yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Let's first correct our terms. We cannot disable FireOS, nor has that ever been an option. FireOS is an Amazon-built OS based on Android. It's mostly Android, but it has things removed and replaced with Amazon-written code that does not always conform to Android.

There has never been an option to disable FireOS. The option you are looking for is Custom Launcher. With your generation of tablet (probably v7.3.2.2 or later), it is not possible to disable the built-in Fire Launcher. It is only possible to hide it and redirect the "Home" function to call your preferred launcher.

The process does install Automate and imports a flow along with it. I try to tell people to follow the instructions EXACTLY and not to anticipate what to do next. The script doesn't play well with us people that like to hit buttons before we're asked to do so. You need to follow the instructions IN ORDER and when asked to press something, not before.

Automate will always show up in the notification area. It can only be minimized, not removed. You probably had it minimized before.

You'll know if you've successfully installed Custom Navbar Key because your "Home" key will be slightly reduced in size. When pressed it should take you to your custom Launcher and not "the FireOS Home page" which is actually the Amazon Fire Launcher. You may need to open Automate and stop/start the Launcher Invoker flow, or reboot the tablet for full functionality.

Automate has probably gotten flows activated for Shortcut Launcher and custom Navbar Key. You've probably messed up the Custom Navbar Key installation and then tried Shortcut Launcher. Shortcut Launcher will always flash the Amazon Launcher before switching to your custom launcher. Reroute homekey works great, but it has to be done every time you reboot. Custom Navbar Key, when done correctly, is the cleanest solution we have. I promise you it works, but you need to go slowly through the installation. You might need to remove Automate or the flows from previous launcher replacement attempts and re-import the flow when you run Custom Navbar Key. (Or you could just factory reset again.)

Don't give up yet. It's completely possible to do. (y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Pyroficy:
Okay disabled Fire Launcher not FireOS, sorry for my incorrect terminology. Still, for years I used the model I have as if it was a standard google android tablet, there was never any evidence of Automate running(no logo or processes), Nova wasnt an active app like it seems to be now(in the recent tab) and I didnt have a redirecting home button like it is now.

I followed the instructions exactly, even did it several times after factory reseting. I dont know what changed but it is not the same as it used to be when I first set it up in 2021.

Thanks for your time
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Judging from your description, fire Toolbox and your tablet aren't fully communicating. That could be either due to customizations on your computer or your tablet.

I suspect it's your tablet, and due to running one of the "debloat" scripts. Try restoring the apps that were disabled in the script and see if that fixes things.

Oh, you don't know what the script disabled? That's the main reason I don't recommend running any of the debloat scripts. Try Restore Amazon Apps > Restore Everything, then reboot your tablet and try FTB again. If it now works, use the Manual option when debloating and just use Simple (Recommended). Only disable things you won't need. There's a description provided for each item so you have a better idea of what you are disabling. All items are color coded for easier recognition of what you should leave alone. (y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I suspect that your tablet came with a pre-7.3.2.2 F/W. In earlier firmware, the launcher was not a protected app and could be disabled/replaced without using the Custom Navbar Key. It's possible that when you ran the first factory reset, you were unaware of the need to keep it offline until you ran Toolbox because it would update to a new F/W version as soon as it had access to internet. It's now on firmware that requires additional steps to work around what Amazon has taken away. :oops:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Pyroficy:
Are older FW versions available online to take it back to its original state?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
No. Once installed, the new F/W is permanent and cannot be rolled back. 😳

That's why a lot is said about skipping the setup screen when initially turning on your tablet so it doesn't update. It's also mentioned to uncheck the box that says "connect this tablet with my Amazon account" when ordering because it will already have your wifi password and be able to connect immediately when turned on.

Edit: BTW, my pre-7.3.2.2 HD10 (2019) tablet has been running slow for a while. I think it's due to Google Services and all the software that encompasses. If I ever reset it again, I'll just skip the Google stuff and sideload my media players. ;)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Pyroficy:
Guess I have a paperweight now then... thanks again.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I just added an edit to my previous post. I think that with today's Google Services, you have to get the "+" model tablet with at least 3 GB RAM for it to run smoothly. GS are not really compatible with 2 GB models, especially with the workarounds required to ditch the launcher.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Ah. So the big surprise lands today! 🥳 I've been waiting for this to finally drop. It works so nicely on every Linux distro I've run it on. (Except maybe Endeavor where it worked fine, but there were mesa errors reported in terminal, probably because of running it in a VM.) If you're running v5.0 then this will be an easy upgrade and you can keep your old version in case you have problems. The new v6.0 creates a new "Datastream" folder in the same ~/.local/share directory right next to the "datastream" folder, and we all know by now that Linux is case sensitive (unlike Windows).

I can't wait to hear some feedback on the new release!

Thanks @Datastream33 ! Thank you for all the effort and time you've put into the new app format. I think it will mean far less difficulty in installation and maintenance for everyone. 😁
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Anyone downloading V6.0 may want to wait a little longer. It seems there's already a micropatch (v6.1), and it won't install because of a file system error (on a .png file for heaven's sake). I'm sure @Datastream33 will correct the problem soon, so be patient. I know he wants this to be released as quickly as possible. 🤞
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] thelanlord:
I don't usually put this out there but I'm going to do it on this publicly for good reason.

I was the president of Colorado Computer for 6 years and I was also the senior Denver metro commercial technician for geeks on call for 3 years

I received my Masters in computer information control system from UCLA when I was 26. I am 56 and comfortably retired now.

I retired when I was 49.

I have worked with so many individuals and groups over the years. I even worked as a subcontractor for the department of defense on submarine printing systems in Groton Connecticut. The reason I'm giving you my background is because when I say your work and support has been both profesional with a personal touch. Not just Your response to my questions but;

The responses I have noticed to others has been giving with proper technical consideration of project goals as per basis with a sense of urgency.

Qudos to you Sir.

Yer ability to do quick Discovery and offer result is evident.

Enough said 👍

I will simply flush the unit and begin again

I'm actually getting very good with the fire tool and these units as I have with hundreds of different types of units in the past The tool is awesome.

I was trying to bang This let's say "GUI BASED ROM MOD" into something great quickly.

I will consientrate more on this next vamp.

I make the Fire Max 11

Run lean and fast active stylus in hand everything working smooth.

Sorry about the long winded post I didn't really have time to write it but I felt it was in order have a great day talk to you again I voice texted this I'm not going to proofread it just FYI

LoL

😎
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] thelanlord:
I will give this a run on a Raspberry Pie. I will pull it down after you finish the latest version with micro patch.

Probably Ubuntu or maybe I'll throw KALI on it. 👍
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
LOL on the proofreading a voice-typed reply. I was thinking that I was going to get a long dissertation of your credentials and a tongue-lashing for telling you you might have disabled a needed app. I try not to be degrading in any way and to just help achieve the desired outcome if it's possible.

I'm just a few years older than you, but without the pedigree that you have. Most of what I know was found by trial and error, and with the Google knowledge base.

Also, the Fire Max 11 has only been out a short while, and there have been new curve balls thrown at us by FireOS 8. Both issues have caused new difficulties that have yet to be fully addressed. If you are resetting anyways, go through the process a little at a time and don't be too aggressive in "debloating" because that may remove functionality. Save the debloating for last and get your tablet working to your liking first. Remember you can relaunch Toolbox at any time and pick up where you left off. (y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Wow, right out of the box to a Raspberry Pi! Hehe. I think Datastream just got a little bit ahead of himself with the updater. Everything else was working great. I'd wait until he replies here before jumping on the new version. I'm sure it'll be a quick fix and all will be well. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] dbdude58:
Anyone able to get Smart Lock kind of feature working? I'd like to keep tablet unlocked while it's connected to my watch via Bluetooth.. or do I need something like the automate tool to do this? Trying to keep it as simple as possible.. thanks.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Smart device functions like Samsung's Smart Lock rely on a mix of NFC (Near-field communication), Bluetooth and body sensing technology, which Amazon has not implemented on Fire tablets.

Conceptually, may be able to write an Automate script to sense specific trusted paired Bluetooh devices together Fire tablet Display functions (or with a third-party Android AppLock/Lockscreen utility app ) to accomplish something similar. I'm an Automate noob, so this is just "blue sky" thinking.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] thelanlord:
I say we open up the suckers and start soldering.

JTAG Extreem we could do a Youtube channel on it until the owner of good Ol amazonia gets wind

Oh I am just the funniest guys sometimes

🙃

it is actually about time to get a new logic probe
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
My bad! I failed to remember to delete the previously created "~/.local/share/Datastream" folder. I had accidentally launched the test build once in my real environment instead of my VM and it had created that folder.

If you've never installed it before (you haven't unless you've been alpha testing), it shouldn't be a problem because v4 and v5 both use a lower case datastream folder instead of the upper case Datastream folder used in the new version.

Have at it people. I'm sorry for the hold-up. 🙄
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
The only candidate I have for the soldering iron is my old HD8 (2020) which got wet and is now intermittent at best. I like my HD10 (2019) with early F/W and I'm just stripping down the installation to no Google Services or anything else that demands resources. I just want it for media viewing/listening and a browser.

If you've been waiting to try the new Linux port because of my warning about the V6 release, don't worry. It works and was a mistake I made. It was all my fault and I'm sorry for holding you guys up. (y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Google Play Store app security

Google defended the Play Store from 2.28 million malicious apps last year

The Play Store kept over 2 million apps from wreaking havoc on Android last year

www.androidpolice.com

How we fought bad apps and bad actors in 2023

Posted by Steve Kafka and Khawaja Shams (Android Security and Privacy Team), and Mohet Saxena (Play Trust and Safety) A safe and trusted ...

security.googleblog.com

Enhanced Google Play Protect real-time scanning for app installs

Posted by Steve Kafka, Group Product Manager and Roman Kirillov, Senior Engineering Manager Mobile devices have supercharged our modern ...

security.googleblog.com

Cloud-based protections | Play Protect | Google for Developers

developers.google.com
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
"Ut est rerum omnium magister usus"

- Julius Caesar

"There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."

- Will Rogers
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I feel like I scared everyone from trying the new FTB V6 for Linux.

I made an error in testing and forgot to clean it up before I installed the new release. I cleaned up my mess🧻 and re-installed FTB V6 and all went smoothly, including the first update to V6.1.

The new Toolbox V6 for Linux was always safe and easy to install.

I figured it might take some bold type to get people to notice. It's funny how one remark can grind things to a halt, and a following retraction can go seemingly unnoticed.

The reason for my problem was that I had left a directory in my home directory that should not have been there. The only reason for it being there was because I was testing an alpha version. That directory is not created until you run the new FTB Appimage file. The problem occurred because it was already there and shouldn't have been. Unless you were also testing alpha versions, this will not affect you! (y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I am often that 3rd man! LOL
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Ouch !! 🤕
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I try to be one of the other two, but it doesn't always work out that way. 🤷
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Cavaleiroloko:
Bom dia , não estou conseguindo logar no Google Assistent. Diz que não posso fazer login
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Cavaleiroloko:
Lembre-se de ligar o WIFI :D kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Deblaoting 101 .. Generic ADB process for all Android devices :

How to uninstall carrier/OEM bloatware without root access

If you want to get rid of carrier/OEM apps from your phone, here's how you can uninstall bloatware from your device without root access!

www.xda-developers.com

Fortunately, Fire Toolbox has all this prepackaged for Fire tablets ... BUT do not use general "debloating" scripts ; manually diable apps only as required. Over-enthusiastic deblaoting will impair your device !

PSA from the experience of the Community.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Also, you might want to do any debloating last, in a separate session, after you get everything else working the way you like. ;)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Geunix:
Will there be the possibility of disabling the Amazon launcher on Fire 8 12gen?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Yes, but it depends on f/w installed on your Gen12 Fire tablet.

FireOS 8.3.1.8 and earlier: can diable Amazon Fire Launcher with ADB commands.

FireOS 8.3.1.9 and later: Amazon Fire Launcher is "system protected" and cannot be disabled.

It you are considering using a alternative app launcher (Nova Launcher et al), Fire Toolbox will walk you through the process ... but follow the instruction sequence closely; installation errors are tedious to resolve.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
And, if you're considering a new 12th gen model, it's worth the extra money for the "plus" versions. They have 3 GB RAM instead of 2. The workaround launcher replacement methods all consume extra resources including RAM. (y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I just ran a trial for purposes of seeing the speed degradation caused by running GSF (Google Services Framework) on one of my Fire tablets - HD10 (2019). I factory reset it, ran Toolbox on it with simple manual debloating, and without installing Google Services or the Play Store.

Using just Amazon's appstore, F-droid, and apkmirror.com to install apps that don't need GSF, I setup my tablet with most of the same apps on my HD8 (2020). I had to use Duck Duck Go as a browser because all the others require GSF.

Man, that sure made a BIG difference in speed! Without Google running all sorts of processes in the background all the time, my tablet isn't always swapping out memory to run stuff. It is like doubling the RAM in the Fire tablet.

I know this kind of move isn't for everyone. Since I have 2 Fires and a phone besides my computer, it was worth it to me. Going Google-free makes the tablet actually responsive. :) I use it mostly as a media player to watch movies and play music.

I've concluded that GSF does in fact make a huge difference in speed and if you can afford not installing it, you are much better off. :cool:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ThatGuySince68:
Hello, first time poster here, thank you @Datastream33 for this project and @blaacksheep for your contributions, massively appreciated.

I am running a FireHD10 13th generation on 8.3.2.2.

I'm having trouble with the new v34 recommended RethinkDNS. When I use the fire toolbox, it successfully installed RethinkDNS before throwing up an error about creating a backup on an SD card directory, which makes sense as I do not have an SD card connected. It successfully continues to the next step informing me it is going to make some further changes. Upon approving the application to continue, the program crashes, and RethinkDNS is not configured at all.

I identified the above quoted instructions, plus the domains to block from @blaacksheep 's signature, so I attempted to configure RethinkDNS manually.

Whilst I can not confirm the firewall rules are indeed working, I believe they are, because if I enable either the universal firewall options "Block when DNS is bypassed" or "Block on metered (mobile) network" all of my applications lose internet access, which leads me to believe the firewall is fully operational and brings me to my second point.

My RethinkDNS, DNS settings are

mostly

ignored. From my PiHole over DoH logs I can see the only requests being sent to my PiHole are for dns.google and tablet.ntp-fireos.com, but no other queries go to the device when I load a browser and go to any given website, and again, if "Block when DNS is bypassed" is on this all fails, obviously because my DNS config is being bypassed and actually resolved by dns.google. I have disabled fallback.

I realize this is more of a RethinkDNS problem than a fire toolbox problem but hoping you might be able to shed some light on this, as I still want to be blocking the Amazon OTA domains on top of the application blocks at the firewall.

Thanks!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

The RethinkDNS app was a new addition to Toolbox and has had some mixed results. I wrote that description of how to install Rethink on an older version and I think some of the options have changed since then.

Here is the opening summary screen of Rethink on my tablet:

DNS is disabled

There are no Firewall Rules

Proxy is disabled

The only things set are under Apps.

If you tap on Apps and then on the Blocked tab, you need to have the following apps blocked as shown:

Special Offers is not necessary to block since it's already covered in Toolbox, but the other 4 are needed.

Contrary to the name RethinkDNS, you don't need to use any of the DNS options and only need to block apps. Once set up, it just runs and needs no further attention. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ThatGuySince68:
Hey, thanks for the quick response and the demo, feeling a lot more confident it's going to be effectual in it's current configuration and I'm not one day going to wake up to an unusable tablet. I would still like to get the DNS working for this and other applications though, have you previously tried configuring it with Rethink and did you have better luck if so?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I'm not the networking guru type. Android has so many different places to set a DNS server address, and it can ignore your settings and use Google if an app decides it's not getting what it wants. I just setup the DNS server in Networking of Toolbox to use Adguard, set up RethinkDNS like my example, and my router is configured to assign Cloudflare's DNS servers to anything that asks. It seems to work. 🤷
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Basic RethinkDNS documentation for DNS and Firewall configuration:

Rethink DNS | RethinkDNS Docs

RethinkDNS is DNS Resolver Service with custom rules and blocklists. A DNS resolver is an address book of the internet-- it helps locate IP addresses of the servers given a domain name. For example, dns.google.com (a domain name) is located at 8.8.8.8 (IP address). This mapping is retrieved by a...

docs.rethinkdns.com

Rethink Firewall | RethinkDNS Docs

RethinkDNS comes with a companion Firewall) app for Android, that lets you monitor and control Internet access to apps installed on your device.

docs.rethinkdns.com

also

https://www.reddit.com/r/rethinkdns/comments/12ta9zo

https://www.reddit.com/r/rethinkdns/comments/11vxyp6
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] BaggioTurin:
Hi everyone, I just got Fire10 2021 model. The part where tap Serial Number to enable developer options doesn't do anything for me?

Does that model/OS version not support this?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] BaggioTurin:
I just checked the first page. Looks like it is Restricted. So, I understand why it is not working for me.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

Have you figured out how to enable Developer Options yet? You go to Settings > About Fire Tablet, and then tap Serial Number 7 times. It will either count down and enable Developer Options or it will say "No need, you are already a developer". Then just go back a screen and a new line will appear below About Fire Tablet labeled Developer Options.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Fire HD10 (2021, Gen 11), "stock" w/ standard Google Play Services.

Manual System Update to f/w 7.3.3.0 (from 7.3.2.9)

No new anomalies observed in Amazon or Google Play ecosystems.

No noticeable change in device performance.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
That's a good sign that nothing new has been disabled or added since 7.3.2.9. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Lonnie Reeder:
Hello,

I searched this thread and found nothing to answer my question. I have used the ToolBox to install google services and it seems to be working fine. What I am trying to figure out is whether there is a way to set the default launcher to Microsoft Launcher using the Modify System Settings.