yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
I have an HD 8 Plus 10th generation which has been running 7.3.2.6 without issue since 11/14/2022 with Google Play Store and Nova 6.2.9 installed and various Nova widgets setup, including Gmail. The Play Store is set up not to automatically update apps to prevent the installation of Nova 7.x which is incompatible with some of my favorite apps. I'm not running FTB, although I'd like to. Last night something broke and I've unsuccessfully tried to fix it. All of a sudden the Gmail widget disappeared. But Gmail is still installed and runs fine. So, it's a widget problem, but I love my Nova widgets. I tried to install a different uninstalled widget, but it won't install. I also reinstalled my backup of Nova 6.2.9, which didn't solve the problem. I also installed the backup of my Nova settings, and, of course, I now have to reinstall all the Nova widgets which won't install. What if I buy an HD 7, which, if I'm not mistaken can install a previous version of Fire OS that's compatible with FTB? Or does anyone have any other suggestion? Much appreciated.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jess1708:
So i got a new amazon fire 8 HD 12 gen its running OS 8.3.1.8. and i have owned lots of tablets and have never had any issue with putting google on them but i can not get google to work on this new tablet. It keeps saying cant run with out google play services. i have tried every thing. google will load fine but as soon as i try to open google tv/movies it closes out same thing happens when i try to open kids youtube i get the error message saying cant run with out google play seervices and promt me to install so i try to install but nothing happens. I would love to figure this out for my son's tablet he uses it alot for a comunication device and a way to cope with his autisum. Please help !!!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] TT_Vert:
Hey guys few questions, this is on Fire OS 7.3.2.6 Toolbox v. 30.3

1. has anyone had any luck disabling the Help icon that is on the main screen w/ this OS version? Sadly this is the version I'm stuck with. I tried to remove it via advanced settings but got the error about it being a protected package. I know I could just go w/ a different launcher and do away w/ the Help icon but I don't really want to go that route if at all possible. I tried running pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.csapp myself to see if i got a different result and i'm sure as you can predict I got the same error. Not the end of the world, just curious.

Thanks

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

You may need to grant binding to widgets again for Nova Launcher. Fire Tablets sometimes remove access to certain permissions over time (at least, that's been my experience with them). Try running the Custom Launcher tool again, selecting Nova and the Activation Method you used last time. Once the Toolbox goes through the process again, it should enable widgets for Nova again.

Please let us know how it goes, and best of luck my friend! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Hmm, if Play Services has been installed via the Toolbox I'd recommend uninstalling Play Services and re-installing. On the Toolbox's main menu, there should be an option for "Play Services (Manage)" and from there you should find an uninstall option. Once uninstalled, please reboot the tablet, and you should be good to try a re-install.

Please let us know how it goes, and best of luck! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Greetings!

Hmm, unfortuently I don't think there's much you can do. You could place the Help app in a folder and just hide it that way (if it isn't already). My apologies, wish there was a solution...
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Unfortunately, you're experiencing the ongoing incompatibility issues of some Google-branded apps running FireOS 8 on 12th Gen Fire tablets.

GoogleTV app not been previously mentioned as a problem, but the "Can't run without Google Play Services" error message is consistent with the situation. Thanks for reporting ... will add to the "bad" list.

YouTubeKids app is is in a similar state, but some users have been successful sideloading YouTube Kids V 6.37.5 (October, 2021).

Also YouTube Kids web app can be accessed from any web browser @ https://www.youtubekids.com
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Ah, so this is a reoccurring issue? Hmm...
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] TT_Vert:
No need to apologize, i appreciate all you have done. I figured this was the case.

Thanks

Dave
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Seems so. I've cribbed a list from various reports ... there are probably more.

https://xdaforums.com/t/windows-tool-fire-toolbox-v30-2.3889604/post-88370217
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
@datastream. Remember, though that I'm using Nova 6.2.9 which Nova no longer supports since its release of Nova 7.x. So, will FTB allow me to select 6.2.9? Also, is binding just another term for permissions? And how do I grant binding to 6.2.9? Finally, since I'm honored to have your attention, I've read backwards in the threads and it seems that some users of the HD 8 Plus 12th gen are updating to a version of Fire OS 8 which the FTB now seems to support. Am I wrongf?

Thanks a lot for your reply.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
I believe the Toolbox includes Nova Launcher 6.2.12 so there shouldn't be an issue there. As far as bindings go, I suppose yes, you could look at it that way. To grant binding, you'd need to run a few specific commands in an ADB Shell... but the Toolbox can do it for you. Just run the Custom Launcher tool and that should do the trick.

To be honest, I'm not entirely up to speed with FireOS 8. Where I left off was when FireOS 8 was having severe issues with installing play services... I can recall that FireOS 8.3.1.3 made it possible again. Now it seems Google branded apps are for some reason failing to work. On the Toolbox side, it was updated to allow OTA blocking, package disabling, etc just like pre 7.3.2.2 as we discovered that the restrictions placed in 7.3.2.2 didn't apply to FireOS 8 yet.

By the way, it's an honor to get your attention as well! Always love chatting with you amazing people, and I'm going to try to be more present in these forums. Hope I was able to answer your questions to your satisfaction, and please have a great rest of your Sunday! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Nicely done! I swear, you're always on top of these things! :D

Good work as usual my friend!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Datastream33:
Thank you for being so understanding, Dave! Just hoping one day we can find something that will change the game! Anyway, hope you're having a great Sunday so far! :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] TT_Vert:
What you have done has already changed the game. When I got my 7th gen fire you know the work I had to go through to obtain root on it??? Then years later I found your app which in essence does all I really needed done all w/o having to do anything overly complex. Don't sell your work short.

Dave
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
I apologize, but my HD 8 Plus 12th Gen running 7.3.2.6 isn't using FTB, as I already mentioned. It's running Google apks I manually installed over a year ago. Worse yet, I've forgotten how to use FTB, all of which I think is forgivable since I'm 83, and, perhaps doing at least as well as Joe Biden. So, where do I begin with FTB considering my current installation status? My simple goal is to keep 7.3.2.6, if that's advisable, and restore the damn thing to where it was with Google Services and Nova 6.2.x, which, BTW, I tried to install with FTB but I didn't see 6.2.12 so I downloaded it from apkmirror.com, chose "Custom Launcher" for fear FTB might install Nova 7.x or 8.x, and selected the 6.2.12 file. I then rebooted and Nova 6.2.12 didn't install. @blaacksheep always had simple instruction for lost souls like me, but I don't know where to start and this thread is longer than War and Peace.

Sorry, again
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jess1708:
Thank you i will give that a try after work tomorrow and ill check back in to tell ya how it goes. thank you again so much. I hate how amazon has to be so difficult why cant they make things easy! why cant they just join forces with google. lol
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] TT_Vert:
Sorry few more questions.

1. I had to reset this tablet because I inadvertently added a gesture and I cannot recall how i removed the "offers" icon. I do not see it under advanced removal, i do see special offers but that's a protected app now. I'm still on same OS version so it can be done, just cannot recall for the life of me how i did it. Anyone offer a dolt some insight?

2. Can default assist app be changed? I saw your CLI option to change it ( settings --user 0 put secure assistant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox/com.google.android.voiceinteraction.GsaVoiceInteractionService) but whenever I try to turn on hey google via the slide switch I get "the google app is not your default assist app"

3. Can the search bar at the top of main screen (Not lockscreen) be removed or only via a custom launcher?

Thanks

Dave
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
A couple of quick ideas:

1. Disabling Special Offers.

Earlier versions of FireOS 8 (ca f/w 8.3.1.3/8.3.1.4) had few "protected" apps and were totally amenable to ADM manipulation, so mods like removing lockscreen ads (aka "Special Offers") were easy. I suspect that you may have initially set up your tablet on earlier f/w , but when you did the factory reset , you were upgraded to f/w 8.3.1.8 (current OTA update), and it looks like some of the Amazon apps have became "protected" and can no longer be disabled with ADB.

Try using the FTB Lockscreen Management subtool ; it works on later versions of FireOS 7 in similar situations, but I'm not sure if it works the same way on FireOS 8.

2. Setting Google as default Assist app.

Try:

Settings > Apps & Notifications > Apps, Default Apps > open Assist & Voice Input > open Assist App > secect Google

3. Removomg Search Bar.

Search Bar is integrated into Amazon Launcher code and cannot be removed from Home Page with ADB. Try an alternative launcher (Nova Launcher et al) if it's really annoying.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] TT_Vert:
Thanks for the response.

1. Worked thanks!!

2. I tried this but google was already set. I still get "google isn't your default assistant app:

3. Ok no worries.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jess1708:
Should uninstall google tv and the google play store app before I try and uninstalling google play services and install it again or should I be fine
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Some further thoughts on Google voice recognition.

Google voice/speech functions require the coordination on 3 apps, namely Google , Google Assistant , Speech Services by Google (previously Google Speech Services).

For some some reason, Speech Services isn't always installed when setting up Google Play Services on some Fire tablets; check that Speech Services is installed and download from Play Store if necessary.

Also, from my experience, these apps are "temperamental" on Fire tablets and often require "routine" maintenance to run well. Purging the app data and caches seems to help when things go awry. Google Assistant/Hey Google often randomly stops listening and has to be manually restarted.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] TT_Vert:
Thanks i'll look into that. Quite honestly I don't even need this to work was just curious to see if the functionality would benefit me at all. I went all this time w/o it so I think i can survive either way :D
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Works really well on "real" Android devives ... inconsistent on Fire tablets at best ... "the way of life" in the Amazon/Google hybrid ecosystem. . 🙃
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
Unbelievable. I completely fixed it. It's not running FTB, but it's running Nova 6.2.19 perfectly. My success must be related to installing and running Launcher Replacer 4.0.4. I still wish I could run FTB. BTW, thank you again @Datastream33.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jess1708:
So i uninstalled google play services and reinstalled it but now the google movies app just closes and wont open. Every time it does this i have to manually uninstall the app go in to the google store reinstall it for it to work but if i close the app or lock the tablet i have to repeat the setps of uninstalling it and reinstalling it again. Any thoughts?????
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Google and Amazon just don't play nicely with each other. I know it's a kludgy workaround, but you could download the apk file from apkmirror,com to your tablet and keep it stored somewhere locally so that you would only have to download it once and then just install the local apk file. You could also look at earlier versions of the app that may work better than the current version. Your other choice would be to install a different app that still provides the functionality that you are looking for (if that exists). Just some thoughts.:)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] sensboston:
Hello guys, I have a question 'cause manual isn't clear enough.

I just received Fire HD 10 (2021) as a replacement of similar Fire HD 10 died yesterday. Amazon support guy told me, I need to keep new device registered on my Amazon account to receive a full refund for the new one.

So my question is, if I turn off all my Wi-Fi routers (I have 2 broadband internet connections at home), turn on the new HD and follow the manual from OP (skip the Wi-Fi setup, select a nearby network and provide a dummy password, turn on development mode etc.), turn off OTA, remove Amazon's "bloatware", etc. by using FireToolbox (I have been using it for years), I assume everything will be fine, "accidental" OS updates (if any of course) will not happens in future?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] XTJ:
What functions of the Toolbox do work for a 7.3 OS? Not sure about firmware. Will the Toolbox do anything?

I broke my 2019 Fire HD 10 that had Fire Toolboxinstalled. I think I was dumb and let it update, but the lots of options still worked. Anyway, that one is dead now.

But I am looking at a used 10th generation one with 7.3 OS already installed. Without the Toolbox I'm not too interested in another Fire HD.

Google Play? Chrome? Office?

Custom wallpaper and load screen picture?

Thanks
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
It's even simpler than that. You just need to go to the screen that you would select a wifi network to connect to, and then tap the back button. Then a skip option will appear for you to skip the step. You might not be so lucky though. I'm thinking it will already have your wifi password because of being pre-linked to your Amazon account. You would then have to set it up with your wifi turned off as you said, and run Toolbox to hopefully disable OTA updates if your tablet is somehow pre-7.3.1.2. Then just proceed normally. The device registration will not matter any longer and will be required if you wish to use Shop Amazon and/or Prime Video.

P.S. Don't run the "standard debloat" script right away. Just use the Manual (Simple) Amazon app management tool to disable the apps you don't want and pay attention to the colors of the apps. Green is safe, yellow apps have cautions because they may be needed for other things, and red are probably not safe to disable. The descriptions in the lower-right will advise you on them. After you get things working to your satisfaction, you can run the "standard debloat" if you still wish. (I've never run it on mine.) If you're planning on using Prime Video, leave the Shop Amazon app enabled too so you can sign in if required by Prime.(y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
It depends on if your tablet is pre-7.3.1.2 or if it's later. Earlier ones will work fully with minimal fuss. Later ones have additional steps needed to circumvent the newer restrictions of FireOS. It's still worth it on later ones though. Play services will still install, Chrome works, and I'm not sure about MS Office, but Google's solutions will work for the most part.:)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] sensboston:
Thanks for confirmation! Yes, it's exactly what I meant: it looks like Amazon do some kind of provisioning devices before shipping if they are linked to account. At least, when I turned on my previous HD 10 (which has a dead screen controller now) on December, 2022, it's automatically logged in to my Wi-Fi network (he-he, the "big brother is still watching us")

Update: just executed Toolbox, everything went smooth! The only annoying thing is that again I have to reinstall and reconfigure everything :cautious: C'mon guys it's a XXI century! (this is a rhetorical sentence of course)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Thanks for the lead to scrcpy ... nice way to rescue data from a working Fire tablet with a "dead" display.

Consider using RethinkDNS for a more robust process to blocking/firewalling Amazon OTA updates; @blaacksheep has a very complete guide under his signature.

You're right ... registering your Fire tablet is necessary to get any Amazon service under warranty. Major hassles otherwise.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Can confirm that MS 365 (aka MS Office) and the individual apps install and run on FireOS 7.3.x.x .

MS 365 works well on Fire HD 10 tablets as a "cloud service" , but the individual offline "stand alone" MS apps are a liitle heavy on local resources.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] sensboston:
You're partially correct: yesterday I tried to chat with some outsourced overseas idiots first but after wasting half an hour with these slowpokes, I got nothing, they flatly refused to replace HD even follow manufacturer's warranty (I think there is no such a thing as a "working manufacturer warranty" in India)

Fortunately for me, I requested a phone call and got a good old US-based support guy from Seattle! After 3-5 mins talk he offered me to place an order for brand new HD 10 ("any" - he said - "even with 64G (but a "dead one" has only 32) - "and overnight shipping, and I'll issue a full refund for you" - as he did right after device registration appeared on my account :p
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Non-rhetorically, FTB' s Backup & Restore management function may help to preserve much of the current state of your Fire tablet.

@Datastream33 says:

" The backup solution the Toolbox uses would allow you to restore the settings database (so things like your navigation bar layout, quick settings toggles, etc), user installed apps (apps you've installed, but doesn't include the app's data), files and directories on the internal storage (downloaded files, pictures, simple app data, etc), and package states (disables/enables system apps depending upon their states when the backup was created. If any app was disabled, and is now enabled, it will be disabled again). "

Not an everyday tool but nice to have for disaster recovery or cloning multiple devices.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] sensboston:
@Jumbo100, I do know about possible backup/restore solutions of course but I mean something different, like an "user space container" with everything: app data, saved passwords, etc. & so on, i.e. "click and forget" solution to obtain 100% clone (and "yes", I'm pretty conservative: all my Android devices have the same wallpapers, icons, widgets and applications set (almost); and two my "reading" Fire HD 10 definitely must be absolutely the same :LOL:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Wow ... Big ask ! Would be a great Google/Amazon collaborative project ... Ad astra per alas porci 🙃

​
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Better security options for Google accounts ? ... or one just more thing to go wrong ? ... compatible with FireOS and Fire tablets ?

The beginning of the end of the password

We’ve begun rolling out support for passkeys across Google Accounts on all major platforms as an additional option that people can use to sign in.

blog.google

Google Accounts now let you sign in with a passkey instead of a password - Liliputing

Google Accounts now let you sign in with a passkey instead of a password

liliputing.com

Google takes first step toward "passwordless future," begins passkey rollout

Today, Google announced it is rolling out Google passkey support to better protect user accounts from being compromised.

www.androidauthority.com

Your Google Account is getting rid of its password

Google is kicking off the journey to a password-free world

www.androidpolice.com
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
TGIF , y'all !!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] XTJ:
Thanks. I took a chance on a used one. This is what I know about it.

Fire HD 10 11th Gen, 10.1in 64GB Fire OS 7.3

What should my steps be when I first power on the device. Is there anything different because it is used or because it is 11th generation?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Nothing special to do just because it's used. If you bought it from Amazon Warehouse (refurbished), it will come with your wifi password pre-installed if you didn't untick the box that says "link this tablet to my Amazon account". Then you would want to shut down your wifi until you can get the tablet set up and run Toolbox to disable updates. If you bought it on eBay or privately, it will probably already be updated and won't matter much.

The important thing to remember when you get to Launcher Replacement is that if you have newer firmware (7.3.1.3+), you will be offered the Custom Navbar Button option. This involves Toolbox installing another app (Automate) that requires additional setup and permissions. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully to arrive at a successful outcome. Most problems with launcher replacement are due to errors in following instructions exactly. (Myself included!!)

Hopefully, you'll get an "oldie" with pre-7.3.1.2 firmware and everything will be a breeze. Whatever you get, just work carefully and you'll be happy with the results. :) Good luck!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] XTJ:
Thanks. I won't be able to get to it for a few days, but I will share my results, hopefully positive.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] RealPsygnosis:
Amazon send me back a fire HD 10 and it was on 7.3.2.1!

Now I have a question: the tablet is actually unlinked to amazon account. to not let it update, can I block OTA through Toolbox and the link the tablet to amazon? Or it's better if I don't do this?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] umichel:
Hi,

I'm on 7.3.2.4.

So there is no way to block OTA Updates?

Or is it possible to block it with pi hole?

Best
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
If the tablet is unlinked, it won't already know your wifi password. Set it up without giving it your wifi password by tapping ANY wifi AP it offers and then backing up one screen with the back button. A new "skip" button will be there to use.

Once OTA updates are disabled with Toolbox, it's completely safe to register it to Amazon. In fact, you have to use Shop Amazon to sign in at least once to use other services like Prime Video. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
OTA updates can be blocked with a PiHole, or you can use RethinkDNS to firewall Amazon's servers. Details are in the first link in my signature. :) Also, the blocklist of servers to block for a PiHole is attached to the second link in my sig.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] umichel:
Ok thanks,

this means I can use the Fire Toolbox and block dns?

The second link doesn't jump to the list?

This one?

https://xdaforums.com/attachments/amzn_blklst-txt.5603501/