom to control what we rightfully own. Whatever comes of this, or that, or whatever we do, so be it. If it makes a dozen or so people a lot happier with a product they own, and that's considered 'heroic', then ok. Call it what you like. I can't count the times I've stated this is fun for me and a learning experience.

But hey, you have a good story line in a plot that goes beyond Amazon. Sounds like something I'd want to read about anyways. It's one of many battles. Small as it may be, a win is a win.

EDIT: Amazon just customized it. Within a matter of days, we've but thrown out much of that customization. When, or if we ever get root, I'd much like to spend time actually customizing it myself. Much of it can be undone by simple edits if you know where to make them. I've learned a lot in the past week, where many of those edits can be made.
[Fire General] pdhnco:
theflathead, is your new Fire 8 the 7th Gen Fire HD 8?

Did you do this on a NEW FIRE HD 8, 7th Generation???

You said you just got it, and so did I, got the OS upgrade to 5.4.0, and hoping I can use this approach. Thanks in advance. . .

Paul
[Fire General] thunder2132:
I just did it on my 7th Gen, blue 7" Amazon Kindle and everything worked. You have to read the directions and go to accessbility settings and enable detecting home button press, otherwise the home button won't work on the launcher.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
It WAS a bug...One day it started to work for everyone again. If you are on Fire OS 5.4.0.1, it might be one of the things they patched when they patched the uninstall method.
[Fire General] Jake1702_:
It had started happening to me a while after I posted that it worked. I'm on 5.3.2.1 now and have not seen any issues with it since.
[Fire General] melvinaury:
How do I check, I already block updates and that option is the setting are disable. Is there other way to check the version.
[Fire General] Jake1702_:
Not sure if it's possible
[Fire General] melvinaury:
Ok got it, just use the adb command:

adb shell getprop

Version is 5.3.3.0
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Better uninstall DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk.
[Fire General] bibikalka:
[MENTION=8292572]savvytechwinner[/MENTION]

So what's the consensus now, does this tool block OTA updates or not?

I tried to run this on Fire HD 8 (ro.product.device=giza, Fire OS 5.3.2.1 (563231720)), and after I blocked OTA, when I click "System Updates" in "Device Options", it simply returns me back to the "Settings" submenu. So the entire "System Updates" option does not function.

Is this a good sign? Or will it manage to update regardless? I keep the device with WiFi off, hoping there'll be an exploit at some point in the future. But if I can disable OTA, that'd be a nice step forward.
[Fire General] Jake1702_:
Mine does the same. I'm pretty sure that means that it worked.
[Fire General] bibikalka:
Which version do you have now, 5.4.0.0, or an earlier one? I think once we have a couple of new Amazon versions where it does not update, we can be more sure.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
If you uninstall the system updates section, that's all you are doing. You won't be able to view that section. It has nothing to do with updates. You have to uninstall DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk if you didn't already. Is anyone even paying attention?
[Fire General] Jake1702_:
I'm on 5.3.2.1.
[Fire General] melvinaury:
In other thread the admin indicates to uninstall devicesoftwareota.apk, that's the app that update our system.
[Fire General] Technocian:
I ran the tool to stop updates and have stayed on 5.3.2.1 the whole time. Left the tablet with wifi on for a few days and no prompts to update.

It works.
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
Yea it is supposed to do that...

It uninstalls the settings panel and the SoftWare OTA and Forced OTA.

I am basicly saying no OTA for you ok...
[Fire General] bibikalka:
Ha, it's weird that this actually seems to work ... Anyway, nice trick! Hopefully, Amazon does not have OTA backdoors.

Hmm, are you sure that you are paying attention yourself? How would one exactly uninstall DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk if there is no root on the device? Anyway, the fact that the uninstall trick could remove the system menu is encouraging - that means that it can change the behavior of the system apps.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
As stated, you can 'uninstall' (disable)OTA apps if you are on FireOS 5.4.0.0 or earlier. All it does is disable the app, you don't actually uninstall it. Hence why this guide was written WITHOUT ROOT. If you are on FireOS 5.4.0.1 you CANNOT uninstall/disable these apps anymore so you will need to be rooted. You can go here to disable DeviceSoftware.OTA manually, assuming you are still on 5.4.0.0 or earlier.

I haven't done a reset in a while. I forget when. But disabling DeviceSoftware DOES stop OTA. I've been on the May 31, 2017 build for sometime now. I did NOT uninstall SystemUpdates.apk because it just removes the section. I don't know if it stops OTA or not, but not likely if DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk is still active. So you can uninstall DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk or install a firewall.
[Fire General] bibikalka:
Sure, but the scripts in this thread disable 3 things under the "OTA" option:

adb\adb.exe uninstall -k --user 0 com.amazon.settings.systemupdates
adb\adb.exe uninstall -k --user 0 com.amazon.device.software.ota
adb\adb.exe uninstall -k --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe.forced.ota

So it kind of looks like all the bases are covered ... Perhaps disabling settings is excessive, but then, should not matter too much either way.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
It's useful to have access to information. It's about your preference of course. It's not wrong or right to disable the settings feature. I was just letting you know that doesn't disable OTA. But yes you have the bases covered.
[Fire General] mrmazak:
Quick question about the command used in the utility. Why the "-k"? I see in the man pages that "-k" is keep data. So we are uninstalling the apps in the list but keeping the app data. I ran the comand without the "-k" and it worked fine. A better option would be to also remove the app data wouldn't it?

Maybe I am missing something.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
I guess that depends on the app. I never did it without putting -k. So to be honest, I'm not sure why it's used.
[Fire General] Sebiiiiifr:
Thank you !!

What a pleasure to see app icons disapear one by one !

:cool::good:
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
Really? It uninstalls Devicesoftware ota and the settings panel!
[Fire General] DB126:
Technically uninstalls nothing - simply makes targeted apps unavailable to the current user profile.
[Fire General] savvytechwinner:
Yeah... could of worded that better...
[Fire General] Atmazzz:
Thanks for the great utility! Got my HD 8 7th gen today and it worked perfect. I had to connect to the internet as part of the setup process and it started downloading an update immediately. I turned it off, rebooted and was able to stop it so it stayed on 5.4.0.0. I installed gmail and it crashed the first couple of times I used it but worked the 3rd time and every time since. Thanks again!
[Fire General] username9876:
I will be receiving a new Fire HD 8 tomorrow. If I am lucky enough that it does not have the new version of the Fire OS, what steps would you recommend to keep it from upgrading during the setup process? Thanks in advance.
[Fire General] Atmazzz:
There was no option to not setup wifi when setting up the tablet for me. When it started downloading the update I immediately turned off the tablet and restarted. That stopped the update and when it rebooted it also said there was no wifi. When setting it up, I told it not to let Amazon remember my wifi password. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. You could always try turning off your router beforehand too. Oh .. and three days after buying mine, they have it $25 off for Prime members.
[Fire General] username9876:
Thanks for the quick response. i like the idea of turning of the router. Yes, the $25 discount made me pull the trigger.
[Fire General] melvinaury:
It's much easier to bypass the setup and run the utility only to disable the update. Then go and setup the tablet, then run the utility to disable the apps, install.play store and remove lock screen ads..
[Fire General] Atmazzz:
How do you bypass the setup? I don't remember seeing anything that allowed me to skip it.
[Fire General] allan1313:
I jumped on the $25 off offer, plus I had some amazon points. Came really cheap haha. I have been using a Galaxy note 10.1 2014 edition for my media consumption. Its going on 4 years old and battery lasts about 45 minutes. Just want this to watch plex and kodi mainly with some web browsing. Looking forward to getting it today and making it more of an android tablet.
[Fire General] steve8x8:
I've read my way through the twenty-two pages that make up this thread, but haven't found anyone addressing the "tool for Linux" challenge. If I had more spare time (than the few minutes I spend commenting here) I'd take a second and third look at it - if nobody else has done so yet.

What would be very nice for everyone using the tool: if the "uninstall" lines would have an explanation which app this is, similar to the comments in the Google section. (Should be rather simple but tedious, using the "aapt d badging" tool that comes with the Android toolkit - if one finds a way to extract the apk files from a live system or to convert the system.new.dat file into a /system/ file tree.)
[Fire General] Tinkerer76:
I bought several of these tablets on a whim for $26.48 with the current promotions (Amex has another $30 off).

First, a HUGE thank you to the guys or gals who made this easy to use tool. You guys know who you are. I've thanked several of the posts, and I'll go back thru and thank some more when I'm off CD.

I read the thread and concur with the poster above me, that it would be extremely helpful to know which each of the apps we're disabling does. Having to factory reset to "fix" disables is cumbersome. However, it's not insurmountable if you know what you're getting yourself into on the first go-around.

The OP should include:

1) A note about the maps app, and why it's left around, while Amazon photos are replaced by Google's. If it's because we should install from Play store, open, and THEN disable via ADB, let's get that process outlined.

2) An admission of the requirement that to "fix" the changes, a factory reset must be performed. (I read thru 22 pages before I confirmed that).

3) Bugs. Including the visual one that shows up when you hit home. That's discussed in the thread, but the fix (and it's caveat) are left out of OP.

4) A step-by-step of what's needed when you unbox the tab. As a rooted AFTV2 user, I have Amazon's update servers blocked on the router level from that process requirement. When you attempt first setup of this tablet, it does try to update. A written process for exiting that setup would be extremely helpful so we don't get more people stuck on .1.

5) Probably more. This is just off the top of my head. I look forward to hashing it out with y'all over the next few pages.
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
1) The apps left behind, like maps, is based on what you want to replace it with. You won't be able to use a maps program without replacing Amazon's FIRST. This goes with other apps. Google photos replaces Prime photos because without it, you may not be able to use a gallery. If you have an app that was from Amazon, and you want to use the play store, uninstall the app and reinstall from the Google store.

2) If you mean to "fix" the apps that were disabled? Yes a factory reset is needed.

3) Again the bugs are dependent on what your preference is. The home button is an issue that can't really be fixed unless you go through a whole process. Again that's caused by uninstalling Fire Launcher. So the tool doesn't do that I don't believe.

4) This is just a guide to disable bloatware. Much of the "issues" you describe, were found out after these tablets we have went through more than a dozen resets. We aren't developers. I have both an Fire 7 and HD 8. I made a list of what I left INSTALLED here.

5) You can edit the tool's .bat to add or remove packages to your liking. Or if you like a more hands-on approach, do the disabling manually.
[Fire General] DB126:
Fair bit of time/effort producing and maintaining this documentation (likely a moving target). Not a commercial offering. Volunteer OP was simply sharing recently acquired knowledge around a technique for disabling pre-installed apps in the current user profile. Script reflects an example of what can be accomplished. Read through the thread for additional detail; modify script to your liking.
[Fire General] jjones2:
If you are a prime member I believe you can argue for a rebate I am pretty positive they will give you a refund. \
[Fire General] Atmazzz:
I tried that. They offered to let me return it for a full refund and then buy at the reduced price but that was just too much trouble for me. I already had it set up like I wanted with all my books and didn't want to be without one for however long it would take. Other than that option, " we don’t offer post-purchase adjustments".
[Fire General] jjones2:
5.4.0.1

Any hope for 5.4.0.1 yet?

I know it hasn't been out very long but just wondering how long it usually takes to get something working.

Anyhow thanks.

---------- Post added at 07:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:00 PM ----------

That sucks. Sorry to hear... At least you didn't get a device with 5.4.0.1 OS on it.
[Fire General] Atmazzz:
Yeah, that would have sucked. :laugh:

Still not bad at full price though. I had a $70 gift card from getting the Chase Amazon Prime credit card and another $25 gift card from a survey I did so that paid for everything, almost, including case and screen protector.
[Fire General] Dan_firehd:
I also bought a Fire HD8 (2017 edition) for $54.99 (with Prime discount of $25).

It came with Fire OS 5.3.3.0. With Wifi router turned off, I proceed to (1). power-on, (2). select language and then (3). bypass WiFi setup (I was presented with a button [SKIP] during WiFi setup.).

Many thanks to all people here, I knew in advance that I need to "pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.amazon.device.software.ota" and "pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe.forced.ota" before the device is connected to WiFi.

Now it will stay at Fire OS 5.3.3.0 until someday a root exploit is found (I hope).

Again, many thanks.

P.S. When I go to Settings --> Device Options --> System Updates, and then click on "CHECK NOW" button for updates, the tablet displays : {{ Check for updates failed }}. So it seems by "pm uninstalling" the above 2 APKs, I have stopped the OTA updates to newer Fire OS.
[Fire General] Kyusaku:
Ordered a Fire HD 8 from Amazon yesterday, came with 5.4.0.0. This thread and tool was a lifesaver, thank you.
[Fire General] Tinkerer76:
[MENTION=5488402]Davey126[/MENTION] & [MENTION=8165603]DragonFire1024[/MENTION] , the 4 posts after yours by [MENTION=4432053]Atmazzz[/MENTION] and [MENTION=8519144]jjones2[/MENTION] are prime examples of why it's so difficult to wade thru 22 pages of similar and counting just to find answers. If it was 22 pages of quality insight into your journey of dissection and discovery it would be a worthy read. But the content is 90% bloatpost in a bloat removal utility thread! Distilling the breakthroughs and synthesizing the content into the OP (or 2nd post) would be a boon to users like me. Imagine the efficiency lost by every user having to piddle thru 22 pages only to Discover there is still no fix to requiring a factory reset to re-enable the disabled apps.

1) There is a reference to Google Photos having to be installed and run before uninstalling Amazon photos. Does the manual installation of Google Photos mean that it is not linked to the Google Play store? My reason for asking is that I don't know why a similar process wasn't provided for Maps/Google Maps. Furthermore, the script disables apps for Contacts & Calendar. But I'm able to install Google Play versions and run them just fine. But attempting to install Amazon Kindle, or Amazon Prime video results in an error. I expected this, because I read the thread. But why isn't it happening with Contacts/Calendar?
[Fire General] DragonFire1024:
Likely because the apps are hard coded into the Amazon App Store. They are disabled system apps, that can't be reactivated without root, because you can't reinstall them without root. So all the uninstall does is disable an app, and it disappears into the system which we can't touch. If you uninstalled the Amazon contact sync app, Google contacts won't work. Some Amazon apps are linked to certain functions and disabling them, causes others to stop working. So you can't reinstall from the play store and Amazon app you disabled because it's not technically uninstalled. Scroll through settings > apps > manage apps. Swipe to see all apps, including system. Then scroll to the bottom. You'll see all the apps still there, but disabled. You can always try logging into the guest account and see if you can set up an account there.
[Fire General] DB126:
[MENTION=8165603]DragonFire1024[/MENTION] - just noticed you herald from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I sincerely hope you and loved ones made it through Irma OK. Entire state took quite a beating.

Yes - this is clearly OT but humanity trumps XDA rules IMHO.