yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV General] sibok:
I own a FireTV 4K MAX running ATV Launcher 1.1.5-pro as default launcher (I know it's abandoned and outdated) which got updated to version Fire OS 7.2.7.3 (PS7273/2625) on April 2022.

Due to the 7.2.7.3 (PS7273/2625) update the ATV launcher got disabled but I was able to uninstall the Amazon launcher and set the ATV launcher as default again but today i noticed the Display mirroring wasn't working.

The thing is Display mirroring is not working on the FireTV. Imean, i enable Display mirroring in the FireTV but my mobile phone (Samsung Galaxy S10 lite)or any other mobile phone can not find the shared screen. Does anyone know if it's due to having the Amazon Launcher uninstalled?
[Fire TV General] TheMovieMonk:
Hey guys, just recenty made the swtich from the 4K to the 4Kmax. I managed to block the update process during the setup and used LM v1.1.7 to permanently block the updates.

I've installed Wolf v0.19 and have managed to make it the preferred launcher via LM v1.1.7. Whenever i press the home button while Wolf is already active or whenever the device wakes up from sleep the icons disappear and I'm unable to move the cursor. I will then have to restrart the device or force close and relaunch wolf launcher. I've attached an image below as to what i mean.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

FTV 4KMAX details

WOLF : v0.19

LM : v1.1.7

OS : 7.2.5.8

BUILD : PS7248/2011

FTV HOME : 6320075.1
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
I've only seen that occasionally happen right after a fresh install of Launcher Manager and then it goes away after a reboot.

Have you tried LM 1.1.6? Maybe the change in 1.1.7 to fix the boot delay is causing a problem for you?
[Fire TV General] PuckBass:
@SweenWolf Why does Troypoint post on reddit and in his video that you are HIS dev and work for HIM !!! all the guys does is steal other people project and rebrand them and every video he makes is full of errors and he don't know wtf he is talking about!!! He posts apps that are fake and makes video on them too. still blabbing about jailbreaking firesticks... Don't you think for your sake you should say or do something and not associate with such scum?!

So why are you letting this fool's thief and fake developer take your ****!

literally every video troypoint post you could make a reply video as long pointing the errors in his

TechDoctorUK is the same but at least he don't pretend you work for him!
[Fire TV General] TheMovieMonk:
Hey thank you so much for this! LM 1.1.6 worked without a hitch for 4KMax. I really appreciate the prompt reply.🙏🙏

On another note, anyone tried OLM 1.0.1 for devices that have already broken the custom launcer? It seems to pop up every 15 minutes on my old FS4K.
[Fire TV General] mmortal03:
On the contrary, see the following timestamp (as I mentioned in a previous post) (4:18 mark):

https://youtu.be/IDC2rZWT0hc?t=261
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Let Cube update to latest Fire OS 7.6.0.3 (PS7603/3110), but before this firmware Amazon had forced pushed an update to build (PS7292/2984) over the weekend while Cube wasn't being used, they also forced updating of 4 system-apps: OOBE, Ceviche, SystemStatusMonitor, EasyUpgrade. Checked on Mantis and the same 4 apps were installed before the "Check-for-updates" would download the recent build (NS6291/4113) for the 4K stick. Don't know how long EasyUpgrade system-app has been in the firmware, but it's in both Fos6 & Fos7; I think maybe I saw it beforehand but had forgot to disable it, though it still can be disabled with ADB shell.

ADB shell to disable:

pm disable-user com.amazon.tv.easyupgrade

There is a few New system APK's embedded in the latest Cube firmware, most probably relating to Alexa and/or Alexa features, but one package I noticed that was new for the Cube was also new to the recent FireHD tablet's firmware update, was package:com.amazon.hybridadidservice. Just by the name of "Hybrid-AD-ID-Service" doesn't look like something I care to have enabled or running in the background. Disabled in FireHD10 tablet previously with no issues, so disabled in the Cube as well.

ADB shell to disable:

pm disable-user com.amazon.hybridadidservice

Anyways, both Cube and 4K stick both updated and didn't lose Wolf Launcher as default.
[Fire TV General] pulsarone:
Hello everyone, forgive my ignorance but with a recent FIRE STICK Lite version PS 7603/3110, I would like to install FLauncher is this possible please?

My question because after having DL WLM or LAUNCH ON BOOT neither of the 2 works and the stock fire launcher (awful with its suggestions) remains in place

Please ?
[Fire TV General] PuckBass:
Well here we go both of them should be shamed and banned then!
[Fire TV General] mathius89:
I already bought Fire Stick 4k Max, it's coming with 7292/2984. How can I rollback to 7255/2566 to install Launcher M? Thanks
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
It's not possible to rollback the firmware on the 4k Max without root (not currently rootable), only Amazon can do that.

The 4k Max was shipping with PS7248/2011. It's possible Amazon finally ran out of their original inventory of 4k Max. I'd be surprised if the new stock is shipping with a firmware from only a month ago (7292/2984).

Did you skip the forced update when you first powered on the device, right before registration?

If you didn't, and you are still in the return period, you could send it back, get a new one and use the guide to skip updates on a new device.

Otherwise, you might be able to find older 4k Max inventory at a local store / retailer.
[Fire TV General] mathius89:
I can't rollback... I'm using Wolf Launcher + Launch on Boot. Maybe in a future will be back the option to deactivate custom launcher. Thanks!!
[Fire TV General] pulsarone:
Suis-je sur le mauvais fil ?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
FireOS PS7273 was patched so that Launcher Manager no longer works properly. Launcher Manager is the app that sets WolfLauncher/Flauncher/Leanback as the default launcher.

This solution is working for many people that already had Launcher Manager installed before updating past PS7273. It doesn't appear to work if you try to install Launcher Manager after PS7273, but you can try:

https://xdaforums.com/t/app-firetv-...e-launcher-without-root.4176349/post-86717751
[Fire TV General] meccs:
So, it should work as long as you don't reset your FTV to factory settings?
[Fire TV General] pulsarone:
thanks but this trick no longer works, total commander says com.amazon.tv.launcher.apk (and its folders) cannot be deleted.

We are therefore condemned to observe advertising at each start of AMAZON and its friends... :(

If anyone here has a ROOT or alternative ROM solution, I'm listening and thank you in advance for your help
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
At this point the only people still able to use Launcher Manager are 1) those that blocked updates a long time ago or 2) those that already had Launcher Manager installed when Amazon patched custom launcher use.

I think the Total Commander trick only works for this second group of people. It doesn't appear to work if you are installing Launcher Manager for the first time on a firmware after PS7273

This suggests that there is some remnant data/setting from using Launcher Manager that persisted even after Amazon patched custom launcher use. Whatever that data/setting is, it will certainly be lost after a factory reset.

Not much is known why this is because nobody wants to risk losing their custom launcher by testing things :D.

All known root methods were patched in the same firmware that disabled Launcher Manager function. Without a way to unlock the device, there is no way to use a custom ROM.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
On pre FireOS 7273 firmware at least, screen mirroring is independent of the launcher. Casting works fine with the Amazon launcher disabled. I don't know if that changed on newer firmware versions.

I have noticed that SmartTubeNext's casting feature interferes with FireTV's mirroring. The casting connection between SmartTubeNext stays open even when the app is in the background. I have to disconnect the connection on my phone for FireTVs Miracast to be able to establish a connection.
[Fire TV General] Sus_i:
Is this still a valid point if there are numerous fireTVs with TWRP installed out there, which may be used to get some insights without any risk at all? TWRP restore in no time ;)
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
I was only referring to people with affected devices not wanting to take risks.

Thank you for volunteering to investigate the specifics on your unlocked device ;)
[Fire TV General] Sus_i:
lol, if I get some free time, I need to finish some annoying tiny soldering first ;)

Besides that I guess @SweenWolf might already know whats going on, got at least one unlocked device afaik...
[Fire TV General] pellethunter:
Something really strange going on - got 2 x Fire Stick Maxes, did the auto update on both, installed Launcher Manager & Wolf on both - yet on one it isn't working (as expecte) but the other is working perfectly.

Both are on PS7603.

Any idea how it's working perfectly? I literally didn't do anything else with regards to launcher other than install the two apps and set up launcher manager.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Timing might be a factor. Did you just buy both sticks recently, or did you buy one +6 months ago? Did you install Launcher Manager on the working device many months ago?
[Fire TV General] pellethunter:
Both brand new devices purchased this week. I'm pretty sure both were updated before I installed Launcher Manager on both.
[Fire TV General] Sus_i:
Maybe one stick idled, pulled and installed additionally component updates (system apps and bloat),

while the other stick was too busy for component updates, i.e. not downloaded or still pending for install...
[Fire TV General] Lorog:
I got the same question! Is there a real source? Possible to check the source code?

Thanks
[Fire TV General] nomisunrider:
See my response two myself two messages under the original question.
[Fire TV General] Lorog:
ok thanks, but still, where to see some code, release notes, app changes, etc...?
[Fire TV General] nomisunrider:
Maybe @SweenWolf can answer?
[Fire TV General] lolwatpear:
can someone PLEASE find a way to make this work again? It's not like we're trying trying to root the device here. We just want to use our own launcher. I mean common..
[Fire TV General] brackenhill_mob:
Have you any idea how complex this is, particularly without root? If you think it's easy, feel free to have a go yourself and share with the rest of us ;)
[Fire TV General] Meisterchef:
nevermind
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Buy a new FireTV device, block updates at first boot, and Launcher_Manager app works perfectly.
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Have you Cube owners that can't block OTA_updates, and on the latest firmware noticed that if you long_press HOME and pick SETTINGS we get the stupid FTV-launcher trying to start? The screen flashes till you crash the app or reboot. This is with a third-party launcher enabled of course. On a device with OTA-updates blocked the same action of long_press HOME >> SETTINGS will automatically open LauncherManager instead.

My solution to this problem is SET_HARMFUL_APP_WARNING for FTV-launcher, just in case I forget that the device I'm using has this stupid bug.

ADB shell:

pm set-harmful-app-warning --user 0 com.amazon.tv.launcher "FTV-Launcher WARNING: DO NOT OPEN, GO BACK!!!"

Try it out!

#! EDIT: <set-harmful-app-warning> command only works on Fos7, not for Mantis or devices on Fos6.

#! EDIT 2: DO NOT use the above shell script if on firmware PS7273 or newer when the FTV-Launcher is still fully

DISABLED

, if you have the Yellow Canary (LEAKS) app icon visible in your third-party launcher then you don't have FTV-Launcher "fully" disabled, and can use the above command.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
This seems to happen because the Amazon TV Launcher isn't disabled with the post PS7273 work-around, and there is a conflict over whether settings shortcuts go to LM or the Amazon settings section. @SweenWolf might be able to easily fix this with a version of LM that doesn't attempt to redirect settings shortcuts to LM.

It's not a new bug, it also occurs on Pre PS7273 firmware if you have a custom launcher active with LM, while the Amazon TV Launcher is enabled (using root). I've gotten out of the flicker loop by hitting home on the remote rapidly and repeatedly until it stops. Might take 3-10sec of hitting home.

Your ADB issued warning message is a good stop-gap for the time being.
[Fire TV General] lolwatpear:
I just bought a new fire tv television. It's version is already too new. Version 7.2.8.0
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
You could buy a Fire Stick and use it with the TV. Just skip the setup update

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

I don't think asking for someone to figure out a new way to use custom launchers is going to be productive. It's been over 6months since the last method was patched. If it was simple, there would have already been a new method, and it may never happen.

The problem is made worse because blocking updates is no longer as easy as it use to be, so Amazon will patch any new method, and force the update.
[Fire TV General] IVIadness:
I appreciate everyone's work on this and look forward to solution for setting wolf launcher as the default launcher again. Stupid updates totally forgot to disable it on the new device.
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
I only noticed the bug after they started forcing the FTV-Launcher around the time of PS7273 came out. But the last several months the bug wasn't affecting my Cube, the Settings_shortcut was opening normally to default settings, only just recently with the latest firmware did I notice the bug again.

I knew a reboot would fix the issue, but it's also easy to force the crash with ADB.

ADB shell:

am crash --user 0 com.amazon.tv.launcher

and/or this should work also:

am kill all com.amazon.tv.launcher

Did you try/test out the <set-harmful-app-warning> command?

The PackageManager recognizes you're opening a shortcut that directly opens the FTV-Launcher service or activity, then a full-screen overlay pop-up will print the "<WARNING>" message you input in command line, which could be anything; and just like Google's PlayProtect showing a pop-up message that an installed app is dangerous, you get the option to [UNINSTALL] or [OPEN ANYWAY] or can just hit the Back_button on remote to exit.

I didn't have any ftv-launcher updates installed to test if the "Harmful_app_detected" overlay did uninstall updates to FTV-Launcher, thereby having it rollback to the launcher's default APK that is embedded in the system. But I did verify that a regular user-installed app would get fully uninstalled when its package name was substituted into the <set-harmful-app-warning> command and you selected [UNINSTALL] in the overlay.
[Fire TV General] MrTooPhone:
I currently have Launcher 1.1.5 running WL 0.1.9-Wolf. Checking in today I see a Launcher 1.1.6. My current set up is working, do I risk losing my custom laucher by installing 1.1.6?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
I'm still on pre ps7273 firmware, using Wolf Launcher as default and Amazon TV Launcher enabled. That's how I came across the settings shortcut bug you mentioned. I still use the TV Launcher for voice search function and to check things out, so I don't want to restrict access to it.

If you set a harmful warning message for an app, how do you disable the message via ADB?

Because the Amazon TV Launcher is permanently enabled after ps7273, does voice search across services now work from Wolf Launcher? I hadn't thought about the fact that the launcher patch might have fixed that issue.

I wouldn't think so, but I'm not 100% sure. If there isn't anything in the change log on the OP that you want or need, I wouldn't worry about upgrading from 1.1.5 to 1.1.6.
[Fire TV General] lolwatpear:
What's the best way to block updates atm? I'll just sit on this update and hope something comes in the future.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
The best way to block updates is to disable the FireOS OTA apps, but that's not possible after PS7273 without root

The next best option is to block the URLs, on your router, that the OTA app uses to request and download updates. This requires being able to blacklist https addresses on your router.

The next option after that is to block access to those URLs with a DNS block. This is probably the most popular method for post ps7273 firmware.

This is an old guide, but it still works. It recommends blocking 5 addresses, but for FireTV devices only 2 appear relevant. Block all 5 for peace of mind if you like.

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

The FireTV OTA app contacts this address to ask for updates

softwareupdates.amazon.com

Then the above address responds with an firmware & system component updates hosted at this address.

d1s31zyz7dcc2d.cloudfront.net

If you can't perform a router block and need a DNS method, you can check out Ighor's

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

Most of the recent YouTube tutorials are applying a DNS block using some Ad-blocking app.
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Alexa works normally for me, I have the Cube's always-listening WakeWord disabled, and only use the Voice remote button for voice commands. Things like search from any app not installed by voice works everywhere, can search "blah blah...On YouTube" and SmartTube will automatically open & search the query, but "clicking" on the [SEARCH] box inside the Appstore is indeed broken because that does link straight to the FTV-Launcher.

That is a very good question! If the WARNING message is set to a user-installed app, once the app is uninstalled the message is disabled, if you install the app again it works normally without issue. But being that the FTV-launcher is a system-app and can't be fully uninstalled, I don't know if the command can be disabled or reset through ADB. Would have to do deep dive to see if Android documentation has something to remove the <set-harmful-app-warning>. Could be as simple as changing [SET] to DELETE or REMOVE in the command.

I admit I don't use Voice search throughout all my apps, voice search did use to work for me with third-party apps whenever the default keyboard was enabled and on-screen; but I have reverted back to using LeanKey keyboard instead of FTV-keyboard cause I can live without voice typing as long as my keyboard has an edit function like directional [<>] buttons. Doing a random search for an app, the weather, or something on YouTube, or using voice to change inputs all still work with Wolf-Launcher for me.
[Fire TV General] RiCkLaR:
Version 1.1.6 installs over-the-top of 1.1.5 without issue. No "Risk" involved. Ok to update app.

Even if you had a very old version of LauncherManager installed where the package:name was different, uninstalling the new or old app doesn't revert or disable the custom launcher, that is only done manually with the option inside the app, so just never click on DISABLE_CUSTOM_LAUNCHER, easy peasy.
[Fire TV General] ermacwins:
I'm trying to get this to work on my Toshiba TV with Android TV built in. It installs and I set as Wolf Launcher but it doesn't prompt me which launcher to set as default this going back to default launcher.

I'm on Android 9.
[Fire TV General] Jarod71:
Is there a way to update prime video without updating to latest firmware? My other apps work, just prime video prompts to upgrade...
[Fire TV General] badabing2003:
Get the latest app from here and sideload it.
[Fire TV General] Lorog:
Hi,

I'm using latest "Debloat Toolbox (FireOS 6 & 7).apk" Version: 5 (19-Jan-22) because I want to remove all bloatwares, useless Amazon remote connections and especially to disable Alexa and Prime Video, but after marking all the Alexa and Prime Video related packages in the app, all of what I wanted to disable is still working fine! Alexa does still work fine when I press the remote controller button to activate it and some of the checked packages got reset to unchecked in the app like:

com.amazon.device.messaging (Breaks Prime Video)

com.amazon.device.messaging.sdk.internal.library (Breaks Prime Video)

com.amazon.device.messaging.sdk.library (Breaks Prime Video)

com.amazon.shop.firetv.client (Amazon Shopping)".

I have a Fire Stick 4K Max latest OS versione 7.6.0.3

Any solution? Maybe the app needs to be updated for the new OS versions?

Thanks
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Are you using the Android version of Launcher Manager from the OP [Launcher Manager 1.0.4 (ATV)]?

You'll probably also want to update your Fire Player app which Prime Video uses. You can also find app links here. Prime Video isn't device specific so just get the latest version from whichever source has it.

The debloat app is just running the

ADB shell pm disable package.name

command. I think the problem you are encountering is that when you disable one package another package is re-enabling the package you just disabled. You have to figure out who's re-enabling the package and disable that too. I haven't figured out an easy way to do that. I've noticed that on later versions of Alexa (com.amazon.vizzini) it's especially hard to keep disabled.
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Ok so this is still the same as pre ps7273, with any Amazon TV launcher dependent search functions not working.

On post ps7273 firmware both Amazon launcher apps are enabled right?

com.amazon.firehomestarter

com.amazon.tv.launcher

Or are one or both listed as disabled?

pm list packages -d

If Amazon TV Launcher is enabled, is the 'Home' icon appearing on Wolf Launcher, and can you click on it to open the TV launcher, and access it?

The fact that search in the Amazon app store doesn't work makes it sound like TV launcher is not fully functioning.
[Fire TV General] Lorog:
oh I see, it's harder that I thought than! Thank you, I'll try to find it out!
[Fire TV General] ermacwins:
@Finnzz I tried 1.16

So you're saying 1.04 works?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
'Launcher Manager 1.0.4 (ATV)' is specifically modified for AndroidTV, it should work. 1.1.6 is for FireOS.

Oh I also forgot that around firmware PS7273 Amazon started 'protecting' various packages, so that they can't be disabled at all. The debloat tool will run the disable command, but if there is a protection error, you won't see it.

Go to adb and run the command

ADB shell pm disable-user your.package.name

to see if you get a protection error. If there is no error and the package is still enabled, then it's because some other app re-enabled it.
[Fire TV General] Lorog:
how can I run adb commands from the Fire Stick? I need a terminal app?
[Fire TV General] Finnzz:
Yeah, you can use 'Remote ADB Shell'

Releases · cgutman/RemoteAdbShell

Remote ADB Shell. Contribute to cgutman/RemoteAdbShell development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

You can run this either on the Stick itself using the IP 127.0.0.1, or you can run the app on another Android device and connect to your Stick over WiFi to reach the shell prompt.

There use this command to disable which ever package you want

pm disable-user your.package.name

And you can use this command to see a list of disabled packages

pm list packages -d

Remove '-d' to list all packages
[Fire TV General] emkorial:
Could this be used to restore the older launcher on an upgraded, eFuse blown Fire Stick?