[APP][FIRETV][NOROOT] Launcher Manager (Change Launcher without Root)

[Alekos]

I finally found a way to get it downloaded and installed, but I had to uninstall it and go back to the v.1.0.3, because the v.1.0.4 would not allow me to disable the Wolf Launcher to enable me to switch back to the nVidia stock launcher.

I had no issues rolling back and my Wolf Launcher was still intact and functioning properly.

But thanks for the reply.

Btw, I am using a 2019 nVidia Pro with the nVidia 9.0.1 Android 11 update with all 4 hotfixes. The latest hotfix was dropped about 22-3 hours ago. I installed from this site using this code. https://bit.ly/SWLMA104

ok, weird, I just installed 9.01 Shield Experience, removed 1.04 and removed wolf launcher, reinstalled Wolf 1.1.9 and it worked. Also worked with FLauncher.

Can you try one last time with 1.04 and latest Wolf? download 104 (and make sure it installs, I usually install it on my phone first - without running and it and removing it right after, just to make sure the apk isn't corrupt, then transfer it to the shield using x-plore (don't use ES File explorer, unsafe). Streamhub's library from Unlink has latest wolf launcher and x-plore if you need it...

 

[Powerfader]

ok, weird, I just installed 9.01 Shield Experience, removed 1.04 and removed wolf launcher, reinstalled Wolf 1.1.9 and it worked. Also worked with FLauncher.

Can you try one last time with 1.04 and latest Wolf? download 104 (and make sure it installs, I usually install it on my phone first - without running and it and removing it right after, just to make sure the apk isn't corrupt, then transfer it to the shield using x-plore (don't use ES File explorer, unsafe). Streamhub's library from Unlink has latest wolf launcher and x-plore if you need it...

I tried the Streamhub but I kept getting a parsing error. Besides, I already have Wolf Launch 0.1.9 installed. So, I went online to several 3rd party sites and there is no v.1.1.9 I am figuring you did a typo. I believe the most current version of the Wolf Launcher is v.0.1.9

Ok, got it figured out and it probably always did work properly. After I disabled the Wolf Launcher, I would click on the back button on the v.1.0.3. With the new updated v.1.0.4 if you click the back button you stay on the Wolf Launcher, but when you click on the home button then it takes you back to the nvidia stock launcher home page. What is weird though, if I disable the Wolf Launcher and click the back button it takes me to the Wolf Launcher page. Now I can do everything on that page as normal i.e., clicking on apps, exiting those apps search, play, etc... and everything functions fine, but as soon as I click the home button it will take back to the nvidia home page.

It doesn't bother me, but I was wondering if that is harmful in any way? If not, then why not just enable the Wolf Launcher. Then immediately disable it and click the back button instead of the home button and surf around on the Wolf Launcher page and when you want to go back to the nvidia home page just click on the home button without going to the Launch Mager app since you have already disabled the Wolf Launcher. Does that make sense? Try it. After you have disabled the Wolf Launcher click the back button and it will stay on the Wolf page. Now while you are there click your home button and it will switch you to the nvidia home page without going back to the Launcher Manager to disable the Wolf page, because it has already been disabled.

Btw, I was just used to clicking the back button to go to either navidia's or Wolf screens with the v.1.0.3. The v1.0.4 requires you to click the home button instead. When I enable Wolf, I can click the return button and it takes me to the Wolf page, but when I disable the Wolf page, I have to click the home button to go back to the nvidia page. Clicking the return button does not take you back to nvidia page.

Btw, what is the point of the new option "Custom Launcher Options"? Why would I want to launch by default to any app other than the Wolf Launcher? I can map a button on my remote to do that. Right now, I have 48 apps hidden on my Wolf page and with 1 click on my mouse they are revealed for me to use. Then with another click they will all disappear again. I have my Tivimate app embedded on my background pic and with a click on my Go/Select button on my remote it will launch my Tivimate app. So, I don't understand why I would use the Custom Launcher Option? Am I missing something, or not understanding the function?

https://imgur.com/UpS9zu6

 

[Finnzz]

Btw, what is the point of the new option "Custom Launcher Options"? Why would I want to launch by default to any app other than the Wolf Launcher?

Just different use case scenarios, greater flexibility.

I saw one user wanting to setup a FireStick for Kodi use only. The device was for his father and by making Kodi the Launcher, the device boots straight to Kodi and keeps him in Kodi if he presses home.

Generally the custom launcher option helps set an app/launcher that is not detected by the OS as a launcher.

 

[dikodahan]

hey @SweenWolf
Please find the attached translation file for Hebrew (Israel).
Bear in mind that this is a right to left language, so, if you can add to the next beta version I'll be able to test and see how it works in the LM.

Thank you!

 

[Powerfader]

Just different use case scenarios, greater flexibility.

I saw one user wanting to setup a FireStick for Kodi use only. The device was for his father and by making Kodi the Launcher, the device boots straight to Kodi and keeps him in Kodi if he presses home.

Generally the custom launcher option helps set an app/launcher that is not detected by the OS as a launcher.

but you can just as easily do that by mapping a button on your remote or set that app as a widget on your home screen. I set Tivimate on a full screen widget and made that widget invisible. So, all I have to do is click the go/enter button on my remote to launch Tivimate. prior to my getting Tivimate I remapped the Netfliux button to launch my iptv service.

But I get your point about the older generation and tech. I am 70 yrs old and can't stand trying to teach those old farts anything about tech. lol

 

[Nathaniel9]

hey @SweenWolf
Please find the attached translation file for Hebrew (Israel).
Bear in mind that this is a right to left language, so, if you can add to the next beta version I'll be able to test and see how it works in the LM.

Thank you!

The string name "lm_title" is duplicated and must not be supplemented with translatable="false". That needs to be removed. And it looks like you used the strings.xml file of version 1.5.0 instead of 1.6.0(beta3) for the translation, since some passages are still in English instead of Hebrew.

 

[dikodahan]

Thank you for pointing it out.
Can you please share the latest version of the strings file so I can make the necessary updates and additions?

 

[dikodahan]

Thank you for pointing it out.
Can you please share the latest version of the strings file so I can make the necessary updates and additions?

I believe I found it, though this one is from SweenWolf's post for beta2 and there might be a few additions still needed (I don't recall seeing any of the pin password sections in it).
Please find the attached updated version.

As far as the name of the language to be listed (I think it would be good to add that to the XML file in the future as well, could not see it in there now). The parentheses seems off but that is because it is a right to left language. Should be fine with a copy/paste.

עברית (ישראל)
he-IL, Hebrew (Israel)

 

[Nathaniel9]

Based on the current version 1.6.0(beta3) I have added the missing strings to your strings.xml file.

See your conversations.

For all other translators I extracted the original strings.xml file of version 1.6.0(beta3). See file attachment.

 

[dikodahan]

Based on the current version 1.6.0(beta3) I have added the missing strings to your strings.xml file.

See your conversations.

For all other translators I extracted the original strings.xml file of version 1.6.0(beta3). See file attachment.

here you go

 

[psymsi]

If anyone is still looking for a (safer than external DNS) way to prevent updates, see my post below. I've been able to block manual update checks using the latest AdAway and the AFTV update URLs. No reason to believe this won't stop the automatic updates as well.

OTA update block with AdAway (no root)

Edit: WARNING A few reports of AdAway temporarily stopping the service. You could possibly double up with Adguard or a similar connection blocker. But it's not going to be 100%. Router blocking or a Pi-Hole setup is going to be more secure, so...

forum.xda-developers.com

 

[tjuma]

Should have blocked updates

The newest one (FOS 7.2.7.3 PS7273/2622) seems to have broken the ability to set a new launcher with launcher manager on my FireTV Cube.
After activating custom launcher it stays on: "KFTV-Launcher (Stock Launcher)" and hitting the home button just takes me back to stock launcher without showing the usual popup. Tried reinstalling newest versions of LM and different launchers plus clearing data/cache but nothing seems to help.

 

[Finnzz]

The newest one (FOS 7.2.7.3 PS7273/2622) seems to have broken the ability to set a new launcher with launcher manager on my FireTV Cube.

That came quick after the update protection

 

[froli13]

Same for me on Firestick 4K on FOS 6.2.8.7 (NS6287/3768). It's the first time it happens to me at least? Is it something that occurs often? Will an update of launcher manager fix that at some point or do I have to find a way to downgrade FOS?

 

[Alza3eeem]

Same for me on Firestick 4K on FOS 6.2.8.7 (NS6287/3768). It's the first time it happens to me at least? Is it something that occurs often? Will an update of launcher manager fix that at some point or do I have to find a way to downgrade FOS?

Hello, if you found a way to downgrade please share

 

[trapperjohn]

Hi,
With firestick 4k just came out with os 6.2.8.7
launcher has stopped working it will open but settings will not stick.
Up to today I was using launcher (1.1.5) and wolf ( 0.1.9)
So now when hitting home button it takes me to default fire is screen have not seen this for many months !!!
Is there a newer version of launcher than 1.1.5 that will!

Thank you for your help,
Bryan

 

[brackenhill_mob]

Can you try one last time with 1.04 and latest Wolf? download 104 (and make sure it installs, I usually install it on my phone first - without running and it and removing it right after, just to make sure the apk isn't corrupt, then transfer it to the shield using x-plore (don't use ES File explorer, unsafe). Streamhub's library from Unlink has latest wolf launcher and x-plore if you need it...

I too have latest nVIDIA Shield ROM with Hotfixes applied and 104 works perfectly for me with FLauncher - finally a decent, non-intrusive home screen again

@Powerfader @SweenWolf

 

[Finnzz]

@trapperjohn @froli13 @tjuma

Amazon hadn't done anything to counter Launch Manager in close to 1.5 years, but that changed with this update. It was bound to happen eventually. Blocking updates was the only safeguard.

Rolling back to a previous OS version is not an option, you'd need to unlock the bootloader and have a copy of the previous ROM for your device to flash. The 4k stick (2018) was the last device with a known way to accomplish that, and Amazon patched that method a year ago.

Using a custom launcher with the new update will require a new software method. Who and when someone develops it is unknown, and not guaranteed.

For now, you can still use a custom launcher, but you can't use the remote home button to take you there. If you have a remote with channel apps, you can reprogram one of them to open a custom launcher (wolf launcher, leanback etc). For some this may be better than nothing, while waiting for something better.

How to remap the App Buttons on Fire TV Remotes with Remapper — Updated March 2022

The app buttons at the bottom of the newest Fire TV Remotes and Fire TV Smart TV remotes can either be fantastic or useless. They're great if it's an app that you use often, but they're a complete waste if you don't even have the app that they're for installed.

www.aftvnews.com

EDIT: Launcher Manager 1.1.6 beta has an ADB option, including ADB on boot. You may be able to use that to open your custom launcher on boot? That will just hide the Amazon eyesore for a moment.

Another potential option is finding a fully programmable AndroidTV remote, where even the home button can be reprogrammed through it's own software. I don't know if this exists.

 

[Nathaniel9]

Hi,
With firestick 4k just came out with os 6.2.8.7
launcher has stopped working it will open but settings will not stick.
Up to today I was using launcher (1.1.5) and wolf ( 0.1.9)
So now when hitting home button it takes me to default fire is screen have not seen this for many months !!!
Is there a newer version of launcher than 1.1.5 that will!

Thank you for your help,
Bryan

Here you will find the version 1.1.6(beta3).

 

[trapperjohn]

Here you will find the version 1.1.6(beta3).

Hi thanks for the quick update!!
I uninstall the older version 1.1.5
Installed file you supplied 1.1.6

Same problem I have attached pics of what I am seeing: