yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I could ask you what you think the advantages of updating are, but the drawbacks are severe. See the other link in my signature where I describe the big 3 problems it will give you. Once you update, you will no longer be able to disable automatic OTA updates, making your tablet once again subject to whatever they want to put on it. The launcher can no longer be replaced, only supplemented with a second launcher of your choice and the home button being replaced with a new button that calls YOUR launcher instead of theirs. That uses resources that are in short supply on a Fire tablet, keeping a second launcher in memory. Plus, if you decide that we were right about not updating, you can't go back.

In short, just don't do it.

Edit: I have both an old FireHD 10 with older firmware (7.3.1.2), and a new(er) Fire HD 8 (2021) with the new(er) firmware (7.3.2.3) on it. The older one runs MUCH smoother and better than the new one with the workarounds. The newer one still runs, but I'd gladly put the older firmware on the newer one if it were possible. It stutters more, and hangs at times while reallocating memory because of the workarounds.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] neFAST:
Ok I'm sold I won't update. However that tablet isn't smooth at all. I regret buying it and was hoping an update would improve that.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Nah, it'll only make it slower. If it's such a slug, factory reset it, turning off OTA updates before you give it a Wifi password. Then run Toolbox and install only the apps you use.

Edit: My method of Amazon App removal is to use the "manual", "simple" tab in Manage Amazon Apps, checking ALL Amazon apps, then only unchecking the 3 or 4 that I want. That's worked really well for my older tablet.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Nordybaglady:
IGNORE accidentally posted and cannot find the delete
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Nordybaglady:
I just purchased two HD 10 tablets with 7.3.2.1 from Target when they were price matching for Prime. I was able to remove the lockscreen ads and load Google Play with no issues.

I have Nova launcher loaded and all works with the exception of the default search bar on the home page. When I perform a search, the results are from Bing even though the settings reflect Google app. I have tried several combinations in the Nova setting with results reflecting Bing. I now have the search bar from Nova to not show on the home page and using a widget for Google search instead. I am fine with this approach, but my concern is that somehow I loaded malware from Nova or something from Google Play. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions? Thanks!

UPDATE: I installed Avast from Google Play Store and ran the free version. Nothing found. Assuming I am fine as I was careful with my downloads.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
Hi @blaacksheep again. Which are the "2 update apps" you "flush ... to get rid of the downloaded update"? Thanks
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Actually, there are 4. Because I am not certain which app downloads the OTA update, I just clear the cache and clear the data from all 4. They are:

DeviceSoftwareOTA

ForcedOTA

System Updates

System Updates (there are 2 distinct instances with this name in the list)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] davidwilder:
I modified my Automate flow to use the "App in foreground?" block to detect when firelauncher is on the screen. Then I call my preferred launcher. The "App in foreground?" block needs "When changed" in the Proceed section and "com.amazon.firelauncher" in the Package section. If you experiment with this it is important to deselect the "Run on system startup" setting in Automate until you have tested your flow. Otherwise you may get into a loop that is hard to get out of. Once this flow is running, you can select Clear All and you will get no more than a momentary glimpse of the firelauncher screen. I incorporated this approach into a larger more complicated flow, so I do not have a simple one to share.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] InfinityCowboy:
Been a long time since I did this, started using my tablet again, made the mistake of factory resetting it and now it auto-updates to the most recent amazon update. I've got automate installed, followed recommended steps, but it comes up "It appears that Nova Launcher is missing from your installation. Please return Nova Launcher to its proper directly, or re-install the Toolbox to resolve." I've tried reinstalling Toolbox, and it seems I'm having this issue with all the launchers. Is there something I'm missing with this?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings!

So sorry to hear about the tablet updating. :(

As for the Nova Launcher issue, is NovaLauncher.apk present in the "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Datastream\Fire Toolbox V29.0\bin\Custom Launchers" (if installed via the installer) directory? If not, please place the attached .apk file in the folder and try again. If issues persist, please do let us know! Best of luck! 🤞
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Ah, an interesting approach, my friend! :D

Do you mind if I incorporate this into the Launcher Invoker flo?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
FYI Amazon now shipping New Fire 8HD (12th Gen, 2022) tablets in North America
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] davidwilder:
Feel free to do so. I do not own it!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ghoster76:
Sorry be out of topic, but possible to disable battery optimization for a specific app by toolbox?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
You can't with Toolbox, but you can do it within "Settings" on the tablet.

Go to "Settings" > "Apps & Notifications". Under "Recently opened apps", tap "See all nn apps".

Tap the app on which you want to disable battery optimizations, tap "Battery", tap "Battery optimization".

Tap the down-arrow on the right of "not optimized", tap "All apps". Now tap the app on which you want to disable optimizations again, tap "Don't optimize", tap "Done".

They make it difficult to find by burying the setting!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Like @blaacksheep mentioned, it cannot at the moment. However, it is possible with ADB... so maybe in a future update?

;)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Thank you my good Sir! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I finally got around to installing and configuring RethinkDNS to block updates on my tablet, instead of DNS66. I'll let you guys know if the tablet tries to slip an update by me again!! It's running 7.3.2.3 and desperately trying to get to 7.3.2.4, but I haven't let it. Hopefully, RethinkDNS will work better than DNS66. I've gotten "Always on VPN" to work with it so maybe I don't need to turn off WiFi before shutdown/reboot. 🤞
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Exiton_Pi:
Our Daughters new tablet just arrived today. When i ordered it I didn't think about it being too new to be supported by the toolbox, silly mistake. I expect its going to take a while before the tool box is updated for the new model?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] nsfxpython:
Does anyone think rooting will be possible for the Fire HD 10 (2021)? I think Toolbox has been an amazing addition to the Fire Tablets but we can never be satisfied right? I'd love nothing more than to install a custom ROM.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
Hi Everyone,

On my fire 7 (9th generation) I sometimes just plain & simple just get the urge to live on the bleeding edge of things , so yesterday I decided to perform a factory reset on my tablet and let it update to the latest amazon firmware version currently available for my model of tablet (FireOS 7 | FireOS 7.3.2.4). Now I'm going to install the latest version of this great application (Fire Toolbox) & just see just how much I'll be able to modify yet again like I've been able to do in the past. I'm already aware that the amazon software developers keep trying to 'lockdown' their firmware so that it can be modified as easily as it was in the previous versions. My motto has always been, you will never know about anything until you try to learn how to figure things out. The great thing is that we have a great group of fire tablet user's here on xda that are available when you need help with something, and of course the developer of the fire toolbox application as well.

David
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I bought a second tablet for that!! I did not want to lose the functionality that you'll see you've now lost. The older tablet (7.3.1.2) runs FAR smoother and faster than the new one (7.3.2.3). There's always eBay or Prime Warehouse to buy a used or refurbished tablet with older firmware. ;)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
I'm thinking that my next tablet purchase will be an actual android tablet of some kind so I won't have to mess around with the fire o.s. any further, it's now to the point of really not being worth it anymore.

David
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] InfinityCowboy:
Hello there! It is okay. Y'all have been awesome helpin everyone through it.

It is. I tried removing and adding this file to it, with no luck. I am going to attempt to fully delete/reinstall Toolbox and factory reset my tablet as well to see if starting it fresh on the tablet side will help.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Didn't like the update, huh? I hear you on getting a "real" Android tablet. The ones I have are used primarily as music players and for watching movies that are already on my NAS. Anything much more demanding than that can get tediously slow.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
If you are thinking that you can sideload a file with an older OS, it's not possible. Once updated, the tablets are stuck with the newer firmware. The only exception is the earlier models that are exploitable and can be rooted. Amazon has locked down the update process to prevent exactly that.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] leokendall:
Orderd a "NEW" fire hd tablet 10" for the wife during the prime deals. when i got orderd it i checkd off a a gift.

anyway it had the older software version. cant remmeber what version though but toolbox innsatlled and disable updates and when i did a restart nova launcher was still there. Its put away for christmas now.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
A fully FTB modded Fire tablet for Xmas ... nice gift!

Better than Santa ... he's not an XDA member, but fortunately some of his "elves" are!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] zxczxc4:
Very lucky that the hd 10 I just bought was on 7.3.2.1!

Did the debloat and working well, but one issue.

After installing the google services, I just cannot log in to my google account.

I've waited overnight after installing, but it just keeps telling me that it's a wrong password.

This of course makes me doubt myself, but have triple checked the password, able to log in on a separate computer etc...

It feels like google just being strange.

Will update if I get it working.

Thanks for the great tool.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Try rebooting. That's been known to help.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] zxczxc4:
Did not help me -- but what did work was selecting "forgot my password" and was able to accept a prompt on a separate device, then chose to receive an 6 digit code via email. Once I entered that in, that logged me in!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] amppcguru:
Just Received the Brand New Fire HD8+ gen 12 & was hoping this would work to get Google Play installed but it came with the latest FireOS!

Any chances of getting Fire Toolbox updated to do that!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
That's going to require someone to come up with a way to make Google Services work with FireOS 8 before it could be added to Toolbox. It hasn't happened yet that I'm aware of. Stay tuned, though. If it happens you'll find out about it here. :)

Edit: In the meantime, the rest of Toolbox works with FireOS 8. Just use Aurora.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Trebrick:
Random question. Anyone have the latest "heads up!" The charades game working? Just crashes before loading finishes. Older versions just give the update popup. Crashes lawnchair too
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
CAUTION: may not be suitable for casual users, use at your own risk.

Ref Introduction to F-droid and Aurora Store

Also ref Aurora Store XDA dev's thread:

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-4-4-aurora-store-open-source-play-store-client-april-8-2021.3739733/
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] LonglandsAlan:
Hi all. I'm new to the forum.

I'm just about to purchase a refurbed Fire 10 with a view to using Fire toolbox to get Google play services up and running. I have done this on an old tablet really successfully.

Other than doing everything to ensure that I do not have the latest firmware installed (I have ensured that the device is not linked to my account) or that I allow it to auto update before using Fire toolbox; is there anything else that I need to do to make sure I dont fall foul of the device updating and not being able to be used as an Android device?

Thanks in advance
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] amppcguru:
I always install f-droid along with a few other essential apps. But it's not really a Google Play replacement.

When I connect my new HD8+ gen 12 I get this error message.

Codename "raspite" isn't supported/recognized by the toolbox 🧰. Please plug in a supported fire tablet and try again.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
12rh Gen Fire HD8 tablets just released a few days ago and @Datastream33 has yet to update the "Devices Identifier" code in Fire Toolbox ... may be coming soon.

As you are probably aware, Fire OS8 installed on 12th Gen Fire tablets and current versions of Google Play infrastructure are not compatible and effectively makes Google Play Store unusable. @blaacksheep suggested Aurora Store as an interim workaround to avoid having to using Google Play structure and still have access to some Google Play Store-like function ... but you're right ... the "experience" is not the same.

More fundamentally, FTB is not a "rooting" tool and cannot change the underlying Fire OS8 and Google Play code function ... there is no FTB "solution" for that ... installing FTB to regain Google Play function is moot.

I'm not optimistic that there is a short-term resolution to this problem, but that's just my conjecture ... there may be a clever dev working on this problem now!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Hello and welcome.

If you've successfully modded a Fire tablet with FTB before, you already know the "drill"... basic procedures are the same but the details may be slightly different depending on which version of Fire OS7 comes pre-installed on your Fire HD10.

I highly recommend reading Post #1 to refamiliarize yourself with the current FTB functions (and limitations) and installation procedures to avoid any unnecessary OTA Update "accidents".

Current FTB V29.0 is has more functionality and is easier to use than previous versions, so you shouldn't have any problems if you closely follow the established FTB protocols.

Enjoy!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Could be one of a myriad app problems.

For starters, try the standard Android troubleshooting for misbehaving apps:

- flush the app data and user cache, then reboot

- if that doesn't work, uninstall app and reinstall app from Google Play Store, then reboot.

- if that doesn't work, it's more serious and could get more complicated, especially for Fire tablets.

Try the simple stuff first.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
@Datastream33 glad you're always open to new ideas/techniques from "outside the box" ... Sign of good dev professionalism ... Always makes for a continuously better app!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Stefan_1:
Hi, thank you for Fire Toolbox

I have 7.3.2.1 on my Fire 10 HD

I saw the google keep widget is not updating when I change something on a different device. Is there some option I have to activate or is this a limitation?

Thank you
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
Hi,

This morning I installed the latest version of the fire toolbox (29.1) on one of my windows computers. I ended up performing a complete amazon debloat as it seems what used to be the 'recommended' method no longer functions like it used to. I installed the dns66 apk file on the computer and then I sideloaded it to my fire 7 2019 edition tablet. But I never could get it to function properly, so now I need to obtain a different method to use so I can disable the ota updates. Like I mentioned early on here in the forum, I mainly purchased my fire 7 2019 edition tablet as an experiment.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Amazon removed the standard Android "Accounts" settings from FireOS, so third -party apps cannot auto-sychronize in the background and can only synchronize in the foreground, when the app is open.

All Amazon aps have no prolems synching within the Amazon ecosystem, of course.

It's a "feature" of FireOS ... a limitation for everybody else.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I've been playing with RethinkDNS. So far, it's been working flawlessly at blocking the update servers and also doing great blocking ads. As a side benefit, I don't have to shut down WiFi every time I power off the tablet. I was able to turn on Always On VPN and Block Other Connections in the settings of the tablet. It launches right away when I start up the tablet. I'm still on 7.3.2.3.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] lucian74:
Hi, just setup one FireHD10Plus (7.3.2.4) - everything working so far, except the HOME BUTTON. Was playing around with installing alternative launcher. And now if I tip on the home button nothing happens anymore no amazon launcher - no alternative launcher. already tried reboot & hard reset (40sec. power button).

any advice?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
Hi,

Thanks so much for the update, so it sounds like I can go ahead and uninstall the dns66 app. After more or less starting over again with my tablet I was able to install all of the required google play services and I also installed the aurora app store as well. At the moment I'm laying in bed using my cpap machine so I can breathe better. But when I get back up I'll obtain the rethink dns app and check it out. Stay Safe and Healthy
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
The 4 apps I blocked with RethinkDNS are:

DeviceSoftwareOTA

Forced OTA

System Updates

System Updates

There are 2 System Update apps listed. One has the gear icon, and the other has the fire icon. Also, when you block DeviceSoftwareOTA, two of the others get blocked automatically. As long as you have those four blocked on Wifi and Cellular, I think you're good. I also turned on a couple of the adblock lists to do what DNS66 was doing.

Edit: Oh, and if you want to turn on "Always On VPN", you'll need Activity launcher from the Play Store. Search for "VPN" and launch that activity.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings my friend!

Due to the way the process works for setting custom launchers on FireOS 7.3.2.2+, the Toolbox will modify the navbar layout to use a custom key In place of the standard home button. And without Automate the key will not work.

Let's try restoring the home button's default layout. Please open an ADB Shell and execute the following command:

settings put secure sysui_nav_bar ""

That should restore the default navbar layout. If you have any further questions/concerns please don't hesitate to let us know. Have a good rest of your day my friend and stay safe! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Dang, wasn't aware that a new tablet had released. OK, a micropatch will be released later today to add support.

As far as Play Services is concerned, if I remember right... A component was added to the android package to cause conflicts with play services, resulting in an installation failure. If that's the case I'm afraid there might not be an easy workaround (doesn't mean we can't try and find one though). I, however, could be 100% wrong on this subject.

As @blaacksheep mentioned, Aurora Store will be the best replacement until something is found.

But yes, the Toolbox isn't meant to root tablets as these days rooting a tablet is mainly achieved by shorting points on the motherboard and running some scripts on a Linux distro.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
One of the most fascinating things to me is seeing how other folks tackle problems. Its just interesting to see and always fun to learn from.

This community in particular is always teaching each other new things so it hard not to pick up new methods/techniques. ;)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
"Raspite" huh? Thank you so much for the codename my friend! A micropatch will be released later today with added support. :D(y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
@Datastream33

Looks like the 12th Gen Fire tablets with FireOS 8 are really in trouble with Google Play Services !

If that's the case , at least in the sort term , could you post a notice on OP #1 to that effect? Maybe even block out Google Services FTB installs for the new Fire 7 and Fire HD8 tablets? That would make it "official" and just not anecdotal , that GPS installed by FTB won't work on this generation of Fire tablets.

More than a few new "casual" FTB users are confused and very disappointed when GPS installs correctly but "crashes" when Play Store opens, and think it's an FTB "fail". It will only get worse over the Xmas gifting season.

Only a few web media sites that promote FTB are just now recognizing the problem. All the YouTube tutorials and even the current Amazon "reviews" have no clue of the "troubles".

It's really unfair to "blame" FTB ... as always, it's the Amazon/Google "Clash of the Titans".

I'd hate to see this reflect on you as the FTB dev.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] LonglandsAlan:
Thanks. I read the first post cheers.

Thankfully my refurb came with 7.3.2.1 rather than the brand new OS so I've used the FTB to get Play services up and running as well as turning off updates and OTA updates. I was a little taken aback by the post from Blaaksheep HERE which is apparently aimed at 7.3.2.1 users but then refers to 7.3.2.2.

Is there anything else I need to do to avoid mishaps with OTA updates? Eg do I need to install DNS66 as discussed? This seems to be for those on 7.3.2.2. Or am I pretty much safe now?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings!

If you've got OTAs disabled then you're good to go! @blaacksheep's excellent post is mainly aimed at firmwares 7.3.2.2 and above.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Yeah, sorry for the confusion. I wasn't sure if I would label that "7.3.2.2+" or ">7.3.2.1". Hopefully the post explains a little better. It's somewhat outdated nowadays, but it still serves as a starting point for those that want to explore other ideas.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] LonglandsAlan:
Thanks so much for taking the time to post it. I read it all first before I did anything.

I'm just really pleased that I managed to snag a device without the issues being faced on the most up to date version. I've tested it and it's working super. It's a birthday gift for my five year old son, he's going to be really pleased
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] lucian74:
thanks so much

bevore this I am willing to get Automate running. the toolbox actually suggested (at least my interpretation) - that the automate configuration gets also "automated" and not only installed. are here any guide for this? - before i have to going to dig deep into automate.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] cannabis2286:
Did you solved the problem yet? I also have that problem.