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

[RiCkLaR]

Thanks mate! that was exactly the issue I was facing,,, It's not a major issue as I don't really use a lot of apps beyond the UK catch-up apps, kodi,plex & tivimate which I have already sideloaded.
Is there any chance of a system update whilst I re-enable the Amazon launcher? (for future app searches),


Thank you that info, I do use Alexa.
However after enabling com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2 (via Debloat Toolbox), When I go into MyFireTV--> About the " Check for Updates" just displays "Last Checked, Checking now..."
and if I click on "Check for Updates" it just says "Update Error try again later". Maybe I'll re-activate all apps apart the os update ones and try again...
Or do I need to reboot after activating com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2?

@tinybilbo said he just setup a new 4k Max and it came with 7.2.4.8, so they still come with the release firmware version from last October.


No, enabling / disabling the custom launcher with launcher manager is independent of disabling updates with launcher manager. Updates will only be re-enabled if you go back in the sub menu and press the re-enable option, or use another app to re-enable them.

com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2 as far as I remember is specifically for new device setup and after a factory reset to force install an OTA update. I don't think it has anything to do with updating system apps. The OTA update block only blocks firmware updates, but app updates still occur with all three of those packages disabled.

Sorry, was wrong and edited my previous post about package:com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2

I had it in my notes under the wrong heading notation, or something; but still on my devices that can no longer block the full-firmware OTA updates I am still disabling that v2 package, because I believe it stops the System Apps from being Auto-Installed when they are downloaded with package:com.amazon.device.software.ota, this way I'll have time to clear its data so the OTA system apps don't get installed.

Did some testing with a brand new Cube, easy enough to skip the initial setup update process to debloat a new device and install LauncherManager, but of course couldn't get only the system-apps to download and update like I had with my 4K-Max months ago. Did decide to test letting the Cube firmware build (PS7229/1856) upgrade to build (PS7279/2766) to see if FTV-Launcher would stay disabled. That worked by enabling only package:com.amazon.device.software.ota and leaving the other two OTA packages (com.amazon.device.software.ota.override, com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2) disabled, and those 2 packages must stay disabled because the AFTV-Launcher will get updated through the OTA system apps and not the Amazon Appstore. Caveat is I can no longer freeze/stop full OTA firmware updates, and I still had to sideload the current versions of system apps that come via OTA and not the Appstore.

List of the System Apps that I needed to sideload to new Cube after it was updated to latest firmware (may not have needed all of them):

Alexa 3.0.757.0-com.amazon.vizzini.645.0.0_645131910
Amazon Music 3.4.383.0
Amazon System WebView 98.amazon-webview-v98-4758-tv.4758.101.39
AmazonSettings 1.0.04820.0-com.amazon.tv.settings.v2-jarvis_621031710
Appstore 8.5005.5.v.x215657.0_421975710
Arcus Android Client 1.0.1283.0-com.amazon.tv.parentalcontrols-jarvis_
Aria AriaRuntime-1.10.334.0
Ceviche 1.0.2364.0_1369310
DeviceControl 1.0.211138.0_1002155610
Equipment Control 1.0.214547.0-jarvis_1011764010
FireTV Player FireTV.320.11401
Freevee 1.0.8699.0
LiveTV 2.0.219046.0-com.amazon.tv.livetv_1210702110
Music 1.0.4339.0_11393010
News 1.0.6869.0_11087810
Silk Browser 100.1.153.4896.127.30

 

[E3Im0]

im ordering a new 4k max firestick today so when I turn it on, i follow the stop inital update guide then instantly enable adb and block the updates from there

 

[Finnzz]

@RiCkLaR there was a root exploit posted for the 2nd gen Cube in the last week. It looks like only temporary root for now, but it requires a version of FireOS earlier than 7.2.7.3.

Temporary [UNLOCK][ROOT][TWRP][MAGISK][...] FireTV 2nd gen Cube (raven)

This release temporarily enables access to all the system features on the Fire TV 2nd gen Cube. This includes unrestricted U-boot & fastboot commands, Amlogic burn mode, TWRP, FireOS with ADB root and selinux permissive, Magisk support, and...

forum.xda-developers.com

It may be worth considering keeping the Cube pre 7.2.7.3 if root interests you. I realize you already updated, but I'm assuming you can still return it.

 

[E3Im0]

@Finnzz I have ordered my new 4k max and it is coming tomorrow so when it comes i'll follow the guide and instantly block the updates and then activate launch manager and remove the stock launcher

 

[E3Im0]

@Finnzz I have ordered my new 4k max and it is coming tomorrow so when it comes i'll follow the guide and instantly block the updates and then activate launch manager and remove the stock launcher

I've done it thank you sooo much I've got rid of the stock launcher but just one question on the debloater what things like keep alexa on as I find it handy to use it

 

[Finnzz]

I've done it thank you sooo much I've got rid of the stock launcher but just one question on the debloater what things like keep alexa on as I find it handy to use it

I don't disable much on my unit, so I don't have a list. I can only recommend downloading SweenWolf's debloat tool from the OP. I noticed that TecDoc is now inserting banner ads into Wolf's apps that he hosts on his site.

 

[shrazy]

Sorry if it's sound weird but how can I set up Wolflauncher on my now freshly rooted tank device? With LM still Amazon Launcher starts when pressing home button and when I deactivate Amazon launcher via adb I can not access settings.

 

[RiCkLaR]

Sorry if it's sound weird but how can I set up Wolflauncher on my now freshly rooted tank device? With LM still Amazon Launcher starts when pressing home button and when I deactivate Amazon launcher via adb I can not access settings.

TANK is FireOS 5 (Android 5.1), LM works best with FireOS 6 & 7 (Android 7.1 & Android 9). As far as I know FireOS 5 works with delay, so pressing home will go to FTV-Launcher for 5+ seconds before swithing to an alternate launcher. I would set all the settings before disabling the FTV-Launcher. Most of the settings are set once and forget about them.

Ask in the "Root Tank" forum thread, maybe there is another way to reprogram the Home_button.

 

[E3Im0]

Hi I've got a question.
Does the firmware affect my insternet speed and if it does can I update and still keep my custom launcher

 

[mmortal03]

Hi I've got a question.
Does the firmware affect my insternet speed and if it does can I update and still keep my custom launcher

Whenever Amazon makes changes, it's always theoretically possible that something they've changed would affect your Internet speed, but it's not likely. If you update, you lose the ability to set the custom launcher.

 

[questionesse]

So there's no way to get this to run on latest firmware, only if downgraded, right?

 

[Noisemaker00]

hi guys,
I have a 4K rooted firestick, if I want to change stock launcher can I simply install the apk then I disable the kftv launcher with pm and root access? Or this will cause issues?
Another question: wich launcher do u suggest? I read some of them are not developed anymore

 

[mmortal03]

So there's no way to get this to run on latest firmware, only if downgraded, right?

Correct.

 

[grebarne]

Hi with a command adb in the launcher L.M.M 1.0.0.7 you can use the wolf launcher by default and you can all update and thé firmware update tested on fire tv 4k and 4k max.

adb shell
pm uninstall com.amazon.tv.launcher

And that s it.
Thanks to RICKLaR

 

[mmortal03]

Hi with a command adb in the launcher L.M.M 1.0.0.7 you can use the wolf launcher by default and you can all update and thé firmware update tested on fire tv 4k and 4k max.

adb shell
pm uninstall com.amazon.tv.launcher

And that s it.
Thanks to RICKLaR

With some important caveats (see my discussion with him starting here): https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...er-without-root.4176349/page-53#post-86851841

 

[grebarne]

Yes we must tape only this command in adb not command pm clear which has issues.

 

[andreluigo]

Patch - 6.2.8.9 (mantis / Firestick 4k) [Final]

Added recents Support to CLH (Double press Home to open shortcuts)

NOTE:
Needs NS6289 to work
Needs Patched boot image, either flash attached boot.img or just install magisk

I have a Fire Stick 4K with FireOS 6.2.8.9 (NS6289) and tried all methods using LM but didn't work...
How can i use this way (files)?

 

[PuckBass]

TANK is FireOS 5 (Android 5.1), LM works best with FireOS 6 & 7 (Android 7.1 & Android 9). As far as I know FireOS 5 works with delay, so pressing home will go to FTV-Launcher for 5+ seconds before swithing to an alternate launcher. I would set all the settings before disabling the FTV-Launcher. Most of the settings are set once and forget about them.

Ask in the "Root Tank" forum thread, maybe there is another way to reprogram the Home_button.

if you are actually root on tank then the best and only way is custom rom!

 

[RiCkLaR]

I have a Fire Stick 4K with FireOS 6.2.8.9 (NS6289) and tried all methods using LM but didn't work...
How can i use this way (files)?

You could only use those "files" if you have a ROOTED 4K-Stick.

Is this your first time using LM ? If so, the latest firmware builds like (NS6289/3905) have protected packages, which prevents LM from disabling the necessary system apks to change the launcher.

 

[Toronadian]

For Wolf Launcher on the Firestick 4K Max, which runs on OS7, is it possible to have the an empty section not have the words "This section is empty, move apps into this section"? On my Firestick 4K (non-Max), if I have an empty section, it just stays blank without the extra words. I want there to be a blank space (Therefore I can't just select "hide section"), just without the words

Kind of like around 10:14 of this video, those words in the empty "Settings" section.

In an older TechDoctorUK video that he does on Wolf Launcher on the Firestick 4K non-max (running on OS6), he creates an empty section that stays blank without any words. Shows it around 7:42 of this video: