I unlocked the bootloader and rooted my Shield TV using this tutorial (because I didn't see a straightforward guide on XDA).
I installed TV Launcher from the Play Store and disabled Leanback with this command: pm hide com.google.android.leanbacklauncher.
Now when I try to open Amazon Video I get a message that says "Item not found." I've searched for Amazon Video in the Play Store and can't find it. How do I get this working?
I got 'Home Switcher' off the playstore and use it to inactivate Leanback and to make HALauncher the default launcher on my rooted 2017 16gb Shield. Amazon loads and run without any issues, so I doubt that rooting your Shield is the issue. Did you try disabling and then re-enabling Amazon? I also found that moving some utilities, like ES File Explorer Pro, to adoptive storage, lose their rooted capabilities. Some ins and outs with rooted Nougat.
Are you located in a Country where APV would be available? i.e the US/Can, UK, Germany etc... The current Shield Software is very intolerant about granting you access to Geo-restricted Apps. e.g. the BBC iPlayer almost always disappears after every reboot, 24h latter. It can be simply re-enabled again, as it's a System App. But, if you don't live with-it One of the offocial APV Countries, well that's probably why you don't have it.
I rarely purchase Amazon products to begin with so I barely know much about them or their OS systems. The only other device I have experience with is the Fire TV and I recall it having a crap ton of unnecessary bloatware, I also recall it being a pain in the ass to get Google Play on there as well. I have no idea why they insist so hard on using only their apps but whatever.
I also would like to know if rooting is possible at this time? Is the bootloader locked too in case I want to install my own custom rom? How about installing an Android OS that isnt from Amazon?
I just got a 2017 blue 64 GB Fire HD 10 the day before yesterday.
It appears that the bootloader is locked (so no custom ROMs), and I have not seen any successful rooting methods for the stock ROM.
Having said that, after enabling unknown sources and ADB access, I managed to:
- Add the Google Play store.
- Add the Google Play services.
- Change the (normally locked) Amazon launcher to Nova Launcher.
- Enable widget support in Nova Launcher, again, the Amazon system interfered with, but did not prevent widget support.
- Add a modded YouTube apk that skips ads, allows background play, and video/audio downloads. (iYTBP)
Other Google apps, such as Gmail, Calendar, and Maps work as expected.
Be aware that the HD 10 does not have GPS, and does location services through Wi-Fi SSID locating. If needed, bluetooth GPS receivers do exist, and the tablet's bluetooth support seems unaffected.
Firefox (from the Google Play store) with the uBlock Origin add-on handles ad removal during web browsing.
I'm not yet sure how to block ads for applications system wide, but what I have so far is "good enough".
Where do you get the "modded Youtube APK" ?
SweetBearCub said:
I just got a 2017 blue 64 GB Fire HD 10 the day before yesterday.
- Add a modded YouTube apk that skips ads, allows background play, and video/audio downloads. (iYTBP)
I'm not yet sure how to block ads for applications system wide, but what I have so far is "good enough".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you get the "modded YouTube APK" ?
Regarding block ads, try the following :
Or u can try to remove it via ADB.
1. Enable ADB on device & install ADB on computer
2. Connect and verify on computer that device is connected with "adb devices"
3. adb shell
4. pm clear --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.kso
5. Restart the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd...le-fire-hd-t3690921/post74582829#post74582829
Thank you SweetBearCub for that in-depth review on the item. I really appreciate the input.
I know the tablet has expandable storage with microSD cards but is it worth the extra $40 for 32GB more of internal storage? I know SD cards have more space per dollar but still.
Dan_firehd said:
Where do you get the "modded YouTube APK" ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no need for that, just install firefox and ublock extension on the tablet - and directly watch youtube vids without ads in the browser - can even request desktop version of the page (which i prefer)
Harakiri23 said:
There is no need for that, just install firefox and ublock extension on the tablet - and directly watch youtube vids without ads in the browser - can even request desktop version of the page (which i prefer)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a joke right? The youtube app has a much more intuitive interface and easily accessible menus to go through. If I remember where I got the modded apk I would post it but its definitely better than watching from the browser and having to pinch the screen to zoom in to access everything.
SweetBearCub said:
I just got a 2017 blue 64 GB Fire HD 10 the day before yesterday.
It appears that the bootloader is locked (so no custom ROMs), and I have not seen any successful rooting methods for the stock ROM.
Having said that, after enabling unknown sources and ADB access, I managed to:
- Add the Google Play store.
- Add the Google Play services.
- Change the (normally locked) Amazon launcher to Nova Launcher.
- Enable widget support in Nova Launcher, again, the Amazon system interfered with, but did not prevent widget support.
- Add a modded YouTube apk that skips ads, allows background play, and video/audio downloads. (iYTBP)
Other Google apps, such as Gmail, Calendar, and Maps work as expected.
Be aware that the HD 10 does not have GPS, and does location services through Wi-Fi SSID locating. If needed, bluetooth GPS receivers do exist, and the tablet's bluetooth support seems unaffected.
Firefox (from the Google Play store) with the uBlock Origin add-on handles ad removal during web browsing.
I'm not yet sure how to block ads for applications system wide, but what I have so far is "good enough".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you set nova to default?
Edit. Never mind figured it out
Blaiser47 said:
How did you set nova to default?
Edit. Never mind figured it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be fantastic if you posted the guide for the rest of us to know. This is gonna be my first and only tablet I ever owned so this would be useful to know.
Also looking for the modded youtube apk. Please and thank you.
Might sound silly, but whe I run pm clear.... , I get "success" message, and the ads disappear, but they seem to pop-up again. Tried this a couple of times. What am I missing?
Or u can try to remove it via ADB.
1. Enable ADB on device & install ADB on computer
2. Connect and verify on computer that device is connected with "adb devices"
3. adb shell
4. pm clear --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.kso
5. Restart the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 05:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:02 PM ----------
LauncherHijacker seem to do the trick, but it doesn't seem to hold across reboots/restarts.
https://liliputing.com/2017/07/maki...googley-play-store-third-party-launchers.html
https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/launcher-root-launcher-hijack-v2-t3561026
RemixDeluxe said:
Would be fantastic if you posted the guide for the rest of us to know. This is gonna be my first and only tablet I ever owned so this would be useful to know.
Also looking for the modded youtube apk. Please and thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 05:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:06 PM ----------
As someone who has gotten tired of all modding/rooting etc and left the 'scene' 5 years ago, i ended up buying a firehd10 just a few days ago.
It's very locked down, especially the lack of youtube/proper browser is very , very bad imho - if this is for you, and you're a geek like us, knock yourself out, sideload a bunch of apks and prepare to deal with the innevitable 'did the upgrade break my customization' cycle. If this is for kids, it's a great toy. If this is for non-technical adults, it's hard to recommend as they will probably wonder why they can't use all the wonderful apps their friends have on their ipads/pixels/sammy tablets.
my two cents. On the plus side, it's super cheap and makes for a great portable media player.
@ Legolas2
I followed the guide that you linked and I got Nova Launcher to show up on boot up with the caveat of Amazon's launcher briefly appearing when you press the home button. Do you know if there's a permanent way of scrapping it once you got Nova Launcher set as your default? I'm asking to be careful so I don't cause any potential bricks or worse.
P.S. The ads also kept showing up despite me running that kill code. I just did it again and it seemed to go away for the moment. If it shows up again I'm gonna call Amazon to request it gone.
RemixDeluxe said:
@ Legolas2
I followed the guide that you linked and I got Nova Launcher to show up on boot up with the caveat of Amazon's launcher briefly appearing when you press the home button. Do you know if there's a permanent way of scrapping it once you got Nova Launcher set as your default? I'm asking to be careful so I don't cause any potential bricks or worse.
P.S. The ads also kept showing up despite me running that kill code. I just did it again and it seemed to go away for the moment. If it shows up again I'm gonna call Amazon to request it gone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Remix
FYI, I am new to the Fire HD world too.
Yes, I seem to have the same issue as you. The below command gives me the SUCCESS message, but the ads reappeared.
PHP:
adb> pm clear --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.kso
I originally used Nova, and later switched to Google Now. I had/have the fireLauncher popup briefly too. Originally I didn't have the "Detect Home Button Press" enabled, but after enabling it, I THINK it is a lot better.
Ensure home button detection is enabled: "Settings -> Accessibility -> To detect home button press"
Hope that helps (a bit)
RemixDeluxe said:
This is a joke right? The youtube app has a much more intuitive interface and easily accessible menus to go through. If I remember where I got the modded apk I would post it but its definitely better than watching from the browser and having to pinch the screen to zoom in to access everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OGYouTube+v3.5U_Black.apk and MicroG-for-OGYT-v2.0 .apk[ ,,, https://youtu.be/caYqeI3WVSY this worked great for me just picked up a new New Fire HD 10 Tablet Black theme no ads and you can download videos and MP3s right through the YouTube app https://i.imgur.com/mrUeeB3.jpg ,,, https://i.imgur.com/u4NvnxQ.jpg
My 2017 Fire hd 8 upgraded to 5.6.1.0, and Alexa has become an issue.
Even after "disabling" Alexa in settings, Alexa and Alexa cards(?) run after any reboot.
The tablet now also screen pops every so often, which it never used to do, and I suspect something related to Alexa - which I refuse to use, anywhere/anytime.
akillenb said:
My 2017 Fire hd 8 upgraded to 5.6.1.0, and Alexa has become an issue.
Even after "disabling" Alexa in settings, Alexa and Alexa cards(?) run after any reboot.
The tablet now also screen pops every so often, which it never used to do, and I suspect something related to Alexa - which I refuse to use, anywhere/anytime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, this should work;
Install ADB (plenty of guides available with a bit of searching)
Open a command prompt on the folder ADB is installed
Type "adb shell settings put secure alexa_enabled 0" WITHOUT quotes.
Reboot!
Good Luck!
Nope, that didn't work - neither did the "pm uninstall" hack used for other things.
Guess I'll just keep forcing them to close, and clearing data.
akillenb said:
Nope, that didn't work - neither did the "pm uninstall" hack used for other things.
Guess I'll just keep forcing them to close, and clearing data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
! A factory reset should work, but not so sure. :crying:
The Amazon shopping app as we know on the Fire HD 8 tablets does not allow a LOG OUT function. Therefore anyone can order anything if they were to use your tablet. Been this way for years. I think this is a 6th or 7th generation.
Of course this is more of a "I do not like this" than me worrying someone stealing the device and ordering things. And I did set up a pin lockscreen.
Wonder if there is a way to disable the app without this hurting the running other other apps or the Fire tablet in general.
I did of course add Google Play and other apps to it.
Someone mentioned you can deregister whatever device you want (via Amazon on PC) but I think this will do more harm than good and just force me to sign in again on Tablet.
Thank you
Peter
pcumming said:
The Amazon shopping app as we know on the Fire HD 8 tablets does not allow a LOG OUT function. Therefore anyone can order anything if they were to use your tablet. Been this way for years. I think this is a 6th or 7th generation.
Of course this is more of a "I do not like this" than me worrying someone stealing the device and ordering things. And I did set up a pin lockscreen.
Wonder if there is a way to disable the app without this hurting the running other other apps or the Fire tablet in general.
I did of course add Google Play and other apps to it.
Someone mentioned you can deregister whatever device you want (via Amazon on PC) but I think this will do more harm than good and just force me to sign in again on Tablet.
Thank you
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you disconnected to the Wi-Fi network. Try it to disable Amazon shopping app.
Code:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.windowshop
or using Fire toolbox to disable Amazon shopping app and other Amazon services and install Google services.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/development/official-amazon-fire-toolbox-v1-0-t3889604
After signed in with your Google account, Amazon apps will be updated via Google Play store or OTA, you can disable it in Play store > My apps and games > Select Amazon apps > press vertical 3 dots > uncheck Enable auto-updates
1. Install my AppStart app from the Appstore on one of the parent profiles. This is a very simple app that lists all the apps and lets you start one. No ads, minimal permissions, about 34K in side. It may sound like a launcher, and launchers are banned by Amazon, but technically it's not a launcher--it's just an ordinary app, approved by Amazon. Source code is here: https://github.com/arpruss/appstart
2. Go to parents.amazon.com and share the AppStart app with the child profile (or do it in the tablet's Settings on the parent profile).
3. Go to the child profile's shared content section and download AppStart.
4. Side-load whatever apk you want into the child profile. (E.g., by enabling debugging and using adb install, or in some other way.)
5. Use AppStart to launch the side-loaded app.
arpruss said:
1. Install my AppStart app from the Appstore on one of the parent profiles. This is a very simple app that lists all the apps and lets you start one. No ads, minimal permissions, about 34K in side. It may sound like a launcher, and launchers are banned by Amazon, but technically it's not a launcher--it's just an ordinary app, approved by Amazon. Source code is here: https://github.com/arpruss/appstart
2. Go to parents.amazon.com and share the AppStart app with the child profile (or do it in the tablet's Settings on the parent profile).
3. Go to the child profile's shared content section and download AppStart.
4. Side-load whatever apk you want into the child profile. (E.g., by enabling debugging and using adb install, or in some other way.)
5. Use AppStart to launch the side-loaded app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has this stopped working with the new Kindle update September 2022?
phel0049 said:
Has this stopped working with the new Kindle update September 2022?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It still seems to be working OK even with the latest Amazon Fire OS build 7.3.2.6 (running on a Fire HD 8 Plus (10th Gen)
Is it possible to have a PIN code needed to see the hidden apps? This works well to allow for sideloaded content but there are really some apps I'd rather my son not be able to mess with. I put them in hidden but he might figure out how to get there.
Would be great to customize the "default" list in a way that you can select just a few apps that show up there and "all" apps in a separate list. I want to use it just for a few side-loaded apps (currently just one actually), but also all apps installed via the app store show up and clutter the screen.