[Fire TV General] Skel40:
This is what works with the new device/what doesn't work

Launcher Manager 1.1.8 can be installed (launcher not working with the adb method running 8.1.0.0 and 8.1.0.1), the app is automatically removed due to the OS and doesn't allow the app to launch.

ADB debugging and Apps from unknown sources

3rd party applications

What doesn't work disable-user

com.amazon.device.software.ota

com.amazon.device.software.ota.override

com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater

and more using Unified Debloat Toolbox, it does brick if you disable-user certain packages, strongly recommend not to mess with anything, you get a full hard brick if you disable-user the wrong package. Guide for a light debloat list is found here and confirmed to be working on 8.1.0.1: https://xdaforums.com/t/fire-os-8-stuck-on-black-firetv-logo.4634089/

Mouse Toggle For Fire TV is currently not working

The device is running on Android 11, Fire OS 8.1.0.0 (RS8100/1721), a new "update" downloads Fire OS 8.1.0.1 (RS8101.1849N/1849)

The device is codenamed (karat) after typing in adb shell after enabling Adb debugging

Your estimated storage you get after finishing the initial setup is in between roughly 11.70-11.95 with the system apps as stub with less memory being taken up

This version of Fire OS is laggy with its animations while scrolling through settings, launching into Amazon Photo settings in settings, applications causes the system ui to lag a bit.

PackageInstaller is different this time around. The apk you install does not show the apk icon and prompts to either install or cancel the 3rd party app install.

Performance is overall the same as the Fire TV Stick 4k Max (kara) with its 8gb of storage and same 2gb you get with this newer device but only with 16 gb which is nice. The mediatek is the same only with a MT8696 on (kara) and (karat) is MT8696T

The no icon bug is present on Fire OS 8 and has been fixed with a former "system components" update with a full 8.1.0.1 update.

You get your same 2 gb of ram as (kara) did

Micro USB is still the standard use

The GPU on the (kara) was 750 and (karat) is 100 more, 850 mhz

The "apps" selection after long pressing is not present and shows "ambient experience" instead

Total Commander isn't allowing file exploring (Internal shared storage) and shows "Warning: If you want to access this folder, you need to give Total Commander full access to all files in the next dialog box."

USB OTG has no recovery options still. Pressing alt, ctrl, printscreen and i wont boot into recovery

The Fire TV remote from the 1st Gen Fire TV Stick 4K 2018-2019 (mantis) (without those app buttons does pair and update via Bluetooth settings, certain applications wont allow the remote to "ok" when pressing down on the circle button. Alexa voice isn't working on the latest 8.1.0.1.

More info can be found here

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Total Commander, Mx Player, Titan Player, etc file manager fix with adb:

How to grant “Allow all the time” full file storage access permission for any app in Fire OS 8 on the 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K & 4K Max

The new Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max running Fire OS 8 are great devices, but apps running on the new operating system based on Android 11 are severely limited in which files they can access because the storage permission Allow all the time is missing in the Firestick's settings.

www.aftvnews.com

Kodi Fix for Fire OS 8

The best way to install Kodi with full file access on a Fire OS 8 device like the 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K & 4K Max

Sideloading Kodi on the new 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K or 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max in the usual manner will work fine for most people, but the file access and ADB permission changes introduced in Fire OS 8 on these latest Fire TV models can result in some issues for power users that want to...

www.aftvnews.com