yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] stevebor1:
How to have side-loaded apps (including those requiring Google services) show up and work on a Child Profile.

It its a processes and maybe there is another way, but I couldn't find it. Here's how I did it:

Primary Account

Install ES File Explorer from Amazon App store

Install Kids Folder from Amazon App store

Download and Install Google Account Manager - This should prompt you to allow Unknown Sources from Settings

Download and Install Google Services Framework

Download and Install Google Play Services

Download and Install Google Play Store

Primary Account - Setup Google Play

Launch Google Play and add account

Install MyAppSharer

Install YouTube Kids

Primary Account - Prep Files for Child Profile

Open MyAppSharer

Select YouTube Kids and export to SdCard Download folder

Open ES File Explorer

From the left menu, Select Download folder, copy the YoutTube APK, (also copy all 4 Google APKs), select SdCard and paste it at the root of the card

Primary Account - Add Content to Child Profile

From tablet Settings->Profiles and Library, select child profile

Add Content, Share Content

Click Games & Apps

Select Kids Folder, ES File Explorer

Primary Account - Uninstall Play Services

This has to be uninstalled before it can be installed on the child profile

Settings->Apps & Games->Manage All Apps, Uninstall Google Play Services

Child Profile -Google APKs

Switch to Child Profile

Open ES File Explorer

Select SD Card

Install All Google APKs - This should prompt you to allow Unknown Sources from Settings

Install YouTube Kids apk

Open Kids Folder and configure child

Click Manage apps, choose YouTube Kids. Play Store, Click OK

Click on YT Kids

Child Profile - GO!

From Kid Folder open Play Store

Complete Signing in, then exit once at the store

From Kid Folder open YouTube Kids

Complete parent signup and select your Google account to continue

YAY!

Notes:

- I was able to go back to the Primary account and reinstall Google Play Services. It told my to sign in, but then it said the account already existed. Simply backing a step or two let it finish the signup process.

- Play store download does not seem to work under the child profile. Simply use the primary account to download new apps/games, then use MyAppSharer to create APK and repeat the copy and install process for that app.

- I think I got all the steps noted here. If not let me know!
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] stevebor1:
reserving for updates, I guess...
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] luniz7:
No longer working..at least for me..
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lickwid:
Is there a way to have Youtube Kids or other sideloaded apps show up in Amazon FreeTime?
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] greenlndr:
So this method no longer works, sadly. (Fire 10)

- "Kid Folder" no longer populates *any* apps including YT Kids or Play store.

- "GoToApp Full" also suffers from the same problem.

So, you can isntall apps, but you have no access to them from the Freetime app which is what is being used as a launcher for child profiles.

Any ideas?
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] n0s4r2:
Same as greenlndr

So this method no longer works, sadly. (Kids Fire 10)

Open ES File Explorer not allowed permission to the storage now.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] JackOrJohn:
"kids folder" seems to be dead: doesn't do more than the setup dialogue over and over again.

The "gotoapp full" works for me, but it is horribly designed (black text on black background) and translated... AND there is no parental lock included: your kid can access ALL apps through it through the menues.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Dan_gerous:
Hi,

I got it to work

2 things:

1. Make sure you download the latest GPS APK - the link above is not the latest. (scroll down the page to see the latest one)

2. when prompted to enter pin for kids folder........................don't put anything and it will go through. not happy about leaving the pin blank but the kid will need to figure out you have to press and hold the balloons to edit.

Hope this helps everyone
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Mikefish08:
I’m confused. Can’t get past the ES File Explorer on the kids screen. Asks to be a premium member to install third party applications. No way around it.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ThaDraGun:
I did a search for "kids folder" on my son's tablet and it did not come up! Any ideas what I should do?
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] timtech:
The "no parental lock" is my issue as well. The whole idea of the child profile is to lock them out of things you choose. I needed gotoapp to install Khan Academy (only available on GPS-not amazon apps) into my son's child profile (HD8 7th gen). I got it to to work but found that, with a little playing with the menus, my son could easily enable any app I had installed in my parent profile. This defeats the whole purpose of using a child profile.

So, I'm back to square one. How to install apps from the GPS into a child's profile while still having parent control over app accessibility?
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gk141054:
Any fix for this yet please guys? I've sideloaded GPS and installed apps through there but frustrating I can't get them into my daughter's profile. TIA

Edit: I'm stuck on the Kids Folder app looping at first opening of the app.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Teoman079:
sorry, see below
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Teoman79:
It works with goto app full (I cannot post links)

english: amazon . com/gp/product/?ASIN=B007TLGPQ6

german: amazon . de/gp/product/?ASIN=B007TLGPQ6

BUT there is NO parental lock in goto app. You can preselect the apps your kids should see in goto app. But If your child is old / smart enough, he/she can find out how to add more apps that you don't want your kid to use. Having said that, the kid is still not able to start all of these apps. It still requires that this app is installed in kids profile.

For example, I go to kids profile, pretending to be the child. Starting gotoapp, adding Silk Browser (even my dad didn't want me to use it). Then I start Silk Browser, but it will close immediately. Because it is not installed in the kids profile.

Antoher example. If the kid adds settins in gotoapp, he/she can start android settings. Play around.

So it's still kind of restricted, not the perfect way though.

For me it's ok until there is a better solution.

Update: I realized that screen time is not reduced, if you use sideloaded apps in freetime. So this is a big disadvantage.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
RocketApps

Advert Disclaimer but there's a new app launcher for the Kindle Fire called RocketApps which has PIN code protected settings and can be used on the Kids Edition with FreeTime too. You can find it in the Amazon AppStore. #Ad #Advert
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Teoman79:
Is the in freetime configured time periode elapsing when the kids uses the apps via the launcher (RocketApps)?

So say I configured 30 Minutes and my kid is going to start apps via RocketApps. After 30 minutes is it over or is it so to say infinite?
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
RocketApps and parental controls

Thanks for your question about RocketApps Teoman79.

Whether the FreeTime parental controls apply to an app is not connected with how the app is launched or installed. It is only dependent on whether the app has been added to the list of allowed apps in the Amazon parents dashboard. All FreeTime parental controls will apply to an app which is on the allowed list if it is launched through RocketApps. There are also Amazon apps installed in the Kindle Fire Kids profile by default which are not on the allowed list – Amazon Music for example. If you launch Amazon Music without adding it to the allowed list then the time-based parental controls do not apply.

If you want to add time-based parental controls for apps that are not on the FreeTime allowed list then you could try using an additional parental control app. One example is "Limitly" which is free and can be sideloaded. You will need RocketApps to launch and configure Limitly. Like RocketApps, Limitly is protected using it's own PIN code. Hope this answers your question and helps.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ThaDraGun:
If sideload an app on the kids side It will not show up and my son has absolutely no way to access it.

Does Rocketapps see these sideloaded apps and give him access to the sideloaded apps?, or is the launcher only for apps installed through the amazon store?

Just want to make sure before paying for the app. Everything I seem to try is not working for me.

Edit:

I also want to confirm, this app only allows access to the apps that I choose?? Apps I don't want my son to use will not be accessable?

The last time I used one of these launcher apps my son was able to get into the settings menu and accidentally formatted the tablet!! :(
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
RocketApps for sideloaded apps on Amazon Kindle Fire

Sorry to hear about your formatting incident, that was particularly unfortunate! Yes, RocketApps should see all apps regardless of how they were installed. If you find an app that doesn't show up in RocketApps then please do let us know via the email link on the Amazon AppStore listing. And yes, RocketApps only enables the selected apps to be launched. The RockeApps PIN code is needed to alter the list of the apps. Please also note that, as mentioned above, the Amazon FreeTime time limits become "soft" limits with apps that have not been installed via the Amazon parental controls. That means the timers do not interrupt a running application. If "hard" time limits that do interrupt a running app are important to you then you could look at installing an additional parental contol app alongside RocketApps. Hope that helps.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] chintzle:
Hi,

RocketApps has better graphics than GotoApps.

But it`s not working for me.

No one of the Apps installed via Google Play on my "adult" profile is shown on the RocketApps on the kids profile.

Could you help me?

Thanks
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
RocketApps - steps to install apps in kids profile

Hi Chintzle,

Apps installed in the adult profile will not show up in RocketApps on the kids profile. Apps must be installed directly in the kids profile to get them to show up in RocketApps in the kids profile.

We successfully downloaded APK files from the Google Play Store and installed them in the kids profile. We used the following steps:

1. We downloaded the APKs that we wanted to install using a Chrome extension which you can get in the chrome web store called "APK Downloader for Google Play Store" . The "armeabi-v7a" versions of the APKs we wanted worked for us but you may need to experiment to find the right download.

2. Once downloaded the APKs can either be copied to a micro SD card and inserted in the tablet or copied to a network shared folder.

3. Next we installed the "File Manager" app by "Rhythm Software" from the Amazon app store in the kids profile and enabled it for the kid via the Amazon parents dashboard.

4. In the kids profile, we used "File Manager" to navigate to the APK file location and executed the installation by tapping on each APK file then tapping "Install".

5. Once we installed all the apps that we wanted in the kids profile, we went back to the Amazon parent dashboard and disabled the "File Manager" app.

6. Back in the kids profile, we fired up RocketApps and went in to the settings to enable the new apps for the child.

If you are installing an app that relies on Google services, like "YouTube Kids" then the four supporting Google apps must also be installed in both the adult and kids profiles. The four are “Google Account Manager”, “Google Services Framework”, “Google Play Services” and “Google Play Store”. You can find the APKs for these by searching - try "dragonblogger youtube kids". Once the Google services are installed you must login to the Google Play Store from the kids profile, launching Google Play via RocketApps. Make sure to remove the Play Store from the RocketApps list before handing the tablet back to the child.

Hope that helps.

KwarkLabs.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] J4M0:
If you copy the four google apks required for playstore to the kids profile (I used file commander in the kids profile and the pc transfer button to the DMIM folder (you can use a phone or pc) then uninstall google play services in the adult profile. Install but don't open the four apks, then restart tablet. Open gotoapps or whatever and run the Google playstore. Login as normal. Any downloaded apps show in gotoapps. I reinstalled play services in the adult profile. All works fine.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
Thanks for that J4MO. It prompted some more testing and we were successfully able to install apps in a kids profile from the Google Play Store by installing all 4 Google APKs in both a kids profile and one of the adult profiles. We did not need to uninstall the Play Services as part of the process but we did restart our tablet after the APKs were installed. We logged in to the Google Play Store under both adult and kids profiles, using RocketApps to launch the Google Play Store in the kids profile. We also disabled auto-updates in the Google Play Store settings under both profiles because in the "My apps & games" -> "Installed" list it showed some Amazon apps which we'd prefer were updated via the Amazon AppStore, since that's how they were originally installed.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kevjef420:
I just ordered the new kindle fire tablet 10th edition for my son, and I spent my whole day trying to make this work so I could install YouTubeKids app for my son. I could never run ES File Explorer or any other file explorer app in his profile. I would always say that the storage permissions need to be granted, but there is no way to do it. If you try it says contact your IT administrator to grant access. The problem is there is no way to do this on the main adult profile. I literally tried everything. I am very upset.

My last hope was to grant him access to the youtubekids.com website that he could access from within his freetime. The problem is that even though I have granted him access, Amazon decided that this is a website that they do not want kids to access because it is free videos for them to watch and they cant make money off it. When you log in his profile it just does not show it in the list.

I am so upset and angry and frustrated with amazon. I will try to send it back....... ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHH.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
You can set the permissions for an app while logged in to the kids profile using the following steps:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen, then click the storage icon (looks a bit like a measuring jug).

2. A box with your adult profiles will popup. Select your profile, enter your Amazon PIN number and click the tick to enter.

3. The storage settings screen will appear. Tap on the “Internal Storage” line. Then tap on the “Apps & Games” line.

4. Scroll through the list of apps and look for the app you want to set the permissions for.

5. Tap the "Permissions" line.

6. Toggle the permissions you want the app to have.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
RocketApps FAQ

We've created a FAQ to answer all your RocketApps questions. You can find it here:

https://kwarklabs.com/rocketapps/faq

#RocketApps #GooglePlayStore #KindleFire #Sideload #FAQ
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mattlokk:
I got this all working just as described. However, i'm only using rocketapps to open 1 single application (Youtube Kids) and the icon is very small. Would be nice if there were some display options that let you increase the icon size.

Before installing RocketApps I was actually able to open Youtube Kids using just the file explorer, but I had to re-install it every time. Once the install is complete it gives you the option to open the app. So... if ALL you want to do is have Youtube Kids open in the child's profile you could install it from the file explorer, open it, and then just never quit out of that application. If you do quit out, just open the file explorer and install the YT kids app again (you don't need to uninstall first, it will install over the existing installation), it just takes a minute and then it gives you the option to Open the app after the install is finished(I don't recall if I had to sign in again or not)
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
RocketApps Update

With the latest release of RocketApps the option to configure the launch icon size has been added.

There are 5 choices: Small, Default, Large, Larger and Largest.

You can use the context menu in the settings screen to make your choice.

Support for older Kindle Fire tablets running Fire OS 4 (2013) and newer has also been added.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KwarkLabs:
Hey Mattlokk,

In the latest release of RocketApps we've added the feature to increase icon size you requested. You can find the option by entering the settings and then tapping on the three dots for the menu.

Enjoy.

Kwarklabs
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] halcion1:
I finally figured out how to install APK files under the Child profile on my son's Fire Tablet Kids Edition.

The biggest problem I had was when I copy APK files to the SD Card, they were only visible under the Parent profile. No free file manager that I found was able to detect the files, thus preventing me from installing them.

The way I got around this was to use File Manager to temporarily enable an FTP server on the tablet itself. The network file browsing feature on this app basically sucks and was unable to connect to my NAS, but enabling FTP on the device allowed me to quickly connect and copy the APK files over under the Child profile.

Once the files were visible, I just had to enable "install from this source," which fortunately was presented as a dialogue box when attempting an install. Now that the files were installed under the Child profile, they can be added to GoToApp (what I use for now) etc.

This method is the easiest way that I have found so far. Hope it helps someone!
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gangister:
I just installed RocketApps, needed to install Google Meet.On the parent profile I downloaded the APKs for Google Play. I sent those files to my PC using the File Manager FTP function. Then activated the FTP function using file manager on the child profile to bring back the APKs. It's working as expected. Thank you for this solution.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Maleko48:
Using the FTP work-around ended up being the easiest solution for me as well. I paid for the RocketApp and all is well. Thanks!
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] halcion1:
Just wanted to share my updated procedure since I just had to go thru it again after my son broke his tablet (again).

STEPS:

First, obtain the necessary files to install the Google Play Store from apk-mirror or other site.

On the Tablet, start in the PARENT PROFILE

Install / Purchase GoToApp Pro from the Amazon App Store if you don't already have it.

Install "File Manager" (the one that looks like a YELLOW folder with a gear on it) from the Amazon App Store if you don't already have it.

Go to the Amazon Parent Dashboard - parents.amazon.com

Under "apps" review and disable any BS apps and media you don't want

Enable both GoToApp Pro and File Manager (the YELLOW one) in the Amazon Parent Dashboard so they appear in the CHILD PROFILE.

Switch to the CHILD PROFILE

Install the Google Play Store under the CHILD PROFILE:

Open File Manger

Go to Network/Share

Tap start to start an FTP server on port 2121.

On your PC, navigate to the tablet's FTP server we just started.

Copy the (4) google play store files into Downloads folder of the tablet.

Disconnect / stop the FTP server in File Manager.

In File Manager, Navigate to Downloads folder on the table where you copied the files and install the GPStore in correct order (the first one will ask you to allow from unknown sources).

01_Google Account Manager: "com.google.android.gsf.login___.apk"

02_Google Services FrameWork: "com.google.android.gsf___.apk"

03_Google Play Services: "com.google.android.gms___.apk"

04_Google Play Store: "com.android.vending___.apk"

Stay in the CHILD PROFILE

Launch GoToApp Pro - install it if not already installed.

You should see GPStore in the ALL APPS list - launch that.

sign into the store & download/install YouTube Kids.

add any other apps you wish then exit.

Open GoToApp and delete unwanted apps from the main screen.

Tap (+) to add apps …add YouTube Kids to main and exit.

Add GoToApp to Favorites screen of the Amazon Kids home screen.

Don't forget to remove access to File Manager from the Amazon Parent dashboard when you're done.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] pcm2t:
Is this still working on the latest OS? The review for GoToApp seems to state that it is no longer working.

I just got the Kids Fire 10 Pro to replace my sons older kids tablet. Previously I loaded a custom made side launcher that I published on amazons Live App Tester. Previously you could share it over to the kids profile and use it to launch your app. Now the app no longer shows up when you share it.

I noticed other apps like "Apps Organizer" also don't show up on the kids profile. Makes me wonder if they are preventing this type of thing. Makes the tablet less than optimal.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dsfrenchie:
Help I got as far as downloading the files to the Child's profile but they will not install, the only options presented are to OPEN AS Text, Audio, Image or Video. Without the ability to add Libby app to the Child's profile this tablet is useless for us. Please help it's a Christmas present and I would like to have this resolved in time for it to be part of the present. This was the original intent for purchasing the Fire.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] halcion1:
It's not my app, but still works on my son's FireHD8 and his 10, and auto-update is enabled on both.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] halcion1:
Make sure are navigating to the Google Play Store files that you copied over using File Manager app. Also, make sure that the files you did copy to the tablet are .apk extension and not something like .zip, etc.

AFAIK, any valid .apk file will attempt to install/prompt you with the info I have posted here.
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dsfrenchie:
Thanks I finally was able to install the apps by getting at them from

OK using APPSTART, I was able to see and install the 4 APK files for Google play store, but after restarting, I still cannot see the Google Playstore app on the child profile. I also tried loading the ONE apk for the Libby library app on the child profile and it would not install at all. any ideas on what I may be missing?
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dsfrenchie:
OMG I got it - I used "GOTOAPP Full" ( load the app on parent profile, give shared content to child, then add this app to the child profile) and then after I installed each Google play store APK, I restarted the tablet as directed. Finally, in the GOTOAPP Full, I added the Google play store app to "Other", after which I could download Libby and add that too!

Thanks for your help as well - PHEW!
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dcwestph:
I just wanted to say thank you for this...same deal as @dsfrenchie in terms of a Christmas present, i needed a way to make some games playable and this worked. Thank you so much and have a great holiday!
[Fire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nikos82:
Thanks for everyone's help on here. I've been following Halcion1's steps but I am stuck once I've FTP'd the 4 APK files to the Download folder in File Manager. Clicking on any of the APK files doesn't install them ... it just asks if I want to "OPEN AS Text, Audio, Image or Video". Not sure what is going wrong .... and same as the other guys, I'm trying to get this done for Xmas Day as the Fire is my Son's main presents. Any help appreciated.