yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV General] bloot:
Well, I first flashed lineage 18.1. but when using kodi I ran out of memory pretty quickly so then I flashed the stock Amazon 7.2.4.9 the exploit is based in, and then @Sus_i found the update that let blocking updates and did not have the long boot problem when using a custom launcher in LM, 7.2.4.2/2907

https://xdaforums.com/t/does-anyone...k-lite-sheldon-7-2-7-3.4413597/#post-86554917

But you can downgrade to whatever version you want if your firestick is exploitable.
[Fire TV General] Tejas tedi:
Oh Oki thanks bruh

will it wipe data?
[Fire TV General] bloot:
It is reccomended to do so, however when flashing to 7.2.4.2 from 7.2.4.9 I did not wipe data and everything works fine for now, I did have to wipe data when flashing 7.2.4.9 from lineage 18.1, it got stuck in the bootanimation.
[Fire TV General] Selocan20:
My fire Tv stick 4k shows, that I‘m on 6.2.8.7 but there is an Update, which I can install.

Again, a newer Version than 6.2.8.7 ?

Can I block this? It says, that the Update will be installed by itself.
[Fire TV General] EngineerMind:
Unfortunately, you can't prevent that update.
[Fire TV General] fire_cuber:
Why can he not?

If he has access via adb, then he very well can.

If an update has already downloaded and is waiting to be installed, you ' ll want to disable the update by connecting to your Fire TV via ADB and running the following command:

adb shell pm clear com.amazon.device.software.ota

Incidentally, the stick installs the updates when shutting down and not when booting.

Therefore, do not restart the stick but simply disconnect from the power buw. from the USB.

After that, however, it should really block the update using the known methods.

Method 3 or Method 4​

How to block software updates on the Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick

All versions of the Amazon Fire TV will download and install software updates automatically. There is no option to disable or reject software updates. Whether you have a rooted Fire TV or not, this guide will show you all the methods for blocking software updates on Fire TV devices.

www.aftvnews.com
[Fire TV General] EngineerMind:
Two things...

1) There was a discussion that doing the clear command only resets the flag that an update was downloaded, it does not actually delete the update file. And someone mentioned that when the stick eventually downloads the same update again, it may not overwrite the previous one (it renames the new download to ....(1).bin, ....(2).bin) so it may end up using up all your flash memory if you keep using the "clear" command.

2) When you read the actual "Check for Update" status, it will say a new update will be installed WHEN THE DEVICE IS IDLE, so it looks like it very well could install the downloaded update when it's idle and not just when it shuts down/restarts.

I guess the only way he could prevent that update is to first setup the method of doing a DNS block of the amazon update servers, then do the adb "clear" command. This way it will clear the "update" flag, and then won't be able to download any additional updates so it won't fill up his flash memory.
[Fire TV General] SallyDouble:
Hi, I have a problem with firestick 4k. I had Wolf launcher installed and via launcher manager disabled the stock launcher. After the update I have a problem launching firestick (symptoms in the video - recorded by hdmi grabber). I tried to connect via USB to ADB, but the computer is unauthorized. The authorization window appears for a few seconds, but I can't manage to accept connection on stick. I did not unlock bootloader or root. Can you help me with bringing the stick back to life?

Link to video: https://streamable.com/82ij69
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Extract the attached zip, Run ADB_C.exe

It will authorize the session.

Search the problem in the logcat
[Fire TV General] SallyDouble:
Thanks for the hint. Can you tell how the authorization is by-passed? I'm asking out of pure curiosity.

Logcat didn't really show anything interesting. I tried to enable the stock launcher with the command "pm enable.....", but despite the status: success, the stick still won't start.

The final solution was to run the stick with keyboard via OTG and a key combination: Ctrl+Alt+Menu+I+Print Screen. The Safe Mode was activated and the stick did not restart. I was able to use combination: Right + Back on the remote control to do a factory reset, which helped. I've tried to run Safe Mode before, but only yesterday I was able to run it.
[Fire TV General] etami:
If you're running 7.2.4.2/2907 you can go to Launcher Manager settings and in Other Settings there's an option to block updates. If you're on 7.2.4.2/3515 amazon protected the ota update process so that feature won't work. I also did what @bloot did in post #859 to fix.
[Fire TV General] ohbreeeezy:
I'm on 6.2.8.7 and LM still works.

Is it because I already installed it before the updated roll out?
[Fire TV General] Sweetooth1074:
Not sure how that is possible. The update alone should prevent any chance of LM from working. I only work around that it appears to be successful is downgrading to a previous version of FireOS with careful precision, stop future updates, then run LM.
[Fire TV General] Sweetooth1074:
The alternative has been suggested to simply just buy an older model of Firesticks and immediately prevent updates so you do not receive 6.2.8.7. I might look into this but I'm afraid of losing all my precise data I have invested into Kodi on my firesticks. I do not know how to clone the data from my firestick to another without possible complications. I mean were talking about dozens of hour of work involved with customization here.

Another idea would be to map a custom launcher to a button your remote and bypass the need for LM altogether, but that would be hard imagine to imagine after using it for two years :(
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
It's not possible to downgrade without unlocking it. Factory resetting doesn't downgrade the firmware version.

If you are already on 6.2.8.7, there is currently no known way to unlock.

Buying a new stick and preventing it from upgrading during registration is the only way. Then you can either block updates and just use LM or unlock, root, etc.

Easy Fire tool (Google play store) is geared towards Kodi. It has Kodi backup and restore options. I've never used it so I don't know how good of a job it does, but it is updated regularly.
[Fire TV General] psymsi:
I gave up on my Fire Cube for now. Got a 4k (not Max) from a brick and mortar (so it likely hasn't been updated), then unlocked / rooted so I could use the updateblocker in LM. (also a few other things as fail safes).

Kodi has a backup plugin on the main repo I successfully used. But the 4k is a bit slower so had to start with a new skin.
[Fire TV General] diogo-fps:
Hey! Im new to firestick modding and had an issue today, hoped you could help me.

I have a FireTV Stick 3rd Gen, with FireOS 7.2.4.2.

I followed TechdoctorsUK tutorial to install the FireOS 7 Debloater (mainly to stop the firestick from updating). Opened it, checked every box and ran it. After it finished debloating, i went back and saw that some of the boxes were still unchecked. Repeated the process, but the same happened. At that point I was not sure if it would block updates or not, but i let it be that way (any idea why it happened? heres a photo where you can see the unchecked boxes

After that, I followed TechdoctorsUK tutorial to install the Wolf Launcher. Installed it, it ran fine, then installed the Launcher Manager and made Wolf Launcher my primary launcher.

Now i cant see which app Im highlighting, unless i press Select on the remote, and even then the selected app doesnt open. The only apps i can use are the ones that have a dedicated button on the remote, apart from that I cant get out of the launcher main page... Heres a video of the issue

EDIT: Rebooting didnt help with this 2nd problem. But after leaving the firestick disconnected for a couple of hours, it fixed itself.

Id be grateful if anyone here could help!
[Fire TV General] etami:
From 7.2.4.2/3515 amazon protected updates so they can't be blocked using Debloater Tool. The next update will block you making Wolf your default launcher.
[Fire TV General] Sus_i:
New update 7.2.4.2/3516 just arrived :)

This rolled out after they pushed 7.2.7.3, so I guess they ditched 7.2.7.3 for some reason.
[Fire TV General] diogo-fps:
I knew about the 7.2.7.3 update, but i had read in a Troypoint tutorial that it would work on 7.2.5.5 and below, so i thought it would.

After posting this, Ive tried blocking it through ADB Shell, but it says its protected, didnt work.

Then I started trying to configure OpenDNS on the firestick, but havent managed to either... Im running out of options.
[Fire TV General] Sus_i:
If you've got a sheldon/sheldonp a.k.a. Lite/3rd fireTVstick, then root/unlock it before you get the 7.2.7.3 update, with root there isn't any problem disabling apps.

If your goal is just to block updates, you may do this, easiest way left:

Block updates. DNS way. No root needed

Here is instructions of how to block Updates on a Fire TV. Important! Recently a Fire TV update released, it blocks any way to disable auto updates, except this one Some ISP are replacing client DNS requests by their own answers, in that case...

xdaforums.com
[Fire TV General] cloudblue:
Which version is the wolf killer for the Firestick 4k max???? (Got a "new" one coming tomorrow)
[Fire TV General] EngineerMind:
You can't tell from outside the box and can't tell until it fully boots up.

So just make sure you follow those special steps to prevent it from doing an update when you first power it up. Because if it does an update during the setup process, it will probably be too late and you'll end up with a version that won't allow wolf to be the default launcher.
[Fire TV General] cloudblue:
I followed steps to block using hotspot/guest network (there was a close call when signing in to acct, had to pull plug) But I reached homescreen without fully updating from 7.2.5.5

Downloaded Unifed Debloat tool from TDUK and successfully blocked further updates. ....Wolf Launcher successfully installed to FireOS 7.2.5.5 (one bug: navigation sounds return after OS goes to screensaver)
[Fire TV General] PuckBass:
people need to stop using troypoint and uktechdoctor both are scam artist stealing other people software and pass it as there own.

nothing those 2 say is true or researched....

after you get some knowledge in you , you will realize those 2 only talk out there asses and dont know what the hell they are doing or even talking about.....
[Fire TV General] Johnnii360:
Hey guys!

I try now a 1 hour to activate a custom launcher on my Amazon FireTV 4k Stick. I enabled ADB Debugging, installing Apps from unknown sources, installed the Launcher Manager 1.1.6, then the Wolf Launcher 0.1.9, launched the Wolf Launcher first and at the end I tried to enable the custom launcher. But it is still the KTV Launcher set.

Before I've done this I had the FTVLaunchX installed and done the permission grant via my Linux PC. Additionally I had LeanBack for FireTV installed. But this combi didn't work eather.

My FireTV 4k Stick has the FireOS version 6.2.8.7.

Edit: I also tried it on my other FTV 4k Stick and it's the same.

Ah, and btw. also can't use the Update Blocker.

Edit #2: Ah okay, Amazon killed the Wolf. A reason more to hate Amazon. But there is so really good alternative to the FireTV (Stick). Hope you find a way to bring back the Wolf to 6.2.8.7.
[Fire TV General] seacamel:
Anyone knows why I always have to re-select Wolf Launcher after power off even when I always select "always"?

Anyway to make the selection permanent?

Cheers
[Fire TV General] cloudblue:
No doubt related to my "navigation sounds" always returning on FireOS 7.2.5.5.& screensaver not working & lonnnnnnng Boot time. 🤔
[Fire TV General] psymsi:
On the previous version of the launcher, before I wiped everything, I was able to add shortcuts from automation apps (Automagic, Tasker, etc...). Registering a shortcut in the app is no longer created on the launcher page.

The latest launcher has a similar feature built-in with the shell commands, but the shortcut it makes just links back to the actual shortcut maker. Am I missing something here?
[Fire TV General] Panja:
I just got a Nvidia Shield and directly installed LM! Awesome! Many thanks.

Though I'm struggling to find a (official) download link for Wolf Launcher.

Could some one help me out? Wolf Launcher looks exactly what I'm looking for!!
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Change Log:

Added App to change custom launcher (Will only show in a Custom Launcher, and can only be launched by a custom launcher).

No boot delay, and it will not disable stock launcher also.

Appstore will work just fine.

search function also works.

Instructions:

Install the zip using TWRP, clear cache if needed.

install and open a custom launcher.

open "Launcher Handler"

Click on "CL Handler Status" to make it Active,

select a launcher from list and press home.

No reboot is needed to enable or disable custom launcher.
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
Same here, but, even curiouser, I'm no longer able to get back to the stock launcher. After an apparent Fire TV Stick software update that happened a few weeks ago (my 4K currently shows a software version of 6.2.8.7 NS6287/3768 -- but I really don't know the exact version it was when this started), I can no longer get Launcher Manager to "Disable Custom Launcher". It just remains set to Wolf Launcher no matter how many times I try to enable or disable it in LM.

I had been running LM 1.1.3, and I've since tried LM 1.1.5 and 1.1.6, but these do not solve it.

Also, if I try going to LM's "Custom Launcher Options" -> "Active launcher" menu to try to manually set "KFTV Launcher (stock launcher)", it doesn't show KFTV as an option (not sure if I should expect it to be listed in that menu, but I have no idea how else I might get back to it if "Disable Custom Launcher" isn't working).
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
Oh, so this is already a known thing, where the Fire TV software update will leave you stuck on Wolf Launcher? Mine updated to 6.2.8.7 a few weeks ago, and I already had Wolf Launcher set as default in LM, and now I'm stuck in Wolf Launcher and can't get back to the stock launcher. I guess this is fine for now, but is there no way to get back to the stock launcher?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
If you uninstall wolf launcher it should fallback to KFTV launcher, but you will not be able to set WL as Custom Launcher after that. If you get stuck at black screen, a factory reset will be necessary.
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
Thanks. Today doesn't feel like my lucky day, so I'll leave it alone for now!
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
sorry i gave wrong information, but here's what you can do.

adb shell pm uninstall com.amazon.tv.launcher
adb shell pm install -r /system/priv-app/com.amazon.tv.launcher/com.amazon.tv.launcher.apk
adb shell pm uninstall com.wolf.firelauncher

no reset needed
[Fire TV General] Panja:
Any one that can help me out?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-85358357
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Test boot delay on this.

Enable custom launcher handler, select launcher from list, press home, select LM Custom launcher and click on always, reboot.

This will not work with protected packages
[Fire TV General] dieg00:
It works in MAX with 7.2.5.5, now it takes 29 seconds to boot up completely, and I can now use the HOME button to do its job. Thank you very much @SweenWolf .
[Fire TV General] Nathaniel9:
I can confirm that too. Boots fastest (2x pulsing Fire TV logo) when custom launcher is set via Enabled Launcher Handler.

Without the Launcher Handler enabled, the Fire TV logo will pulse 4x. But that's nothing compared to the old version 1.1.6. Then the Fire TV logo pulsed 22x.

Many thanks to SweenWolf.
[Fire TV General] kaeel:
Hi all, I've had this launcher working wonders for the past 2 years. All of a sudden today it stopped working since an update took place. The home button no longer takes me to the launcher. Instead it brings me back to the stock launcher. I didn't root my 4k firestick so I'm at loss here on what I can do. I must say I've gotten very used to life without the cluttered mess of firestick homescreen.

Can anyone recommend what I can do so that I can use this launcher again?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Mantis Patch (6.2.8.7)

Features:

Unblocks 3rd Party Accessibility Service Access

Enables AppWidget support

Disables OOBE forced updates

Disable System OTA Updates

Removes Package Protection for Amazon Apps

Allows you to set any app as Custom Launcher

Root / Magisk is not required

Requirements:

Unlocked Bootloader

TWRP Access

Patched Boot Image (Either Flash the attached boot.img or just install Magisk)

Instructions:

Open TWRP, Click Install > Select the Patch File > Swipe to Flash.

Clean Cache/Dalvik Cache and Reboot (First boot will take some time)
[Fire TV General] EngineerMind:
Read the last few pages of this thread.
[Fire TV General] Selocan20:
is it possible to unlock bootloader on mantis 6.2.8.7?

If not, is there a chance to fix 3rd Party Launcher block in future?
[Fire TV General] etami:
Awesome. Would I need to uninstall 1.1.6 or just update with 1.1.7 apk?
[Fire TV General] Elvisnazareth:
Hi I am having Fire OS 6.2.8.7 (NS6287/3770) version, never installed wolf launcher before. Have 2 questions please

1. Will the wolf launcher work (following steps in page 1)

2. If no to point 1, can rooting help to install the launcher.

Am new to Firestick rooting would appreciate if someone provides link to rooting. Have rooted my phones and have installed custom ROMS before though.
[Fire TV General] tron98:
I have the 4Kmax and it has the custom launcher 1.1.5.

Before the new OS update, It did have slow boot loading but now my stick has updated (about a week ago, along with with daily reboots { as its turned off at night}) to fire OS 7.2.7.3 (ps7273/2625)

The booting speed is very quick now and so far i still have the wolf launcher usable from the home key and using it as normal. (as I always was, before the FireOS wolf killer update)

I thought that update blocked the wolf launcher ?

Any ideas ?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
A number of users that had a custom launcher set before the update, got locked into the custom launcher. What this means is that you can no longer disable/enable the custom launcher if you try. This is probably just an oversight/bug, and I would expect Amazon to 'fix' that in a future update so that you are locked into the Amazon launcher not the custom launcher.

If you want to switch back to the Amazon launcher you can like so, but then your custom launcher will be permanently disabled:

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86665997

No Amazon disabled custom launcher use your current version. Having root access would allow you to use a custom launcher again, but the latest rooting method was also patched in that update (assuming you have a 4k stick).

Just install the new APK to update, no need to uninstall.

No, the latest unlock method was patched in 6.2.8.7 on the 4k stick.
[Fire TV General] tron98:
Thanks ,

So am I able to update to the latest 1.1.6 / 1.1.7 launcher or is this an unknown or will that mess things up and just give me a locked Amazon Launcher ?

Is there a way now to block further Fire OS updates with the latest Fire OS installed ?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Updating (update, don't uninstall/reinstall) to LM 1.1.7 is fine, it won't affect your custom launcher status.

Amazon's last couple updates have had a number of lockdowns. Custom launcher use restricted, and the FireOS update packages were protected so that users could not disable them to block updates.

To block future updates you either have to block the update via your router or DNS. This is an old walkthrough, but still relevant:

How to block software updates on the Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick

All versions of the Amazon Fire TV will download and install software updates automatically. There is no option to disable or reject software updates. Whether you have a rooted Fire TV or not, this guide will show you all the methods for blocking software updates on Fire TV devices.

www.aftvnews.com

Your better option is to block with your router if you can. There are a number of ways to block via DNS. You can use this method immediately, and research alternatives if you like after:

Block updates. DNS way. No root needed

Here is instructions of how to block Updates on a Fire TV. Important! Recently a Fire TV update released, it blocks any way to disable auto updates, except this one Some ISP are replacing client DNS requests by their own answers, in that case...

xdaforums.com
[Fire TV General] tron98:
Thanks the block worked for blocking further updates,

But i was too late when i started the stick, it went to the amazon launcher and there it is stuck , no matter what I do 😢
[Fire TV General] meccs:
I have the same problem as @mmortal03 meaning I can't go back to stock launcher and I am stuck with the Wolf Launcher. The adb code you posted is in case of the black screen after deleting Wolf Launcher I assume?

Never mind, I figured it out I think.
[Fire TV General] BigBrosMo:
So, I read back through but just want to confirm. My firestick did an update today but still has me at 6.2.8.7

I installed that LM v1.17 but it still doesn't make the Home button go back to my launcher (Wolf), it just keeps taking me to the Amazon one. I assume that's because something is protected? Am I right then, that currently I can't disable the stock launcher for now? And then if so... Is a solution possible or in the works?

Thank you
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
In the previous post, he'd said you'd need to uninstall wolf launcher, which should then fallback to KFTV launcher, and *then* you'd have to do the adb commands if you got a black screen. What happened on yours, and what exactly was your order of steps?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Yeah, the Amazon Launcher was protected in 6.2.8.7 so Launcher Manager can't disable it to enable a custom launcher.

Will there be a fix soon? Your guess is as good as anyone else's. If there is a new work-around Amazon will likely patch it quickly, they seem to have taken a more aggressive stance against customization.

The only way users are going to be able to keep any customizations that Amazon doesn't like is by blocking updates, and Amazon made that a lot harder recently.

In the meantime you can remap one of the channel app buttons to Wolf Launcher, or you can use Launcher Manager 1.0.7. the home button works in that version, but there is a ~5sec delay.
[Fire TV General] nmd87:
I've just got a Fire Cube to replace one of my Fire TV Stick 4Ks. I've not powered it on yet.

On the Sticks I've been using Launcher Manager and blocking updates with the TDUK debloater (to disable the packages used to update) and have additionally blacklisted the following at DNS resolver level (my pi-hole):

d1s31zyz7dcc2d.cloudfront.net​

amzdigital-a.akamaihd.net​

amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net​

softwareupdates.amazon.com​

updates.amazon.com​

This has worked very well so far.

My question is, is it safe to power on the new Fire Cube without it automatically installing an update that will stop me using Launcher Manager?

Obviously I cannot install LM without first time setup so I am basically relying on the DNS block. I am aware from reading the thread that Amazon's latest updates will stop use of LM effectively so I want to try to avoid that.

Thanks in advance.
[Fire TV General] badabing2003:
This might help

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
[Fire TV General] nmd87:
Thanks. That does help.
[Fire TV General] Lisali:
So from what I understand, this doesn't work any more? At all? 😢