Database Users

[Q] setting up VPN on NP running ATV 5.1?

I'm struggling to find a VPN app that has visible controls/menus - every one of the apps I've sideloaded can't be configured.
From reading the forums this appears to be something to do with the "3 dots" being removed in the 5.1 update - I've been on 5.1 since the day I set mine up so never had this.
Are there any VPN apps that have the controls on the main screen or are otherwise compatible with NP/5.1?
I'm also looking to switch VPNs so if anyone has a working VPN on 5.1 using a particular client's app, I'd be interested to know which service. Apparently PIA's, which I had hope for because the controls were on the main screen, doesn't work if sideloaded on ATV; not sure whether this was with 5.0 or 5.1 because authors of these posts didn't specify.

mrjezza said:
I'm struggling to find a VPN app that has visible controls/menus - every one of the apps I've sideloaded can't be configured.
From reading the forums this appears to be something to do with the "3 dots" being removed in the 5.1 update - I've been on 5.1 since the day I set mine up so never had this.
Are there any VPN apps that have the controls on the main screen or are otherwise compatible with NP/5.1?
I'm also looking to switch VPNs so if anyone has a working VPN on 5.1 using a particular client's app, I'd be interested to know which service. Apparently PIA's, which I had hope for because the controls were on the main screen, doesn't work if sideloaded on ATV; not sure whether this was with 5.0 or 5.1 because authors of these posts didn't specify.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got PIA OpenVPN app working.
#2: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-player/help/sideloading-openvpn-add-certificate-t3006778
Will only work with the PIA service.

dfl said:
I got PIA OpenVPN app working.
#2: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-player/help/sideloading-openvpn-add-certificate-t3006778
Will only work with the PIA service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you access the local network (192.168.x.x) and/or SMB shares while the VPN is active with PIA's app?

Yes. Everything behind your router is local and outbound is tunneled VPN.

dfl said:
Yes. Everything behind your router is local and outbound is tunneled VPN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesn't seem to be working that way for me. using PIA app and i can't access a web ui running on my desktop pc via sideloaded Chrome or any of my network shares via Kodi
any ideas?

You installed chrome on your nexus player? Make sure your player is connected to your home WiFi with dhcp, dont mess with the DNS. Launch your PIA app from chainfires side load launcher. Put your PIA username / password in and tick the save userinfo then click on connect. You should see on the bottom of your PIA app changing routes and then finally say CONNECTED. Hit your home button to get back to leanback launcher home., you may get a lean has crashed, just hit ok and get back home, PIA is still running in the background. Try launching a youtube video to verify you tunneled through successfully. After that launch Chrome via chainfires side load launcher. Navigate to whatismyip and should say your city and IP are different. Once you had verified go back to home and try to access your files again, if they are not there try and remap them. What are you using to stream home media? I have no issues within Kodi. If you are streaming through something else I'll mimic your setup and see what my results are.

dfl said:
You installed chrome on your nexus player? Make sure your player is connected to your home WiFi with dhcp, dont mess with the DNS. Launch your PIA app from chainfires side load launcher. Put your PIA username / password in and tick the save userinfo then click on connect. You should see on the bottom of your PIA app changing routes and then finally say CONNECTED. Hit your home button to get back to leanback launcher home., you may get a lean has crashed, just hit ok and get back home, PIA is still running in the background. Try launching a youtube video to verify you tunneled through successfully. After that launch Chrome via chainfires side load launcher. Navigate to whatismyip and should say your city and IP are different. Once you had verified go back to home and try to access your files again, if they are not there try and remap them. What are you using to stream home media? I have no issues within Kodi. If you are streaming through something else I'll mimic your setup and see what my results are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly how I've been doing it but its not working.
My setup is NP connected via WIFI using DHCP. Launch PIA app from sideload launcher. Hit connect (details already saved), wait for connected confirmation. I confirmed via whatismyip and ipleak that I have VPN ip (not ISP ip).
I can do anything that involves internet - youtube, web, video streaming, etc.
But nothing local works: I can't access a service running @ http://192.168.1.XX: port via Chrome and I can't use the SMB shortcuts pointing to my NAS configured in Kodi or browse the windows network/workgroup to find the NAS manually (no local network devices show up at all). I haven't tried adding a source using the NAS ip (but I don't see why this would work if the Chrome web service test failed). Both of these things work fine when the VPN is switched off.
Edit: some google research and a brief chat with a relatively clueless tech support person leads me to believe that split tunnelling may not be implemented in the PIA android app.

mrjezza said:
That's exactly how I've been doing it but its not working.
My setup is NP connected via WIFI using DHCP. Launch PIA app from sideload launcher. Hit connect (details already saved), wait for connected confirmation. I confirmed via whatismyip and ipleak that I have VPN ip (not ISP ip).
I can do anything that involves internet - youtube, web, video streaming, etc.
But nothing local works: I can't access a service running @ http://192.168.1.XX: port via Chrome and I can't use the SMB shortcuts pointing to my NAS configured in Kodi or browse the windows network/workgroup to find the NAS manually (no local network devices show up at all). I haven't tried adding a source using the NAS ip (but I don't see why this would work if the Chrome web service test failed). Both of these things work fine when the VPN is switched off.
Edit: some google research and a brief chat with a relatively clueless tech support person leads me to believe that split tunnelling may not be implemented in the PIA android app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man i feel like an idiot. I been watching stuff off an external drive plugged in via OTG. I thought that share was on my server. I am sorry to have been misleading. I really spaced on that.
My bad,
DFL

dfl said:
Man i feel like an idiot. I been watching stuff off an external drive plugged in via OTG. I thought that share was on my server. I am sorry to have been misleading. I really spaced on that.
My bad,
DFL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all good, i'm glad someone was getting involved at least
i think there are at least a couple of vpn apps that support split tunnelling, but until there is a way to use menus on apps that aren't designed for the android tv leanback launcher, i don't think there is a way to have it work on a stock-rom nexus player

I would like to get that figured out too. I know on my RPI2 there was a workaround of sorts to get PIA working and has split tunnelling. Curious if the same method install would work with a few tweaks, though that will only VPN in Kodi. Ill mess around tonight if i get some time. let me know what you find.

i've posted in a group run by a dev of one of the popular vpn apps so hopefully we can get a 5.1+ compatible version soon (he said it worked in his android tv emulator but i suspect it was running 5.0 and the missing 3 dots wasn't an issue)

mrjezza said:
i've posted in a group run by a dev of one of the popular vpn apps so hopefully we can get a 5.1+ compatible version soon (he said it worked in his android tv emulator but i suspect it was running 5.0 and the missing 3 dots wasn't an issue)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not a promising conversation, i get the impression the dev is not willing to do the work needed to have the gui operational on 5.1+ android tv

dfl said:
I got PIA OpenVPN app working.
#2: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-player/help/sideloading-openvpn-add-certificate-t3006778
Will only work with the PIA service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you able to access PIA app's settings? I have the app installed and running but unlike on my mobile phone there is no settings which I wanted to enable connect on boot.

No, i havent been able to access the apps settings. I connect and leave on for a few days then ill reconnect.

[Guide] Comcast Xfinity TV Go App on FTV

Hello Everyone!
I have been able to get my Xfinity TV Go app working on the FTV.
1. Download the Xfinity.apk [Mediafire]
2. Buy or Download the "Mouse Toggle for Fire TV" [Google Play - $2.99]
3. Install Mouse Toggle on an android device (tablet or phone) and make sure you are on the same network as the FTV stick.
4. Follow instructions on the Mouse Toggle app (EXTREMELY SIMPLE)
5. Install the Xfinity.apk to the FTV via ADB
6. Open the Xfinity app on the FTV
7. If the Mouse Toggle installed and is running QUICKLY double tap <PLAY/PAUSE> and you will see a cursor on the screen. Move it with the D-Pad and select Username/Email
8. Login with your Comcast Account
9. Profit?
I have done this and it 100% works! It is still a bit of a pain to have to switch to D-Pad mode to scroll and the Mouse Mode to select but all in all it works!
Thanks and any comments/feedback is greatly appreciated!

Or just use a mouse ...

andTab said:
Or just use a mouse ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you could but not everyone has a Bluetooth mouse. And for a cheaper one is 5 to 10 usd while the app is $2.99. Also it is easier to just use the supplied remote instead of multiple devices.
But to each their one.

@AndroidDeveloper4Life
Great guide write-up. Been using the Mouse Toggle since last year. Once you get use to it. It will become second nature to switch back and forth.
Are any of your FTV's rooted ? If so, is XFinity blocking playback on rooted devices ? Are you live streaming from XFinity on a FTV Stick ? Is it smooth? Asking because the ATT Uverse app has been pain if your rooted or overall too.

Thanks.
I do not have a rooted fire tv stick but will get one of the 3 in the house done soon. But it is great quality live streaming (about 1 min behind normal cable). Looks great almost HD quality. We have the 2nd step plan on the Cable (sorry it doesn't give a name online), and we also have the sports addon and everything works great. Of course it will take a min for it to reach HD quality upon loading a channel. But have access to 70+ channels and probably like 90+ if we had HBO, Showtime and all that. But it works great! A he|| alot better than Kodi live tv!

I have a rooted Fire TV 2 and the Xfinity apps work fine for me. Been using these apps for months now,

AndroidDeveloper4Life said:
Thanks.
I do not have a rooted fire tv stick but will get one of the 3 in the house done soon. But it is great quality live streaming (about 1 min behind normal cable). Looks great almost HD quality. We have the 2nd step plan on the Cable (sorry it doesn't give a name online), and we also have the sports addon and everything works great. Of course it will take a min for it to reach HD quality upon loading a channel. But have access to 70+ channels and probably like 90+ if we had HBO, Showtime and all that. But it works great! A he|| alot better than Kodi live tv!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to know. They seem to have added a ton of channels from last time. Will definitely give it ago. Thanks.
lightykd said:
I have a rooted Fire TV 2 and the Xfinity apps work fine for me. Been using these apps for months now,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, will get an account from a friend to try it out. Haven't tried XFinity for close to two years. Glad they got their act together.
Also my bad experience might also be due to FireOS 3 vs FireOS 5. Since all my rooted FTV's are 1st Gen & are still on FireOS 3 waiting for an update.
Tried Uverse on a stock FTV Stick but there where still problems with both Amazon & PlayStore versions of the app.
What version of the XFinity app are your two using?

The Xfinity apps are great but it would be nice if they had D-Pad/button support. Like stated earlier, get that mouse ready!

lightykd said:
The Xfinity apps are great but it would be nice if they had D-Pad/button support. Like stated earlier, get that mouse ready!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have been using & am used to the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV app since Nov. of last year. So no worries if a mouse is needed. Used to have some Logitech M325's hooked up to my 1st Gens. Don't anymore. I really like the scrolling options of the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV.

AndroidDeveloper4Life said:
Thanks.
I do not have a rooted fire tv stick but will get one of the 3 in the house done soon. But it is great quality live streaming (about 1 min behind normal cable). Looks great almost HD quality. We have the 2nd step plan on the Cable (sorry it doesn't give a name online), and we also have the sports addon and everything works great. Of course it will take a min for it to reach HD quality upon loading a channel. But have access to 70+ channels and probably like 90+ if we had HBO, Showtime and all that. But it works great! A he|| alot better than Kodi live tv!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does this really work on a nonrooted firetv stick running any software os3 or latest os5? Does it continue to work today( a couple months later)?
I'm trying to find out if I need a rooted ftv to play xfinity tv go app or is any nonrooted ftv1,2,or stick fine?
I tried it with a new cheap Android box but kept getting error 3322 on all the channels.

atoneapone said:
So does this really work on a nonrooted firetv stick running any software os3 or latest os5? Does it continue to work today( a couple months later)?
I'm trying to find out if I need a rooted ftv to play xfinity tv go app or is any nonrooted ftv1,2,or stick fine?
I tried it with a new cheap Android box but kept getting error 3322 on all the channels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it worked fine. My problem is that I have a game controller and no remote.
I borrowed one from the neighbors to test it out
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

When I try to run this app it says no wifi connection use mobile data connection I am using a friends login so I just wanna make sure I'm not using there data

Anyone know a way install the other xfinity tv app?
The one that accesses the X1 DVR?

Today I tried installed the latest Xfinity app since the old one has been discontinued. When I try to launch it a black screen shows for a few seconds and goes back to the app list. Has anyone had any luck getting the latest version installed and working?

MaStA819 said:
Today I tried installed the latest Xfinity app since the old one has been discontinued. When I try to launch it a black screen shows for a few seconds and goes back to the app list. Has anyone had any luck getting the latest version installed and working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tv go app still works, it just gives you an error on the home screen. You can still go to Live and search for content to watch. As far as the xfinity tv app goes you'll need to find an older version like 3.2.0.016 which works.

d3adpool said:
The tv go app still works, it just gives you an error on the home screen. You can still go to Live and search for content to watch. As far as the xfinity tv app goes you'll need to find an older version like 3.2.0.016 which works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it still works, but is there ever going to be a time that it doesn't? It appears Comcast made the new app not function on a firestick or something. A little disturbing for the future...

So when I go to live tv now in the app all the channels have been removed and it says to get the new xfinity tv app and they have stopped supporting xfinity tv go.
I installed the latest xfinity tv app but it just ends up crashing every time. Any help?

Just install Kodi and then install the Exodus add-on.
You'll be able to watch every tv show and movie (that I've searched for) for free.
Also in better quality than Comcast. I have the X1 box and it looks like 720p resolution.
The difference is clear when you stream Amazon or Netflix at 1080p.

This doesn't answer the question at hand and yes it is another solution. What we are asking here is has anyone been able to get the current xfinity tv app to work on the firestick?

I actually got the new xfinity app to work on my fire tv, BUT i can't log in because it says you need internet explorer to log in. I used version 3.2.0.016 and i also tried the two versions after this version and they worked, BUT will not let you sign in your account. Is there any way i can download the app log in on my computer and then side load the app to the fire tv. I'm sure someone will figure this out. the tv go said they are not going to have it anymore, you can still watch some on demand movies on it, but no live TV.

Chrome Cast Receiver for Fire TV

Free APK to send chrome cast content (screen cast and tab cast) to your fire tv. It supports any fire tv.
Instructions:
side load the APK to your Fire TV
Version 1.2
This is not my work but it is verified to work and it does not contain any ads or any limitations

Hello!
Thank you very much for this app. I sideloaded on my FTVS and it works great with Spotify. Unfortunately I can't detect it with any other app like Chrome / Youtube... Is this app able to cast only sound?

I was able to test it with chrome tab cast and screen mirroring from Windows computer

Install Google Home on your tablet, phone, whatever and go to cast screen.
This works great. Just gonna keep stuff like roms\emulators on my tablet primarily now.
Thank you!

Hi, thanks for apk. Unfortunately it doesn't work for me. I have installed your apk and googleHome Cast app. Moreover i installed the google play service for android tv. On my phone and my PC i can see the new "tv-stick-chromecast-device", but i don't can see anything if i try to send something from Phone or PC to the Stick. After opening the Chromecast app i tried to go to cast screen, but there is no device found. What i'm doing wrong, please help me. Thank you.
greetings

Sideloaded also and works perfect!!

Works perfect for me on fire stick 2nd gen nice one is it a full one or a trial ?

VERY cool!
It took me several times to get it to cast but it is works.
I hope this app sticks around longer than the last Google cast app for AFTV.

Does this app require Play Store/Services on the Fire TV device?

Axecaster said:
Does this app require Play Store/Services on the Fire TV device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no you can install it right away

Hi josuelopezv:
What's so shameful. Developers give you a convenient to install android box without Google Play Service since you said you already buy it from Google PlayStore. But you leak it as piracy and don't think how many times developers spend to implement the Cast Protocol in house.
josuelopezv said:
Free APK to send chrome cast content (screen cast and tab cast) to your fire tv. It supports any fire tv.
Instructions:
side load the APK to your Fire TV
Version 1.2
This is not my work but it is verified to work and it does not contain any ads or any limitations
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

castreceiver said:
Hi josuelopezv:
What's so shameful. Developers give you a convenient to install android box without Google Play Service since you said you already buy it from Google PlayStore. But you leak it as piracy and don't think how many times developers spend to implement the Cast Protocol in house.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought this is forbidden/illegal? Shouldnt this thread or at least the APK have been deleted?
I do not have a problem to buy any app that has the right functionality.
Im just not used to see pirated content on here(?)

There is nothing illegal about this.

TT_Vert said:
This doesn't seem to allow cast of youtube. It works fine for everything else though. Was hoping to use this for a workaround for the upcoming youtube app removal.
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Casting from YouTube via Chrome on my laptop doesn't work but casting the whole screen does (never found a use for that though since the quality and latency make it pretty useless)

Yeah since I found a work around for the coming youtube/fire armageddon I'm not concerned. How are you casting the whole screen btw?
Dave

I use Google Home to steam everything and haven't had a hiccup. Even games work fine.

Thanks! I'll give this a shot. How is the apk in this thread different than the one in the play store?

Thanks for posting this. Is there any way to support the developer as this appears to be a premium version?

maddogx1 said:
Thanks for posting this. Is there any way to support the developer as this appears to be a premium version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you find out for yourself? Kinda seems like a complete waste of time to register just to say this.

This appears to run as a chromecast receiver & NOT as a chromecast Audio receiver. I'm not sure why Google differentiates them but it would be nice to have a toggle in this app.

Launch VPN on a per app basis possible?

Hey peeps,
I got a simple question. On my ISP Netflix works great with everything stock but I cant get YouTube to work very good on any device. During the afternoons and into the early evening Youtube is something like 240p or less, and much of the time just zero loading at all. I am on a 40/5 connection (fastest available), with a decent Asus AC68U router. If I try to download files I have the 100% full bandwidth I pay for, so its definitely not the connection. It's more like a crappy ISP routing or intentional throttling.
Here is the issue though, if I connect a VPN such as PIA I can get instant full Youtube at full speeds (so long I connect to the California OR Phoenix VPN servers), but then Netflix is instantly dead. If I disable the VPN Netflix then works great but youtube is instantly at unusable picture quality, like 240p or less (if lucky). The ISP (CenturyLink) will not do anything about it as you just get the typical "Oh really, that is weird, we will send someone out to fix it" but the CL support techs that come out can not fix piss poor YouTube routing issues or intentional throttling, all they can do is fix line quality issues which already seem to be perfect for my DSL needs.
So, my question is, is it possible to launch the YouTube app and have the VPN automatically kick in, but when I leave the YouTube app it instantly goes back to NO VPN? That way Netflix and all my other streaming apps will work, and so will YouTube.
I guess I need an app that will launch both PIA and Youtube at the same time?
Thanks for any ideas... Oh and I have no other ISP available to me, so don't suggest changing ISP's, lol.
Rod

What about via Pia settings, per app settings and disable vpn for Netflix?

Hmm good question. I never tried using the Android app for pia because I normally would have used OpenVPN. I don't even see a Android TV app available for the SHIELD. Are you suggesting that the Android pia app will work on my shield TV? I clearly remember pia support telling me that they don't support Android TV so I never bothered trying it. Hmm
I guess I better find an apk and see if I can install it. I was expecting needing some kind of special hack or a special app to do what I want. Thanks for the heads up idea. Will try that right now.
EDIT: I just noticed this in the play store under features of the PIA app. Lol, now I hope the apk actually works.
✔ Per App Settings. Have an app that you want to let bypass the private VPN tunnel? Choose which apps to exclude from the VPN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Well that actually worked. I was expecting a normal android app to not work that great, and although it is forcing itself into portrait mode it seems to fully function even with giant black bars on the sides. I couldn't get the thing to work by only enabling VPN for the YouTube app, not exactly sure why yet, but it is working if I enable it for all apps, and then disable it for only Netflix.
And sure enough YouTube is maxing out my connection near instantly and all videos start at their maximum res. Why that happens only on VPN I just do not understand. The ONLY thing that makes sense to me is a ON Purpose afternoon Throttle, which CenturyLink publicly claims they do not do. I will monitor this today and for the next few days to make sure this has solved my problem with YouTube streaming. With hundreds of subbed channels YouTube is easily one of my most important channels.
Thanks for the idea. I will report back later if this continued to work through the afternoon.

For black bars, i use "set orientation" app. It force landscape mode all apps.

KokkoM said:
For black bars, i use "set orientation" app. It force landscape mode all apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well so far this PIA app is working just fine. I was under the impression I would need to use the OpenVPN Connect app, which I am not sure has per app basis. But after some tweaking to the settings it seems to be working.
I was afraid this would mess with my location services and my Google Home mini usage considering that the Home mini asks the SHIELD TV to turn off/on the TV for me. Not sure things like weather were going to continue working proper if I didn't figure out how to use VPN on only one Google app. But it works...
Thanks again

What Do You Like / Dislike About The Firmware You Are Running? How do You Run your Shield?

Hello Friends~!
I feel like the community is getting closer to being able to make roms for our device and to prepare for that, I would like to know:
What is it that you Like and or Dislike about the Shield's Firmware you are running?
(If you can list the firmware you are running in your answer, that would be super helpful)
I am writing a script to cleanup the system image I want to clone (8.2.3 will be the first one I work on), but it would be helpful to know what others like and dislike about any firmware.
Plus we can generally agree that most like Plex therefore that app and the SMB server stuff should be left alone.
But what do you think? What should be left into a rom for the shield? What should be left out? Should anything be Added in to the rom? Like launchers or stuff like that. What do You personally use?
Any and all thoughts welcome and appreciated!

For me 8.2.3 is the best. Everything with permissions etc got crazy stupid after that. Rocked 9.1.1 for less than 24 hrs...was laggy and just plain sucked.
The thing i wish 8.2.3 or any firmware would allow a way to chromecast youtube to a shield ad free version....lots of times I'll be watching ad free YouTube on my phone....I'll beam it to my tv and get flooded with ads....that would be my wish.
No pop up or ad EVER has made me want to purchase it....it's just spam!

louforgiveno said:
The thing i wish 8.2.3 or any firmware would allow a way to chromecast youtube to a shield ad free version....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I read what you said wrong, is this in reference to youtube vanced or the regular yt app? Have you tried the new one, revanced or maybe just streaming directly from Brave browser then chromecasting it?
And thank you so much for sharing your ideas and reasonings with me!

jenneh said:
I think I read what you said wrong, is this in reference to youtube vanced or the regular yt app? Have you tried the new one, revanced or maybe just streaming directly from Brave browser then chromecasting it?
And thank you so much for sharing your ideas and reasonings with me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there, sorry for the delayed response. Yes so i have vanced on my phone, and occasionally I'll chromecast the video to my shield so i can continue watching it on the tv. The built in youtube/chromecast service on the shield uses the official YouTube app for playback in that case and so there are ads.....i know there are a few other YouTube clients that work adfree on the shield, but i believe you have to manually launch those versions on the shield.....meaning sending YouTube playback from phone to shield will launch the official YT app.
It's definitely not a big issue, but it is something I'd like to see.

@louforgiveno Thank You for Explaining this so well! This is a super interesting problem I was unaware of. Definitely will investigate that!

louforgiveno said:
Hey there, sorry for the delayed response. Yes so i have vanced on my phone, and occasionally I'll chromecast the video to my shield so i can continue watching it on the tv. The built in youtube/chromecast service on the shield uses the official YouTube app for playback in that case and so there are ads.....i know there are a few other YouTube clients that work adfree on the shield, but i believe you have to manually launch those versions on the shield.....meaning sending YouTube playback from phone to shield will launch the official YT app.
It's definitely not a big issue, but it is something I'd like to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VERY EASY solution to this one mate, dowldoad SmartTube app, its literally YouTube Vanced but for your TV, stil cast as regular but zero ads still