yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Sorry, I was assuming you were using a FireOS device. Wolf Launcher was a mod of ATV Launcher to make it work on FireOS. If updating your ROM doesn't work you could try the original ATV Launcher to see if widgets work any better with that.

There is also an Android mod of Wolf Launcher 0.1.9 that someone posted a long time ago on this thread. I can't vouch for its integrity, I've never used it. If you want a copy pm me.
[Fire TV General] Victor Andrade:
With the ATV I also have the same error, so (I thought) I resorted to this mod from Wolf. The big advantage for me is the fact that I can hide the icon that is in the upper left corner and backup the settings.

But I'm going to change my rom and see that this is really the problem. I'll send you a PM to send me this mod, please.

Thanks for all the help!
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
@SweenWolf Home Theater mode (audio from FireTV to Echos) might be a little niche, but it may be useful to others to add a shortcut under LM Display & Sound.

Package: com.amazon.whasettings

Class: com.amazon.whasettings.hometheater.HomeTheaterActivity
[Fire TV General] Eqnesto:
Thanks so much. It worked on my Firestick 4K Max.
[Fire TV General] xerel89:
How do you disable the stock launcher?

For me is not available....
[Fire TV General] Tel Han:
Hi, I’m new to fire sticks however as soon as I got my new Firestick something was not right. And that would be the Amazon launchers with loads of ads, as a results of this I looked into how I could change this and thus discovered launcher manager and wolf launcher. It been 5 days and things have worked like a charm however now my Amazon firestick has recently updated and launcher manager won’t enable wolf launcher no more. I’ve tried uninstalling the app and reinstalling it however still It didn’t work and also I have tried using TDUK Update Wiper to wipe away the update and have blocked updated using FIREOS Update Blocker however yet again it has not worked, can you please be kind enough to try and help resolve this issue, Thank you
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
@Tel Han @xerel89 Amazon protected the Amazon Launcher so that it could not be disabled to use a custom launcher. The change occured in ~February 2022, with FireOS 7.2.7.3 (forget the FireOS6 version number, but same protection occured).

There was a work around described here which is what you might have seen elsewhere:

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86717751

But this is a finicky fix, it doesn't work all the time, and Amazon is likely to patch it if it hasn't happened already in 7285/2880?

Amazon also protected updates around the same time so that blocking them the easy way is no longer possible without a DNS or router method.

If your FireTV device is less than 30days old you could return it and get a new device. Only when you set up the new device, don't update, and the firmware will be old enough that the February changes won't have been applied

How to Skip Software Updates during Initial Setup or Factory Reset on a Fire TV, Firestick, or Fire TV Cube

Since the latest software update for Fire TV devices is blocking the ability to use custom launchers, you may want to avoid updating a new or factory reset Fire TV.

www.aftvnews.com

@xerel89 if you want to unlock / root a fireTV check here for available methods and devices

Fire TV Original Android Development

Original Android development for the Amazon Fire TV

xdaforums.com

But all the current unlocking method require firmware that is older than March 2022, so if you are on the newest FireOS, it's too late.
[Fire TV General] xerel89:
That's are bad news, so I can start a costum launcher, but when I click the home button jumps to the Amazon launcher
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
You can try this method, it may work for you

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86717751

Otherwise you can try Launcher Manager 1.0.7 from the OP. It uses a different method to set the custom launcher that still works. The downside is that there is a 1-3 second delay when you press the home button and your custom launcher appears. It may be better than nothing.
[Fire TV General] xerel89:
Yes I know that method, but when I click on the home button comes again the standard launcher.

I want to have it that way that he doesn't do that anymore, but I he should return in wolfflauncher
[Fire TV General] Tel Han:
Hi I have tried the total commander method and have saved the original Amazon launcher apk into my downloads file. With that being backed up now, if in any moment I need to switch back to the Amazon launcher, what do i have to do?

And in regards to the update blocker, how can I tell if my updates are blocked. If I go into About - check for updates it says that I’m on FIRE OS 7285 and last checked Thursday 4th August 2022, and also the ability to click in developer options is there
[Fire TV General] Tel Han:
Sorry at the start I forgot to mention it successfully worked as I am now using my wolf launcher as soon as it starts and I can use the home button every time now without being directed to the Amazon launcher. Thank you, I appreciate all your help :))
[Fire TV General] t3chg33k:
Edit: Never mind

To make this comment a bit useful, I initially thought that by disabling the default Amazon launcher using root, I will be able to set a launcher using Launcher Manager.

However, the firehomestarter package still prevents another launcher from being selected, so have to disable two packages using root adb.

pm disable com.amazon.tv.launcher

pm disable com.amazon.firehomestarter

After this the custom launcher can be selected as the default one. However, the Fire TV Leanback launcher doesn't have any way to access the settings which means Launcher Manager is still required only to access the Settings.
[Fire TV General] blackse7en:
its good.

1.1.7 version boot faster than 1.1.6
[Fire TV General] xerel89:
But it is no reason to disable this without root or?
[Fire TV General] t3chg33k:
No, you cannot disable these apps without root as they are protected on Fire OS.

I have a rooted AFTV Stick 3 and basically couldn't change the launcher because the firmware I flashed already blocks custom launchers and Launcher Manager does not work with it.

However, after disabling these 2 apps, I was able to change the launcher directly with the Android prompt.

If you already have Launcher Manager working on a noroot FTV, then don't update your OS.

I also have a unrooted Fire TV 3 that still works with Launcher Manager on the latest firmware after deleting the new launcher from the data partition but I suppose it is only a matter of time before Amazon makes that impossible as well.
[Fire TV General] xerel89:
For me, Amazon has already made it impossible 😢
[Fire TV General] linuxlad:
Are you saying that the total commander method with both root adb commands to disable amazon launcher/firehomestarter no longer work for you?

What FireOS version and build number are you on?
[Fire TV General] xerel89:
I have the June version 7.2.8.5/2880
[Fire TV General] mrmercedes84xda:
I have used the total commander method , but getting chain of issues now:

Amazon Prime wouldn't work as required update - okay sideloaded app to fix that.

Now two other apps are showing "license expired, we need to refresh the license for app you own" tried reinstalling apps but no joy.

About to give in and just update device as amazon seem to just be making apps stop working if you don't.

Is the total commander method not working on latest firmware?
[Fire TV General] Eqnesto:
First Step

Second Step
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
4:20: AdGuard, "that is a very simple application, created by my developer, SweenWolf"

lol, I didn't know SweenWolf worked for TechDoctorUK. :ROFLMAO:
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
You can change the app icons as you like, you can also set a banner if you want (which looks nicer if you ask me), to do that long press "OK/Select" button or press menu button (it will open Application Menu) go to "Configure", select Display mode to Horizontal if other options are grayed out.

To change the app icon, click on "update icon" then click "select icon" and select the icon from internal storage.

If you want to set the banner, go to "update icon" then uncheck "Show icon", go to "update title" and uncheck "show title".

And go to "update background" and click "Image backgroud" select banner of your choice.

after setting the icon or banner you can delete the files from Internal storage, your icon/banner will be cached into data directory of the launcher.

About the hidden apps thing, that thing will just take lot of time because i do not have the source code. if i had then it was matter of some minutes.

But i don't have the code and also don't have the time.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Yes they can, just download and update.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
No username or passwords are getting shared.

It was just checking if there are any updates available for the app, which it can get from two places,

1. From google (play store)

2. From its own websites.

And as you should know, every android app has their own data directory which only that app has access to, no other app can access that directory, not even system, system can delete that of course.

If someone wants to access those folders they need root. So, no app can access any password, username, database stored inside the data folder of other app.

let me tell you some things about android.

Every app needs to declare what features or resources it will use from the system.

If it tries to access that feature and it is not declared in the AndroidManifest then system will simply kill the app.

I do not want to get into details but i want to ensure that it was just using the http to access the info about latest release of the app.

and there are other guys who do not trust what the app is doing so i want to share some details for them.

Use the WL 0.1.7 noHttpwithoutInternet version, it doesn't even has access Internet permission in the manifest anymore, so if it tries to access the internet system will kill the launcher.

Connect to the network | Connectivity | Android Developers

developer.android.com
[Fire TV General] ASCiiDiTY:
All updated. Now using the newest launcher and launcher manager on 2nd gen cube at 7.2.2.9.

Everything is working as expected.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Good to hear that.
[Fire TV General] fire_cuber:
I can also confirm this on my 2nd gen cube.
[Fire TV General] ranseyer:
Thank you very much for yout Ideas. and great work..

The Launcher is running wenn on a 4 K Stick. But one thing ist strange for me:

-Prime Video App works with the default amazon launcher.

-it starts not with wolf launcher. (and also not when i delete its app cache)

Does somene has an idea what i can do ?
[Fire TV General] tweakradje:
Wanna say Big Thanks for WolfLauncher. Does anyone know how to properly restore the settings with adb? I never had any succes with it running ATV 9.

A nice-to-have option would be to create shortcuts from android activities, so we don't have to use third party like "Activity Launcher".

Keep up the good work!
[Fire TV General] DaveCPA:
Any way to get this going on the following?

Fire TV Stick Basic Edition: Fire OS 5.2.7.6 (659654620)
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
@SweenWolf Would it be possible to modify the Launcher to allow me to create more than 1 widget section?

I'd like to have widgets both above and below my icons, but I only seem to be able to create new sections that hold icon / app links.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
One thing I'm noticing is that widgets (weather) don't update with either of these versions. I'm guessing that it's not able to connect to the internet (even when using withinternet).

The widget will update right after I install the update or after rebooting, but will stop after that point, until next reboot.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Prime Video also works outside of Amazon Launcher, Look for a Blue Tile named prime video in the Custom Launcher, you can view your Prime Video contents from there.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Thanks,

What settings you want to Restore via adb? Is it of Wolf Launcher, I made an app for that, Backups and restore wallpaper, sections and customization data.

And I like "Activity Launcher" and use it also.

Adding code in the app to create shortcuts, that i cannot do, sorry.

Activity Launcher is you best bet here.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Unfortunately Nope.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
You can only create one, sorry
[Fire TV General] ranseyer:
Thank for your reply. That was my Idea... But when i start with Wolf Laucher the system freezes for 1-3 seconds an nothing happens. When i start prime video with the original launcher it works... (deleting the app cache of prime video dont change anything).
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
What Launcher are you using?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Those version are patched so they won't use Internet. So they can have problems like this, you should use the 0.1.7 posted on the OP instead.
[Fire TV General] ranseyer:
I Corrected my typo:

> But when i start prime video with Wolf Laucher the system freezes for 1-3 seconds an nothing happens.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
what version

what version??
[Fire TV General] mrmercedes84xda:
Can anyone confirm total commander fix works on latest firmware?

I've host of app issues so want to update firmware but do not want to loose custom launcher.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
7.2.8.5/2877 (May)

7.2.8.5/2880 (June)

7.2.9.2/2982 (July)

It's helpful to state the firmware version. It cuts down on confusion when searching this thread a week, month or more from now. As of today 7.2.8.5/2880 is the latest for many FireOS7 devices.

I'd also state the device model.
[Fire TV General] linuxlad:
What about for FireOS6 versions?

What is the last version that the total-commander with both adb commands still works for the launcher/manager?
[Fire TV General] mrmercedes84xda:
I'm running 6.2.8.7 (NS2687/3770)

It's working on that.

Fire TV version :6360040.1

Was wondering is it still working on latest release
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Do you have UPDATES fully blocked? That build number is from early this year. I would suggest NOT updating if you were able to fully block updates months ago, and instead sideloading whatever system app update you may need like: Alexa, PrimeVideo, Freevee, Amazon Appstore. Here is a link to download the individual system-app APK files for your system apps:

https://gist.github.com/JulyIghor/d3d3dd460527a1d2b5b67954160d4abf

That FireTV version "number" is the default FTV-Launcher.apk version number. Because your build number is so old that version should be able to uninstall with ADB, just like in regular Android how you "uninstall updates" for a system-app. I believe 6350077.1 is the version number that should be default for your build number. Version 6360040.1 is the newest default FTV-Launcher.apk for the 4K FireTV Stick (Fos6) on the current OTA update: (NS6291/4110).

adb shell
pm clear com.amazon.tv.launcher
pm uninstall com.amazon.tv.launcher

Immediately after entering ADB command press the HOME_key on remote and should have the dialog pop-up to reconfirm which third-party launcher to use.

Note: this will only work if you had previously installed and used Launcher_Manager app to change your default launcher before Amazon started protecting system packages.

I have never used the TotalCommander file DELETE method, only the ADB method, and have had no problems updating all the way to the latest build number for the 4K stick, which is Fire OS 6.2.9.1 (NS6291/4110), both Wolf_Launcher and HOME_button continue to work as SweenWolf intended.
[Fire TV General] linuxlad:
Thanks for confirming the latest version the launcher/manager still works for the FireOS6 on the FS4K.

Would you elaborate in regards to "only the ADB method"?

What are all the steps that worked for you using only this method?
[Fire TV General] linuxlad:
@RiCkLaR

I was already aware of all that you stated since I setup both of my brothers FS4K six months ago at the beginning of February of this year when one of them received the 6281/4812 upon activation and they had just started the forced prevention of update-blocking/disabling at this point and the 2nd FS4K with 6287/3768 a day later which started breaking custom launchers so I installed Blokada+amazon hosts on one FS4K and the 2nd with AdGuard.

I was barely 3 or 4 days too late when amazon started this mess so I took steps to block further updates; and yes, I also know about the clear-command and how to stop any updates during the activation as well, albeit too late for those two so I removed the launcher manager and custom launcher since they did not work properly at the time.

My inquiry is in regards to which newer/latest versions of the FireOS6 using the total commander method with both adb commands: "pm disable com.amazon.tv.launcher" and "pm disable com.amazon.firehomestarter" will the launcher manager with a custom launcher still works as I have never used this method...yet.

So my question stands:

What is the latest or most current version of the FOS6 that the launcher-manager/custom-launcher can still be installed and used properly and successfully where it works both at startup and by pressing the home-button on the remote by using the total commander with both adb-commands method?
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Well those ADB commands won't work at all, need slight modification:

#ADB shell commands to DISABLE|PACKAGE need "pm disable-user" for Fos6 & Fos7

pm disable-user com.amazon.tv.launcher
pm disable-user com.amazon.firehomestarter

But, you don't have to input them manually because those are exactly what LauncherManager is sending when you select "Enable Custom Launcher" in the LM app.

Sadly, you have to get in a time-machine and go back to 2021 to be able to use ADB commands to disable the FTV-launcher the correct way. But you said you know how to block updates when booting a NEW device for the first time, so you should be good with just buying a new 4K stick that comes with the old remote, you know the one that doesn't have the 4 sponsored app buttons, this way you are guaranteed to have an old default firmware installed. If you live in USA then Amazon's Woot.com store has the old-remote 4K stick available for $23 USD for another day in "New" condition, not a refurb, but seems like Woot.com has an endless supply of those because they keep putting them back in their Tech store offerings.

A new 4K stick that is starting out-of-the-box with any firmware before/lower than Fire OS 6.2.8.1 (NS6281/4061), the 2021 October update; and you will be able to disable OTA-updates and disable the FTV-launcher with LauncherManager or through ADB.
[Fire TV General] linuxlad:
Thanks, so everyone with 6281/4061 or higher already installed without the launcher/manager is SOL.

I was hoping that after six months there may be a proper and successful workaround for using the launcher/manager.
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
I remain subscribed to this thread in hopes that there will be, lol. But, as I mentioned earlier in this thread, I switched to a Walmart onn. Android TV 4K UHD box, and was able to install Button Mapper and FLauncher on it -- mapped the Home key longpress to FLauncher. It performs more smoothly than my Fire TV Stick 4K. The only problem I have with it is that the Vudu app (owned by Fandango now, no longer Walmart) hasn't been updated to support 4K UHD. I prefer the Fire TV Stick 4K remote to the Google G10 remote, because the former has a dedicated play/pause button, but I guess you could always pair a different Bluetooth remote with the onn. box.
[Fire TV General] anphabvn:
Hey Onn 4k box have wifi, heat and remote bugs. Right? I want to buy one.
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
I've noticed that the WiFi sometimes gets disconnected when idle for a while, but I've been able to restart it and reconnect when that happens. Could be due to heat, but I don't know. I haven't noticed any remote bugs.
[Fire TV General] ThaDraGun:
Does the launcher manager still work on firestick 4k?

I have wolf launcher and I installed the latest version of the manager and it's not working for me.

My son has launcher manager 1.0.4 on his 4k and it DOES work. I searched for an old version, found it, installed the old version and it still does not work for me!

We both have the exact same firmware version (6.2.9.1)

What am I doing wrong???
[Fire TV General] t3chg33k:
I had launcher manager installed on a Fire TV 3 since about v6.2.7.x and used Total Commander to delete the AFTV launcher on v6.2.9.0 and go back to the custom launcher.

It got updated to v6.2.9.1 though with all the update URLs mentioned in this thread blocked on home network and with the OTA apps disabled over adb. The LM update option is always Unblocked as well for my device, so it seems that blocking updates are going to be a real pain.

Anyway, the custom launcher still works with v6.2.9.1 and I did not have to delete the AFTV launcher again, so it seems there was no update related to the launcher in that release.
[Fire TV General] linuxlad:
Only because you had the custom launcher and LM already installed since 6.2.7.x; otherwise, it would not work.

Btw, adguard and blokada have been preventing updates on two devices: one that still has 6.2.8.1/4812 and a second device with 6.2.8.7/3768.
[Fire TV General] t3chg33k:
Yes, I know and that is why I mentioned that I had it installed earlier before the custom launcher breaking update. Main thing was to mention that the latest update hasn't broken existing LM installations.

Also, I use Adguard Home and had the update URLs blocked by client address as I have a rooted Stick 3 as well that I want to be updated. Recently, switched to Ethernet on the Fire TV 3 though, which changed the client IP address and that seems to be the reason why the update sneaked through. Use VPN on the device, so Blokada isn't going to be of any use in this case.

I think it is referring to my earlier post where I mentioned these adb commands to disable the default launcher on a rooted AFTV, in order to get LM working with the latest Fire OS update. 'pm disable' works for disabling system apps when using adb with su, so nothing wrong with that command. Also, had specifically mentioned that these packages are protected in the latest OS and cannot be disabled by adb without root.
[Fire TV General] eXtremeDevil:
Any updates on this, or a future next version? Thanks!
[Fire TV General] Nomand:
Can someone tell, what is the latest FireOS version for 4K Max, where you can disable stock launcher with LM?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
7255/2465 was the last version for the Max before OTA packages and the launcher became protected. 7273/2622 was when both became protected.

I think there was also a brief rollback from 7273/2622 to 7255/2566 on some 4k max devices, and then later updated to 7273/2625.

You just want to be pre 7273. If you already had Launcher Manager and a custom launcher installed by 7273, many people have been able to delete the Fire Launcher update to use their custom launcher again. But this has drawbacks, best to stay pre 7273.
[Fire TV General] Nomand:
I was offered to buy used 4K Max for 15€, but with FireOS 7.2.7.9.

It was not connected to internet since that update, but looks like it doesn't matter, if you can't disable stock launcher and updates with this version.

My main 4K Max have old firmware and everything is disabled, but I need another Stick for my parents. I think I would choose Xiaomi Stick 4K this time.
[Fire TV General] SimonB89:
Hi guys,

I'm new to the Fire Stick scene, I have both a 3rd gen lite and full fat (Sheldon/p?).

Both of them are on 7.2.9.2, is there a method to roll these back to a previous firmware where Launcher Manager works?

Thanks
[Fire TV General] tokoam:
So I have a few questions for the experts . I have a 4kMax stick i'm on 7.2.5.5 . I'm on the latest version of the launcher manager using wolf launcher . When I click on appstore I cannot do a voice search no can I type in anything it closes out of the app-store . Then brings me back to the Home screen . Any one know how to fix this ?
[Fire TV General] Nathaniel9:
Not at all as long as a launcher other than the stock launcher is active.