yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] TallTommy:
Hi, I like the toolbox but recently came across an issue with v5.3. I removed ads through the app and all went well. I later decided to block OTA updates and once that completed, the ad blocking stopped working. I tried rerunning the ad blocking but there are failures in the script. Attached is a screenshot of the strip errors.

Any idea on how I can fix it? Or should I just go through the other Automate method?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Freakgunner1:
Hi there. Thanks for the reply. The problem is I can't seem to even open the Google calendar app in the first place, and I disabled all my Amazon apps (which includes the default calendar app) Where do I exactly unsync and resync? Thanks
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] koop1955:
I don't have Google calendar installed, so I am shooting blinds here, but...in your app drawer you should have Google Settings, including Google Account. Try that.

And have you tried uninstalling and re-installing the calendar? Try that first.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Freakgunner1:
Theres no Google settings present anywhere in my app drawer. And yes I have reinstalled etc, including a factory reset. Here's a photo of my problem as attached :/
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] koop1955:
Sounds like you might be missing some files. This should help: https://www.howtogeek.com/232726/how-to-install-the-google-play-store-on-your-amazon-fire-tablet/
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Freakgunner1:
The Amazon fire tool box doesn't install Google settings? I used it to install Google services but I could only see playstore installed, no Google settings.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
From the screenshot, I've noticed that mtk-su failed to obtain a temp root shell. I would advise rebooting and then trying again. Let me know how it goes!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Kctucka:
The newest firmware for devices running FireOS 6 has apparently patched mtk-su, so it may not work, depending on the device.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] James62370:
Great Find! I can confirm after giving Chrome all permissions, it now sees the current logged-in account which was initially set up when connecting with the Google Playstore.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] MECH_TECH:
I have a another question about my Fire HD 10 10th gen. I was able to lock it out of updates awhile back. I have a 256 meg SD card formatted by the tablet as internal storage. I have moved a few apps to it and install new apps to it as I can. When starting the tablet from shutdown or a reboot the system alerts that there is a problem with the SD card not present. Also if I close the lid and later open it it sometimes does it too randomly. When this happens the apps that are on the SD card show on the desktop greyed out for a few seconds then the message goes away and the Apps show normal. Another thing I just noticed that Amazon Prime now says that there is no SD card present in its settings screen. But the movies that are on it can be watched. It thiinks that the deleted movies are still there because I cannot download any more or it cannot write to the card if I try to get anymore? Not sure. Does anyone else have this problem. Should I have formated as removable storage? Can Apps go onto removable storage?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] aagha:
Where can you get the f/w version?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
This is a new twist on Fire Max 11.

Could you confirm which f/w version you're using and which apps are crashing, especially the Amazon apps.

Thanks.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Nice catch @Nogneranun and @James62370 !

Chrome hadn't previously required so many permissions before ... more Google reaching out and intruding/snooping. LOL

@James62370 , I wonder if this is the solution to the problems with some of the other G-branded apps on your "misbehaving" list ?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] aagha:
I'm using Fire Toolbox v31.0 on a new Amazon Fire HD 8+ (2022).

It seems that none of the Google services are working.

I installed GBoard through Toolbox, but whenever it comes up so I can type, I get this Google Play Services error:

If I click on it, I get taken to a Beta version of GPServices:

Trying to launch Gmail and other Google apps is mostly unsuccessful: They either freeze or show up in an incomplete state: Here's an example of what happens if I try to go to the Google app:

PS - I noticed when I tried to "Disable Automatic App Updates", the 2nd task just spins...

PPS - I just noticed in Running Services, the Google Services (from Amazon) and Google Play Service are constantly restarting and stopping, one after the other:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] SASSBS:
It's currently on 8.3.1.9

Amazon Apps that crash that I have noticed are:

Silk

Alexa

Prime Video

Music

Mainly noticed on Silk

Non Amazon apps that I have noticed are nearly everything I use other than Reddit (Official app) and NZB360

I did find a semi workaround that if I leave the app running in the background I can switch and use it but this doesn't work for all apps and uses memory so not ideal.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] gdroid666:
but I am on 8.3.1.9

so I don't think updates are blocked, because I thought you needed Fw that has unprotected packages.

I will probably just retutn it and get one on 8.3.1.5 if it is confirmed packages are not protected and I can PM disable or use the toolbox to disable OA updates and fire launcher.

I got hijack working but then I deciced to try it on my 2018 HD8 that got updated and to my surprise it worked but then like 20 minute later I got a popup saying the app was blocked.

I rememebr that a while ago someone found out that Amazons method for clocking apps was just to blacklist them by name so there wrre people just resiging the apps and changing th epackage name of these hijack apps and they woudl work again

but I rather just get one that I can disable the launcher and OTA on

Like I said I am paranoid of what amazon might do next after they remotly removed the files app from the show 15 fire TV mode
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] gdroid666:
I get those same issues from time to time, on my 2018 HD 8 and 1029 HD 10 but they usually resolve themselves, my cards are formatted as internal

I mean the first part of the post, the econd part about the movie files I am not sure about.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] gdroid666:
next time you star fresh use it for one day and if there are no problems then try moving the clock forward 8 days ans see if it happens again ,conversly have you tired to move the clock back?

moving ths clock will probably make web browsers stop working though because of certs, it used to happen to me somtime on Windows when y ultrabook had a windows problem where my clock was jumping randomly to all kinds of random dates, though the braowser error messages did t usually show up unless the clock/date was significantly off.

moving the clock might sound like a crazy longshot but I rememebr that before Amazon was blocking apps by blacklisting the name of the app like they did on the early fire TV days with browser hijacker,s simply renaming ghe [ackage to a different name was all it took for them to work again so they do use really simple methods somethimes, maybe they implements some kind of count down timer or something, a timebomb if you od your tablet or have non whitelisted apps installed?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Couple of things going on.

Re: Amazon apps.

The native Amazon apps work well but ONLY within the Amazon environment. If you installed these apps from Play Stote you will invariably have problems.

Uninstall the offending apps from Play Store and flush the User/Data caches from memory. Re-enable the Amazon apps from Fire Toolbox if they were "debloated" . You may also have to restore the Amazon AppStore so the Amazon apps can sign-in.

Re: Google branded apps on FireOS 8.

Some/many G-branded apps have had ongoing incompatibility/instability issues since f/w 8.3.1.3 . YMMY. Some users have no problems; many users do. I've compiled a list of offending apps ... and the list keeps growing. You may have to use alternative non-Google apps. Gboard may be totally incompatible with FireOS 8.

Clearing the data/user caches from the Google Play Services apps may help.

I'not sure what is "recycling timer" problem is about, but I'm speculating that Google may have begun periodically checking on the "authenticity" of GPS installs and reinstalling/resetting GPS apps that are out of compliance. May be part of Google upping it's Play Certified/Verified compliance policies.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Spaztastic:
Sorry for the silly question. What is the difference between the options to disable "automatic updates" and "OTA updates"?

If I want to use and customize the Fire Max 11 with the Fire Toolbox I want them both off correct? I've already followed the instructions in post #1 and ran the toolbox before connecting to my network and I've also customized the Max 11 but I want to be sure the changes don't get wiped out with an update.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
"OTA Updates" and "Automatic Updates" are both the FireOS apps that Amazon uses to update f/w and ancillary apps, including the native Amazon apps.

You need to diable both apps to keep Amazon from updating your Fire tablet.

Symanitically confusing since blocking Amazon's updates is not a singular process. I'm never really sure which app updates what , but you need to block both apps nonetheless.

BTW, you may want to consider using a DNS blocker/firewall as a more robust solution to blacking all Amazon server traffic, rather than just relying only on disabled FireOS apps. RethinkDNS is a terrific alternative for Fire tablets. @blaacksheep has a great detailed tutorial under his signature.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
A couple of thoughts.

microSD cards are significantly slower than system RAM even though both are solid state . This may account for much of the lag of loading apps from boot/sleep. Generally, it is recommended to keep apps in RAM and use m-SD for data storage.

Prime Video is a liitle flaky at managing downloaded media (but it's great at managing streaming media from the 'cloud'. Try flushing the user data/caches from memory which allows Prime Video to repopulate data about your Prime Video library catalog. Some recommend storing media on potrable external storage so that the downloads are separate in case of a fatal system crash.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Ballberyn:
Thanks bud
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
I just received my new Fire HD 7 tablet 12th Gen (2022), but when I booted it I wasn't given the opportunity to select the WiFi network; it somehow made that decision for me; my network. And it updated the OS to 8.3.1.9, What should I do now, return it?

Thanks
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Nogneranun:
I'm using Fire Max 11 running Fire OS 8.3.1.9.

All of Google apps work fine. Google Calendar didn't but now works properly with calendar sync installed.

As I have updated firmware, Fire Toolbox can't keep Nova launcher as default or disable OTA updates.

LauncherHijack by BaronKiko on GitHub helped me solve the former problem.

I also tried to block OTA Updates with RethinkDNS by following blaacksheep instruction.

It seemed to be resolved.

After rebooting the tablet, a warning pops up saying "Warning: Rethink has been deactivated. Tap to change protection setting."

Indeed Rethink doesn't start automatically, so I have to make it start manually whenever I reboot the tablet.

That's the only trouble I have as for now.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Nice troubleshooting work!

Looks like Fire Max 11 with f/w 8.3.1.9 maybe a viable Google platform, but not OOTB.

@Datastream33 has some work to do on FTB to revise the code for workaounds for OTA updates and alternative launchers, now that f/w 8.1.3.9 has system protected some of the FireOS apps. As always FTB is a work in progress.

Goggle has removed the Goggle Frameworks apps and some ancillary apps like Calender and Contact Sync from Play Store, so direct access will be more tedious for troubleshooting.

The joys of modding Fire tablets !
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] SASSBS:
@gdroid666 - I tried to change the date but it's been locked down and won't let you amend it. It just says its set using your timezone and even changing that does not allow you to amend the date. Maybe I am missing something but I tried all the options on the time screen and none let you set a date.

@Jumbo100 - I never installed any of these from the play store they are all native Amazon Apps and none have been updated via the Play Store in fact I don't think Silk is on anything bar the Fire OS. I don't actually use any of the Google Apps for anything just the play store so no Chrome, Contacts, Calendar etc

I forgot to say last time I wiped the Fire I never used FTB to install the store I did it manually in case it was something in the toolbox causing the problem so no debloating or anything else is at play just a bog standard Google Play install with no other changes and auto updates in the play store are off.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] :
It's the approach I've taken. I use Pihole as an ad blocker and have simply appended an amazon list (of 5 or 6 addresses) to the blacklists.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] James62370:
Glad to see the community coming together with so many workarounds.

Has anyone been able to install the Google Play Store on a second or even third profile? I remember in the past this was easily done with FTB. With all the Google infrastructure changes, it seems the only option available with FTB is to uninstall Google Play Services once the initial profile has it.

Appreciate any help on this matter.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Ristle2:
Just an update, I factory restored again and found my default firmware was 8.3.1.2. Finding a copy of 8.3.1.3 and downloading that now, will hopefully resolve the issues I was having with the google services! Is there a better later firmware I should go to instead? I know 8.3.1.9 is latest but is also giving people trouble.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

If you still need 8.3.1.3 for your fire, I have 2 copies, one for the 7" and one for the HD8 in the 3rd link in my signature. They're directly from Amazon when they were first released. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] friendsfan:
Also worked for me on Max (8.3.1.5). Had to to keep order though....

- Delete Chrome,

- Delete Playstore Cache (Precaution)

- Install Chrome again

- Give all Permissions BEFORE opening it the first time.

Thx again for the great find....
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
@blaacksheep. I just received my HD7 and I've only booted it. It's running 8.3.1.9. Excuse me for being a bit out of date on this forum, but is 8.3.1.3 the best choice for my device, and if so, why?

Also, I was unable to successfully use FTB on my HD 8+. So, I pseudo-androidified it manually. But I've never owned an HD7 before. Any suggestions on how best to proceed making as near to Android as possible?

Thanks again
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi. If you booted it and it's on 8.3.1.9, then you can't "downgrade" the firmware to an earlier version. Amazon took care of that so that "upgrades" aren't reversible. (You can only install a later version of firmware.)

Generally, the oldest (lowest) firmware version is the best. I say generally because 8.3.1.1 (or .2, I can't remember) had some problems that were fixed in 8.3.1.3. That's why I grabbed copies of that version so you could manually update the firmware without going on to the next version where they started locking it down more.

I think your best bet is to just run Toolbox and change what you like. You've already got Google working and that's the thing I've been reading most about people having trouble installing. Toolbox will grey out options that aren't appropriate for your tablet version so there's not much worry there. Just add or change what you like. You can always run it again if you don't like something. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] vjunk:
I've seen this not only with tablets customized with the Fire Toolbox, but also with Fire HD tablets that have custom ROMs installed on them, such as a Fire HD 8 (7th gen) with LineageOS. I believe this is because sometimes it takes longer for the SD card drivers to initialize than for the launcher to load. Usually waiting a few seconds or tapping on one of the greyed-out apps resolves the issue.

As for the Prime Video app, it's probably because you are using the SD card as adoptable storage instead of portable storage. Therefore, it appears as part of the internal storage instead of a separate SD card. Under "Settings > Stream & Download", there is an option to "Delete videos from removed SD cards", which should delete those that you see and re-enable downloads. As for apps being installed/moved to portable storage, I'm fairly certain they can be. Just don't move any apps with sensitive data since portable storage is not encrypted. If you want the best of both worlds, you can split your SD card between adoptable and portable storage. I've done it on older versions of Android, but it should still work with newer versions. The XDA discussion on it is in the Moto E4 (Verizon) [xt1767] Move Apps to SD without root thread. It has links in it to two different methods of splitting the SD card, one manual, the other automated. The main download link in the automated method is broken, but this post found a working link to the utility. Warning: with either, you will lose all data on the SD card so move apps back to the internal flash memory and back everything else up first.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] vjunk:
You can either get the version in Fire Toolbox by clicking on "Device: ..." at the bottom or on the tablet under "Settings > Device Options > System Updates".
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] kdahls01:
AWESOME! Worked perfectly, thank you! Next challenge, can anybody get the Google 1 App running? Works on my 10 and older tablets, not my 11. Just keeps saying can't contact Google 1 right now. I use it for the VPN. This would be my last puzzle piece to get to work. Thanks all!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] mancman:
I can confirm works this way, 11 with 8.3.1.5.

I left the OTA and Update active but use Rethink to block the 4 bad guys...
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] DB126:
Partial solution: select "Switch accounts" followed my "Manage your Google Account". Provides access to telemetry and limited functionality.

Have my doubts around direct login for full access. Appears Google is using a different sign-in methodology for newer properties (Fitbit, One, APIs) that relies on components that are no included in FireOS 8.x.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] myechophone:
Is it possible to install another keyboard on Fire 10 HD 2021 ? Thanks
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Nas8:
Had a Fire 10 for about 2 yrs now. When i got it i couldnt believe all the bloatware installed that i couldnt remove. Well as of today i found your toolbox app and was amazed at all the things you can do. So many ppl have such great talent and to share that with us is absolutely amazing. Now i can use it as a flatscreen tablet in my car, which is what ive been trying to do.

Thank you
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Nas8:
It is, i did it today
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] James62370:
Firemax 11 (8.3.1.5) - I was able to get the Google Assistant to work after installing Google - Google LLC from the Playstore. However, still no luck on getting the Playstore to install on a second profile.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] myechophone:
Oh what keyboard fid you install? And how to get it working? Thnx
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Nas8:
I installed GBoard and I used the Toolbox app to do it
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] kdahls01:
Yes, I have installed GBoard without issue; direct from the Play Store.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] unmesh59:
I just got my HD 10 Plus and am running the instructions in the OP. It is running OS 7.3.2.6 and I was able to use the Toolbox to turn off OTA updates. I then turned on WiFi and installed Google Play and the one app I care about.

Should I try to install a newer FireOS to better use the native apps?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Amazon's most recent timetline for Fire tablet security updates to include Fire Max 11 (2023). Good to go through 2027.

Fire Tablet Device Software Security Updates - Amazon Customer Service

Fire Tablets receive guaranteed software security updates until at least four years after the device is last available for purchase on our websites.

www.amazon.com

Note this applies to FireOS and may not necessarily include all Android OS security updates.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] maven33:
I noticed that among us is now incompatible with my device fire HD8 (2020). Is this a google service problem?

(gms v232414024 is installed)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Ironrobi:
My dad decided to upgrade my daughters tablet on prime day and got her a new Fire Tablet 8. He thought he was being helpful when it was delivered by charging it, updating it and getting it all setup. So now we're stuck with OS v 8.3.1.9

Has anybody had any success with this version yet?

1: Having issues with play store and any Google service where it says it needs to update Google services then just hangs.

2: Disable OTA updates does not work (expected) so I setup Rethink and blocked DeviceSoftwareOta, ForcedOta and both System Updates. But if I try to enable things like block lists it just puts 4 files in download manager but never downloads them.

3: Debloat of Amazon apps works, but as soon as I put the tablet down for a bit it re-installs all of them.

4: Using the Automate app to force a custom launcher and will work initially. But as above once I leave it for an hour or so and come back to it the shortcut launcher flow is still running but pressing the home button just brings me right back to the normal launcher. Even stopping and restarting the flow doesn't work. I need to plug it back in and reconfigure.

Am I basically stuck with how it comes from the factory now?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Your daughter is fortunate to have such a kind and generous grandfather ... all kids should be this lucky.

Unfortunately, he was a liitle too helpful in this snituation.

FTB Is having issues with recent f/w 8.3.1.9 update and you've encountered most of the ensuing problems. Mostly related to Amazon now protecting some system apps . You're familiar with FTB and this situation is similar to the post- f/w 7.3.2.2 hastles and maybe worse.

@Datastream33 is looking at workaround procedures and processes, but it's still a work-in-progress.

It's awkward returrning a gift, but if you can reorder a fresh OOTB unit from Amazon with an earlier f/w 8.3.1.x version, you should be able to make unrestricted FTB mods as you had expected.

# edit

If you do re-order, remember to select "This will be a gift" UN-CHECK "Associate this tablet with my Amazon account". so that your Wi-Fi address is not automatically added to your tablet (per @blaacksheep)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
I forgot a few things.

How to setup Launcher Hijack to make Nova my default launcher

How to add the Amzn_Blklst.txt list to rethinkDNS

Thanks