yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
New here and wanted to thank all the posters for the great info. I just got my ONN (Google TV version) with Android 12 and Wolf Launcher 0.1.9 is working perfectly fine with LM (ATV) - 1.0.4. I don't know if this is the reason but I accidentally installed LM (FOS) - 1.1.8 first and gave it permissions then realized it was the wrong version. Uninstalled that one without clearing the data/cache then installed ATV version. Also installed Launch on Boot and on restart Android prompted which home screen/launcher I wanted as my default so I selected Wolf Launcher when it did. (I thought they disabled this on Android 12 but it appeared for this function for some reason and confirmed it was disabled for IPTV to be able to select a default app with YT links like it's able to do with my older ONN with A10.) Now it's completely defaulted to Wolf Launcher no matter what I do (restart/press Back or Home) so very happy with it. BTW I was a bit tempted to delete LM to see if Launch on Boot was all I needed to force the initial default selection message to show up but not touching it now.

I also installed MATVT for mouse function. The v1.0.6 does not allow you to left click with the center button so you need to install the pre-release v1.0.7 (test25) one and it's working great. Using the TV icon (Boss Key 172) for the toggle.

PS One more thing is that I do remember getting a black screen after installing Wolf Launcher/LM. So unplugged power to the ONN waited 60 seconds and replugged and it showed up with no issues afterwards.
[Fire TV General] MrTooPhone:
I thought the black screen came from USB Debugging setting. Can you confirm where you keep this setting. Wolf Launcher seemed to work well for me, but I needed to disable USB debugging after installing. Otherwise, black screen. I also lost my WiFi settings after installing WL.
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Hello,

How I can skip the update of the firmware at the installation of the FireTV ?

Because when I conenct the network, the next step is to check the update. So, I have turn-off the Wifi to stop the searching....

EDIT : When I have seen "installation finalyzing", I have disconnect the network and after re-connect the network, I have seen the HomeScreen. The current OS is 6.2.8.1 and I was able to install Wolf as Custom Launcher !

Now, Can I install the last version of FireTV OS without disturb Wolf ?
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
Sorry, I'm not technical enough to tell you what is happening with your system but maybe someone else here can. Have you tried installing and setting Launch on Boot 1.1.3 to WL? Or maybe factory reset and try the process I did in my post above? My 2 ONNs are both the Android TV Box that are $20 each and with USB Debugging enabled (inside Developer options and I've never disabled it once) and it's working flawlessly with the LM 1.0.4/WL/LoB combo so maybe different systems to your ONN TV? For reference, my Android TV OS build is SGZ1.221127.063.A1.9885170 with patch level on March 1, 2023. I also have a Fire Stick 4K and Toshiba Fire TV but gave up on those after LM 1.1.8 stopped working on them due to the security checks AMZN does nightly and just use the ONN TV boxes now. Cheap enough to give it a try, if things don't work for you on your TV as I'm not sure which version of ONN product you have.

The only thing I'm a bit disappointed with the latest ONN with A12 (unlike my ONN with A10) is the non-ability to select a default YT app from YT links within an IPTV app. I can disable YT and it'll automatically open Firefox Nightly with custom add-ons including Tampermonkey which I can get to play YT videos using the MATVT or BT mouse but not the other preferred YT substitutes which are much more automated and work well on the FireTVs with lower Android versions. If someone here has a solution through ADB shell commands or some other method, I'd appreciate that info as I heard the new ONNs will be bricked if you try to install older version firmware on them.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
If you upgrade beyond 6.2.8.7 you won't be able to enable/disable a bunch of system apps anymore, and the original no delay method in Launcher Manager won't work.

You won't be able to disable the OTA apk anymore.

Wolf Launcher will stick as default launcher until com.amazon.firehomestarter is re-enabled by an update to that app, or by another system app.

I personally wouldn't update the device.
[Fire TV General] MrTooPhone:
Thanks for confirming.
[Fire TV General] MrTooPhone:
So why install Wolf Launcher if you have Launch on Boot. Wolf Launcher works fine without the launcher. Launch on boot simply loads WL instead of WLM.
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Hello,

Unfortunately too late because yesterday, when I have powered-on the FireTV, the last update was automatically update so now, Wolf is not the default launcher and impossible to re-activate it through "Launch manager" or adb command (adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.firehomestarter --> Error: java.lang.SecurityException: Cannot disable a protected package: com.amazon.firehomestarter)

No solution I suppose ?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
You can't enable/disable com.amazon.firehomestarter anymore, but it may have remained disabled when you updated. Check to see if it's in your list of disabled apps.

pm list packages -d

If it is, then you can still use Wolf Launcher as your main launcher.

To set WL again you have to uninstall the second copy of Amazon Launcher and then press the home button and a system popup should appear asking you to select a launcher.

People were using Total Commander to uninstall the 2nd copy, do it however you prefer. This is the original post about this, you can read through there to get details if you have any issues

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...er-without-root.4176349/page-47#post-86717751
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Hello,

Many thanks. It works fine !

1. adb shell pm list packages -d

Result = package:com.amazon.firehomestarter (means this package is disabled)

2. With Total commander, save (by copying) KFTV Launcher apk from installed apps and delete it after.

3. Click on Home button of the remote and select Wolf Launcher (with always option)

PS : I was not able to block the OS update through Launcher manager
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Hello Finnzz,

I didn't follow your recommendations and keep my 1st FireTV like this.

But do you know if there is an other way to set Wolf as default Launcher ?

Thanks in advance
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
You can either use the method above if FireHomeStarter is disabled, or you can use the 'new method' in Launcher Manager v1.1.8 to set your custom launcher.

The new method doesn't work quite a smoothly, but it's better than nothing.

Alternatively, you can use the tasker version, but this is more steps, and even a little less responsive than the new method.
[Fire TV General] xnappo:
For me the Tasker method is just as fast now.. It is completely instant.
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Thanks @Finnzz. I have "remapped" the home button through LM 1.1.8. Yes, this is not so smooth but need between 2 to 5s before the launch Wolf.

@xnappo I have read that tasker is a paid app and I'm little bit afraid related to the procedure. And need have a pop-up about "adb shell" authorization at each start-up ?
[Fire TV General] xnappo:
Yes, Tasker is a paid app, and messing with getting Google Play on the FireTV is a little iffy. I would just get the Patreon version: https://www.patreon.com/joaoapps/membership

You can cancel after a month, but obviously might be 'nice' to let it go for 2-3 :). He is actually working on a more automated way for a non-play license.

My FireCube3 doesn't seem to ask for re-authorization - which is actually sort-of odd.. I hardly ever reboot anyway.
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Thansk @xnappo for you great support !

As written on the other thread, I have some errors with the procedure and also yours !
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Hello,

Now, this is OK. Home button launchs Wolf !!!!! 🍾

Effectively, Termux+Tasker solution is faster than Launch Manager Hook solution (between 1 to 2s vs 2 to 5s).

And Launcher Manager is regulary deactivated by Amazon !

Any way through Tasker to launcher Wolf automatically at start-up ?
[Fire TV General] xnappo:
Yes, but let's move this out of this thread. I will answer in the Tasker thread.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
It only takes 2-5sec with LM if you are not using 'Use ADB for Home'. It should be less than 1/2sec.

The LM ADB method is doing the same thing as Tasker, but without the extra setup. The extra complexity may be enough that Amazon ignores Tasker, for now.
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Why You didn't said it before !!!!! :giggle:

Now, I can not test due to an error with ADB debugging. I don't know if this is due Termux+Tasker or if this is due the cloning of LM 1.1.8 through this method : https://xdaforums.com/t/tool-clonemyapp-android-apk-cloner.4513777/#post-87668059.

Because each 2 days, Amazon removes LM 1.18 !!!!
[Fire TV General] xnappo:
Yes - for the Love of God - please no one make a freaking YouTube video for Tasker :)
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
LM 1.1.6 is not removed by Amazon ?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Sorry, I didn't know you were experiencing a delay.

You can't clone LM, it breaks the ADB function.

Considering LM is getting uninstalled after a certain amount of time suggests that Amazon is communicating those instructions to the FireTV, and you need to block that.

I use LM on my cube and it's never been uninstalled. My best guess is because I've disabled com.amazon.arcus.proxy like in the instructions here

You can't disable that app without root, but you can firewall it so that Amazon can't communicate with it. Try RethinkDNS, you can also use it to firewall / block the OTA app. RethinkDNS and a VPN can't be used simultaneously, it's one of the other.

I haven't tested this, but it's worth a shot.
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Do you know if previous versions of LM are also removed by Amazon after a certain time ?

Because I only use it to access to the settings menu of the FireTV ?

Else if, this is not a big issue because I was tinking to use vocal command to open, the settings menu !

Last question :

I have read that debloat the fireTV will speed-up the tasker solution. What do you think about this ?

I'm little bit afraid about this operation. Do you know if I use the "Debloat Toolbox (FireOS 6 & 7).apk", I can go back if I have some troubles ?

Thanks again for your support
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
The assumption is that LM is being disabled based on package name, which doesn't change by version. I haven't tested it though.

Disabling packages should always be done cautiously if you don't know what the package does. Some are more important that others, and could lead to the device no longer booting up properly. Disabling some apps may cause other apps to malfunction, and slow down your device. In most instances you can still connect to the device with a USB ADB connection to re-enable apps if the device doesn't boot.

Disabling apps may help speed up the device a little, but likely not as much as people think.
[Fire TV General] graffix420:
Would their be any possibility of releasing a copy of LM that has a package name randomizer? I also tried to change the package name myself, which resulted in the ADB error. I was able to block it from being uninstalled by adding blacklisting firetvcaptiveportal.com. The problem was, with the url blocked, the firesticks time would go out of sync, and refused to update via NTP, I would also receive the "Home is unavailable" message, but I could launch wolf with the home button.
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Hello,

The copy of LM is still present after 7 days !
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Are you using LM 1.1.8, or an older version? Or did you start using some sort of firewall to block the disable command that Amazon sends out?
[Fire TV General] pitsensas:
Yes, the copy was from 1.1.8 and that's all (= no other action to block something....)
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
When you say copy, do you mean clonemyapp method? This breaks the ADB function on my firestick 4K. Can you describe the steps on how you did this in more detail? Thanks!
[Fire TV General] rcal.ftd:
Anyone else having an issue with the 1.1.8 launch manager? Everytime i install it, it disappears like a day or two after. I dont uninstall it. It just disappears but it is still on my stick. When it disappears it stops working. I go to install it again and i get the update option. Thats how i know when it disappears it doesnt uninstall. Anyone having this issue or have a fix for it? Its getting frustrating lol
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
Yes, this is the issue everyone is having if you read the previous posts. Amazon's big brother servers check every night for unauthorized things such as the LM app and will remove it but the installer will remain in your stick, if you didn't delete it after installing it. If you have the original firmware and stopped it from updating immediately then it might still work but for newer firmware, you can't go back in time, unfortunately. But pitsensas says that he found a way to keep it from uninstalling for 7 days. We are not sure if he is talking about somehow blocking OTA or a copy (possibly renamed?) without blocking anything so we are awaiting how this was done so we may try it out ourselves. I have installed Rethink DNS + Firewall and will see if I can firewall the arcus proxy app to see if that might work as Finnzz suggested to try.
[Fire TV General] Jerri1240:
The FireCube v3 allows me to connect my switch to the back and save a HDMI port. I don’t play my switch on the TV very often so just realised I have no idea how to switch to that input using this launcher.

Anyone know how to do that using launcher manager and wolf launcher?
[Fire TV General] Skel40:
I'm having the same issue here also. I'd have to disable the launcher i.e (Wolf Launcher) to get on the main launcher and it shows the setting. Launcher Manager would need an update to add that setting for the Cube V3
[Fire TV General] glxnotetony:
How do u disable com.amazon.arcus.proxy. I use mullvad and pihole. Not sure how to block. Any help is grateful.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
I haven't tested this personally, but it's worth a shot. You can use a firewall app like RethinkDNS to block Internet access to individual apps. Use this to firewall the com.amazon.arcus.proxy app. I think RethinkDNS logs the domains that it has blocked, so you may be able to use it to determine what server addresses arcus proxy is trying to communicate with, and later block them with pihole.

After firewalling it, also clear the data (pm clear com.amazon.arcus.proxy).

If it's actually another app on the FireTV that gets the app ban information, and it relays it to arcus proxy, this might not work. With RethinkDNS you can play around with blocking internet to various apps to narrow it down. I have seen a couple other suggestions for apps that may be involved like nihm, but I'd start with arcus proxy.
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
THIS is exactly what I did based on your advice back on May 23rd and right now it's past DAY 2 and so far so good on my firestick 4K!! LM 1.1.8 working like a charm with Wolf Launcher launching automatically.

In RethinkDNS + Firewall the app is actualled named "Arcus Proxy" so you just need to block both unmetered and metered traffic from accessing it. But I found you also need to make sure to use the system DNS and not Rethink's DNS or it might prevent some apps from accessing the net. Well, in my case, I also have OpenVPN setup on my router with custom DNS so that might be the thing conflicting with Rethink's DNS but you can just disable that as I did.

I'll report in a few days to see if it's still working or if I need to block other apps and/or IPs. If others can try and report it, we can figure out if this is a permanent solution! Thanks Finnzz for the suggestion!!

PS My $20 ONN TV box which I discussed previously is also working great with LM/WL for regular apps but just don't like that A12 prevents IPTV apps from allowing you a choice to select the default app for YT links which is why the older firestick is much better for now as IPTV is the most used app in my case.
[Fire TV General] graffix420:
I'm trying this myself now, is there any way to get rethink to launch on boot?
[Fire TV General] glxnotetony:
Where in rethink do u block the app? I'm trying. Thanks
[Fire TV General] glxnotetony:
Disregard I got it thanks
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
Great, let us know if it's still working after a few days. I noticed that Amzn comes to check mine around 3-4am PST. Not sure if that's always the case with other time zones but that's when I notice the LM being deleted. Once we figure out which apps/urls/IPs are the culprits, we can maybe make this a semi-permanent solution until they change how they check for this. At least, it looks like it might be a good solution, for now.
[Fire TV General] cityhunter_1919_xyz:
How about using Tasker or Macrodroid?
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
Actually I just restarted my firestick and Rethink is on and working automatically. As long as you click on START in the Rethink app and have in on, it remembers the last state and stays on even after restart. At least in my case, that is what I see.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Like @tp11075 observed, RethinkDNS also automatically starts for me on boot when I have it activate.

If you want, you can also use RethinkDNS to block OTA updates (com.amazon.device.software.com). If blocking arcus proxy with root and RethinkDNS catches on, I would expect Amazon to implement a countermeasure in the future.

It appears that arcus proxy checks in with Amazon on reboot. Does LM get disabled shortly after a reboot when arcus proxy is not blocked?
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
So something happened on DAY 3 to delete LM but this time around 2-3pm PST. (I have 2 firestick 4k and a fire tv which I'm also testing various settings with but didn't notice the one that was running for a few days had been violated until late night) So maybe they have several methods to check with some not on a regular schedule? (BTW do not block "Arcus Android Client" as that will break some of the access to the net for some regular apps.)

I could not find "com.amazon.device.software.com" on my stick but did a search on the word "device" and found "System Updates" and "DeviceSoftwareOTA" so I just blocked those apps to see if OTA updates has anything to do with checking for LM.

I also noticed in Rethink that (arcus-uswest.amazon.com) is a URL that is being accessed at times and it was mentioned on another thread @Finnzz started along with maybe (softwareupdates.amazon.com) so I have blocked those URLs in domain rules along with "Arcus Proxy" app on my other stick to see what happens. Anything else you and or others suggest we might want to try to block?
[Fire TV General] glxnotetony:
Yeah mine deleted again. Not sure what or where to check what happen but lm.is gone and rethink is running with arcus blocked.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
That's too bad it wasn't that simple. AFTVnews suggested a few posts back that it could be dependent on the Amazon App Store (Venezia) or Nimh. Try blocking those two. He also mentioned Alexa (Vizzini) being a possibility, but I'd hold off on that for the moment. Vizzini is tied into a bunch of stuff.

Yeah DeviceSoftwareOTA = com.amazon.device.software.ota. Firewalling that was enough to block updates when I used it. The other update apps are supporting apps, that can't do much without the main one.
[Fire TV General] graffix420:
If I block firetvcaptiveportal and fireoscaptiveportal at the router level, I am able to stop them from deleting LM, however, the time falls out of sync after a couple days.

I noticed that when LM is deleted, there is an alert generated inside the notification area of fireos. Would it be possible to just monitor, or periodically check for this alert, via adb, then script a reinstall via adb?

I'm going to look at blocking specific ports that are being used on captiveportal, I've had just TCP/UDP blocked for a week or so now, so whatever is deleting LM is coming through on a different port.

I'm not sure why rethink won't auto-launch on reboot for me, I have the auto-start (experimental) option checked, but I always have to start it manually. Does the app need autostart permissions possibly?
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
OK thanks @Finnzz and @graffix420 on the suggestions. Here are some new things to report on my side. The 1st firestick with Arcus Proxy, System Updates and DeviceSoftwareOTA apps blocked by Rethink has failed after 33 hours. The 2nd firestick with Arcus Proxy and urls (arcus-uswest.amazon.com) and (softwareupdates.amazon.com) blocked is still working after 27 hours. However, the strange thing is the 1st firestick allowed itself to do a system update (even with those 3 apps blocked) whereas the 2nd firestick did not allow it so we'll see if LM is still active on the 2nd one after tomorrow.

Also I just followed the advice of @graffix420 and blocked firetvcaptiveportal.com and fireoscaptiveportal.com with Rethink on my 1st firestick and eliminated all other blocked apps/domains to see if this works on mine as it did his. Additionally, I installed the Smart Time Sync app and set it to sync every 1 hour over the internet on one of the pool.ntp.org servers to see if the time sync issue can be resolved that way.

Additionally there is something strange that happens if I leave the screensaver of the stick set to on, in that I need to press the Home button several times to get LM/WL to work. Whereas if it is set to Never, then I don't have this issue. Not sure if this was discussed previously.

As for Rethink not starting up for @graffix420, the settings are the same for mine with auto-start checked but I don't recall having to give it any permissions. But if you can block at the router level, maybe all you need is the Smart Time Sync or similar app to make sure the time is always correct.
[Fire TV General] graffix420:
I neglected to mention that when you block those uri's completely, the stock launcher will also show there's no network connectivity, this isn't a problem for me, as I just wanted to use wolf, and I'm able to get to what I need to from there. Blocking just TCP/UDP at the router level (I run OPNSense locally) seems to have zero effect. Checking the logs from rethink, you can see what ports connections to captiveportal are running on, I'm going to attempt blocking those. I have two firestick 4k max's I'm using. I had one in an outbuilding, for a long time, I had no trouble with lm getting deleted. I factory reset that stick a couple days ago, to clear space for a software install, after reset lm now gets deleted nightly on this stick as well.

The only difference between the two sticks, AFAIK, is that on the stick I just factory reset, I had two copies of LM installed, but one showed "disabled" in the APP Manager section of XPlore. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how that app got a "disabled" status, and I can't produce that app status in XPlore with any other app.
[Fire TV General] tp11075:
Yes, the stock launcher shows No Internet on mine as well but all apps (including Rethink/Smart Time Sync) can be launched and looks to be working normally under Wolf Launcher. But are you saying that one of your firestick 4Ks is deleting LM even with this method after you factory reset it? What firmware versions does each show?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
@graffix420 I haven't been updating my RethinkDNS the last few months, but I updated today and noticed that the newest version doesn't automatically start on boot. I went back to v0.5.3n which does.

@tp11075 Are you running the latest version on all the devices that you are testing? Is it auto- starting on all of them.

I will try just firewalling Arcus Proxy for a couple days rather than disabling it to see what happens.