[UNLOCK][ROOT][TWRP][UNBRICK] FireTV 2 (sloane)

[Sus_i]

I've just set up a new sloan with latest update, magisk and a couple of other apps. I can't stand all the bloat. Please give me a hint on where I might find a custom launcher or other apk that will allow me to disable some of the bloatware. I'll be forever indebted. Thanks.

lol, have pushed the update on sdcard, but was too lazy to install it. I guess I'll skip it then

Idk which launcher is currently the best, but in this thread you probably find the answer.

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

LAUNCHER MANAGER (FOS 6+) STEPS TO ENABLE CUSTOM LAUNCHER: Before installing version 1.1.8 uninstall any previous version. 1. Download Launcher Manager by clicking or by using short link and install on your FireTV. (Latest: 1.1.8) 2. Install a...

forum.xda-developers.com

If not, ask SweenWolf or Finnzz

 

[Bertonumber1]

I've just set up a new sloan with latest update, magisk and a couple of other apps. I can't stand all the bloat. Please give me a hint on where I might find a custom launcher or other apk that will allow me to disable some of the bloatware. I'll be forever indebted. Thanks.

Hello,
On my sloane i installed ATV launcher Pro. then settings apk by Hoffi (com.markus.settings apk) to access firetv settings as sloane is stubborn once you start disabling launchers on latest firmwares due to adb / accessibility permission revocations.
So you have to play around with different launchers and configs.
I then installed the frowned upon 'luckypatcher' which is actually really good for viewing what apks do what and allowing you to disable/enable with ease.

Once i had installed ATV launcher i used luckypatcher to disable com.amazon.tv.launcher followed by com.amazon.firehomestarter a few seconds after.

I then set about diaabling the usual bloat from the /System/priv-app folder such as 'shopping' 'ags app' 'hedwig-news'.

OFC there is adb you can also use to disable the bloat but i use this luckypatcher as it gives a clearer view to what's on your device. You can also block ads and edit the host file etcetera etcetera. If you need any assistance let me know.


Regards

 

[LocoMexican]

OK guys, thanks for the direction. I'll start the process and report back in a day or three. Thanks again.

 

[LocoMexican]

OK, where can I find an "apk" for atv launcher pro? I'm more than happy to pay the $2.99 fee, but it won't d/l to my computer as a apk. Otherwise, I have the "settings" apk and the frowned on "Lucky Patcher" apk as well as the "free" version of atv launcher. And, I have successfully gotten rid of several system apps such as news, free time, photos, voice recorder, and several others. All I need to be a happy camper is the pro version of atv launcher. Suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for the help.

 

[LocoMexican]

Finally got apk for ATV Launcher Pro, but it doesn't seem to want to work. Has anyone had trouble loading up this apk? If so, what is the trick? Thanks for suggestions.

 

[Sus_i]

Finally got apk for ATV Launcher Pro, but it doesn't seem to want to work. Has anyone had trouble loading up this apk? If so, what is the trick? Thanks for suggestions.

Idk, could be that it needs some (missing) play services.
Isn't there a Wolf Launcher version for fireOS 5?

 

[LocoMexican]

You're most likely right. I found the apk and tried to install it after I de-bloated the device. I probably deleted a service necessary to run the app. Sooooooo, I'm going to unblock updates, let the unti complete the update, and then try again. I can always de-bloat again. Thanks for the idea.

 

[LocoMexican]

Re-installed latest update and tried again. Works fine. Thanks for the comment.

 

[fleisch80]

Hi friend .
I was wondering , to install any rom below 5.2.6 what would I need to do for the flash to be
Successful.


I really want a rom like 5.0.1 back with the old interface , and I don't understand why
the flash is not taking .

Did Amazon in fact use an efuse that was triggered buy an update to prevent the older
os and gui from ever being reinstalled ? .


Any guidance is greatly appreciated .


Thanks so much .





Cf.

 

[LocoMexican]

Hi friend .
I was wondering , to install any rom below 5.2.6 what would I need to do for the flash to be
Successful.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated .

Not being an expert, I would try this:

1. Use the "short" (brick) method.
2. Run gpt-fix.sh. This should put you into TWRP.
3. Using TWRP, install Amonet-Sloane v1.1.
4. Using TWRP, "format" (not wipe) data.
5. Using TWRP, install your stock (not pre-rooted) ROM.
6. (a) If you want superuser permissions, using TWRP, install Magist.
(b) If you do not want superuser permissiions, do not run Magist.
7. Re-boot system.
8. Block updates.

If you want to revert to straignt stock, try this:

1. Use the "short" (brick) method.
2. Run gpt-fix.sh. This puts you into TWRP.
3. Using TWRP, "format" (not wipe) data.
4. Using TWRP, install the stock ROM of your choice.
5. Reboot system.
6. Block updates.

Not sure if any of his will work, but maybe you will have "success". Good luck.

 

[vrl2]

Hello all,

Thanks for maintaining this rom! I'm writing because I was successfully running the rooted rbox rom for years. However, I did not boot up my AFTV for a few months. I turned it on this week and experienced the following boot loop: Amazon logo against a white background, turning on and off, with a blinking light.

To fix this, I opened up my FireTV box and after successfully shorting it, ran both bootrom-step.sh and fastboot-step.sh. Although the AFTV2 didn't immediately boot into recovery, I then ran boot-recovery.sh and finally my AFTV was in TWRP (please see screenshots initial_success_twrp.jpeg and initial_success_preloader.jpeg).

Unfortunately, I have not been able to get back into TWRP. Once I got into TWRP through the steps above, I wiped (using the option to type in 'yes') and rebooted into recovery. Since then, I have been in a new boot loop - this time, there is no Amazon flash screen. The light turns on and off.

When I try to re-run the bootrom-step.sh, I keep getting the same input/output error (please see the attached log bootrom_io_error.png).

Also, now when I run boot-recovery.sh, it seems to get through the process without error but I still cannot get to recovery (please see the attached log boot_recovery_error.png). The same thing happens with boot-fastboot.sh. From dmesg (also attached as a screenshot) the USB device seems to come on in preloader mode and then turn off.

Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[vrl2]

The confusing part is that bootrom-step.sh from amonet-sloane-v1.1 worked initially, and after running fastboot-step.sh from the same package, I was able to get into TWRP.

However, after performing a wipe within TWRP (the option that requires typing 'yes') I get nothing but a blank screen and a flashing light.

Should I:

1. Start over and try shorting it again and running bootrom-step.sh from amonet-sloane-v1.0.0 or amonet-sloane-v1.0.1 or amonet-sloane-v1.3? Or
2. Will I eventually get over the I/O error if I keep re-trying to short it and re-run bootrom-step.sh from the v1.1 package?
3. Is there another option that does not require repeating the short?

I'm just trying to understand why bootrom-step.sh worked initially, but now consistently gives the I/O error.

Thank you.

 

[LocoMexican]

Using the short method, make sure you are making good contact with the correct spot on the chip. With the short in place, and everything else connected to the unit and ready to go, power the unit (plug it in) and wait a few seconds. If the unit's power light comes on (lights up) then you do not have a good short. Unplug the unit and readjust the short contact and power up again. Keep doing this trial and error until you can power up the unit and the power light does not come on. Next, run your script on the computer such that it says "waiting for boot rom" and then, plug your usb to usb into your computer (it should already be plugged into your sloan device). Your computer screen should react with "remove short", at which poiint you remove the short. The script should run from there. Your problem may very well be more involved than this, but this is what i would try first. Remeber, when you first power up the unit, the power light should not come on if you have a good short on the correct spot of the chip.

Once you are in TWRP, Install amonet 1.01. After you install amonet 1.01, be sure you FORMAT (not wipe) the data. Then, click on Install, and install the sloane version of your choice. Finally, install Magist v23 if you want adminstrative privleges. Reboot system and you should be good to go. Good luck.

Hope this helps.

 

[vrl2]

Using the short method, make sure you are making good contact with the correct spot on the chip. With the short in place, and everything else connected to the unit and ready to go, power the unit (plug it in) and wait a few seconds. If the unit's power light comes on (lights up) then you do not have a good short. Unplug the unit and readjust the short contact and power up again. Keep doing this trial and error until you can power up the unit and the power light does not come on. Next, run your script on the computer such that it says "waiting for boot rom" and then, plug your usb to usb into your computer (it should already be plugged into your sloan device). Your computer screen should react with "remove short", at which poiint you remove the short. The script should run from there. Your problem may very well be more involved than this, but this is what i would try first. Remeber, when you first power up the unit, the power light should not come on if you have a good short on the correct spot of the chip.

Once you are in TWRP, Install amonet 1.01. After you install amonet 1.01, be sure you FORMAT (not wipe) the data. Then, click on Install, and install the sloane version of your choice. Finally, install Magist v23 if you want adminstrative privleges. Reboot system and you should be good to go. Good luck.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your help!
Yes, I am certain that the light is off when the short is in place .Looks like the short is working . I have run it 15-20 times now. When I run bootrom-step.sh, it no longer works despite the initial successful run.

Sometimes I get to the point where I get the prompt to remove the short -- but it doesn't get much further. If I can get past the handshaking phase, then the furthest it gets is to "Check GPT" at which point it stalls at "Check GPT" with this EMMC read error:

"File "/home/ubuntu/Desktop/amonet/modules/common.py", line 199, in emmc_read"

It often stalls earlier (usually at either "waiting for bootrom" or if it gets past that, it stalls at "Clear preloader header" or "Init Crypto Engine")

Thanks.

 

[LocoMexican]

You might try a different usb port on your computer. Make sure you have your computer's environment set up as described. Also, you might want to try using the gpt-fix in v.1.3. If gpt-fix runs, it should put you into TWRP and you can install from there. Good luck.

 

[LocoMexican]

My device took an update this p.m. Now has OS 5.2.8.8 (676742620). Had to adb reboot recovery and re-install Magist v23. Everything looks good, except now I have to de-bloat again. I guess practice makes perfect.

 

[LocoMexican]

My device took an update this p.m. Now has OS 5.2.8.8 (676742620). Had to adb reboot recovery and re-install Magist v23. Everything looks good, except now I have to de-bloat again. I guess practice makes perfect.

Also, I was finally able to capture the update url using logcat. After piecing things together, this is what I came up with if anyone wants to try it.

https://d1s31zyz7dcc2d.cloudfront.net/df01587672db6ee5bb8d462eb9e8c027/update-kindle-full_sloane-36.6.7.6_user_676742620.bin

 

[Toothless_NEO]

Will this work with Fire OS 5.2.4.1 or is there a minimum version this will work for?

 

[Rortiz2]

Will this work with Fire OS 5.2.4.1 or is there a minimum version this will work for?

Yes, it will work just fine. Make sure to read both the first and the second post.
If you already have rbox's TWRP, you can just flash the ZIP with it.​

 

[testbankbuddy]

Yes, it will work just fine. Make sure to read both the first and the second post.
If you already have rbox's TWRP, you can just flash the ZIP with it.​

My version is 5.2.8.8, unrooted. can you downgrade unrooted firetv? Or carry on with this guide without a root prior to this tutorial since my version is too high.

Is it possible to downgrade unrooted firetv 2 sloane