yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
HEADS UP:

The newest firmware Releases are available to be installed. Noticed this on the Cube (raven) & 4K (mantis) that they are available when click Check_for_Updates. But was not available just yet for the 4Kmax (kara).

Have only let mantis update, which is now on FireOS 6.2.8.9 (6289/3905), happy to report that Wolf Launcher stayed enabled after installation+reboot for me, but all the packages previously "protected" are still protected from being either disabled/enabled.

Sidenote:

Found a setting that may help stop OTA's from being just pushed while you are using the device.

adb shell
settings put global ota_disable_automatic_update 1
[Fire TV General] nomisunrider:
Who actually makes the debloat toolbox that's linked here? Is there a real source that lists changelogs, etc?
[Fire TV General] carpenter940:
I believe it is a man named techdoctoruk. He has a youtube channel with a lot of firestick info.
[Fire TV General] nomisunrider:
OK, NM. I just watched TDUK new 2022 debloat video and he credits sween wolf
[Fire TV General] meccs:
I hope it's ok to ask this here: I always used the Wolf Launcher but since having to switch back to the default one I have a issue that is really annoying. Starting an app and hitting home and then going back to that app always starts it new, it never continues. Meaning this is what happens:

I open an app, for example Twitch/Kodi and it starts.

I hit the home button to go back to the default launcher.

I open said app again without having opened any other app.

The app starts as if I "killed" it, meaning it starts new instead of loading it from memory.

Now the super weird thing is, when I exit out of this app with the Home key and open the Wolf Launcher manually and start the app again from there it loads it from memory, meaning it doesn't start new but just resumes. I just doesn't do it from the default launcher.

Is there something wrong or is this expected behavior when you use the default Fire TV launcher? It's really annoying and happens with basically all apps. Can I do anything about this?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
You should use 1.1.7,

Even with ADB, the PackageManager checks for callbacks if the package is protected, which if it is then it will not allow us to change its "state"

But installing/updating the app is handled by Package Manager itself, which can reenable the package even if its disabled. That's how you can reenable the package.

I could have told you to use Mixplorer to do this.

You could have simply clicked the installed app, selected Package Manager and clicked on Install and it would have reenabled the apps. Its that simple, but some peple don't use mix and i don't use other explorer so I'm "unfamiliar" with them.

And yes you can update the Stock launcher.

Its because of Intent flags,

Its how the application calls other applications with certain information like whether you should start fresh or not.

I haven't used stock launcher in a long time so i am not sure if it clear the task or not but according to what you have told, it does clear the task.

When you press home button then there are two things that are passed to the stock launcher, if the launcher is opened by "Home" button press or is called by something else.

And a TopComponent, which is the Application which you were running before you pressed hone button.

These apps should be added in the recent section of Amazon launcher, its like "Recents" of Android, try opening it from there to check if the apps opens without resetting, because it should.

App behaves differently depending upon how you are calling the app
[Fire TV General] eXtremeDevil:
Yes, I updated the Stock Launcher via through system updates, I guess that's the correct way. Thanks for all the answers. Just one question though, installing/updating a package re-enables them, but, as for now, packages cannot be disabled anymore, right? My com.amazon.firehomestarter package is disabled, so I guess I should keep it that way because once enabled, it cannot be disabled again, is this correct?

Also, I'm not really interested but I can't seem to find the stock launcher as a launch option in LM...
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Yes, it cannot be disabled once enabled, 117 shows system apps, so amazon launcher will be there mentioned as KFTV launcher.
[Fire TV General] eXtremeDevil:
Great, thanks for all the answers and support, I hope com.amazon.firehomestarter keeps disabled for me on future updates...
[Fire TV General] meccs:
Yeah, you are right. Thanks. It does start from memory if I use the "recent apps" thing. Still stupid that it doesn't when I start it from the normal apps buttons. Doing it again from there not only does start it fresh but also often times make the app hang if I had it open recently. I then have to kill it. Such a stupid behavior.
[Fire TV General] AFTVnews.com:
I just tried my Remapper on a Fire TV Stick 4K Max running 7.2.7.3 (2625) and it worked. Try uninstalling everything and re-following the install instructions from the very start. If you still have issues, post your ADB or Remote ADB text/photo.
[Fire TV General] sibok:
Does anyone knows if it's possible to disable FireOS updates by editing the /etc/hosts file? I'm on a FireTV 4K MAXFireOS v7.2.7.3.

Thx!
[Fire TV General] eXtremeDevil:
I just tried version 1.1.7 and KFTV launcher is NOT on the list... not that I "need" it, but it would be nice to have the option. Thanks in advance. If you need any info, please ask. Could it be because the other system app is disabled?
[Fire TV General] AFTVnews.com:
It was a method used in the past so I assume it still works if you can edit the file. Be careful because you have to remove the block before factory resetting because the hosts file survives a factory reset and you need to access the blocked URLs to get through the initial setup.
[Fire TV General] badabing2003:
How do you edit hosts file without root?

Don't you need to remount system rw?
[Fire TV General] gotovanko1:
Ok, i dont find remmaper for home button, can u give instructions or tutorial how to do that
[Fire TV General] eXtremeDevil:
I just noticed that com.amazon.tv.launcher apk shows as Leaks for me an actually opens a developer oriented utility. From that point of view, I guess LM 1.1.7 does show it, but for now, although the package is enabled, I cannot manually access the system's launcher. Any ideas?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86905147
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
This will be fixed on next LM release
[Fire TV General] eXtremeDevil:
Great news, thanks!
[Fire TV General] DJDamaux:
@SweenWolf I recently changed from Fire TV to Google TV. I want to use your launcher still. Do I just download the latest ATV launcher manager and Wolf Launcher and it'll work fine?

Wolf Launcher V0.1.9 is the latest? Launcher Manager ATV v1.0.4 is the latest?
[Fire TV General] nmd87:
I was setting the sleep time out value in the Wolf Launcher screensaver settings and I must have exceeded the maximum because it bombs out now whenever I try to access screensaver settings.

Does anyone know how I can work around this, perhaps through an adb command?
[Fire TV General] JonnyOne:
adb command for the screensaver is:

settings get system screen_off_timeout (to get the current value)

settings put system screen_off_timeout XXX (where XXX is the value in milliseconds, example 30000 for 30 seconds)
[Fire TV General] nmd87:
Thanks will try that and report back
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
This is probably obvious, but just thought I'd mention that this method had been working for me to enable the custom launcher again:

...but now it throws the following error:

Failure [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
1) You shouldn't be doing this method over and over, should have been one and done.

2) By doing the "UNINSTALL" command again you have eliminated the most recently pushed update to the FTV-Launcher app, the Home version 6360040.1, and now it instantly reverts to what is bundled inside the firmware, which is some version 635xxxx.x as of the latest OTA, which can not be deleted/unistalled without ROOT, and so that will throw back that Failure [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR].

Even with that ERROR, my 4K-Max stick was still going back to Wolf-Launcher with pressing Home-button on remote. Checking Launcher-Manager again and Wolf-Launcher was still set as "Current Launcher".

The key to remember, if not done already, is to leave package: com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2 : DISABLED, so that Amazon doesn't push the next FTV-Launcher app update that could potentially break the alternative Launcher or Home-button yet again. Leaving that single package disabled does stop other Amazon SYSTEM apps from being updated like PrimeVideo, AmazonMusic, Freevee, etc.; I can live with that, I'd rather have the alternative launcher working.
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
@RiCkLaR, That makes sense. Thanks for the details. In my case, I was actually deliberately experimenting with it, as someone elsewhere was needing to know how to get back to the stock launcher, since Launcher Manager no longer worked for them with the latest Fire TV versions. That's what prompted me to do the following, to better understand the various moving parts: I deliberately ran the latest updates, and force reinstalled FireHomeStarterApplication apk. Then I tested out your method. Your explanation fits perfectly. I've actually been thinking about getting a different device, so I'm not worried about losing the custom launcher linked to the Home button for now.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
i have a question for those whose custom launcher is still working.

What is the package state of "com.amazon.firehomestarter"

and what is its version code?
[Fire TV General] eXtremeDevil:
Disabled -> 1.0.118.0_15210
[Fire TV General] RealJustMe:
disabled -> 1.0.17.0_2310
[Fire TV General] QuiDC96:
What do you mean with "protected packages"?

I install this apk and try it . But the boot time still be 2 - 3 minutes.
[Fire TV General] DJDamaux:
Just got a Shield TV Pro 2019, I was wondering if there's a updated wolf launcher link? LM (ATV) - 1.0.4 is that the latest still?
[Fire TV General] Genetiks88:
2nd Gen Cube with OS 7.2.7.9, I've got LeanbackOnFire set as my current launcher with a working home button. Persists through reboot without Launch on Boot.
[Fire TV General] lskn160:
Good day)

Is the Wolf-launcher project not developing?
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
ATV Launcher and Wolf Launcher both are dead.
[Fire TV General] EngineerMind:
Well, since I am one of the lucky ones to disable the newer updates in time, I just wanted to thank you for all the work you did with Wolf launcher - I hope to keep using it for many more years.
[Fire TV General] :
Is launcher manager still being worked on as I got my firestick 4k max like last week and didn't know amazon blocked custom launchers and when I did it was already too late so I got launch on boot and tasker as a workaround but kept trying launcher manager but it never worked so I am going to wait until the next version is released.
[Fire TV General] lskn160:
Very sorry(

The project is very promising...

In any case, thank you very much.
[Fire TV General] Jerri1240:
Sorry to sound dim but how do I get this info?

Not wanting to jinx myself, but launcher manager is still working for me.
[Fire TV General] omdhar:
Any tweak after latest update in FOS5 for Firestick 2nd Gen. Everything works except setting default wolf launcher. Clicking home button set back to ATV launcher. Also, KFTV launcher cannot be deleted or disabled.

Thanks
[Fire TV General] Toothless_NEO:
Why Kill them off? Even if they can't be used on Fire TVs they're still very capable Android TV launchers.
[Fire TV General] Lex_Michdeandroid:
Installing this to Android TV (1.0.4) left me with a black screen. A reboot doesn't change that. Any suggestions on how to get rid of it again?

-edit- The only thing still working was the Assistant thing with the microphone. So I said "open settings" and it brought me to the settings. I deleted LM, but now I still have no launcher anymore.

-edit2- Could find the stock launcher again and set it back to enabled and turned off usb debugging permissions. This thing probably isn't working for me today.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
install LM again and enable stock launcher, uninstalling LM does not revert any changes, you'll have to enable/disable launcher from LM itself.
[Fire TV General] SweenWolf:
Patch - 6.2.8.9 (mantis / Firestick 4k) [Final]

Added recents Support to CLH (Double press Home to open shortcuts)

NOTE:

Needs NS6289 to work

Needs Patched boot image, either flash attached boot.img or just install magisk
[Fire TV General] Lex_Michdeandroid:
I got it working again from the settings > apps thing... So didn't need to put back LM.
[Fire TV General] tinybilbo:
I just set up a (new) 4K Max which is on fw 7.2.4.8.

I used the trick (basically just disconnecting wifi immediately 1st setup) to get to the home screen without updating.

I then connected it to my home network manually and put dummy settings for the gateway & DNS.

After enabling ADB in the FOS settings I was able to wirelessly connect (locally) via ADB.

I ADB installed LM 1.1.6 (I coudn't find 1.1.7), debloat toolbox, and LeanbackOnFire launcher

I enabled custom launcher which now (correctly) shows that LeanbackOnFire is the current launcher.

It survives a reboot.

In "Other Settings-->"Amazon OS Updates" I clicked on "Disable System Updates"

It now shows that it's status is "Blocked" (This is verified in Debloat toolbox as the 3 OTA were already ticked).

This also survives a reboot.

I still have fully connected it to the internet yet.

Is there anything else I need to do to stop it from updating? (I could point it to PiHole) or am I good to go?

Thanks
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
On your FireOS version disabling updates using the Launcher Manager disable updates option is enough. It's after 7.2.5.5 that you have to start doing more elaborate things to block updates
[Fire TV General] tinybilbo:
Thanks for the info. I just wanted to make sure.. I'm familiar with the original rooted 4k just not the Max, so was being careful. :-)

Btw do I lose anything by not being on 7.2.5.5?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
7.2.4.8 is the 4k Max release version so I would expect a bunch of new device bug fixes between that and 7.2.5.5. I don't know of specifics though. I think using the 4K Max as an eARC hub for Echo audio wasn't enabled until 7.2.5.5. This let's you route audio from any HDMI attached devices on a TV with eARC to the 4K Max and out over WiFi to an Echo or Echo pair in home theater configuration. This is a pretty niche feature.

I would just check that Netflix or any other streaming apps you use work. If they do, I wouldn't worry about further FireOS updates. FireOS updates tend to be more about serving Amazon than the customer.
[Fire TV General] simonho1989:
my fire tv 4k accidentally updated to 6.2.8.9 (i set dns to block update before, not sure why i got updated)

but luckily my home was disable by LMU before, and still working. My com.amazon.firehomestarter is 1.0.17.0_2310 do you need the apk?
[Fire TV General] tinybilbo:
Thanks again for the info.

The Max will be plugged into a receiver rather than the TV (as well as everything else) so I think I will probably turn off eARC anyway.

Every app I need is working :-) and nothing has forced closed so far... so I think all is good - I'm happy to stick at the current firmware.

The last thing I need to test is Plex or KODI audio passthrough. I'll do that when I actually install it tomorrow into my living room setup.

The only issue Is that my Alexa search doesn't seem to fully work but I think that's more to do with the fact I have disabled a stack load of (background) apps.

I'll re-enable them tomorrow to narrow down the ones I need.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
If you mean that using voice search on the 4k max doesn't search for episodes across apps, that feature won't work with Launcher Manager. General episode / movie / app store search depends on the stock Amazon launcher which Launcher Manager disables to let you use a custom launcher.

For app store searching you'll have to temporarily enable Amazon launcher, search for what you want, then re-enable the custom launcher when you are done.
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Edited:

There might be a bug in the old Alexa system app, usually gets updated a lot, at minimum once a month. Latest Alexa app is version 3.0.757.0-com.amazon.vizzini.645.0.0_645131910 as viewed on a Cube.

If you have blocked OTA's and debloated all the junk system apps, then you can pull the system apps from another FireTV OS7 device and manually update whatever system apps you may use like Alexa.

You can enable the SYSTEM App Updater's individual package:com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2 with the

Debloat Toolbox

or via ADB, then Check-For-Updates under MyFireTV settings to get all the latest Amazon system-apps updated. And because you have already blocked/stopped the other packages that download the entire full OTA firmware update you should have no problem disabling any of the unwanted System apps that will get updated again like AmazonShopping and FTV-Launcher. Just remember to disable package:com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2 after the apps are updated.

Tip: use a file manager app like TotalCommander you can sort the Installed Apps by "Date/Time" & "Descending" to see what apps get pushed/installed to know what might need to be disabled again.

Don't worry tested this on my 4K-Max stick on the old firmware before letting it do the full OTA firmware updates. If you still can use LauncherManager to enable/disable the FTV-launcher whenever you like. Test to make sure package is not 'protected" with ADB shell:

pm disable-user com.amazon.tv.launcher

Then you can turn on/off that SystemAppUpdater individual package whenever you want to look for Amazon apps. If you don't care about PrimeVideo, AmazonMusic, Alexa, IMDB/Freevee working perfectly or about having the latest features for those apps then don't bother.

EDIT reason: was wrong completely, my notes had me convinced it was possible, maybe at the time that I was messing around with the 4K-Max it already had a buggered firmware that let it/me upgrade the systems apps independent of the full OTA.
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Don't think the version code matters, as long as the package was previously disabled before getting any of the 2022 OTA firmware updates for FireOS 6 & 7.

Don't know if it is the new firmware's themselves or if its the FTV-launcher updates, but some GLOBAL Settings keys keep getting reset.

#adb shell settings list global

1D_DISAMBIGUATION_PACKAGE=com.amazon.tv.launcher
FF_SEARCH_PACKAGE=com.amazon.tv.launcher

Have set to null for those 2 settings keys for {global/secure/system} to not have it be re-enabled. Just deleting the global setting or setting those global keys to null didn't work and it would revert, but with all three set to null and it stopped the keys from being reset.

Don't know what those settings are actually doing, but since they point to the original FTV-launcher thought it prudent to try to disable them.
[Fire TV General] :
Hi I brought a 4k max Last week and have been trying to see if I factory reset it ot would downgrade to an older firmware or would it stay with the one I installed
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
No, factory resetting only clears data, it doesn't revert you to an earlier FireOS version. Downgrading is not possible. If you just got the Max last week and didn't mean to update it, return it and get a new one.

Skipping updates during registration is pretty easy:

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

Then block updates immediately once you are at the homescreen.
[Fire TV General] tinybilbo:
Thanks mate! that was exactly the issue I was facing,,, It's not a major issue as I don't really use a lot of apps beyond the UK catch-up apps, kodi,plex & tivimate which I have already sideloaded.

Is there any chance of a system update whilst I re-enable the Amazon launcher? (for future app searches),

Thank you that info, I do use Alexa.

However after enabling com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2 (via Debloat Toolbox), When I go into MyFireTV--> About the " Check for Updates" just displays "Last Checked, Checking now..."

and if I click on "Check for Updates" it just says "Update Error try again later". Maybe I'll re-activate all apps apart the os update ones and try again...

Or do I need to reboot after activating com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2?
[Fire TV General] :
What version does the firestick 4k max come with because I want to make sure it's worth it
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
@tinybilbo said he just setup a new 4k Max and it came with 7.2.4.8, so they still come with the release firmware version from last October.

No, enabling / disabling the custom launcher with launcher manager is independent of disabling updates with launcher manager. Updates will only be re-enabled if you go back in the sub menu and press the re-enable option, or use another app to re-enable them.

com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2 as far as I remember is specifically for new device setup and after a factory reset to force install an OTA update. I don't think it has anything to do with updating system apps. The OTA update block only blocks firmware updates, but app updates still occur with all three of those packages disabled.
[Fire TV General] :
Ohh ok so I should return it get a new one and block updates on the initial setup but what if i do it wrong g do I just unplug the firestick
[Fire TV General] tinybilbo:
I bought my 4KMax about 3 weeks ago (amazon.co.uk)... It's been sitting on the side waiting for me to setup which I did yesterday.

Thanks for all the info... Much appreciated :) I think I can just install it into my living, there's not much more for me to do.

Good to know that I can re-enable the amazon launcher when I need to without fear of an update and that the apps will update properly.

Finzz kindly linked to a guide on how to skip the initial update during 1st setup

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86913115

I roughly listed what I did to setup a new 4KMax in my earlier post

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86911393
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
The update that Amazon will push your 4k max will be large (hundreds of megabytes), so that you will have enough time to disconnect the internet before it finishes.

I would throttle your internet connection at the router so that download speeds are less than 1Mbit/sec, giving you even more time. If you aren't sure how to do that, just be close to your router so that you can unplug it when you seen the checking for updates.

Read the AFTVnews article it's though, and the process really is easy, I've done it a handful of times. Worst case, if it updates for some reason, you can just return it again for a new one.
[Fire TV General] :
Ok thank you
[Fire TV General] :
Also as a side note to anyone who is stuck to the latest version I use launch boot and tasker to emulate the launch manager as I have an app that launches tasker and launch on boot launches wolf launcher if anyone wants to know how I can explain it
[Fire TV General] tinybilbo:
Anyone know of some good widgets for Wolf launcher? that run without google play services...

I can't even seem a weather one.

thx :-)
[Fire TV General] :
I use yowindow but the one from techdoctoruk didn't qork for me so I went to my phone and installed the latest yowindow for free and the app transfer app that transfer your phones apps to your firestick.

You install both of the apks below and make sure you have adb enables on your firestick and then connect to it through the app2fire app and make sure you allow it on your firestick and then you install the yowindow apk don't open it then transfer it to your firesrick from you phone using the app2fire app.