yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] doctorzoidberg:
Hello everyone!

Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before but I have not been able to find anything so apologies if it has.

I have been trying to get the custom launcher working with the custom nav option but every time it seems to fail at the step to import the automate script to bind the home button. Nova launcher and automate seem to install fine but I get an error saying the import of the script failed (the error is on the tablet itself).

Is this something I can finish setting up manually? If so, where would I find the automate script?

FYI I am on the latest FireOS (unfortunately). Everything else in the toolbox seems to have worked fine such as removing lockscreen ads, Amazon debloat, custom keyboard, etc.

Thanks for such an amazing tool!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ghoster76:
@blaacksheep Is there any way to Re-route Homekey as same as Toolbox does, but makes it run like every startup, such as Automate script or something.

I've just figured out Re-route Homekey is better than Custom Navbar Key but this downside needed to be re-applied every reboot.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
The seller with the HD 8 Plus 7.3.1.9 says he will have to factory reset the device before shipping it to me because it has his account info on it. Will that trigger an OTA update if he keeps Wi-Fi off? And can one do a reset with Wi-Fi off?

Thanks again
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Check out @blaacksheep 's posts #8,503-8,511 ... Lots of Custom Navbbar troubleshooting tips including Automate flow script to download.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

I'm going to take a guess that when Automate was installed, the setup was not completed and it doesn't have the authorizations it needs to operate.

First, open Automate from the apps list. Tap the hamburger menu botton in the upper-left. Tap "settings". Tap "Priveleges" under "Access control". Scroll all the way to the bottom and find "modify system settings" on the list. Make sure that it's checked. Tap the back arrow at the top. Scroll down a little bit and verify that "Run on system startup" is checked. If not, check it. Tap the back arrow at the top again.

Now see if you have a flow called "Launcher Invoker" in your Flows list. It should be first or second. If you do, the flow was successfully imported. If not, you'll need to re-run Toolbox and try again after the rest of the settings checks. If it is listed, tap it. Make sure the 2 checkboxes at the bottom are checked. Tap "START" just to make sure it's running.

If you need to re-run Toolbox to import the flow, try again now. If it doesn't work, could you send a screenshot of the error message you get when it fails to import? I'm only guessing this is your problem because I've never heard of this particular failure.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
If that were possible, it would be the default method for Toolbox on the new firmware. Datastream33 spent quite some time trying to make Automate do just that. He couldn't get it to work though. So now it's your choice. Either run Re-route Homekey at each boot for the better experience, or run Custom Navbar Key just once and put up with the deficiencies. Most of us choose the latter.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
As long as he just resets it and doesn't go through the setup screens, it won't have access to WiFi before someone gives it a connection and a password.

You can run setup without connecting to WiFi by going through setup and when you get to the Wifi chooser screen, select ANY option. On the next screen (where it asks for the password), tap the back button. Now a new "skip" option will appear at the bottom. Use it. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
Last question -- for now. :unsure: I currently have and HD 8 Plus with the Playstore and a ton of Google apps, Nova 6.x, One Button Navigation, and DNS66 installed, etc., and it works but it's a minor PITA to use because the Fire Launcher can't be disabled and occupies the entire interface. But if I buy the 7.3.1.9 device and set it up perfectly using FTB 29.0 or later keeping OTA updates disabled, is it possible that Amazon could still somehow update the OS and I would lose my new beautiful Android installation? If so, do you think it still makes sense to buy the 7.3.1.9 device and go through all the FTB setup?

Thanks again
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings!

Fortunately, all means for the tablet to update are disabled by the Toolbox, so no worries there.

But please keep in mind that a factory reset will re-enable OTAs/automatic updates, and as a result could cause the tablet to update. Just make sure to follow the steps in the OP again and you're good to go.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I've been collecting updates for the apps that no longer work on OTA-disabled tablets. I have one HD 8 (2021) with new firmware, and one HD 10 (2019) with older firmware. I've been pulling the updates off the newer tablet and updating the older tablet with them. So far, they work fine. I've put a link to the apps in my signature and others have used them with success.

I'd buy the tablet if it's in good shape. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] RVD26:
Hello everyone! I just received my HD 10 2021 edition but did not uncheck the 'link to account' box before ordering since I didn't know that was required. I have not powered it on yet. I did deregister the tablet in my Amazon account. Am I good to go now installing Toolbox or do I need to do something else before powering on my tablet for the first time?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings!

I would highly recommend either unplugging your router until OTA Updates are disabled, or taking the tablet outside the range of your WiFi. You do not want the tablet to have the chance of updating! (if it isn't already on firmware 7.3.2.2+)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] RVD26:
OK, so once I'm out of the range of my home WiFi and power it on, skip wifi setup, and enable USB debugging, can I then go back home and set up Toolbox? How do I disable OTA updates?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Yeah. Turn off your router before turning the tablet on. The tablet will already have your network name and WiFi password BEFORE you even turn it on. It will try to connect to an Amazon Server and update it's firmware before you get through the setup screens and turn off Wifi. Run Toolbox before you turn on WiFi!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
At the minimum, turn WiFi off until you've run Toolbox. It will already be set up and know your password. You'l want to disable OTA Updates in Toolbox before you turn on WiFi. After that it's safe to register with Amazon.

Edit: Don't even plug it in to charge! That will cause it to turn on and it comes with a sufficient charge to update itself!!

Toolbox will offer to turn off OTA Updates if you have them enabled. The tool is located under System Settings in Toolbox.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] RVD26:
Thank you both for your help! I have my tablet up and running perfectly now.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ghoster76:
Lol, I wonder if I know this sooner. For me it's too late
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Yeah, a lot of people come into this forum after they've updated and it's too late to go back. I remember when I got my first Fire tablet. I was in here reading several threads while I was waiting to get the tablet. There was a lot to read even back in 2020! :cowboy:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
A short technical overview of Google Play “Play Certified” infrastructure and Play Store apps … why some apps may “misbehave ” on Fire tablets when downloaded from Play Store.

Introducing Play Integrity API: Protect your apps and games (developer preview)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] leokendall:
Plan on gettin a fire 10.1 for the wife. how do you disable ota? on the tablet? using the program?

When i gets the tablet i am going to sidable my wfi just in case and follow the steps but no mention anywear about disabling ota updates.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

If you are buying a new HD 10, it may already come with the new firmware (v7.3.2.4) and it won't matter. If you buy it renewed (returned/refurbished), you are more likely to get older firmware (a good thing). There's a sale going on for Prime members that ends tonight so you might find a deal.

When you order it, make sure to uncheck the box that says "Associate this tablet with my Amazon account". If you don't, your Amazon account information will be put on the tablet before you get it. It will know your WiFi network and password. It will use that to connect to an Amazon server over WiFi and download the latest firmware update before you get through the setup process. You don't want that.

You want to install Toolbox on your Windows computer, turn on USB debugging on your tablet, connect your tablet and run Toolbox. There you want to go to Modify System Settings in Toolbox and turn off OTA Updates and Automatic Updates. Now it's safe to turn on Wifi on your tablet.

Read the first post in this thread and follow the instructions carefully for your best shot at doing it correctly. We're always here if you have questions. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] leokendall:
Thank you, i did read the firet post, but did not see anything about ota updates. Never had a fire tablet before so not fimilar with the os.. Like to know all i can so when the time comes i knows what to expect. The tablet will be for the wife so if it do have the new os install on it its still not the end of the world. But i did make sure it was not regestried to my account and also checked the box saying it was a gift, dunno if makes a difference of not.

I almost bought the tab for myself but backed down after seeing no way to turn of updates if its on the new firmare. So i dropped the fire tab 10 and bought the lenovo p11 plus 128gb/6gm ram for a little over double the price. Rather stock android. I have rooted phone and installed twrp, custom firmware, unlocked boot looders etc.

But more knowledge the better.

Thank once again, have a great day/night. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
If you've "rooted" Android devices before, you already understand the "modding" of Fire tablets.

As you know, FireOS 7 is a highly modified "fork" of Android 9. Fire Toolbox is basically a set of ADB "tweaks" applied to FireOS middleware ... in fact, there is an ADB command shell in FTB if you ever need to make manual tweaks yourself. What FTB does to block OTA updates is issue an ADB command to disable the "Update" app, so when updates are pushed from Amazon servers they can't be applied. With f/w 7.3.2.2 (Nov/21) forward, the update app became "protected" by FireOS and cannot be modified ... thus the emphasis on FTB protocol to keep Fire tablets with pre-7.3.2.2 f/w intact. FireOS cannot be reverted to earlier versions once updated.

FTB can never "brick" a Fire tablet since it makes no changes to FireOS kernel.

Amazon has "locked-down" FireOS so well that noone on XDA has been able to find an exploit to unlock the bootloader with recent FireOS f/w.

FTB can greatly enhance Fire tablet functionally, but they will never be "full" Android.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Mel0ns:
Hey have the Amazon Fire Tablet 7 (2022) when I first got it two weeks ago, I was able to install and use the play store. However now the playstore just constantly freezes? My older tablet Fire HD 10 play stores still work. So maybe an older version of the .apis would work? But struggling to find all 4 of them of a same release? Or any other ideas. Just trying to update the mobile games so I can keep playing. Since the apps themselves still work such as Chrome, and Games I downloaded. Any help would be appreciated!

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

That's been a problem with FireOS 8 introduced in the FireHD 7 (2022). For some, it works until it updates. For others, it just crashes as soon as it's installed. Either way, it eventually just crashes. No solution has been found that I'm aware of. The only workaround is to uninstall Google services and just use Aurora to get your apps.

Aurora is a way to get Play Store apps without Google Services being installed. The link above points Aurora on the F-droid site. F-droid is a trusted open source app store, but they only have OSS (open source software). You don't need to install F-droid if you don't want, but it will keep anything you download from them (like Aurora) up to date. You can just download Aurora from them and use that to get your apps.

The downside to Aurora is that if you want to install paid apps, it won't have the option to pay for them. Also, without Google Services, in-app purchases won't work. (If you're a cheapskate like me, it won't matter! LOL )
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Mel0ns:
Thank you!!! That worked! Exactly what I was looking for. Just something to update the apps in the mean time. Also I did the OTA Disabled through DNS66, just wondering if that will impact performance at all on the Fire 7 Tablet?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Well, in order for that to work, you need to turn off WiFi each time you shut down or reboot your tablet. If WiFi is enabled when the tablet is first booted, it will download an update through WiFi before DNS66 can get started up, defeating the purpose.

I've found that DNS66 will speed things up because it blocks most of the ads you would otherwise receive. Since it's not spending time downloading them, everything runs faster. :giggle:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Peppertone:
Would upgrading my Fire HD 8 firmware make it harder to use/install google play? I've been wanting to update my firmware, but I won't if it makes it harder to use google apps.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] shadowdemons09:
any updates on the issue with getting google play services? says connection to device timed out.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
The servers hosting Fire Toolbox have a daily download bandwidth limit and will "time out" until next 24-hour quota, when maximum capacity is reached ... generally not a problem, but it gets really busy after Amazon Prime Days. Traffic usually eases up after a few days, so be patient.

Alternatively, you can manually download and install Google Play Services APKS, if you're in a hurry.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Do NOT update the firmware on your fire tablet if you have an old version. It will only update you irreversibly to the latest firmware and you won't be happy with what they've taken away. Read the post in my signature for details about f/w v7.3.2.2. If your Google Services are working, then you're good.

Amazon updates their tablets not to make them more secure, but to give you less opportunity to turn things off that you don't want. I have 2 tablets. One with old f/w, and one with new f/w. The older one runs so much smoother than the new one because I was able to turn off many Amazon services that I didn't want. With the newer tablet, they've removed the ability to disable certain apps (like their launcher). The workaround is having a second launcher installed and bypassing the call to the first launcher. The Amazon launcher is always there taking up memory and resources, but it's just not called. It works, but it's not as efficient as just disabling their launcher.

Remember, once you update, you're stuck with the new firmware as there is no going back. I strongly recommend that you don't do it.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] dbasch:
I picked up a 2021 Fire HD 10 during the Prime event. It came with Fire OS 7.3.1.9, and I haven't connected it to wifi. I used the Fire Toolbox 29.1 to remove the launcher and install Google Play, but I can't seem to disable OTA updates. I click the toggle that says "OTA Updates: Enabled" under Modify System Settings and it instantly toggles itself back to on. I thought 7.3.2.1 and higher made it impossible to disable OTA updates, am I doing something wrong? Thanks.

Edit: never mind, restarte the tool and now it allows it.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

I'm glad you got it sorted. That's the second report I've seen of someone having trouble with the OTA toggle. The other was someone who wanted to turn OTA updates back on 😳 and it immediately turned right back off.

You can semi-manually disable/enable OTA using Toolbox under Manage Amazon Apps > Manual tab > Advanced. It looks like the Advanced tool works on ALL apps (assuming they are disable-able).

It's also good to hear you had no trouble installing Google Services. People with newer firmware have been having some difficulty getting that to work lately. (y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ghoster76:
I'm trying to block ota by rethinkdns, not sure it's ok or not, but hopefully some developers would have solution with the ota on newer firmware soon.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I'm not sure if it was you, or someone else who mentioned that app. It got a couple of likes. Let us know how well it works. I've been using DNS66 and have managed to keep mine at 7.3.2.3 even though the current f/w version is 7.3.2.4.

The main problem with DNS66 is it takes a while before it gets loaded and the tablet has tried to update on me twice! I had to go into Storage of the 2 update apps and flush the cache and storage to get rid of the downloaded update. Good thing I noticed. Now I'm ultra-dilligent about turning off WiFi before I shutdown/reboot.

I don't know if that will be a problem with RethinkDNS. Let us know if it manages to slip an update by you.

Edit: I just checked my tablet and it had the new update ready to install on reboot. I had to clear the cache and storage of those apps again. Now it just says it's never checked for updates and the "check now" button fails due to my blocks in DNS66. I'd love to know when it's able to check and get the update. Maybe I'll check out RethinkDNS sooner than I thought.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] shadowdemons09:
having a problem when clearing all apps where the amazon launcher will show up and i will have to hit the home button in order to get back to the microsoft launcher, does anyone know if this is a bug? or is there something i am not doing correctly? i have installed all google services.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Ref XDA thread by RethinkDNS devs:

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-6-0-ret...r-firewall-open-source-no-root.4144243/page-1
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

That's an unfortunate consequence of replacing the launcher the way it's done here. The replacement launcher (Nova in my case) will show up on the recents list along with all other recent apps. The "Clear all" function will also clear your launcher and you'll have to re-launch it with the "Home" button. I remember looking for a way to hide the replacement launcher from the recents list, but didn't find anything suitable for our purposes. I'm afraid it's just something we need to accept. I try not to use the "Clear All" function and just swipe away the other apps and leave the launcher. I suppose that takes longer than just tapping "Clear All" and then "Home". It's your choice. Do whatever is easier for you.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] shadowdemons09:
I appreciate the response and I am glad it is not just a bug. Is it something I will just have to get used to. Thank you again! 🤩🤩
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Thraxster:
Hello to the people in the know and others more like myself. I wasn't fortunate enough to be able to influence the order of a fire hd10 so by the time I got to it the thing was on 7.3.2.4.

I'd like to know if there is hope in the future for the toolbox to be able to work with it or not. I have no idea where to begin to see if that's been talked about having been here all of a day and there being over 500 pages on the device.

I have to say though that this site is amazing and I'm sure I'll return for other devices. Thank you for the sweet tools and hopefully a response.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

You aren't too late to use Toolbox! Much has been done to mitigate the frustrations of the new firmware. Datastream33 (the dev who wrote the software for toolbox) has made many improvements since Amazon began trying to shut down Fire tablets to modifications. The community here is always finding new ways to manipulate what Amazon has left us and Datastream33 quickly incorporates the better ideas, and his own, into Toolbox so we all can use them. There are problems here and there, but they get worked out and patched quickly.

The best place to start is on the first post. You don't need to read all the posts between post #1 and #10,000. The first post contains a very detailed set of instructions on how to install and use Toolbox, and has been updated many times. Many questions that are asked here are answered in that post. So, read the first page and the last page or two before you ask something that has already been answered just to save us time.

Toolbox is actively being developed and still has a future for as long as Fire tablets are based on Android and ADB. They can't lock us out completely as long as the tablets are Android-based.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Thraxster:
bless your heart. I could live with the intrusive junk but it's for my gram through my moms amazon so I want to prevent accidents.

I've skimmed and worried but with confirmation I'll dig in. always more worried when i'm not messing with my own stuff.

You have yourself a fantastic day! THANK YOU!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] neFAST:
Hello I have not use the toolbox for months, now that you have workaronds I want to restore OTA updates but when I hit the toggle in quickly reverts to the off position

Device: Amazon Fire HD 7 (2019)

Codename: mustang

FireOS Version: 7.3.1.9

Android Version: 9.0

Security Patch: 2018-10-05

Chipset: MT8163
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
No you DON'T want to re-enable OTA updates, even if there are workarounds.

The new problems that come with the updated firmware are not worth the minor advances. If you just want to make Shop Amazon work again, or just want the latest version of Prime Video or some other Amazon app that won't update because of your firmware, look at the link in my signature. I've pulled the apps in question from my HD8 (2020) with the new firmware and saved them on my Google Drive. They install fine on older firmware but Amazon won't offer them to you unless you are on their newer firmware. Just download the .apk files for what you want to update and install them over the top of the installed version.

If you are worried about security, I doubt they've done much of anything to improve that. ;)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] neFAST:
really? the update is not worth it? what are the drawbacks?