yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
I didn't address this to anyone in particular, because I've been communicating with @blaacksheep and I think I've bothered him/her (?) way too much. Sorry @blaacksheep.

OK. I bought an HD 8 Plus last Black Friday which must have been an earlier version than 7.3.2.2, because I set it up as a Plain Jane quasi-Android device with ease using Fire Toolbox V26.x. But I foolishly returned it, because I read in this thread that Amazon had broken the block on updates. But Fire Toolbox has been updated. Thanks @datastream 33. So, I bought a new one during Prime Day and its running Fire OS V7.3.2.3 - a complete PITA. I manually installed the Play Store apks, which went fine, except for a Google Pay permissions error which I can't seem to fix. There are ads on the lockscreen which I also hate, but that isn't the end of the world. What is the end of the world are my normal screens. I've attached a pic. I just want to control them with Nova and just display Widgets on them. But I can't even setup the widgets. A prime example is Gmail. I launch the Gmail setup, it asks me to select the folder, I select Inbox, and everything disappears. I hope someone can help. If not, will a future Fire Toolbox be able to sort all this out?

Thanks
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Psssst @jhford:

Please upload your screenshots as inline jpg files instead of attatched, zipped png files. That way everyone can see them and they don't have to download/unzip/display them. (Click that little box just to the left of the smiley icon and drag your jpg to the target.)

Well, you broke the update block by returning the tablet and getting one that couldn't be blocked. :(

Toolbox has been updated to v28.7 and the Google Services install correctly now, they just take a little longer to download for the moment. So do Gboard and some other previously broken links.

Lockscreen ads can still be removed by the older method Datastream33 supplied here.

I bought a new HD 8 (2022) with v7.3.2.2 on it just so I'd be able to fool around with alternate ways of getting around the new problems before I wrote up my somewhat outdated post about it. My tablet has since updated to v7.3.2.3 much to my chagrin, but still functions the same. I had no trouble using Datastream33's new Custom Navbar Key to install Nova Launcher complete with widget support. Nova has been updated to Nova 7 by the Play Store, but that's fine with me because it still works fine. I can' fathom why you're having that much trouble making your tablet work. As far as a future version of Toolbox fixing problems that seem to exclusively occur on your tablet, I doubt it.

I look at your home screen and I see you have only gotten to the C's on your first screenful of apps. That would indicate to me that you have way too many apps on your tablet for it to work well. Remember that these are low budget tablets with minimal RAM and storage space, with a low-powered budget processor, and an OS with parts removed by Amazon so they will never do certain functions. These tablets will never give you a full vanilla Android experience, only a scaled down version of Android with a few apps. Don't try to make it into something it can never be. 😉
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi and welcome to XDA!

The blocklist file is attached to the post linked in my signature at the end. It's just a text file with 6 addresses that you can put into DNS66, but that might not stop it from updating. My tablet recently updated despite taking all the precautions I mentioned in my post so at best it will delay your updates.

The only repercussions of blocking Amazon updates is that Amazon won't be able to force new (unwanted) updates on you and you'll be forced to live without their ads and launcher! You don't ever want to re-enable OTA updates because you can never go back to the old version. You want to delay/prevent updates as long as possible.

I think the Google Chrome problem relates to the version of webkit included in FireOS. It's Amazon's own and isn't fully compatible with everything Google. :( All I can suggest is to try another browser and see if it's any better.

Unfortunately, you can't get rid of the percent indication next to the battery icon. Amazon has somehow disabled that from modification, so you're stuck knowing how much battery you have left! ;)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Bob1221:
Thank you for replying, after reading your response and following your instructions, everything has been working. I do have a few more questions. If I wanted to change the lock screen wallpaper (so it is different from the home screen), how would I do that? I saw the using ES file explore app would help but both the lockscreen and homescreen have the same background. On toolbox, there is a "change lockscreen wallpaper" function but will this give me the desired reaction?

Also, I manually upload books onto my tablet through USB connections, and because of that, I change the setting for USB connections to "File Transfer" after doing so, it disables the "re-route key function launcher". Is this a common issue? And what are the other choices like "MIDI" and "PIP" for USB connections?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
11

Wow ... That's an lot of apps you've installed !

If you're satisfied with the performance of your tablet (ie. not too sluggish) , there are several ways to clean up the look of your home page :

1. If using Amazon Launcher, you can't use shortcuts or widgets.

Try grouping similar apps together in a file to organize all your apps on one screen for a "widget-like feel". Visible apps in a folder are grouped 2x2 ; opening a folder , apps are grouped 3x3.

2. Swhiching to Nova Launcher, you can apply wdgets and shortcuts to your heart's content with much flexibility for placement on screen as well as multiple pages.

Download "Shortcut Maker" from the Google Playstore to manage and create custom widgets and shortcuts, as well as customizing app icons.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] cherrz:
Hi, is there any way via toolbox or adb to change bluetooth codec? Because I have delay when I listen on headphones (Galaxy Buds2).
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] xWulfie:
Disregard. the below I got the Google Services to properly install after downloading your APKs in 8,793 directly and placing them in the /bin/Google Services folder manually. Thank you.

Currently running in to this error message. After closing Fire Toolbox and then doing what it tells me and try again, the issue persists. Any thoughts?

HD 10 2021 - FireOS Version: 7.3.2.3
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
You can use the Lockscreeen Management subtool in Toolbox (under Change Lockscreen Wallpaper) to set a different wallpaper on your homescreen and lockscreen. It will install Automate to do the job (if it's not already installed). Just follow the instructions carefully and it will work nicely. :)

The reason "re-route key function launcher" got disabled is that it's not permanent. It needs to be reset every time you reboot. It has noting to do with your USB connection mode. You need to rerun the Custom Launcher subtool each time you reboot to use that method for persistence. A more permanent solution is to use the Custom Navbar Key option instead. That method has it's limitations, but has the benefit of persistence.

The other options under USB connection type are just different ways the tablet will present itself to your computer.

File Transfer - It is presented as a USB drive to your computer

MIDI - Stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface and is used for connecting devices like drum machines and keyboards together

PTP - Stands for Picture Transfer Protocol and presents the tablet as a camera to the computer

No Data Transfer is the charge only option and doesn't permit any data transfer to/from the computer.

On Earlier versions of FireOS, the mode didn't matter to ADB. It would connect regardless (in my experience). On v7.3.2.2+ (on a Fire HD 8) it would not connect unless I set it to PTP mode. YMMV
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi and welcome to XDA!

I'm glad you got it sorted. The Toolbox has been updated recently to v28.7 with a fix for the issue of those files not downloading correctly. Make sure you check for updates when you run Toolbox. (y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] k4loryfer:
Hi XDA,

I have another problem. When I click install google services, the application is automatically closed.

The solution is to download files and Sideload manually.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
Does the toolbox update automatically or must I choose to update it?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Lesynn:
Installing Google Services via Toolbox is still not working on V28.7 - It downloads the files, but the files are only 28kb small and therefore are corrupted.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I think you have to delete the files contained in the ...\bin\Google Services folder first (the bad files), then run the tool again.(y)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Lesynn:
I did, it will just create the same files over and over again. If its relevant, tried with a Fire HD 10 Plus 2021.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hmmm....

He was debating on the cloud server to use that would allow a direct link from Toolbox. If you could examine one of the files you get with notepad or any plain text editor, it may direct you to the actual files you need. The other option is to manually install following any of the instructions located elsewhere in this thread.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] SalexL:
Thank you for all your support to the community. Do you have any advice regarding PlayServices9.0.apk ? It's the only one that still coming back as an error message when I go into ToolboxV28.7 to relaunch Google Services... I get green lights across the board until that one. Any advice you can offer?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] boxcarpilot507:
Parental Controls popup

Hello, thanks for this tool!

I followed all the steps with version 4.4, everything is fine except for a Parental Controls Messages when I press the Home Button...

"The Requested action is not permitted. Check Parental Controls settings and retry."

I tried sideloading the hijack launcher, and no luck.

I have a fire 8 hd 2017.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] FernandoRocker:
I used the Toolbox on my Fire HD 10. I installed the Google Play Store, installed Nova Launcher, Gboard, and the proceeded to uninstall all the Amazon apps (using the Toolbox). I'm getting the following message when pressing the Home button.

"The Requested action is not permitted. Check Parental Controls settings and retry."

I can't remove the message, not even with the Hijack Launcher app.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ymcan:
I had the same problem. When you go to Settings > Accessibility, you'll find an option to turn on 'ParentalControlHide' (presuming you installed that from the second page of the Toolbox).
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] drizzt09:
You need the hijacker and enable firelauncher.

Then use hijacker to config the launcher you want.

Sometimes you will get a blip of firelauncher before hijacker redirects to your launcher.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] ryevick:
I have an HD 10 7th Gen 5.6.4.0 OS, will this work to disable just the OTA and the Amazon Launcher? These are the only 2 things I want done really. The OTA update disabled Nova Launcher, trying to get it back to my default launcher. I want to keep Amazon Kindle, Prime Video, Music & Shopping.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] drizzt09:
You should be able to just install hijacker, and ota block. Then use hijacker to override to nova
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] TonytheEE:
Kindle app

I am having trouble reinstalling the Kindle reader app on the Fire. I have a HD10, and I removed everything from the tablet on v4.2 and tried to put the kindle back on v4.4. I can't install Kindle from the play store. Should I try a sideload, and is there even one available?

Thanks,

Tony
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] GuyInDogSuit:
Most of the Amazon apps must remain on the device if you want to use them, as their Play Store variants will not install no matter what you do.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] impulser91:
Cannot open play store

[REDACTED]
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Saint Wacko:
So I received my Fire HD 8 today, and followed all the instructions in the OP to disable OTA updates, install the play store and disable ads. Just picked up my tablet to find an ad on the lockscreen and a notification that the OS had been updated to 6.3.0.1. Any idea what happened?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] InfestedTaco:
My Fire HD 8 also just installed an update despite trying to block OTA updates... All the amazon apps are back
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] DragonFire1024:
Disable devicesoftwareota.apk. just delete it or rename it. Otherwise you'll have to go through this again.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] DB126:
Renaming is your best option. Disabled objects can be reenabled without your knowledge (likely what happened here). Deleting is akin to cutting off your left hand because you are not using it at the moment. Witness the whining by 75% of the community that burn bridges immediately after crossing.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] DragonFire1024:
I generally would agree to that. But in this case if you are not planning on attempting to grab any of the OTA files that are transmitted via the app, there is no real other reason to keep it unless it is properly disabled. If you want to take firmware OTA updates, you can simply edit the updater script and remove lines that are associated with anything that flashes something besides the system. Some say you don't have to do that I guess that all depends on certain other things that I don't need to mention unless you've got a customized boot image or something to that effect. Flashing the updates from TWRP is okay. Letting them install via OTA from Amazon is a no-go. He's lucky this was the minimum amount of unnecessary, however fixable damage, that was donen to the tablet.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] DB126:
Has nothing to do with the individual OTA update packages; this is about renaming the tool that adminsters updates. Renaming the apk (vs deleting) allows one to easily resume receiving OTA updates at a future time without all the mumbo-jumbo mentioned above. Keep things simple.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] tonybullet:
can I use this tool on my fire 7 7th?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] tonybullet:
When I try to remove apps, this happens:

and then:

run-as: Package 'com.amazon.unifiedsharefacebook' is not debuggable

and I cannot remove anything... help me, please
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] pieceofphil:
Maybe try version 4.3 of the tool, the newest seems to be a bit buggy
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] tonybullet:
nothing at all

It's impossible to use it...

i have a fire 7 7th generation os 5.6.00
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi and welcome to XDA!

Have you tried clearing the folder and running v28.7 again? Have you tried downloading just the Playservices9.0.apk file and replacing the one in the ...\bin\GoogleServices\ folder, then running Toolbox again? I don't know what you've tried.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Current Fire Tablet HD10 (2021, 11th Gen) are Bluetooth 5.0 LE enabled using AACLC Bluetooth Audio codec.

Bluetooth advanced options are generally accessed using "Settings - Developer Options" but , as is often the case , Amazon has disabled Bluetooth firmware changes in Fire OS.

Audio lag also often caused by under-powered CPU (as those installed in Fire tablets)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] soggypancakes:
My new HD 10 is on firmware 7.3.2.1 I made sure to keep the wifi off and then ran the toolbox to disable OTA updates. Does this fully disable firmware updates or do I need to do anything else to stay on this firmware?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Fire Toolbox does not autoupdate.

Since @Datastream33 is always making coding changes (GREAT effort!!), it's probably a good idea to manually check for updates before you make any changes using FTB.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
It is recommended to turn off automatic updates too.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Some recent downloads from apkmirror.com were missing .akp file extension. Oversight? Truncation error?

Problem notice in Windows File Explorer "View File Name Extension" - ON

Downloaded files had .com file extensions. Renaming file required.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi and welcome to XDA!

Once you have disabled OTA updates in Toolbox, you're safe. You've disabled the mechanism to download/apply firmware updates. :p
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I wouldn't just rename a .com or .exe file to a .apk file. I'd do something safer like rename it to .zip and open it as a zip archive (.apk files actually ARE .zip archives) to see if it contains the appropriate files and manifests. Only then would I rename it to .apk and then scan it for malware. 😉
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] DPKJ:
Have been trying, and failing, to install a new launcher on my fire tablet. No matter which one I select, the error shown in the screenshot below occurs.

Have never had this issue before not sure what I've done wrong, or what I'm missing.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi and welcome to XDA!

Well, first thing you need to do is update Toolbox. You've got v28.6. and we're up to v28.7 now! That problem should be patched in the new version, but you might have to delete the contents of the ...\bin\Custom Launchers\ folder before you re-run Toolbox. (y)

Edit: If you've deleted the updater icon, click the gear in the upper-right of Toolbox, select About, then Check for Updates. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Sage advice !!

ALWAYS scan for malware before and after installation of ANY software ... even from trusted sites ... ESPECIALLY APKs !!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Obvious question

Does @Datastream33 verify links to ensure Fire Toolbox is safe?

As a dev professional I assume he does !
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] jhford:
Hi @blaacksheep. Thanks for the reply. I just received a refurbished HD 8 Plus hoping for 7.3.2.1, but it's running OS V.7.3.2.3 like the one I already have. So I'm sending the refurb back. After reading this post, I factory reset the one I already have to start all over. I want to install Nova Version 6.x for which I have the apk. But I'm not sure the following path is correct. It contains the empty Custom Launchers and Google Services folders: C:\Users\jford\AppData\Local\Datastream\Fire Toolbox V28.7\bin. Please confirm.

Also, apparently the new Custom Launcher subtool contains Datastream33's Custom Navbar Key. Will the Google Services subtool for V28.7 work, or should I install the apks manually?

Last, in what order should I do the most important things using Fire Toolbox so I don't have to bother you again? BTW, I won't install as many apps, but I installed about as many in the device that I shouldn't have return to Amazon and I think it ran great. The apps didn't bog it down at all.

Thanks again
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I'm sure he does because early on, there was a problem with one of his files. It registered on a couple of the virusscan sites. If you noticed on the download page, one of the links is to VirusTotal to show their results from scanning. I would presume he scans everything before linking to it in Toolbox, but the temporary site being used for download links are to a OneDrive account, and they scan for viruses too.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Very reassuring!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
You would rename your Nova v6 .apk file to "NovaLauncher.apk", and put it in "C:\Users\jford\AppData\Local\Datastream\Fire Toolbox V28.7\bin\Custom Launchers".

The patch to v28.7 should fix all the problems with Google Services not installing correctly. If you have tried and failed to get them installed with v28.6 previously, you may need to empty the "...\bin\Google Services\" folder first before running the new v28.7 subtool.

I've done installs of Toolbox components in several different orders and it really didn't seem to matter much. You don't even have to do it all in one go. I often plug one of my tablets in to tweak or change something. I also sometimes plug in a tablet to test out a procedure before I reply to somebody's question. Otherwise, I usually just go through the subtools in order and use the ones I need/want, then I usually discover I missed something and go back and adjust that.

Its is up to you how much delay you can handle with the installation of a lot of apps, but things definitely run much smoother when you keep the app count low.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
So, no need to disable automatic updates then? I was advised to do both.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] soggypancakes:
Ok cool I had seen some mentions of DNS66 skimming through this thread and wasn't sure if I needed to block some domains too. Thanks!

Ok this was already toggled off in the Toolbox I also went into google play and disabled auto updates for all the amazon apps that were still installed.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] DPKJ:
Thanks, did as you mentioned and still not installing.

Have an Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) and unfortunately it updated to 7.3.2.2+ (my fault when using the toolbox last summer and not ensuring OTA was disabled again). Was tired of the launcher resetting whenever I rebooted my tablet. Saw the new capability with Automate and now keep running into this issue.

Might have to go back to the workaround you found a few months ago. However, I can't recall where that post is again.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Yes, do both!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Well, that post is linked in my signature!

I'm not sure why people are having trouble with Automate. It could be because of needing to grant permissions to it through ADB for everything to work. I think I'll have to write up a guide on installing Automate fully with all permissions so that I can just point people to the guide.

Next week!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] DPKJ:
Ah, never thought to toggle your signature. Thank you! Will revert back to that and await your guide for Automate.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
If you're impatient, there are guides to installing it already on the web. It basically just needs 3 permissions granted to it through ADB and certain switches ticked in the app.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Bob1221:
Ok, thanks for your response but there are more concerns that have come up. My tablet has glitched and it reverted back to lock screen ads (which I was aware might happen) after following the instructions from a previous post. I tried going on toolbox to check if my OTA updates are still disabled but I got this message (see file attached).

Also, could you go further in-depth about what automate and the "Custom NavBar key" is? I understand you said the "re-route function" is not related to the USB connection, but as I connect the cord to my tablet and computer, it gives me a USB debugging option and I have to manually select "file transfer" (on settings every time I do this), then disable the re-route function.