yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Sorry, was wrong and edited my previous post about package:com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2

I had it in my notes under the wrong heading notation, or something; but still on my devices that can no longer block the full-firmware OTA updates I am still disabling that v2 package, because I believe it stops the System Apps from being Auto-Installed when they are downloaded with package:com.amazon.device.software.ota, this way I'll have time to clear its data so the OTA system apps don't get installed.

Did some testing with a brand new Cube, easy enough to skip the initial setup update process to debloat a new device and install LauncherManager, but of course couldn't get only the system-apps to download and update like I had with my 4K-Max months ago. Did decide to test letting the Cube firmware build (PS7229/1856) upgrade to build (PS7279/2766) to see if FTV-Launcher would stay disabled. That worked by enabling only package:com.amazon.device.software.ota and leaving the other two OTA packages (com.amazon.device.software.ota.override, com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2) disabled, and those 2 packages must stay disabled because the AFTV-Launcher will get updated through the OTA system apps and not the Amazon Appstore. Caveat is I can no longer freeze/stop full OTA firmware updates, and I still had to sideload the current versions of system apps that come via OTA and not the Appstore.

List of the System Apps that I needed to sideload to new Cube after it was updated to latest firmware (may not have needed all of them):

Spoiler content hidden.
[Fire TV General] :
im ordering a new 4k max firestick today so when I turn it on, i follow the stop inital update guide then instantly enable adb and block the updates from there
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
@RiCkLaR there was a root exploit posted for the 2nd gen Cube in the last week. It looks like only temporary root for now, but it requires a version of FireOS earlier than 7.2.7.3.

https://xdaforums.com/t/temporary-unlock-root-twrp-magisk-firetv-2nd-gen-cube-raven.4445971/

It may be worth considering keeping the Cube pre 7.2.7.3 if root interests you. I realize you already updated, but I'm assuming you can still return it.
[Fire TV General] :
@Finnzz I have ordered my new 4k max and it is coming tomorrow so when it comes i'll follow the guide and instantly block the updates and then activate launch manager and remove the stock launcher
[Fire TV General] :
I've done it thank you sooo much I've got rid of the stock launcher but just one question on the debloater what things like keep alexa on as I find it handy to use it
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
I don't disable much on my unit, so I don't have a list. I can only recommend downloading SweenWolf's debloat tool from the OP. I noticed that TecDoc is now inserting banner ads into Wolf's apps that he hosts on his site.
[Fire TV General] shrazy:
Sorry if it's sound weird but how can I set up Wolflauncher on my now freshly rooted tank device? With LM still Amazon Launcher starts when pressing home button and when I deactivate Amazon launcher via adb I can not access settings.
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
TANK is FireOS 5 (Android 5.1), LM works best with FireOS 6 & 7 (Android 7.1 & Android 9). As far as I know FireOS 5 works with delay, so pressing home will go to FTV-Launcher for 5+ seconds before swithing to an alternate launcher. I would set all the settings before disabling the FTV-Launcher. Most of the settings are set once and forget about them.

Ask in the "Root Tank" forum thread, maybe there is another way to reprogram the Home_button.
[Fire TV General] :
Hi I've got a question.

Does the firmware affect my insternet speed and if it does can I update and still keep my custom launcher
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
Whenever Amazon makes changes, it's always theoretically possible that something they've changed would affect your Internet speed, but it's not likely. If you update, you lose the ability to set the custom launcher.
[Fire TV General] questionesse:
So there's no way to get this to run on latest firmware, only if downgraded, right?
[Fire TV General] Noisemaker00:
hi guys,

I have a 4K rooted firestick, if I want to change stock launcher can I simply install the apk then I disable the kftv launcher with pm and root access? Or this will cause issues?

Another question: wich launcher do u suggest? I read some of them are not developed anymore
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
Correct.
[Fire TV General] grebarne:
Hi with a command adb in the launcher L.M.M 1.0.0.7 you can use the wolf launcher by default and you can all update and thé firmware update tested on fire tv 4k and 4k max.

adb shell

pm uninstall com.amazon.tv.launcher

And that s it.

Thanks to RICKLaR
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
With some important caveats (see my discussion with him starting here): https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...er-without-root.4176349/page-53#post-86851841
[Fire TV General] grebarne:
Yes we must tape only this command in adb not command pm clear which has issues.
[Fire TV General] andreluigo:
I have a Fire Stick 4K with FireOS 6.2.8.9 (NS6289) and tried all methods using LM but didn't work...

How can i use this way (files)?
[Fire TV General] PuckBass:
if you are actually root on tank then the best and only way is custom rom!
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
You could only use those "files" if you have a ROOTED 4K-Stick.

Is this your first time using LM ? If so, the latest firmware builds like (NS6289/3905) have protected packages, which prevents LM from disabling the necessary system apks to change the launcher.
[Fire TV General] Toronadian:
For Wolf Launcher on the Firestick 4K Max, which runs on OS7, is it possible to have the an empty section not have the words "This section is empty, move apps into this section"? On my Firestick 4K (non-Max), if I have an empty section, it just stays blank without the extra words. I want there to be a blank space (Therefore I can't just select "hide section"), just without the words

Kind of like around 10:14 of this video, those words in the empty "Settings" section.

In an older TechDoctorUK video that he does on Wolf Launcher on the Firestick 4K non-max (running on OS6), he creates an empty section that stays blank without any words. Shows it around 7:42 of this video:
[Fire TV General] wha1eve1:
Hi SweenWolf, Currently I have 6.2.8.1_r3 installed. So what is the correct sequence to flash 6.2.8.9 with your patch.

Is the following workflow correct?

1. flash your modified boot.img in fastboot on 6.2.8.1_r3 and there should be only one boot partition for mantis right?

2. reboot into twrp and flash 6.2.8.9

3. before reboot flash your patch for 6.2.8.9

Thank you for your time and help.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
watch the video to create a new TWRP flashable image.

Written steps:

download latest bin file. (e.g. mantis.bin)

download some archive tool (e.g. 7-zip)

rename the bin extension to zip (e.g. mantis.zip)

open "mantis.zip" using "7-zip" and delete all folders from zip file

now open "Scripts.zip" and extract it (download from attachment)

put the extracted folder "META-INF" into "mantis.zip"

put patched boot.img into "mantis.zip"

now you can simply flash the "mantis.zip" files in TWRP

NO.

Doing this WILL brick your stick. Never flash any boot or recovery image using Fastboot, use TWRP to do that.

Usually a boot.img is to be flashed along with the os image itself, but it can be flashed after os installation and not prior to it (and before any reboot)

if you flashed mantis.zip using twrp then flash boot.img right after that (you should not reboot before that)

IN THIS CASE WE ARE PUTTING THE PATCHED BOOT.IMG INSIDE THE OS IMAGE SO NO NEED TO FLASH IT MANUALLY.

Just follow the instructions, create a modified OS image, flash the image using TWRP and reboot.

after that you can simply flash anything you like e.g. magisk or pathces.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
We are flashing the patched boot.img so that we can modify the system partition without the device refusing to boot.

And also that the system does not execute efuse burner script even if its present in the system.

The above script.zip also deletes efuse burner files on the system
[Fire TV General] wha1eve1:
Thank you for the detailed answer. I will take a look at your tutorial. One more thing, Since I do not have a usb adapter to connect the mouse and can only install a boot.img with adb twrp command. Wondering if twrp install sdcard/boot.img the correct command to flash the boot partition. TWRP docs are unclear about flashing a boot with command line.

Followed your tutorial and successfully updated to 6.2.8.9(y)(y)
[Fire TV General] Noisemaker00:
Hi guys, nobody answered me, so I ask again:

I have a rooted firestick 4K (mantis) I would ask can I simply install the wolf launcher without the launcher manager and then using

pm disable ...

to disable the stock amazon launcher?

if yes, is there a github repo (or similar) where I can get the .apk of the wolf launcher?

(or compile myself if the project is not active anymore)
[Fire TV General] aliinbox:
https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86666585
[Fire TV General] Jerri1240:
Not to jinx myself but wolf launcher is still working for me. I'm on Fire OS 7.2.7.9

Not sure what the latest version is, but everytime it forces an update I think it will stop working, at which time I'mm buy a second nVidia shield.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
You can install it without launcher manager but you will face a long boot time on later version of FireOS. (This issue occurs when you disable stock launcher, use Launcher Manager's Handler to fix this)

If you disable stock launcher then most of the search results will not be shown to you as that is handled by amazon launcher itself.

You cannot simply update the launcher and get your prime or netflix working because thats not the root cause of the issue, the issue is DRM. The TrustZone of your device needs to be updated in order for these app to function, simply put you need to ìnstall any rom >= 6.2.8.1 along with its TZ.

You can download WL from the Mega Link.

Why are you still on 6.2.7.7?

Why don't you just update to 6.2.8.9?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Any launcher set as default should remain default unless is installed or updated (or they specifically resets the defaults)

Just dont reset or disable your 3rd party launcher
[Fire TV General] Noisemaker00:
I bought a 4K stick with 6.2.7.7 on board and I unlocked and rooted it.

Since then I disabled the updates to avoid any issue that could break root. As far as I read in the UNLOCK thread it should be safe to have a system up to 6.2.8.7, after that they patched the exploit.

Am I wrong?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
This applies to locked sticks with stock rom only.
[Fire TV General] Noisemaker00:
So I should re-enable the apk(s) used for manage updates and let them update my system?

Sorry to bother you, I have no experience on firestick system so I would not break something

By now I disabled:

com.amazon.device.software.ota.override
com.amazon.device.software.ota
com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2

edit:

Can you explain me this better?

By now prime-video and netflix works fine, you mean that I cannot simply update the stock launcher leaving my system with 6.2.2.7 but I have to upgrade the whole system?
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
You might try out the Walmart onn. Android TV 4K UHD box -- it only costs $19.88, and comes with the Google G10 reference remote. I'm able to install Button Mapper and FLauncher on it, mapping the Home key to FLauncher. It performs more smoothly than my Fire TV Stick 4K on various videos. The only problem I have with it currently is that the Vudu app (owned by Fandango now, no longer Walmart) hasn't been updated to support 4K UHD. I also prefer the Fire TV Stick 4K remote to the Google G10 remote, because the former has a dedicated play/pause button -- but you can always pair a different Bluetooth remote with the onn. box.
[Fire TV General] Jerri1240:
Thanks but I’m in the UK. No walmart!
[Fire TV General] T1inkering:
Thanks, just updated to 6.2.8.9 using your instructions. Are OTA updates auto blocked with your provided scripts.zip or do i need to flash your v2 patch aswell? nvm i just installed magisk and pm disabled
[Fire TV General] Jerri1240:
Thanks!

Got another update last night. Took an age to reboot but still working fine.

I’m still pondering buying another shield. I’m just reluctant to spend more cash when the cube does everything I want, I just really can’t stand the Home Screen.
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
For clarity, please note the actual firmware build number next time, not just say you got an update. Thanks!

MANTIS updated to build: (NS6290/4021)

- Build creation date: Wed Jun 22 2022

- Android Security Patch: 2022-01-01

Only thing notable is that it includes an OTA update for the Remote's software.
[Fire TV General] pir8skin:
Hello all,

I just ordered a 2nd gen Fire TV Cube and had a few questions.

1. What was the last AFTV firmware version that worked with Launcher Manager & Debloat toolbox?

2. What does the FireTV Toolbox do?

3. Are the attachments in the first and second post of this thread the most current versions of the software?

Thanks,

pir8skin
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
The debloat tool still works on all FireTVs. What changed was that Amazon started protecting certain packages in 7242/3515, beginning with OTA update packages. Then in 7273/2625 Amazon protected the Amazon launcher. A protected package can't be disabled by a user without root. There was a user many pages back that figured out you could remove the update to launcher to unprotect it, and that may still work. 7242/2906 is the last fully unrestricted version on the Cube I know of. I think new Cubes are still shipping with 7229/1856.

This thread is sort of Wolf's official development page for most of his apps. Anything on the main page is the latest version you will find of that app for the most part.

FireTV toolbox is mostly for FireOS5, it's sort of an early version of Launcher Manager for switching the launcher. I'm not sure it has much to offer on FireOS7.
[Fire TV General] pir8skin:
Wow. Thank you for your reply. Extremely helpful and informative.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
My personal recommendation is stay on 7229/1856 at least for a day or so. When you get the Cube, use this guide to skip the forced update during the registration/ setup process

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

Install launcher manager right away, and use the block updates option.

FireOS will attempt to update your Cube in one step to 7285/2877. If you encounter any software problems on 7229, you are going to get people saying make sure you update. Ignore that noise. 7229 works fine from what I've seen. If there are any issues, there is probably a fix that doesn't involve updating the OS. FireOS updates are more about Amazon and advertising than they are about the user experience.
[Fire TV General] pir8skin:
Thanks for helping me out Finnzz. I followed the instructions at AFTVnews and was successful in bypassing the update. My firmware currently shows 7229. I then used ADB to remove the pending update and sideload Launcher Manager (1.1.6) and Leanback Launcher from "https://github.com/tsynik/LeanbackLauncher/". Unfortunately, I was unable to change to a different launcher using LM because Leanback was not listed as a selectable option. Is there a launcher you recommend instead? Also, and probably more important, I could not locate a setting in Launcher Manager to block updates even though version 1.1.6 says it is now integrated.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
LM will list any launcher app installed. If you don't see your installed app, choose launcher options / custom launcher options / and find your app in the drop down list.

The update blocker is under other settings / Amazon OS updates / disable system updates

A link to the final version of wolf Launcher was posted here

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-85358357
[Fire TV General] pir8skin:
I was able to get everything sorted out. I had trouble finding the block updates section in LM because I falsely assumed that they were all shortcuts to the original system settings. After installing Wolf Launcher, it correctly displayed under the drop down menu and was selectable. Thanks again.
[Fire TV General] t3chg33k:
I had updates blocked on my local network through Adguard Home but My Fire TV 3 got updated to 6.2.9.0 while connected to a hotel WiFi and thus the pain of having a super laggy FTV launcher that wouldn't detect sideloaded apps that are not on the Appstore.

I managed to use Total Commander to delete the launcher and then have Wolf Launcher as the default which works fine for now on 6.2.9.0. However, the update blocker in Launcher Manager always displays the update blocker status as unblocked and I have disabled com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2 package.

Is there really a foolproof solution to block all updates in the future because I fear the next update will probably break third-party launchers permanently on an older device like mine?
[Fire TV General] ohbreeeezy:
I add these on my router's url filter. You can use also Blokada 4 app.

d1s31zyz7dcc2d.cloudfront.net

amzdigital-a.akamaihd.net

amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net

softwareupdates.amazon.com

updates.amazon.com
[Fire TV General] iMaster7007:
URL for 6290

https://d1s31zyz7dcc2d.cloudfront.net/e2b726b8ab8e6fe30d7f54625c1b0da0/update-kindle-mantis-NS6290_user_4021_0007282341252.bin
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
any obvious changes on this release?
[Fire TV General] officiallyme:
Am I correct in understanding that I need to use the Toolbox to adjust my Fire TV (Gen1) so it fully supports all features?

Wanted to install the toolbox on my mobile but I get an error message from Total Commander that the app was removed at Google's request (despite trying to install the downloaded apk).
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
You might be thinking of Fire toolbox that you install on a computer to unlock various features of a Fire HD tablet?

https://xdaforums.com/t/windows-tool-fire-toolbox-v28-1.3889604/

FireTV Toolbox on the OP installs directly on the FireTV device. It's sort of like a early version of Launcher Manager, from before Launcher Manager was created. It's unrelated to Fire Toolbox above.

EDIT: Sorry I didn't read the OP carefully, you are right the FireTV toolbox is installed on a second device and that device installs the settings on your FireTV
[Fire TV General] Jerri1240:
Gutted. Fire cube got another update today and it’s broken custom launcher.

Still there if I click wolf launcher but home button takes you to the Amazon Home Screen.

Time to order another shield.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
What is the FireOS version / build on your Cube now?

Is the Total Commander fix not working anymore either?

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86717751
[Fire TV General] Jerri1240:
Okay. Wow. Thank you! For some reason that method is something I completely missed.

Wolf launcher is now working again.
[Fire TV General] mick21:
I used the Launcher Manager 1.0.4 for Android TV to set Flauncher as default launcher on a TCL TV with Android TV 9.

Basically it worked, I can start Flauncher with the Home button. But there are three problems.

1. after booting, the TV app always starts. I would rather have Flauncher from the beginning.

2. when I close an app with the back button, the TV app appears again. Flauncher should appear here.

3. when I press the Home button, I see the Flauncher splash screen and Flauncher reloads the icons and the background image every time. This takes about 3 seconds. If I do this on my TV Stick with Android 9, it is much faster, the icons appear there immediately.

Does anyone have an idea what I need to change?
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
The problem is TCL's version of AndroidTV, I don't own a TCL TV, but have come to that conclusion reading many posts about TCL problems in the Reddit thread r/AndroidTV.

First, have you tried the "CUSTOM LAUNCHER OPTIONS" inside LauncherManager???

Select "LM Handler Status" to ACTIVE, then choose the launcher/app of your choice. One thing that is not mentioned or overlooked is you can't just install a different launcher then use LauncherManager, the new launcher/app most have been opened first before ever activating LM.

For (1) & (2) you could disable TV-app if you don't need it or use it.

For (3) sounds like maybe there is a built-in system app that TCL adds that is killing background process, and your launcher is getting killed and has to reload every time; best option is if you can find out which system app is killing background process and disable it through ADB, if you can't do it manually in the AndroidTV settings. Another thing to try is under "Settings>>Apps>>Special App Access>>Energy Optimization" make sure your launcher app is "Not Optimized" - this might stop the launcher app from being killed in the background.
[Fire TV General] t3chg33k:
Thanks. I had already blocked these URLs on my home network, but as I mentioned in my post, I happened to take the FTV3 with me on a trip and it got updated while connected to the hotel WiFi. I could use Blokada but then I also use VPN for some apps and I suppose that will still allow it to connect to Amazon. Hence, was asking for a on-device foolproof solution to block updates in the future.

On another note, I purchased a Fire TV Stick 3 for a secondary TV from Amazon recently and was pleased to see it still came with 7.2.4.2, so rooted that immediately and will probably be carrying that one with me in the future.
[Fire TV General] alip82:
Hi, is it possible to update fire tv stick max (7.2.4.8 stock) to 7.2.5.5 ? (Not to the latest version 7.2.7.9)

Maybe with otg drive or some trick?
[Fire TV General] Victor Andrade:
I just wanted a link to download the most up-to-date Wolf Launcher.apk, but it's been a harder task than it looks.

Jesus Christ!

EDIT:

I found a version here, 0.1.9, but I saw another post talking about a version 1.7, but I didn't find it anywhere.

Anyway, when I get an error here in the widgets, they don't load and neither does the wallpaper, making me have to click on them.

Can anyone help me solve this, if possible.

Thanks!
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
The final release of Wolf Launcher was 0.1.9

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-85358357

The lastest release of Launcher Manager is 1.1.7.

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86666611

Widgets only work on FireOS7 (requires root on FireOS6 and below). I'm not sure about wallpapers. That should work if you navigate the launcher menu?

You would need root or some other exploit to accomplish that. The 4k max is still the only FireTV device without any rooting method.
[Fire TV General] Victor Andrade:
So, I can put a wallpaper, in the launcher, without any problem, but when I restart the device (I'm using a tv box), it gives an error when loading the widget.

I leave this space empty, to leave the line with the apps at the bottom of the screen, because I think it's more beautiful, but my intention was to put some images in the widgets shortcuts.

The error appears and then disappears, but if there is an image in the widget, it does not appear again, only if I click on it.

EDIT: my intention was to leave the home like this, as it is in the second image, but these images do not reappear on their own, which would be a nuisance.

EDIT 2: I believe the problem is in the ROM I'm using. I asked a friend to install it in his box and the error did not happen. I gave up, should have tested it first before coming here to ask for help. I'm going to change the ROM on my device and see if that solves the problem. Thanks @Finnzz for the answer. I'll come back here to tell you what happened.