Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022, 12th gen.) - Disabling System Apps

[MontysEvilTwin]

I bought an Amazon Fire HD 8 and a HD 8 Plus (12 gen. 2022) during the Black Friday sales. Both were running the original firmware, OS 8.3.1.1 out of the box. When the HD 8 (2020) was updated to OS 7.3.2.2, Amazon blocked the ability to stop system apps from being disabled. This is not the case with OS 8.3.1.1 on the 2022 model. If you enable developer options and USB debugging, then open an ADB shell on an attached PC and run the following command

pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.device.software.ota

this disables OTA firmware updates. This also works for other system apps (e.g. com.amazon.kindle.kso) so you can disable the lockscreen ads.
I presume they blocked this in later versions (8.3.1.2 and 8.3.1.3): it would be interesting to know if this is the case?
Also, blocking OTA updates prevents Amazon stock apps from being updated. If someone could send me a link to the latest versions of Amazon system webview, Amazon Shopping and Amazon Appstore apps for the 12th gen. HD 8 I would be grateful.

 

[newnewcomputer]

HOLY CRAP - such news about the latest Amazon tab allowing privileged access to system apps only got 152 views in a week?! similar news a few years back would have generate a few pages of replies!!

put it in another way - for $55, u get a hexa-core tab w/ 2GB RAM and 8" HD display AND Amazon is allowing u to disable its annoying system apps OUT-OF-BOX!

Amazon has had launch-day bugs before like the Fire HD 10 2019 was launched w/o blocking mtk-su hack even though Amazon had the patch months ago. That gave temporary root access to tabs at launch. This one seems to be even worse (or better ) because u get access out-of-box.

What is the big deal u ask? the privileged access let u disable all annoying Amazon apps like lock-screen ads, silk browser n fire launcher. u can disable them n replace w/ chrome brower n nova launcher.


Checking on Amazon firmware update page here - current firmware for Fire HD 8 2022 has been updated to 8.3.1.2. according to internet archive, 8.3.1.1 for Fire HD 8 2022 was never released on that page. so buying the tab now and disabling the update app is the only way to keep 8.3.1.1.

if anyone else has bought the tab, please check the firmware ver. would be VERY interesting to see if this access has been removed in 8.3.1.2. this is enticing enough that i may consider buying one to play.

@MontysEvilTwin - the webview n appstore for FireOS are different from the Android versions on Play store so i think u have to extract the individual apk files from the update package.


edit: look around on the web - no one has mentioned access to sys apps. but the newest firmware is 8.3.1.3 n u may need it if u wanna sideload Play store.

 

[jmtyra]

@MontysEvilTwin -- Thank you for the tip! Worked great!

@newnewcomputer -- Just purchased a Fire HD 8 2022, arrived yesterday. I skipped the setup process. It's still sitting at v8.3.1.1 with a build date of July 14th, 2022.

Update: Just tried running fire toolbox v30.1 and it seems like it worked! The only remaining Amazon junk is the 'Amazon Alexa' app, 'Amazon Kids' app, and the 'Silk Browser' but everything else is gone. Running Nova launcher and the play store is installed.

 

[MontysEvilTwin]

@MontysEvilTwin -- Thank you for the tip! Worked great!

@newnewcomputer -- Just purchased a Fire HD 8 2022, arrived yesterday. I skipped the setup process. It's still sitting at v8.3.1.1 with a build date of July 14th, 2022.

Update: Just tried running fire toolbox v30.1 and it seems like it worked! The only remaining Amazon junk is the 'Amazon Alexa' app, 'Amazon Kids' app, and the 'Silk Browser' but everything else is gone. Running Nova launcher and the play store is installed.

I have had problems with Play store. It installs OK and most things seem fine at first (I found that Calendar crashes when you set it up and that Chrome will not sync) but after a while some apps start crashing, e.g. Opera and Edge browsers. The problem seems to be with Google Play Services. If anyone could let me know how they achieved a stable Play store installation I would be grateful.

 

[jmtyra]

The play store was acting strange at first, but then it let me sign in and download an app. Can't share much for the experience though because the app in question (Fully Kiosk) gave a warning about not using the play store and to sideload an APK instead. So I removed the play store in the biggest irony and didn't have it going for very long.

 

[yetiuk]

I have had problems with Play store. It installs OK and most things seem fine at first (I found that Calendar crashes when you set it up and that Chrome will not sync) but after a while some apps start crashing, e.g. Opera and Edge browsers. The problem seems to be with Google Play Services. If anyone could let me know how they achieved a stable Play store installation I would be grateful.

I had problems adding an initial account so couldnt download anything. In the end I gave the play store all the permissions it asked for (it originally had no permissions) and since then it has worked fine. I can add multiple accounts, and all apps seem to be stable. Once I have the tab setup, I will likely revoke these permissions, but it will only be used as a media device, so nothing sensitive on it.

@newnewcomputer purchased just before black friday from UK, still running 8.3.1.1

 

[newnewcomputer]

...
@newnewcomputer purchased just before black friday from UK, still running 8.3.1.1

...
@newnewcomputer -- Just purchased a Fire HD 8 2022, arrived yesterday. I skipped the setup process. It's still sitting at v8.3.1.1 with a build date of July 14th, 2022.
...

Thank you for the reports @jmtyra and @yetiuk ! I opted for a Fire HD 10 2021 and it will arrive on Monday. Will disable wifi n see which rev. hopefully it is at 8.3.1.1

really curious to see if the ADB access to disabling system apps remains in 8.3.1.2 and 8.3.1.3

@MontysEvilTwin everything else to fix Play first but as a last resort, seems like a lot of ppl updated to 8.3.1.3 and that fixes the issues w/ Google Play. good luck!

 

[MontysEvilTwin]

Thank you for the reports @jmtyra and @yetiuk ! I opted for a Fire HD 10 2021 and it will arrive on Monday. Will disable wifi n see which rev. hopefully it is at 8.3.1.1

really curious to see if the ADB access to disabling system apps remains in 8.3.1.2 and 8.3.1.3

@MontysEvilTwin everything else to fix Play first but as a last resort, seems like a lot of ppl updated to 8.3.1.3 and that fixes the issues w/ Google Play. good luck!

Unfortunately it is only the 12th generation, 2022 tablets, the Fire 7 and Fire HD 8 that come with OS 8 installed, the Fire HD 10 will come with OS 7. After OS 7.3.2.1 Amazon stopped system apps being from being disabled with a simple ADB command.

I am not keen to update from OS 8.3.1.1 to 8.3.1.3 until I know if Amazon have blocked system apps from being disabled with this update.

 

[newnewcomputer]

Unfortunately it is only the 12th generation, 2022 tablets, the Fire 7 and Fire HD 8 that come with OS 8 installed, ...

thanx, @MontysEvilTwin - u are right of course. dont know what i was thinking as it was right on the Amazon firmware page stating which tab gets what version

my fire HD 10 2021 arrived w/ OS 7.3.2.4 n was locked down tight; no elevated access thro' ADB and mtk-su patched. i loaded up on the 2019 tabs w/ 7.3.1.0 so will probably return this one. perhaps Amazon will put the HD8 2022 on sale over the holidays!

 

[maximus9793]

Great news! I've recently got a 12th gen Fire HD 8 and updated to the latest firmware (8.3.1.3). I am able to confirm that disabling apps using an adb command still works just fine, I was able to disable com.amazon.kindle.kso and prime music and they haven't been reenabled by a reboot, at least so far.

 

[newnewcomputer]

Great news! I've recently got a 12th gen Fire HD 8 and updated to the latest firmware (8.3.1.3). I am able to confirm that disabling apps using an adb command still works just fine, I was able to disable com.amazon.kindle.kso and prime music and they haven't been reenabled by a reboot, at least so far.

Thank YOU, @maximus9793 !!

I read somewhere that 8.3.1.3 is the firmware with fixes to allow Google Play Store to run smoothly. So ADB still has access to disable system apps after the update, then that is great news indeed!

It is a personal choice - keep getting firmware update or disable update so as to keep ADB access. But if you want to disable Amazon auto firmware update, run the following commands:

pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.device.software.ota

pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe.forced.ota

enjoy

 

[LozzaScoobs]

Hi all....i need serious help!! Christmas Eve and i decide to setup my nephews Amazon Fire 8 which i bought in Black Friday sales. He is obsessed with youtube kids and before i purchased the tablet i double checked that i could download these files. He currently has the worlds oldest ipad so wanted to upgrade him..

Got the toolbox downloaded as the APK files didnt work.....almost kissed my laptop when it said that all google services were downloaded. HOWEVER, it now says it won't let me run without google play services...WHICH is showing as downloaded on the toolbox?!?!

I've been at this 3 hours now......please help!! What can i do so these apps will work? I've even logged into the play store with my google I.D!

 

[tito_puente]

Thank YOU, @maximus9793 !!
But if you want to disable Amazon auto firmware update, run the following commands:

pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.device.software.ota

pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe.forced.ota

My son got the HD 8 Pro Kids to christmas eve. It runs 8.3.1.3 and now I want to try to install play store with the fire toolbox. Also I want to disable OTA with the commands you pointed to.

Am I right, that the process is reversible and OTA can be activated again by following commands?

pm enable-user --user 0 com.amazon.device.software.ota
pm enable-user --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe.forced.ota

Maybe @MontysEvilTwin also can confirm this?

Edit: I think that this is the right configuration?

 

[MontysEvilTwin]

My son got the HD 8 Pro Kids to christmas eve. It runs 8.3.1.3 and now I want to try to install play store with the fire toolbox. Also I want to disable OTA with the commands you pointed to.

Am I right, that the process is reversible and OTA can be activated again by following commands?

pm enable-user --user 0 com.amazon.device.software.ota
pm enable-user --user 0 com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe.forced.ota

Maybe @MontysEvilTwin also can confirm this?

Edit: I think that this is the right configuration?
View attachment 5795027

To disable OTA updates the only command you need is:

pm disable-user --user 0 com.amazon.device.software.ota

after connecting your Fire tablet to a PC and opening an ADB shell. To re-enable OTA updates the command is:

pm enable com.amazon.device.software.ota

OTA updates will then work again without even a reboot.

 

[martytoo]

Hi all....i need serious help!! Christmas Eve and i decide to setup my nephews Amazon Fire 8 which i bought in Black Friday sales. He is obsessed with youtube kids and before i purchased the tablet i double checked that i could download these files. He currently has the worlds oldest ipad so wanted to upgrade him..

Got the toolbox downloaded as the APK files didnt work.....almost kissed my laptop when it said that all google services were downloaded. HOWEVER, it now says it won't let me run without google play services...WHICH is showing as downloaded on the toolbox?!?!

I've been at this 3 hours now......please help!! What can i do so these apps will work? I've even logged into the play store with my google I.D!

Which version of the firmware is running on the Fire8?

 

[MontysEvilTwin]

Which version of the firmware is running on the Fire8?

The HD 8 (2022) tablets I bought during the black Friday offers came with OS 8.3.1.1. At the moment, if you let the tablets update, they install version 8.3.1.3 (a later version of 8.3.1.3 than you can download from the Amazon Fire software update site (software build date 21st November 2022). This version, as discussed in this thread, works with Google Play and still allows system apps to be disabled. I presume that at some point Amazon will push an update that stops system apps being disabled.

 

[martytoo]

The HD 8 (2022) tablets I bought during the black Friday offers came with OS 8.3.1.1. At the moment, if you let the tablets update, they install version 8.3.1.3 (a later version of 8.3.1.3 than you can download from the Amazon Fire software update site (software build date 21st November 2022). This version, as discussed in this thread, works with Google Play and still allows system apps to be disabled. I presume that at some point Amazon will push an update that stops system apps being disabled.

Yes. That is why I asked LozzaScoobs which version was running for him. If he's still on 8.3.1.1 then the problem sound be easily solved by going to 8.3.1.3!

 

[mahmudnis]

Hi, can anyone tell which features of Fire Toolbox v30.2 doesn't work on Amazon Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen)?

 

[MontysEvilTwin]

On the Amazon software download site, OS 8.3.1.4 is now available for download. Presumably if you have not disabled 'com.amazon.device.software.ota' this update is being pushed to HD 8, 12th. generation tablets now. If your tablet has updated to this version, please could you post to let me know if anything significant has changed, and if you can still disable system apps. over ADB. Thanks.

 

[tito_puente]

That would be nice to know. Can somebody proof if disabling system apps is still possible?