Related
First of all, thanks a lot to Cpasjuste for making the working gapps flashble zip, here's a link to that. I take no responsibility for doing this, all credit goes to Cpasjuste. Also I do not know a lot about deving myself but i've had two android devices before this and have been avid in modding them, just thought i'd put that out there.
So, first thing I did was get root, factory reset and get safestrap recovery. then I made a backup of my stock ROM, kept it on my kindle, and moved it to a safe spot in my computer (I recommend everyone does this, no matter if they choose to follow this setup or not.) I created a new ROM slot with default partitions, and restored my stock ROM to it (you do this in case any thing happens you have your stock ROM to fall back on). I tried flashing Cpasjuste's gapps rom, but for some reason there were multiple issues with it so instead, i restored to stock, on ROM slot 1, and flashed his gapps zip mentioned earlier. Rebooted and everything (well almost everything) worked perfectly. playstore works and only app that I have discovered to be incompatible is instagram for some reason, but i found a apk download online that installed perfectly to replace it. I installed a app from play store called recent apps quick button, which basically activates android's recent apps, then I installed a app from play store called Home2 shortcut. this lets me assign the resent apps quick button to double tapping the home button so now when i double tap the home button it brings me to recent apps. It's really nice since kindles default Rom doesn't have a recent apps button! Right now I am working on blocking updates from amazon to prevent losing root or bricking, using the tutorial found at the end of the root link. Let me know what you guys have done to make your kindle fire HDX experince better, or any questions you have.
Also, I forgot to mention that using the gapps flashable zip broke my amazon appstore and most amazon services, except video it seams like, but since we have safestrap recovery this isn't a big deal to me because i can always get it back, and im sure it will be fixed in future. Have fun and be safe while experimenting with your kindle.
I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO YOUR DEVICE, KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING BEFORE YOU DO IT!!!!!!!
Ah! Thats what I missed, I didnt realise I could use restore on a different ROM slot! Thanks for that, going to try it later!:good:
OurFriendIrony said:
Ah! Thats what I missed, I didnt realise I could use restore on a different ROM slot! Thanks for that, going to try it later!:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! Also if I were you I would delete most of the user apps on your stock ROM, Idk if you did what I said and factory reset before you got safestrap (I would not try it if you already safestrap since you will lose safestrap and possible break you device!) but if you didnt I would just go back and delete most user apps and data off stock ROM and then redo the backup and restore with that. because you most likely wont be using the stock ROM (you don't want to alter it since you want to have a safe spot to restore to) you want it to take up as little storage as possible. My advice, pretend that you don't have root and don't do anything with it, like editing parts of system, or flashing mod packages, etc... (only exception is having super user and safe strap app installed.) Let me know if any part of this was to confusing. Hope this helped!
Haha, I saw your reply about 2 minutes after starting up the factory rest. I can, however, confirm that safestrap is still installed between the boot and IS load, so I'm actually in a perfect position. Have taken a new backup of pure stock rom!
Happy days!
I got a copy of my Stock ROM installed into ROM slot 1 and then added the gapps package, it worked beautifully!
I now have a tablet with all the google features on and have no issues so far.
except...
when I boot to ROM slot 1, I get a message saying "Kindle is Updating/Upgrading". It doesn't do anything and it only takes a few seconds before it gives up. I was just wondering if there was a way of getting rid of this??
As someone who hasn't had any prior experience with Android (although a fair share of experience with GNU/Linux), I appreciate a thread like this.
I also rooted the device (works well from GNU/Linux), installed SuperSU and some essential apps to make the stock OS usable (busybox and a terminal emulator, of course; and also a lightweight file browser that doesn't take much space and does exactly that, lets me browse local files). Then installed SafeStrap and backed everything up to both the Kindle and the PC (the backup is accessible via MTP, in the internal storage, so you can just connect the USB cable and copy the TWRP directory – at least in KDE).
Now I'm going to try the new AOSP ROM. Though since I'm new to the whole Android business, the partition sizes have me a bit confused. I'd want to have three slots – the stock ROM (obviously), the stock FireOS (one that I can modify) and AOSP. What partition sizes for the two slots would be the best, if it's the 16GB HDX? Also, say I download a PDF file; would both FireOS and AOSP see the file if I put it in internal storage, or would I have to manually copy it over to the other slot through my PC?
@GreatEmerald, whats AOSP? I'm thinking of playing around a bit more. I want to try out some more ROMs.
I put my first ROM slot (Stock with gapps added and amazon crap removed) on Flight Mode and now when I try and put it on wireless it restarts....
OurFriendIrony said:
@GreatEmerald, whats AOSP? I'm thinking of playing around a bit more. I want to try out some more ROMs.
I put my first ROM slot (Stock with gapps added and amazon crap removed) on Flight Mode and now when I try and put it on wireless it restarts....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AOSP = Android Open Source Project
Many other devices have an AOSP build and is typically a very nice build to flash if you like the core android feel with some extra very nice features.
OurFriendIrony said:
@GreatEmerald, whats AOSP? I'm thinking of playing around a bit more. I want to try out some more ROMs.
I put my first ROM slot (Stock with gapps added and amazon crap removed) on Flight Mode and now when I try and put it on wireless it restarts....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, as mentioned, AOSP is a ROM for stock Android 4.2.2, pretty much the only big ROM available for the HDX7 right now: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2607185
It works pretty well as it is, I'm impressed it's as good already given how new the project is. Though it still has some issues for normal use. Aside from the bugs mentioned in the post, Chrome crashes as soon as it's launched (but you can use Firefox instead), as does the Kindle app (which is mainly what is stopping me from using it, because the point of a Kindle is the integration with Amazon services...). Also, the Facebook app fails to install for some reason.
Everything else I tried works fine. I installed F-Droid, a file manager, Busybox and a terminal, then the Amazon app and some of the Amazon cloud apps, and finally Skype. All of them work very nicely on AOSP. Even tested a video call on Skype and it worked without any problems (including the camera working correctly).
As someone new to Android and from a GNU/Linux background, I'm really happy that F-Droid exists. It's an app store/package manager that offers only free and open source software. For regular users that might sound as not a big deal, but actually filtering software by license is more powerful than one would think. You're guaranteed to have only apps that have no spyware and adware, because you can't hide them in open code. And those who make apps without publishing their code obviously have something to hide. So much like in GNU/Linux, the first place to check for new apps for me is F-Droid, and after that the main store of the OS (be it Google Play or Amazon Store), and only then 1Mobile market.
I still would like to know more about that partitioning, though. I figured out that the emulated SD card is shared between ROMs (I uploaded F-Droid to the Downloads directory on FireOS, and could see it on AOSP just as well), but I still don't know what exactly the two partitions you have to make to set up a ROM slot are and how much space should be allocated to them.
GreatEmerald said:
Yea, as mentioned, AOSP is a ROM for stock Android 4.2.2, pretty much the only big ROM available for the HDX7 right now: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2607185
It works pretty well as it is, I'm impressed it's as good already given how new the project is. Though it still has some issues for normal use. Aside from the bugs mentioned in the post, Chrome crashes as soon as it's launched (but you can use Firefox instead), as does the Kindle app (which is mainly what is stopping me from using it, because the point of a Kindle is the integration with Amazon services...). Also, the Facebook app fails to install for some reason.
Everything else I tried works fine. I installed F-Droid, a file manager, Busybox and a terminal, then the Amazon app and some of the Amazon cloud apps, and finally Skype. All of them work very nicely on AOSP. Even tested a video call on Skype and it worked without any problems (including the camera working correctly).
As someone new to Android and from a GNU/Linux background, I'm really happy that F-Droid exists. It's an app store/package manager that offers only free and open source software. For regular users that might sound as not a big deal, but actually filtering software by license is more powerful than one would think. You're guaranteed to have only apps that have no spyware and adware, because you can't hide them in open code. And those who make apps without publishing their code obviously have something to hide. So much like in GNU/Linux, the first place to check for new apps for me is F-Droid, and after that the main store of the OS (be it Google Play or Amazon Store), and only then 1Mobile market.
I still would like to know more about that partitioning, though. I figured out that the emulated SD card is shared between ROMs (I uploaded F-Droid to the Downloads directory on FireOS, and could see it on AOSP just as well), but I still don't know what exactly the two partitions you have to make to set up a ROM slot are and how much space should be allocated to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The system partition only needs to be as big as the Rom or backup you flash is, the data partition I typically make as big as possible (4000 mb) since this is what your Rom will consider internal storage. This is where apps and app data will be downloaded onto, where the rest of the data on your ad card is shared and is used for music, videos and lots of other custom stuff you can add. As for the cache I leave it at the default, this is where temporary data for apps is stored ( for example when you play a youtube video, it is temporarily stored on this partition.
spaghettiknight said:
The system partition only needs to be as big as the Rom or backup you flash is, the data partition I typically make as big as possible (4000 mb) since this is what your Rom will consider internal storage. This is where apps and app data will be downloaded onto, where the rest of the data on your ad card is shared and is used for music, videos and lots of other custom stuff you can add. As for the cache I leave it at the default, this is where temporary data for apps is stored ( for example when you play a youtube video, it is temporarily stored on this partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, that's good to know. It makes me wonder, though – can I resize partitions in some way? Say, I created a smallish partition setup for ROM slot 1, then another one for ROM slot 2, and then have a bit spare; can I allocate the whole space to ROM slot 1 if I no longer need ROM slot 2? Or to do a backup, clear the partition setup, then restore the backup into newly sized partitions?
GreatEmerald said:
Ah, that's good to know. It makes me wonder, though – can I resize partitions in some way? Say, I created a smallish partition setup for ROM slot 1, then another one for ROM slot 2, and then have a bit spare; can I allocate the whole space to ROM slot 1 if I no longer need ROM slot 2? Or to do a backup, clear the partition setup, then restore the backup into newly sized partitions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, what i would do is backup my current setup, delete the rom slot your using, then remake it with your newly picked partitions
Nevermind. Got it working now. Thanks for the guide!
safestrap not working on my kindle hdx 7"
Hi my kindle is already rooted and I used towelroot. I have supersu installed too. I'm currently on the step of where I should install safestrap, but it seems safestrap is not working on my tablet. I tried 3.65, 3.72, 3.75 version of safestrap but it does not work. It always restart normally. Not in recovery. Pls help. 13.3.2.8 version. Thank u in advance.
pinksummer17 said:
Hi my kindle is already rooted and I used towelroot. I have supersu installed too. I'm currently on the step of where I should install safestrap, but it seems safestrap is not working on my tablet. I tried 3.65, 3.72, 3.75 version of safestrap but it does not work. It always restart normally. Not in recovery. Pls help. 13.3.2.8 version. Thank u in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you blocked OTA with HDX Toolkit? If not your device will likely brick if Amazon attempts to push an update. At present the blocker in HDX toolkit is the only one that works on 3.2.8.
Your attention should be focused on this task; can deal with safestrap once OTA block is in place.
ya I had to learn about that the hard way
[FLASHABLE ZIP]
The zip provided below can be used to remove whole gapps package that is included in some custom Roms ,so that u can flash u r own desired gapps again [switch gapps] or if u want to use custom Roms without gapps.
Remove GApps in ROM: now support Marshmallow
Script in first post very discounted and therefore deleting not all files.
Here's updated version. Script automatically mounts /system, you don't need do it by yourself.
Script compatible with Android 2.3...6.0
Guaranteed delete will be only on CyanogenMod rom's and Nexus firmware due of possible other file naming in manufacturer stock firmware.
Probably some small bits of files can left on device (like WebView), but almost all other will be removed.
Note: script removes apps from /system partition.
Probably some of them was updated and additionally stored in internal memory.
So you need manually delete a bit of remainders by usual way.
IMPORTANT!
– Maybe some stuff or whole ROM will broken after applying this ZIP
– Script removes stock Google / CM keyboard, install 3rd party before applying!
– Script removes Google Experience Launcher, so make sure you use 3rd-party app or device will not boot!
– Script removes Hangouts, so make sure you use 3rd-party SMS app or you may unable use SMS!
– ..and may other
– Apps with embedded Google Maps such as Foursquare, Instagram and many other can't be launched / installed by any way because of lack of framework for it
– A lot of apps requests installed Google Play Store and Google Play Services which will be removed
– Network location can be disabled because it's part of gapps
– Recommended to wipe dalvik/ART-cache to rid out of unused cache files
>>> Use it at your own risk and make full backup via recovery before flashing! <<<
*THE WHOLE CREDIT GOES TO BONOBOO XDA DEV HE MADE THIS CREATIVE THREAD POSSIBLE SO TX TO HIM*
Yeshas Prabhakar said:
[FLASHABLE ZIP] Remove GApps in ROM: now support Marshmallow
Script in first post very discounted and therefore deleting not all files.
Here's updated version. Script automatically mounts /system, you don't need do it by yourself.
Script compatible with Android 2.3...6.0
Guaranteed delete will be only on CyanogenMod rom's and Nexus firmware due of possible other file naming in manufacturer stock firmware.
Probably some small bits of files can left on device (like WebView), but almost all other will be removed.
Note: script removes apps from /system partition.
Probably some of them was updated and additionally stored in internal memory.
So you need manually delete a bit of remainders by usual way.
IMPORTANT!
– Maybe some stuff or whole ROM will broken after applying this ZIP
– Script removes stock Google / CM keyboard, install 3rd party before applying!
– Script removes Google Experience Launcher, so make sure you use 3rd-party app or device will not boot!
– Script removes Hangouts, so make sure you use 3rd-party SMS app or you may unable use SMS!
– ..and may other
– Apps with embedded Google Maps such as Foursquare, Instagram and many other can't be launched / installed by any way because of lack of framework for it
– A lot of apps requests installed Google Play Store and Google Play Services which will be removed
– Network location can be disabled because it's part of gapps
– Recommended to wipe dalvik/ART-cache to rid out of unused cache files
>>> Use it at your own risk and make full backup via recovery before flashing! <<<
*THE WHOLE CREDIT GOES TO BONOBOO XDA DEV HE MADE THIS CREATIVE THREAD POSSIBLE SO TX TO HIM*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure what he is trying to convey here with this kind of english, but Titanium backup works fine for everybody and this kind of crap is not required for nobody.
raviprakashji said:
I am not sure what he is trying to convey here with this kind of english, but Titanium backup works fine for everybody and this kind of crap is not required for nobody.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry if u can't understand simple English.
It's a zip file to completely remove gapps or whole Google apps....
Those who want to switch to another version of gapps or want to remove Google apps completely which comes with inbuilt ROMS.
And by the way hold u r tongue before u criticize such useful share or posts like this.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Yeshas Prabhakar said:
I am sorry if u can't understand simple English.
It's a zip file to completely remove gapps or whole Google apps....
Those who want to switch to another version of gapps or want to remove Google apps completely which comes with inbuilt ROMS.
And by the way hold u r tongue before u criticize such useful share or posts like this.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waiting for any person who is getting benefited.
Can you make a zip to remove supersu too?(if its possible )
aswinp222 said:
Can you make a zip to remove supersu too?(if its possible )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an option to completely unroot in supersu
Shon22 said:
There is an option to completely unroot in supersu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol,its possible only if rom boots
[SIZE=+3]TWRP scripts: Ad removal - Debloat - Block OTA[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Amazon Prime Variant and OEM Variant[/SIZE]
Tested on Prime and OEM variants. Please report back if any issues
[SIZE=+1]This guide only require you to be able to boot TWRP. You can follow this TWRP install guide and perform the installation of these .zip files AFTER step 8) (You must backup your system in case anything goes wrong, you will also need this backup to perform any future OTA, such as the one activating band 12). You can either stop there after installation, or proceed to the following steps if you want to have root access.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]All .zip have to be installed using the TWRP "Install" function. You will need to download them on your phone or copy them on a SD card. You do not need to install all these packages at once. These scripts do not install or remove anything on /system, they only rename some files. All scripts can be extracted and opening "update-binary" with your favorite text editor will allow you to see exactly what is done (always a good idea if you are concerned with your device security), and customize it if you wish.
This will only rename the stock apps in your /system. If an update was performed, or if you used the app previously, the app and it's files may still be present on your device /data even after running these scripts but you will be able to uninstall them as any other app. This also means that you can rerun these scripts after a future OTA and they will not erase any app you reinstalled yourself on /data.
A "reset all" script is also provided to restore all apps and unblock OTA.
You can individually restore any app by using a file manager with root access (or TWRP built-in one) and rename any "*.apk_" to "*.apk", app will show up again after the next reboot.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Disable ads, block OTA and Amazon PARTIAL debloat "bluR1-AMZ-PARTIALdebloat-blockOTA"[/SIZE]This package will remove all the ads from your Prime phone and block future OTA. You DO NOT need to reset / wipe your phone after installation.
It will also remove all Amazon apps from your system except for the Amazon Underground app store (recommended).
This option allows automatic background updates from the amazon app store and do not need you allow the installation of packages from unknown sources.
[SIZE=+1]Disable ads, block OTA and Amazon FULL debloat "bluR1-AMZ-FULLdebloat-blockOTA"[/SIZE]This package will remove all the ads from your Prime phone and block future OTA. You DO NOT need to reset / wipe your phone after installation.
It will also remove all Amazon apps from your system including the Amazon Underground app store.
[SIZE=+1]Google PARTIAL debloat "bluR1-GOOGLE-debloat"[/SIZE]This package will remove SOME stock Google apps that can be easily downloaded from the google play store and are not required for the system.
This will only remove apps in the /system partition. This means that if you downloaded or reinstalled some of the apps they won't be removed by the script. It also means that if you previously used the phone and some apps were updated they will still be installed in your /data/app, but you will be able to uninstall them manually as any other app.
List of removed apps and their Google Play link for easy reinstall:
Google Search bar on home screen
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
Google Talkback
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.marvin.talkback
Google GMail
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gm
Google Play Music
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.music
Youtube
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube
Google Drive
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs
Google Maps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.maps
Google Chrome
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome
Google Talk Services
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.tts
Google Play Videos
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.videos
Google Photos
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos
Google Agenda
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.calendar
Google Hangouts
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.talk
Google Calculator
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.calculator
Google Clock
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.deskclock
It will not disable Google Play store, Play services etc. Some of the apps can be removed by editing the script yourself. See the "update-binary" file. No additional help to do so will be provided, do it at your own risks.
[SIZE=+1]Mediatek and BLU PARTIAL debloat "bluR1-MTK_BLU-debloat"[/SIZE]This package will remove SOME stock Mediatek and BLU apps.
Remove useless BLU app and Opera preinstaller.
Remove the ugly File Manager app. Replace it by any other file explorer app is you like.
Amaze File Manager is a great and open source alternative https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amaze.filemanager
[SIZE=+1]Restore all apps and OTA "bluR1-RestoreApps-OTA"[/SIZE]This package will restore all apps and unblock OTAs.
Changelog:
07/30/2016 - Topic creation. Amazon ad removal / debloat / OTA blocking scripts from the original post moved here for a better visibility. Initial release of Google and Mediatek debloat scripts.
08/17/2016 - MTK debloat script updated to fix FileManager removal bug
10/01/2016 - Scripts updated to v2. Now only rename files, restore script provided (V1 downloads: AMZ-PARTIAL 740, AMZ-FULL 828, GOOGLE 747, MTK 536)
05/31/2017 - Some scripts updated to v2 or v3, support V8.4 and V21 changes in folder and apk names. (V2 downloads: AMZ-PARTIAL 774, AMZ-FULL 1208, MTK 544, RESTORE 294)
07/13/2017 - MTK and OTA restore script updated to fix a typo in BLUHelp debloating. (V3 previous downloads: MTK 60, RESTORE 44)
thanks for this! very nice of you to make all the different options as well.
worked great for me on first try.
Now I'm tempted to buy the 50 version, would this leave your phone as stock?
rmartinezdl said:
would this leave your phone as stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not have access to a stock ROM or nandroid backup to compare everything so I can't be 100% sure but as far as I know pretty much yes.
Scripts worked perfect and didn't delete the Google apps I actually use! Thanks!
Problems after Factory Reset
after factory reset got a Error looping, “Unfortunately, Setup Wizard has stopped.”
Method to bypass problem,
1. Boot into TWRP Recovery
2. Mount System ( Mount → check System )
3. Advanced → File Manager
4. Browse to /system/priv-app/Setup-Wizard
5. Delete it
Also, home button and menu button doesn't work
(had to restore from backup)
Fibrizox said:
after factory reset got a Error looping, “Unfortunately, Setup Wizard has stopped.”
Method to bypass problem,
1. Boot into TWRP Recovery
2. Mount System ( Mount → check System )
3. Advanced → File Manager
4. Browse to /system/priv-app/Setup-Wizard
5. Delete it
Also, home button and menu button doesn't work
(had to restore from backup)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or in between the pop up error messages you can go to Settings-> Apps->App Permissions and give Setup Wizard the necessary permissions.
So to clarify I can use the script to also disable ota for a prime that's been converted to OEM? excellent
I am a Prime-Member and would like to buy two NEW BLU R1 HD - 16 GB - Black - Prime Exclusive - with Lockscreen Offers & Ads:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2E0J5M/ref=twister_B01G7TG6SW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
However, since I am buying these two cellphones for my sons, and I don't want that they have access to my amazon account details...
So, I would like to know if these phones will come fully registered to my Amazon account, or if it is possible to block or unregister these phones to my Account ?
So, my Amazon Orders, List and Shopping Cart, can not be seen or used by my sons ?
At first and if not totally necessary, I not want to root or modify nothing on this Blue phone... I just would like to totally block in some simple way, my Amazon account that I will use to purchase these phones, possibly because both will come already registered to the same account.
ulises.rodriguez said:
I am a Prime-Member and would like to buy two NEW BLU R1 HD - 16 GB - Black - Prime Exclusive - with Lockscreen Offers & Ads:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2E0J5M/ref=twister_B01G7TG6SW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
However, since I am buying these two cellphones for my sons, and I don't want that they have access to my amazon account details...
So, I would like to know if these phones will come fully registered to my Amazon account, or if it is possible to block or unregister these phones to my Account ?
So, my Amazon Orders, List and Shopping Cart, can not be seen or used by my sons ?
At first and if not totally necessary, I not want to root or modify nothing on this Blue phone... I just would like to totally block in some simple way, my Amazon account that I will use to purchase these phones, possibly because both will come already registered to the same account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do not come registered to your account at all. Signing into an amazon account is an option during setup, but not required.
Thanks for letting me know that these BLUE phones, not come pre-registered to an amazon account...
That's just what I wanted to know before ordering my two phones.
The scripts worked perfectly except for the MTK one. The ugly file manager is still there.
oakami said:
The scripts worked perfectly except for the MTK one. The ugly file manager is still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is strange. What phone version do you have? (Prime, normal, Prime converted to normal, etc)
Is the Gallery App gone? If yes try to uninstall the file explorer manually like any other app, else try to run the script again to be sure nothing went wrong.
emc2cube said:
This is strange. What phone version do you have? (Prime, normal, Prime converted to normal, etc)
Is the Gallery App gone? If yes try to uninstall the file explorer manually like any other app, else try to run the script again to be sure nothing went wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the prime version. I flashed TWRP plus superSU and Xposed. The gallery app is gone. I tried installing the script again but the file manager is still there.
oakami said:
I have the prime version. I flashed TWRP plus superSU and Xposed. The gallery app is gone. I tried installing the script again but the file manager is still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found the problem. Please redownload the script from the original post, I updated it and it should now remove properly the file manager.
Thank you for your bug report!
Thanks so much for this.
Also wanted to let people know that I removed Google Play Service and Google Play (store) without any issues so far.
I will update this post if I run into any problems.
Thanks again!
Any way to make the Camera app launch Google Photos? It now just gives me an error since I removed the Gallery app...
lostman1027 said:
Any way to make the Camera app launch Google Photos? It now just gives me an error since I removed the Gallery app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, use of the default gallery app is hardcoded in the camera app.
You can only launch Google Photos using the shortcut displayed after taking a new picture.
If you use an alternative camera app (I use Open Camera https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforge.opencamera ) these will correctly launch Google Photos or any other default gallery app.
For testing purpose (seems to work ok on my phone) here is an update of the scripts.
These ones will not delete the apps in /system but rename them from *.apk to *.apk_ effectively disabling and hiding them.
Two main advantages:
- Each app can easily be individually disabled/reactivated using TWRP builtin file explorer or any file explorer with root access by renaming them back to *.apk.
- Easily revert to an out of the box state to be able to apply an OTA update by simply using "bluR1-RestoreApps-OTA.zip" script. This will "rebloat" your system. If you installed root etc you still have to take care of this yourself.
If you are giving these scripts a try, please report success / failure so I can eventually update the original post.
Edit 09/10/2016: scripts updated to debloat non-prime phones, restore script released.
Edit 10/01/2016: scripts are now available on OP, beta is over. Thanks to the few testers that reported back!
Oops, wrong thread.
I've been searching for a couple of hours and there's no guides or even clarification about what is possible with regards to running non-tv apps on the shield / android TV.
I really need to install a custom internet browser, VoIP apps, syncthing, firewall, maybe libre office who knows etc.
So:
- How do you install Full Google PlayStore?
- Do you need to root? (guide 1)(guide 2)
- I heard you can alternatively sideload apps via ADB. So I guess you need TWRP, and root? And where do you get the apks from?
In general, are there any non-UX limitations of android TV that would cause apps to not run? Or does it have the same capabilities as plugging in a mouse & kb into my phone's OTG port and then casting its screen to a TV?
Well here's a few thoughts without going into too much detail as I'm at work:
Full google play will need a custom rom I believe and you'll need to give up the android tv version of play and leanback functionality (I think)
There may be another method (still losing androidtv but probably needing root)
You can sideload via ADB or via a sideloading app. Or using network shares, USB storage, USB transfer etc.
In the past I've used Titanium Backup (rooted naturally) installed a load of games to my phone then moved the backups to an SD/USB to restore on the SHIELD.
There are also dubious website and alternative stores you can install or visit on the SHIELD. Not a fan of those tbh.
You can get APK downloader addons for web browsers that allow you to download directly from Play Store website. Chrome android doesn't support these I am lead to believe... but installing Yandex broweser and installing the chrome addon to that apparently might work. So then load Play Store in Yandex browser and you can get your apps direct from google... just sadly not the paid ones.
I've been meaning to get on this again myself. I'm really quite pissed that most of my paid Rockstar android games won't install from AndroidTV Play store. These games run fine on SHIELD but are flagged as unsupported. Thus forcing you to download them from dubious sources to get running due to the DRM. The TV store is very disapointing, the layout is bad, there's no reviews and developers just don't seem interested in keeping their apps accessible on the platform when they otherwise should be. The Rockstar games in particular run fantastic on the SHIELD and if I were Google or Nvidia I'd actively be trying to encourage Rockstar to promote these games as SHIELD compatible or enhanced!
I don't know about any technical disadvantages to the platform that hold things back but I'm sure many people here will be far more knowledgable. I just assume an app has to be fully functional with just the remote or joypad to be ATV compliant. I'm not entirely sure on this last question but I will say this, every app I've sideloaded has worked as long as it doesn't require touch control in games. I use a 5way hub so I've always got mouse/keyboard and additional storage options etc. If it can be controlled with one finger you can use a mouse to facilitate that.
thanks for the input. Yeah it sucks for paid apps and games. First I'll see if I can get by with just root and these methods, because I couldn't find any good custom roms for the shield. There is one on another forum but I couldn't get it installed (got stuck at nvidia logo after a successful install)..
I'm a noob to android TV, what's "leanback functionality"?
Twodordan said:
thanks for the input. Yeah it sucks for paid apps and games. First I'll see if I can get by with just root and these methods, because I couldn't find any good custom roms for the shield. There is one on another forum but I couldn't get it installed (got stuck at nvidia logo after a successful install)..
I'm a noob to android TV, what's "leanback functionality"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sideload any apk to the shield if rooted but there are apk's made for android tv and just mobile apk's with mobile apl's you lose some functionality of android tv however a keyboard mouse combo or even nvidia shield tv app will help you navigate through those apk's that are not made for android tv
As far as I know, sideloading apps means finding an apk, placing it on the device, and then running it (and allowing installation from unknown sources).
So at what point in this process do I require root? Do I need the root if it's an apk not made for Android TV? What is that process exactly?
Twodordan said:
As far as I know, sideloading apps means finding an apk, placing it on the device, and then running it (and allowing installation from unknown sources).
So at what point in this process do I require root? Do I need the root if it's an apk not made for Android TV? What is that process exactly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I side load stuff to my non rooted shield all the time its true not all apps will work but a majority of them will for some apps that have only a vertical view you can use apps like set orientation to have it in landscape mode just allow install of unknown apps for the file browser you use on the shield.
https://apkpure.com/set-orientation/com.googlecode.eyesfree.setorientation
You can simply place the apk into your downloads folder or wherever you like on the shield tv then install it from there using a file browser I personally use FX file explorer on shield but any should work. You can also use a file browser to add your cloud like google drive or one drive or whatever and install directly from there or browse to a shared folder on pc and install it that way too whatever is easier for you.
Apps that require root to run will not of course work properly on a non rooted device, however there are plenty of apps that do not require root that install and run just fine.
Yeah I always keep my SHIELD rooted for this reason. I don't know what the situation is with TWRP recovery at the moment but I know it stopped working in one of the recent updates. By being rooted you can use Flashfire app to flash zips to the SHIELD if you need to flash let's say GLTools or something like that. I mainly use that to force antialiasing for certain games. One thing you will want is either Sideload Launcher (on Play Store) or TV App Repo. Sideload launcher just loads a launcher that includes your non TV apps (They don't all work with the leanback launcher) or you can use TV App Repo to make shortcuts to them on the leanback launcher. TV App Repo will also need root to work, so yeah that's a great reason to have root when sideloading.
I could adb install the sideload launcher apk (got it from apkpure) to my 16gb shield tv 2017, via a usb-to-usb cable, and it works just fine without root.
Installing root is such a goddamn nightmare. You have to flash a full developer stock image for which you have to sign up to get from nvidia, then install magisk etc, and the killer is you gotta do this manual developer whole-image flashing nonsense every time there's an update from nvidia. Seriously why the hell can't we android users just get a proper version of the full opensource debloated OS that updates itself like a sane person? X_X
[Edit] Installed TV Launcher instead of sideload launcher. It can replace the default launcher and it is also so much nicer: https://apkpure.com/tvlauncher/com.awe.dev.pro.tv
[Edit] So a custom launcher like TV Launcher will insert itself as a suggestion whenever you press the home screen, and you can set it to Always use this launcher, however in many situations, like restarting your shield, it will default back to the stock launcher. You can read this but it's still fine to always have a prompt whenever you press home: https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndr...hange_default_launcher_on_shield_2017_nougat/
I use Yalp store and set it up as different device (in my case Samsung Galaxy Tab S3). Works really fine for 95% of the time.
Question Please?
Can you please say which shield TV you have? I am thinking of buying one but am put off by the lack of full play store. Being able to install any apk from a USB stick may sway me (but still not sure). What I plan to do is install any apps I want on my phone, use an apk extractor to get the apk, put it on USB then use CX file explorer to click and install. Does that sound all possible on non-rooted latest full Shield?
Cheers.
Eric.
"You can simply place the apk into your downloads folder or wherever you like on the shield tv then install it from there using a file browser I personally use FX file explorer on shield but any should work. You can also use a file browser to add your cloud like google drive or one drive or whatever and install directly from there or browse to a shared folder on pc and install it that way too whatever is easier for you.
Apps that require root to run will not of course work properly on a non rooted device, however there are plenty of apps that do not require root that install and run just fine."
---------- Post added at 02:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:44 AM ----------
PS Since you can install apk's easily did you ever try to sideload the Google play store apk (along with Google Play Services apk to see if they will install?
That would be interesting.
Gaps download for HUAWEI Chinese phones would be easy to obtain.
DBCAB said:
I side load stuff to my non rooted shield all the time its true not all apps will work but a majority of them will for some apps that have only a vertical view you can use apps like set orientation to have it in landscape mode just allow install of unknown apps for the file browser you use on the shield.
https://apkpure.com/set-orientation/com.googlecode.eyesfree.setorientation
You can simply place the apk into your downloads folder or wherever you like on the shield tv then install it from there using a file browser I personally use FX file explorer on shield but any should work. You can also use a file browser to add your cloud like google drive or one drive or whatever and install directly from there or browse to a shared folder on pc and install it that way too whatever is easier for you.
Apps that require root to run will not of course work properly on a non rooted device, however there are plenty of apps that do not require root that install and run just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twodordan said:
Installing root is such a goddamn nightmare. You have to flash a full developer stock image for which you have to sign up to get from nvidia, then install magisk etc, and the killer is you gotta do this manual developer whole-image flashing nonsense every time there's an update from nvidia. Seriously why the hell can't we android users just get a proper version of the full opensource debloated OS that updates itself like a sane person? X_X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need the developer image to get root.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/development/kernel-overclock-kernel-2-22-ghz-t3943079
And if you don't flash twrp, getting updates will work fine, you will just have to root again.
Twodordan said:
I could adb install the sideload launcher apk (got it from apkpure) to my 16gb shield tv 2017, via a usb-to-usb cable, and it works just fine without root.
Installing root is such a goddamn nightmare. You have to flash a full developer stock image for which you have to sign up to get from nvidia, then install magisk etc, and the killer is you gotta do this manual developer whole-image flashing nonsense every time there's an update from nvidia. Seriously why the hell can't we android users just get a proper version of the full opensource debloated OS that updates itself like a sane person? X_X
[Edit] Installed TV Launcher instead of sideload launcher. It can replace the default launcher and it is also so much nicer: https://apkpure.com/tvlauncher/com.awe.dev.pro.tv
[Edit] So a custom launcher like TV Launcher will insert itself as a suggestion whenever you press the home screen, and you can set it to Always use this launcher, however in many situations, like restarting your shield, it will default back to the stock launcher. You can read this but it's still fine to always have a prompt whenever you press home: https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndr...hange_default_launcher_on_shield_2017_nougat/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is rooting a nightmare ? Once your bootloader is unlocked it literally takes 5 minutes to root..
Unlock bootloader
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot boot twrp.img
install magisk zip
Reboot , you're rooted..
I don't understand why people suggest any other file explorer besides "x-plore". By far the best file explorer out there, 100% crap free. You can install any APK from any location using x-plore.. Most of the time I leave the APK on my network , that network drive is mapped in the shield settings, I simply browse to it with x-plore , and install any APK. If it doesn't make a shortcut in the android tv menu , then simply use "sideload launcher" by chainfire to launch whichever app doesn'T show up on the main menu.
ericritou said:
Can you please say which shield TV you have? I am thinking of buying one but am put off by the lack of full play store. Being able to install any apk from a USB stick may sway me (but still not sure). What I plan to do is install any apps I want on my phone, use an apk extractor to get the apk, put it on USB then use CX file explorer to click and install. Does that sound all possible on non-rooted latest full Shield?
Cheers.
Eric.
"You can simply place the apk into your downloads folder or wherever you like on the shield tv then install it from there using a file browser I personally use FX file explorer on shield but any should work. You can also use a file browser to add your cloud like google drive or one drive or whatever and install directly from there or browse to a shared folder on pc and install it that way too whatever is easier for you.
Apps that require root to run will not of course work properly on a non rooted device, however there are plenty of apps that do not require root that install and run just fine."
---------- Post added at 02:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:44 AM ----------
PS Since you can install apk's easily did you ever try to sideload the Google play store apk (along with Google Play Services apk to see if they will install?
That would be interesting.
Gaps download for HUAWEI Chinese phones would be easy to obtain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 2015 pro model NVIDIA shield, but do have access to a 2017 model at my brother in laws, anyway extracting apks or getting them from places like apk mirror then using a usb to install will work you can even install them over your network from your pc or laptop using a file explorer program that supports it. I have never tried installing the full play store on my shield as it comes with one, however I have tried to install things using a pc browser and the google play site to the shield and had some luck installing a few apps that are not available on the shields version of play store. So basically doesn't matter where u get the apk you can usually install it to the shield some apps wont display properly which is why I suggested an orientation type program to correctly display and use also be aware some apps might need a mouse or keyboard to function properly when you do this depending on what you install.
Roamin64 said:
How is rooting a nightmare ? Once your bootloader is unlocked it literally takes 5 minutes to root..
Unlock bootloader
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot boot twrp.img
install magisk zip
Reboot , you're rooted..
I don't understand why people suggest any other file explorer besides "x-plore". By far the best file explorer out there, 100% crap free. You can install any APK from any location using x-plore.. Most of the time I leave the APK on my network , that network drive is mapped in the shield settings, I simply browse to it with x-plore , and install any APK. If it doesn't make a shortcut in the android tv menu , then simply use "sideload launcher" by chainfire to launch whichever app doesn'T show up on the main menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont understand y ppl think their preferred app is the same or should be everyones preference.. never really used xplore so cant comment on it but this is bcuz i use fx file explorer.. it has been good to me for years and still counting.. you can access network and more if u get an fx license which is cheap.. u can set up windows, ftp, ssh, webdav over network... set up cloud storage... bluetooth... web access.... fx connect and other means using it.. root installer.. text editor... binary viewer... deals with archives... themes... multiple root settings and other settings... diagnostic tools... has builtin busybox or u can use any other busybox you have installed and more
agreed though, roots easy if you dont have troubles.. not sure what ur runnin but nstv pro 2019 unless its been updated since i last checked cannot simply install magisk.. u need modified magisk.zip which is an older version then need to do some trickery in twrp to get it to flash right then still might need some trickery to get it to boot.. i have to use adb root to change bootstate to orange before itll load and if u dont got adb authorized yet then i use twrp to set a script tochange bootstate on boot.. tyen if u still have problems might need towipe and/or mess with vbmetaand/or dtb partitions.. and im an experienced person when it comes to root, exploits, twrp utilization and fastboot (not claiming to b pro or anything crazy, just know how to use them fairly well and general idea of how things work) so i can imagine some ppl that maybe arent as experienced or new to this particular device would have a difficult time indeed.
DBCAB said:
I have the 2015 pro model NVIDIA shield, but do have access to a 2017 model at my brother in laws, anyway extracting apks or getting them from places like apk mirror then using a usb to install will work you can even install them over your network from your pc or laptop using a file explorer program that supports it. I have never tried installing the full play store on my shield as it comes with one, however I have tried to install things using a pc browser and the google play site to the shield and had some luck installing a few apps that are not available on the shields version of play store. So basically doesn't matter where u get the apk you can usually install it to the shield some apps wont display properly which is why I suggested an orientation type program to correctly display and use also be aware some apps might need a mouse or keyboard to function properly when you do this depending on what you install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks.
---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------
DBCAB said:
I have the 2015 pro model NVIDIA shield, but do have access to a 2017 model at my brother in laws, anyway extracting apks or getting them from places like apk mirror then using a usb to install will work you can even install them over your network from your pc or laptop using a file explorer program that supports it. I have never tried installing the full play store on my shield as it comes with one, however I have tried to install things using a pc browser and the google play site to the shield and had some luck installing a few apps that are not available on the shields version of play store. So basically doesn't matter where u get the apk you can usually install it to the shield some apps wont display properly which is why I suggested an orientation type program to correctly display and use also be aware some apps might need a mouse or keyboard to function properly when you do this depending on what you install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
have you tried the Aurora store? i find stuff there ibcant find in tv play store
elliwigy said:
have you tried the Aurora store? i find stuff there ibcant find in tv play store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
elliwigy suggested the best way to have full playstore, Aurora is a frontend for the real playstore, you are not downloading from an unknown source and also allow to install and validate the apps that you have purchased, also it's possible to spoof your shield as other devices making possible to install apps that in other ways aren't available for your device
!! deprecated !!
0815hoffi said:
FireTV-Settings 3.0 Mod Root works on Tank and Mantis without Amazon Launcher
based on https://github.com/rainman74/FireTV-Settings/releases
install as normal APK.
Root is needed.
NewSettingsGerRoot.apk = German
NewSettingsEngRoot.apk = English
FireTV-SettingsGer.zip = Android Studio Zip German
FireTV-SettingsEng.zip = Android Studio Zip English
Feel free to customize it for whatever works best for you! ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so the apk file is unnecessary with root since the zip is in charge of that correct? This is actually interesting considering that the Amazon Launcher being disabled with root therefore losing functionality to accessing settings unless you were to use adb commands.
Edit: the apk was supposed to be installed, works 100%
Skel40 said:
Ok so the apk file is unnecessary with root since the zip is in charge of that correct? This is actually interesting considering that the Amazon Launcher being disabled with root therefore losing functionality to accessing settings unless you were to use adb commands.
Edit: the apk was supposed to be installed, works 100%
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Questions...
So does the Zip need to be flashed?
Then install the APK?
Is the Amazon launcher disable by doing this, or do I have to disable that myself?
Can you easily remove it?
The Zip file is for customize.
SourceCode for Android Studio.
You must disable it .
OK so disable
com.amazon.tv.launcher
?
1. install APK
2. Flash zip ( for customize if you want)
3. disable launcher
The zip, what does it modify and how do you go back?
Sorry for the questions, just want to know what to expect if i have an issue...
Install other Launcher.
For mantis maybe you need FTVLaunchX to start the alternate Launcher.
#adb shell pm disable com.amazon.tv.launcher
Install apk to access the settings without amazon Launcher.
The Zip the SourceCode to build apk.
I hope it is understandable now
Thanks bro, this works perfect with ATV Launcher 0.1.2 now i can access amazon built-in apps on 4k stick.
Thanks for this.
Couple of queries:
Lots of icons on my custom launcher. But all start off at sleep. Is this normal? If so why so many icons?
The command to disable the amazon launcher is not working and I do have root. Any ideas?
Edit: Not to worry about the above. I found a new version that gives me just the one icon
Also found the instructions to delete the amazon launcher so that is good.
Only problem that some might have is installing new apps from the amazon marketplace (or whatever they call it).
Any ideas about how to do this?
Use this Version.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=82368799&postcount=1
Amazon Market is not working.
You must sideload the apps.
Also you can push the apps over the Amazon Website to your Stick.
App Updates should be installed automatic.
0815hoffi said:
Use this Version.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=82368799&postcount=1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that.
I manage a lot of these sticks. Most I know the Amazon accounts for so will use the web site to push to them if they request new apps.
I will ask for the other account details but if they wont provide them I will send them to the website to install themselves if they want new apps.
It seems Amazon pushed out a new prime Video app today (or I was told about it today) that asks it you want to install it.
Was told it no longer works with this setup if it is installed. Was fine yesterday and no prompt to update then.
Might be a problem with the Prime Video app in general and not this setup, but all my sticks are running these fixes now.
Just tested on one and it is true. Trying to open Prime Video does nothing. Tried both the icons for it (one never worked but now both do not).
Will see if I can roll it back (once I find the original apk).
Thanks for this. So nice not to see the Amazon Launcher at all now.