yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

It's fine to turn off USB debugging, and even developer options after you've run Toolbox. I've had to turn off USB debugging to use the Spectrum TV app before. It won't run, and even complains that Debugging is turned on! Most of the changes that Toolbox makes require an ADB interface to accomplish, and to undo, so it would take some intentional tweaking to really mess things up. However, do tell them to not let Google automatically update. You don't want Google to update anything Amazon or Alexa because it will break them. You can turn off Google's automatic updating by opening PlayStore, tapping your avatar in the upper-right, tap Settings, tap Network Preferences, tap Auto-update apps, and tap Don't auto-update apps. Then tell the tablet's recipient not to update Amazon apps or Alexa. :) Oh, and tell them not to reset the tablet, that a reset to factory will undo all the modifications, and will cause a firmware update to v7.3.2.2 (if you don't have it already) upon connecting to WiFi, and can't be undone. ☹️
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] BigB451:
This is just about the best Android app I've seen.

Question: Is it possible to remove permanently some of the Amazon bloat? Some of it takes up quite a bit of space and I'm comfortable getting rid of them forever.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Yes. There's an entire subtool dedicated to disabling Amazon preloaded software. Depending on the firmware version you have, you might be able to make almost all of it go away. Because of the locked-down version of Android the tablets run (FireOS), the apps can only be disabled and not removed. There are even debloat scripts included that disable even more Amazon stuff that isn't well documenred. If you need more space, buy an SD card. The only hitch is if you have the new firmware, then the launcher cant be changed in the normal manner, the lockscreen ads cant be removed in the normal manner, and updates can't be disabled in the normal manner. I made a post about the new firmware (link is in my signature) in case you do have v7.3.2.2. there are ways to get around the new obstacles. If you have earlier firmware, then lock out updates so you keep it. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] BigB451:
Thanks. I'm actually looking into removing, rather than replacing, the apps because the device doesn't play well with sd cards. It has trouble recognizing them, sometimes it loses track of them, and the like. I was therefore hoping to reclaim some space by removing Alexa and some of the other useless apps entirely.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Cheap SD cards can be really flakey. I have no idea what kind of cards you've used. I've always had reliable results with name brand SD cards like Samsung Evo and Sandisk Ultra. I've got a 256 GB card in one tablet and a 512 GB card in the other. They're both formatted as internal storage so they just behaves as though that storage is built in. I never even think about them. They work well.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] lcsjl:
Hello,

Thanks for a great toolbox. Everything is working well. One thing that does not work is notifications. Is there something we can undo to make it work again?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings my friend, and great question!

I believe (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) the tablets are missing components required for Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) to work correctly.

As a result, apps that send notifications using FCM won't be able to. I'd like to state that this isn't 100% accurate, it's just a guess...

By the way, I see that you're a new member, WELCOME to one if the greatest websites on the internet! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] lcsjl:
Thanks for the reply. So to understand better, this is a Fire tablet issue and not a Toolbox issue?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Yeah, unfortunately I'm afraid so. It could also have something to do with the tablets not being Play Certified. Not sure, but it's just a guess.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] santiagoroza:
Fist of all thanks a lot @Datastream33 for this great tool.

I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I really think documentation should be clarified / amplified. I made a huge mistake even when I read it all.

In the FAQ it says "we couldn't get Family Link to work properly". I said "not a big deal" and still bought a Fire HD 10 for my niece.

In fact, it's not that "Family Link doesn't work properly", it's that child accounts don't work AT ALL. You can't even log in (it seems like Google Play tries to install Family Link Child app, it fails, so it refuses to login with the child account).

If I had known that from the documentation, I wouldn't have bought this tablet at all. So it'd be great if you clarified for future cases like mine.

Again, thanks a lot for this tool, it has worked great for previous Amazon tablets (used by adults haha), and please don't take this message as ungrateful.

More info (which I found later) here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/kindlefire/comments/p904zu
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] pascal009:
Hello,

Having achieved root on a few of my Amazon Fire HD tablets I am preparing for a somewhat risky step - debloating of the tablets. I am still collecting advice and recommendations on the DOs and DON'Ts when it comes to making a useless vendor app "disappear" from "view" or from the device altogether. And here is my question, the answer to which, I am sure, will be greatly appreciated by many members on this forum.

Could some honorable expert here explain to us, mere mortals, in the language we are capable of understanding the differences between the disabling, the hiding, and the freezing of vendor apps.

I've Googled up this question in different forms but come away unsatisfied with the offered explanations, still unsure of what is safer/better and when.

Specifically, with regard to the CPU and memory usage (before and after the change), and to the potential implications to the stability of the device's OS.

I don't want to do that which I would regret afterwards because I did not fully understand the topic.

I apologize if these questions have already been discussed and answered or if this is the wrong place to ask.

Thank you.

pascal009
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings my friend!

Oh, now that's an interesting question! I'll do my best to hopefully answer your questions to satisfaction.

Disable - allows you to disable not only the app, but can also be used to disable pieces of it, such as activities, services, broadcast receivers, etc. Packages that are disabled cannot run in the background and are removed from the installed applications list in the Settings app. Works on devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and above.

Hide - hiding an app is essentially a temporary uninstall, keeping the cache and data for that app. Unlike the disable command, the app remains visible in the installed applications list in Settings. This command works on devices running Android 5.0 up to 5.1.1 (Lollipop).

Suspend - package is immediately stopped, but remains visible in both the launcher and the installed application list in the Settings app and cannot be used until unsuspended.

All 3 of the commands above will free up RAM, because the apps are no longer using resources in the foreground or background. As a result, battery life should also slightly improve as well.

Because you have root, you'll be able to use the Disable command. However, I must provide a word of caution that a large majority of the Amazon apps depend upon each other and could break the system if the wrong packages are disabled. Tread carefully, my friend, and keep a note of the packages that you disable, so you can backtrack if the system fails to boot. However, if the system is unrecoverable you should be able to just factory reset and try again (this will restore all the disabled packages). I'll also warn you about uninstalling apps... do not uninstall any system apps as it may lead to a bootloop.

Hopefully you are satisfied of the above information and if you have any further questions or concerns please do let us know, and we'll do our best to assist further. Best of luck, and please have a wonderful rest of your night.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings!

Please forgive me for this oversight. I'm terribly sorry. I've just updated the FAQ to inform users of the Child accounts not working. I really do appreciate you letting me know! Have a good day/night!

P.S: Your message did not come off as ungrateful. It has helped more than you may know!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Wait, how did I miss this?

This is AMAZING @blaacksheep! You've really out done yourself this time!

I can't imagine how much time you've spent on this post and research. I just want to express my gratitude for the amazing time and effort you put in on the daily! I also see you've purchased a new tablet to update it to 7.3.2.2 in order to figure these things out. My sir, you've gone above and beyond the call of duty! I don't even know what to say at this point... but THANK YOU! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Thanks for the high praise. I had said I'd post something and then I'd promised to do it by a certain date, so I finally posted it. As usual, it was a day late.

BTW, it's nothing compared to the amount of time you've spent on this whole project!! 🤠

It was germane to the topic and I didn't want to start a new thread, so I just posted it here. It seemed like it was the way to go.

As stated in the post, I've been keeping it up to date with any new suggestions and I will always defer to you because I'm no expert. Hopefully it will help people with the new F/W and assist in giving you more time to succeed in your quest to make all Amazon tablets bow down to you!! 😋
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] hcour:
FYI, for anyone interested: My table updated from 7322 to 7323 last night. I had to use Toolbox to get the Microsoft Launcher back, however it still seems to be working fine. My Lock Screen is still disabled and all the Amazon bloat I had hidden is still hidden.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] :
same as , updated from 2.2 to 2.3 and everything still works fine . even did a reset to see if the toolbox still installed google ok and it did :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] yeetboi3651:
What an amazing tool I used it to install a custom launcher and disable ota updates and install Google play store and it works amazing and I never had to redo anything but it dose kinda suck that Amazon broke most of the things it can do
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ooviacc:
When adding the Nova Launcher or any custom launcher it seems not to work anymore I did it multiple times before and it worked but now I'm having problems and it still has the amazon fire launcher.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

You are the victim of Amazon's new firmware. Those symptoms are what the latest firmware updates do. For now, I've collected some workarounds that work reasonably well and posted them at the link in my signature. Maybe we'll have something better come along in the future.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
I've always found this particular thread so very interesting, by todays standards my fire 7 (2019 version) tablet is pretty old. Every once in awhile I turn it on and update the play store apps. If I thought it was possible I'd sure like to root my tablet so I could actually get rid of some of the bloat that comes installed on it. But like datastream has previously mentioned, a lot of the amazon apps are so intertwined that rooting my tablet might be more of a project that I could handle at the moment as I recently had some surgery to remove a cancerous growth on the back of my neck and I'm still healing from that. The bottom line is I'm so very grateful for the development of this toolbox software.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Azathar:
Hi! This is a phenomenal post, and I thank you for going into so much detail. I just have one question about one thing.

For the VPN workaround, I already use NordVPN which has a kill-switch feature that disables the internet on my device when the VPN is not running (I have not tried this with my amazon tablet). If I already have this, do I still need to (or am advised to) download DNS66?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
The only reason to run DNS66 is to get access to the hosts file it uses and add a blocklist so the tablet can't get updates. Android (and FireOS) only allows you to run one VPN at a time, so if you're using a real VPN, then it won't be possible to run DNS66 at the same time. If NordVPN allows you to modify the hosts file you can add the sites listed in the Amzn_Blklst.txt file to Nord and have the best of both worlds. If not, then you must choose to either block those addresses at your router, use DNS66 and lose the benefits of a true VPN, or run Nord and let the tablet update at will (uggh).
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Vince491:
Wait, so I can use my Web Filter (Domain Blocking) on the router to block the updates? I didn't even think of that lol.

Just went and made some changes into my router, but I'm unsure if I should try and deactivate the DNS. Eh, at least I have some assurance in case the DNS stops.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
It's easy enough to tell if they're blocked. Just ping those addresses with another device or computer. No response = blocked. :) Then you can remove DNS66 unless you want the ad blocking it gives you, or if you use the tablet outside of your home on other networks.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Vince491:
It kinda worked? My tablet somehow detected the update but it isn't progressing from what I could tell. I was rather worried for a quick moment there.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Vince491:
Ok,nvm it actually updated(oops?)

My router may have been unable to block the site for some reasons.

I don't really mind about it lol, I will just keep the DNS active for now.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ooviacc:
How do I copy it? I'm new to this stuff.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] pascal009:
Been out of town for a couple days, hence a belated Thank you! You've given us what was spread in bits and pieces in a lot of places.

Am I correct in assuming "suspend" and "freeze" are used interchangeably? As far as uninstalling is concerned, it was clear to me to be a very risky action when dealing with the vendor apps, maybe less so if we talk about some apps showing on the home screen. Your tool gives some precious advice to think twice in certain cases. So I might use uninstall in rare instances where no harm is foreseeable.

My main goal being dispensing with the fore- and background activities that eat up the CPU cycles and memory, I am totally fine with using disable, hide, and/or suspend, one app at a time.

Thanks again for taking your time to enlighten us, less experienced in these matters.

pascal009
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] e-raser:
Wow, well, thank you for that detailed post. Unfortunately, running a third party VPN app all the time (no once fire and forget action) is not really a solution.

Isn't there any smart ADB command to edit the hosts file?

Completely blocking the internet access is not an option too. Maybe I'm gonna blacklist the Amazon update hosts for the device only in the router or Pi-Hole instead.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Well, there are several ways. You can use your file browser in Windows to copy it. The tablet should show up like a thumb drive in your browser if you change the USB mode to MTP (file transfer). You can also use Toolbox (on page 2 of the main menu) to push the file to your tablet, or you can use 'Sideload Apps' (also on page 2) to directly install it.

Edit: Sorry about the double post. The server was doing maintenance when I first replied, so I answered again and they both ended up in the same response.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] punkrockfan:
SECURITY question:

may i ask you professionals here about the balance between security and working toolbox?

so to stay on older firmware and working toolbox, just using the standard streaming apps and wifi at home

maybe 2 or three sideloaded apps not avialable in my region from apkmirror or aptoide?

should be fine then?

thx
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I just consider a Fire tablet to be "marginally secure" in the first place. Even one without Toolbox modifications. They only update them to push more "features" (you know, like the "feature" that you're stuck with their launcher) and add more bloat. So it's probably not a good idea to do your banking and finances on one. If you only run known apps of acceptable risk and don't travel to use "free WiFi", then you should be fine. For true safety, you shouldn't associate your tablet with your normal accounts, and create new disposable accounts to use with your tablet. That's a headache, so just remember your tablet is only moderately secure and observe caution when using it.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] mdb301:
I wanted to use the Xhome bar app on my fire HD 10 2021 so I disabled the navigation bar in the fire toolbox and now my keyboard has shifted to the left and down a little bit and is acting weird. I am on fire os version 7.3.2.3.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings!

In order to "disable" the navbar, the Toolbox uses overscan to push the navigation bar off-screen. This is likely why your keyboard has shifted. The Toolbox sets a hard-coded value that isn't ideal for all tablets. I'd recommend playing with the overscan values until you find the perfect value for your tablet.

I'm currently working on adding in a subtool that will let you edit the overscan values from within the Toolbox. But until it's added, I'm afraid it must be done manually. Here's how to do it:

Execute an ADB Shell from the main menu.

In the shell, enter the following command:

wm overscan 0,0,0,0

This command will reset the overscan value back to default.

Now, you'll need to increment the 1st value (will be used in portait mode) and the last value (will be used in landscape) to find the ideal setup:

wm overscan -50,0,0,-50

The code above is an example. Start at 0 and try incrementing these values by 5 each time until satisfactory.

You go this, my friend! Best of luck, and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any further questions or concerns!

EDIT: a few folks have reported success with the following: wm overscan -70,0,0,-70. You could try that and see if it works for your tablet as well.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] mdb301:
Thank you so much it worked!!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Awesome! So glad to hear! 🎉

Have a good rest of your day, my friend! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] mdb301:
The things I used were -15,0,0,-70 but now in landscape mode my battery is not visible and the navigation bar is there again.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] MrMessling:
Thought I would give a update after taking a brake from it for a bit I came back and gave it another try from fresh. after serval go arounds I was able to get the first of the 4 services installed which then gave a new error of the service being installed and when OK'ed it would then move on to the next service and fail due to the more than one emulator error. However I noticed that when this happened there would be 2 instances of the service in task manager I found if I ended the oldest then then the install process would then work. bit of a PITA but it worked.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] wyvren:
Hi have a question, I have a Kindle Fire HD 7" 9th Gen, I have it all working, I sideloaded the disney+ app, but now it just wants me to log in to my amazon account and I cant seem to do that
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi, and welcome to XDA!

You may need to re-enable the Shop Amazon app and log in there.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] wyvren:
I know im going to sound silly, but how do I re-enable the app? Just learning how to use the Fire toolbox, absolutely love it.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Using Toolbox, select Manage Amazon Apps > Manual tab > Simple (Recommended) > Restore Apps tab. Tick the box next to shop Amazon, then click Restore Selected.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] wyvren:
Thank you so much, now to only get the disney apps logged in :P That is the fun part, it was released in South Africa today, my brother subscribed and we are sharing an account.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] rwb1104:
For those of us looking to "upgrade"...Amazon is updating the 7" Fire tablet

Amazon just announced a new $60 tablet

The tablet is slightly more expensive than its predecessor, but the company is promising longer battery life.

www.cnbc.com

--USB-C

--10 hours of battery

--30% faster Quad-core processor

--2GB RAM

Pre-orders start today; available 29 June 2022
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
What features of the Fire Toolbox won't work if I order this new version.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
All things associated with firmware v7.3.2.2 or v7.3.2.3 will be blocked most likely. The three main things are 1) the launcher can't be permanently changed, 2) the lockscreen ads can't be disabled, and 3) you cant block firmware updates. I've collected some workarounds in the post linked in my signature. They work fairly well.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
This is really good. Congratulations. I returned my HD8 Plus before you did this work, and now the updated HD7 is available. Which of the 2 would you buy? Maybe I'm too attached to the form factor of my Nexus 7 2013 debs. Thanks
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
That's up to you. I like the bigger form factor of the 8, but I aven't checked out the specs on the 7 yet, so it may be better. It's your call.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
Looks like the new HD 7 runs OS 8. How will that play with the Toolbox? https://bit.ly/3lpR8ny
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] woppers:
Hi, I just received a Fire 10 plus last night. It's running 7.3.2.1 but it's saying 7.3.2.2 will complete when the tablet restarts.

Is there a way to prevent this update from applying on a restart? Or can I revert to 7.3.2.1 somehow?

I did a factory reset but the 7.3.2.2 update is still hanging around. Is it too late for me?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] manyxda:
I just got a Fire HD 8 (inch) Generation 10 (2020) (hereinafter "hd8-g10") i.e. the latest HD 8, and notice that its screen is different from that of HD 10 Gen 11 (2021) ("hd10-g11"):

- On hd10-g11, the actual display area and the border around it are the same black color.

- On hd8-g10, actual display is a gray framed by a black border.

- As a result, hd8-g10's display area is lighter (less black) than that of hd10-g11.

Is this something I should expect of an hd8-g10, or did I receive a defective instance of hd8-g10?

If this is as should have been expected, I would urge anyone reading this to avoid getting an hd8-g10.

(At least the HD 8 was firmware 7.3.1.7. I got it on eBay.)