Database Users

[ROOT][HOW TO] Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version

This is a simple Step-by-Step guide on How To: Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Kindle Fire 7" HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9" and Kindle Fire 2 with Windows - Noob (Simple) Version. The main group steps are outlined with A, B, C while the sub-group steps are outlined with 1, 2, 3. We attempt to keep this tutorial updated regularly - adding information from the end users experience. We have recently upgraded the storage servers to increase uptime, you now have two options for the downloads both are ad free. Option one is a Dropbox Storage Server and Option two is a Ubuntu One Storage Server, if one is under maintenance you may use the other download link. When you are done with the tutorial, please take the time to post feedback, this is very important to us - without your feedback, we have no way of knowing if we are doing our job. Finally, if you feel we did a decent job, please think about donating to us using the "Donate to Me" button - this is how we make a living, without your kind donations we would no longer be able to do this for a living.
Prerequisites:
1. Kindle Fire HD 7", Kindle Fire HD 8.9" or Kindle Fire 2 7"
2. ES File Explorer or Root Explorer from Google Play.
Some Android apps on Google Play claim to be incompatible with various devices. There’s a good chance that these apps will run fine on many of these devices – you can bypass this check with root access.
Some apps won’t actually work after you install them, but many will. This also solves problems with applications that will install but refuse to play – for example, Boat Browser with the “this device is incompatible” message.
A) Editing Build.prop
The build.prop file contains a few strings (bits of text) that identify your Kindle Fire as KFTT. If you edit this file, Google Play and other apps will think you’re using a different device than you actually using. Be very careful when editing this file – we’ll just be editing a few tiny parts of it. If you edit other parts, you could cause serious problems with your device.
First, launch the ES File Explorer app. Open its Settings screen and enable the Root Explorer and Mount File System options. You may also want to enable the Up to Root option on this screen, so you can easily tap the Up button and navigate to your root directory.
Step 1: Navigate to the /system/ directory on your device and locate the build.prop file.
Step 2: You should create a copy of the original build.prop file elsewhere – long-press on it, select Copy, and then Paste it into another folder – say, your /sdcard/Download folder.
Step 3: Now you’re ready to edit the file. Long-press it, select Open As, select Text, and select the ES Note Editor application
Step 4: Look for the ro.product.model and ro.product.manufacturer lines. These are the important ones.
Step 5: Change these lines to pretend your device is another model. For example, to imitate a Nexus S, use these lines:
ro.product.model = Nexus S
ro.product.manufacturer = samsung
Step 6: After making this change, tap the menu button and select Save.
B) Final Steps
Step 7: Go into the Settings screen, select Applications, select Manage Applications, tap the All category, and select the Google Play app. Clear its cache and data, and then restart the Kindle Fire.
Step 8: Open Google Play and you should be able to download apps that claim they’re not compatible with your Kindle Fire. Applications, Games and Browsers that detect your device should also work, too – Gameloft games seem to be particularly guilty of this. Some apps may still not install or work with your device for other reasons — for example, Google Chrome won’t work on pre-Android 4.0 devices, Bluetooth Tether fails on the Kindle. Some apps may be restricted to certain countries so do not break these rules.
Step 9: Most applications from Google Play Store are installed in the /data/app folder. There are many cases where the application will fail when first launched. If you experience an application that suddenly Stops, move the application to /system/app and change the permissions to User: Read Write | Group: Read and Others: Read. Then reboot your Kindle. If the application continues to fail, please open a post in this thread and we will have our developer work on a solution.

Hi prokennexusa
- I just tried this on my KFHD7"
- After changing the two lines and clearing out the Store app cache and data, I restarted and went back to Play.
- The three apps I was looking for were still not available to me (Fandango, Boat Browser and Chrome)
- I actually downloaded another app store (1Mobile Market) and downloaded all three apps which I installed and ran without problem.
- Also, I thought that perhaps it was not enough to change the two lines you mentioned (product model & manufacturer) so I tried this again with additional changes to brand (changed to samsung) model (changed to nexus s) and device (changed to nexus s) and then I saved the file, cleared cache and data from the google play store and again sought to gain these three apps which were are "not compatible" with my device.
- Unfortuntately, the Play store did not change the status for those apps --they all remained "not compatible" for the device.
- One good point I gained out of this so far is that I have found another pretty good market to get apps to sideload on my KFHD7.
- One question (please!), can I leave the build.prop identities (model, manufacturer, brand, name, device) in their changed state (samsung/nexus s) or is it better to revert them back to the Amazon Kindle for some reason?
Thanks!

Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
markbc01 said:
Hi prokennexusa
- I just tried this on my KFHD7"
- After changing the two lines and clearing out the Store app cache and data, I restarted and went back to Play.
- The three apps I was looking for were still not available to me (Fandango, Boat Browser and Chrome)
- I actually downloaded another app store (1Mobile Market) and downloaded all three apps which I installed and ran without problem.
- Also, I thought that perhaps it was not enough to change the two lines you mentioned (product model & manufacturer) so I tried this again with additional changes to brand (changed to samsung) model (changed to nexus s) and device (changed to nexus s) and then I saved the file, cleared cache and data from the google play store and again sought to gain these three apps which were are "not compatible" with my device.
- Unfortuntately, the Play store did not change the status for those apps --they all remained "not compatible" for the device.
- One good point I gained out of this so far is that I have found another pretty good market to get apps to sideload on my KFHD7.
- One question (please!), can I leave the build.prop identities (model, manufacturer, brand, name, device) in their changed state (samsung/nexus s) or is it better to revert them back to the Amazon Kindle for some reason?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
markbc01,
What I think is happening is the vendors are given two options on how to read the model one reads the build.prop data while the other executes a simple 'android.os.Build.MODEL' request. It looks like most vendors are turning to the latter. They may also query the device fingerprint.
This is great info, this is what we were hoping for:good: - your feedback so we can improve the process and make it work 100% of the time. Give us 24 hours to look at all angles and then we will post an update that will solve your problem.
Leave the build.prop data as is, there is no disadvantage leaving the name changed.

Many free versions such as all of the Angry Birds games are still incompatible from the Play Store even with this edit, yet they work perfectly fine if sideloaded, guess that's more to do with the fact Amazon App Store only having the paid versions & asked Google to block them.

Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
Gilly10 said:
Many free versions such as all of the Angry Birds games are still incompatible from the Play Store even with this edit, yet they work perfectly fine if sideloaded, guess that's more to do with the fact Amazon App Store only having the paid versions & asked Google to block them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gilly10,
You nailed it. Amazon and Google have a very tight relationship. As a matter of fact, if you watch the traffic when you purchase something from Amazon Software App Store, you will see something very interesting. The purchase traffic routes through Amazon but the download request is processed on the same server array as ................. you guess it, Google.

instagram still won't let me install cause its still reading its not compatible
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app

prokennexusa said:
Gilly10,
You nailed it. Amazon and Google have a very tight relationship. As a matter of fact, if you watch the traffic when you purchase something from Amazon Software App Store, you will see something very interesting. The purchase traffic routes through Amazon but the download request is processed on the same server array as ................. you guess it, Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually just looked Amazon do have the FREE versions but only of the first 4, Star Wars is the only paid app without a FREE version, strange they would block the rest, puzzling!

meddle70 said:
instagram still won't let me install cause its still reading its not compatible
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A sketchy workaround (because who knows where they're sourcing their apks) would be to install blackmart, aptoide or similar alternative market and install it from there.... What I can say that it works, but I don't fully endorse it because again, I don't know where they source their apps.

Hi,
Changing the two lines caused a license problem with Swype keyboard... any of you experienced this ?
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium

iCoN3o said:
Hi,
Changing the two lines caused a license problem with Swype keyboard... any of you experienced this ?
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it says it's unregistered or something a long those lines, only thing to do is put back the correct details that you changed or if you copied the build.prop beforehand copy it back to system/ & reboot.

Kindle Fire HD and 2 First Aide Software - Noob (Simple) Version
iCoN3o said:
Hi,
Changing the two lines caused a license problem with Swype keyboard... any of you experienced this ?
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iCoN3o,
This makes sense, the reason? Swipe Keyboard thinks you have copied the software, here is a fix. Go into More+ > Applications > Installed Applications - find Swipe. Clear the Cache and User Data, then remove Swipe.
Then install our software and wipe the User Data and Cache : Kindle Fire HD and 2 First Aide MAJOR UPDATE 02/14/2013 at 21:48 Rev4.2.22
Reboot the Kindle. Go to Google Play Store and reinstall Swipe. The issue will disappear.

Kindle Fire HD and 2 First Aide Software - Noob (Simple) Version
Gilly10 said:
Yeah it says it's unregistered or something a long those lines, only thing to do is put back the correct details that you changed or if you copied the build.prop beforehand copy it back to system/ & reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gilly10,
Actually it is an easy fix. Swipe thinks you have copied the application to a new Android, here is how you fix the issue:
Go into More+ > Applications > Installed Applications - find Swipe. Clear the Cache and User Data, then remove Swipe.
Then install our software and wipe the User Data and Cache : Kindle Fire HD and 2 First Aide MAJOR UPDATE 02/14/2013 at 21:48 Rev4.2.22
Reboot the Kindle. Go to Google Play Store and reinstall Swipe. The issue will disappear.

Thanks ! That worked.
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium

Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
iCoN3o said:
Thanks ! That worked.
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iCoN3o,
Thank you for taking the time to post feedback. We do appreciate it, thank you!

Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
meddle70 said:
instagram still won't let me install cause its still reading its not compatible
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
meddle70,
This method works on about 60% of the vendors. It depends on how the vendor reads the make and model. There is another method will will be posting that will take care of the issue 100% of the time, give us a few days and we will post the additional work.

Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
Gilly10 said:
Actually just looked Amazon do have the FREE versions but only of the first 4, Star Wars is the only paid app without a FREE version, strange they would block the rest, puzzling!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gilly10,
The reason may have to do with the contract that Amazon has signed with Google Play, since there appears to be little rhyme and reason.

Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
meddle70 said:
instagram still won't let me install cause its still reading its not compatible
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
meddle70,
We have a signed copy of Instagram on our server we were using for testing, here is a link to Instagram 3.4.0: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/54456659/Instagram_3.4.0.apk.zip
Pleas extract Instagram_3.4.0.apk.zip ad Instagram_3.4.0.apk then install on your Kindle. You may use ES Explorer to install Instagram_3.4.0.apk by clicking on the Instagram_3.4.0.apk program and wait for "installed successfully". Once you have installed Instagram_3.4.0.apk be sure to move Instagram_3.4.0.apk from /data/app to /system/app check the permissions of Instagram_3.4.0.apk in /system/app they should be: User: Read Write Group: Read and Others: Read - be sure to reboot prior to using Instagram 3.4.0.
If you run into any issues with the installation, just post the question here or in our Backup/Recovery thread.

Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
helix4u said:
A sketchy workaround (because who knows where they're sourcing their apks) would be to install blackmart, aptoide or similar alternative market and install it from there.... What I can say that it works, but I don't fully endorse it because again, I don't know where they source their apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
helix4u,
We are a little confused? Can you please clarify?
This is for Google Play and we do not use any APK"s in this tutorial. This tutorial allows you to install programs from Google Play that is accidentally blocked due to "incompatible" message. We have found this message is erroneous about 80% of the time, so we decided to find a way around the issue. Now there may be issues with certain packages that require Jelly Bean, this will not work for the packages designed for Jelly Bean but this workaround does work for the other packages.

prokennexusa said:
helix4u,
We are a little confused? Can you please clarify?
This is for Google Play and we do not use any APK"s in this tutorial. This tutorial allows you to install programs from Google Play that is accidentally blocked due to "incompatible" message. We have found this message is erroneous about 80% of the time, so we decided to find a way around the issue. Now there may be issues with certain packages that require Jelly Bean, this will not work for the packages designed for Jelly Bean but this workaround does work for the other packages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My reply was directed toward someone who had a problem with a specific application where the application was still claiming to be incompatible in the play store. I offered a workaround that does not use the play store, but instead uses an alternative market application. My comments about APKs were in reference to the applications provided by these alternative market applications.

There's an even easier way now. side load market helper.
http://codekiem.com/2013/02/13/market-helper/
This app "fools the android market into thinking you have a nexus 7, or a galaxy S 3 or a couple of others.
Root is required. Change is temporary and won't touch your build prop.
I've tested it and it works as advertised.

[ROOT][HOWTO] Disable Lockscreen Ads

WARNING: I am not responsible for any bricked devices caused by attempting this howto. If you haven't read this how to twice, and fully understand the requirements, then please don't attempt it.
Introduction (not important):
First, this may not be the best way to do this, and if someone knows a better way, I'll be happy to listen.
I kinda stumbled across this solution after trying the many other ways to solve the problem, but all the other ways seemed to have something incomplete with them and ended with no ADS, but no something else, like rotating lock screens or something.
I started with the assumption that the ADS program (dtcp) can be disabled through a flag somewhere on the system, for if you pay the extra $20 you get a kindle with no ADS, but same Android build. After looking through lots of sqlite databases I found it in the com.android.providers.settings/settings.db file.
Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge of databases
SQLite Editor Pro (Free on 1Mobile Market)
DroidWall
Steps:
Open SQLite Editor
Open "Settings Storage" (com.android.providers.settings)
Open settings.db
open "global" table
Highlight entry "IS_DTCP_ENABLED"
Click the Edit Record button at the top
Change the value from a 1 to a 0
Click Save
Go back
Make same change on the "secure" table
Reboot kindle for new options to take effect.
Other Thoughts:
This just changes the value temporarily until the device checks back in with Amazon and then the value will get overridden again with the correct value. To prevent that install DroidWall and whitelist only the applications you need to access the internet. DroidWall requires root, which is why root is in the subject. But you should be doing this anyways to prevent OTA updates.

cool
Does this mean that you will now get the rotating native wallpapers that you would have if you paid for the dismissal of the ads? Currently I use adaway on my s4 hotspot and the only one I blacklist is (spectrum.s3.amazonaws.com) this has blocked updates because I am still on old software with no other blocking in place and I have noticed it also has blocked rotateing ads accept I have the same 1 at all times.
Edit: YAY !!!! and yes I now have rotating native wallpapers
Btw thank you for sharing and it is quite refreshing to see a new member join to share useful information in a well thought out and presented OP and not just join to start a thread with a question that is the heading of so many other threads that has been beat to death already..burying perfectly good information..thank you for joining us at XDA!

Awesome!!!! have been looking for a way to do this without factory reset for a while! You da man! Gonna spam that thanks button for a while lol

Thanks so much, that was easy!

Mind after a few days .2 went straight black lock screen

Anyone know what exactly I need to enable in droidwall to have internet but no ota updates or Amazon changing the lock screen back to ads?

Uhg

This mod works fine. No ads, rotating wallpapers appear every time. No reversion to black screen. No need for Droidwall. Use of Droidwall is impractical for this purpose. Who knows what not to include in some giant white list?
It appears that the wallpapers will continue to appear without reversion if you have blocked updates using the root kit.

earlgrey_44 said:
This mod works fine. No ads, rotating wallpapers appear every time. No reversion to black screen. No need for Droidwall. Use of Droidwall is impractical for this purpose. Who knows what not to include in some giant white list?
It appears that the wallpapers will continue to appear without reversion if you have blocked updates using the root kit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, what's the root kit?

dras99 said:
Sorry, what's the root kit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First link in this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53451623&postcount=3
I assume the block update action from the rootkit is responsible for the lack of reversion to ads since I haven't done anything else except the steps I outlined in the post and the data base tweaks explained above. My kindle has been running for 5 days now without ads and with the startup wallpaper.

earlgrey_44 said:
First link in this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53451623&postcount=3
I assume the block update action from the rootkit is responsible for the lack of reversion to ads since I haven't done anything else except the steps I outlined in the post and the data base tweaks explained above. My kindle has been running for 5 days now without ads and with the startup wallpaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also blocked updates with the root kit. Then I followed this tutorial and it worked great however it did revert back to adds after a reboot or 2.

conan1600 said:
I also blocked updates with the root kit. Then I followed this tutorial and it worked great however it did revert back to adds after a reboot or 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strange! What's different about my install I wonder?

earlgrey_44 said:
Strange! What's different about my install I wonder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm left scratching my head over that as well. Tomorrow I will re run the ota block script as I'm now concerned that it perhaps did not do something correctly. I did check for updates and it says last update failed but better safe than sorry. I DO NOT want to end up getting updated again. I finally have this tablet running rather nicely and am quite satisfied with most aspects. Still need much more customization options but it's serviceable now. And this tablet has always had the best touch input response of any I've ever used. I'd hate to have to throw it back in the closet.

I am getting now BLACK SCREENS. Any way to change this?

Script
For anyone who wants to run this from command line (e.g. on reboot or network change event) you can create a script like below and use SManager to run it periodically. You will first need to install sqlite3 binary (google "SQLite Installer for Root").
Here is the script that needs to be executed as root:
Code:
#!/system/bin/sh
sqlite3 -batch /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db "update global SET value='0' where name='IS_DTCP_ENABLED'";
sqlite3 -batch /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db "update secure SET value='0' where name='IS_DTCP_ENABLED'";

Install Not Working

I have the Fire HD 8 (7th Generation) that won't let me install any apk (Install button not working). Is this a common problem with this? Is there a fix for it? I realize I'll have to wait until someone comes up with a root solution, but I can't even install the Google files necessary to install Play Store.
I've seen some things about screen filtering, but there's really no way to know which of the Amazon bloat apps use screen filtering, and even if there are there's no way to disable them. Obviously, I haven't installed any screen filtering offenders.
Thanks!

Stacman said:
I have the Fire HD 8 (7th Generation) that won't let me install any apk (Install button not working). Is this a common problem with this? Is there a fix for it? I realize I'll have to wait until someone comes up with a root solution, but I can't even install the Google files necessary to install Play Store.
I've seen some things about screen filtering, but there's really no way to know which of the Amazon bloat apps use screen filtering, and even if there are there's no way to disable them. Obviously, I haven't installed any screen filtering offenders.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently, I answered my own question. As with an Android device, the first thing I do is set "Allow Unknown Sources" for third party apps, but I didn't restart to have the changes take effect...
Thanks!

Stacman said:
I have the Fire HD 8 (7th Generation) that won't let me install any apk (Install button not working). Is this a common problem with this? Is there a fix for it? I realize I'll have to wait until someone comes up with a root solution, but I can't even install the Google files necessary to install Play Store.
I've seen some things about screen filtering, but there's really no way to know which of the Amazon bloat apps use screen filtering, and even if there are there's no way to disable them. Obviously, I haven't installed any screen filtering offenders.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
1.) There might be a storage problem. Make sure at least 500MB storage is available in the internal storage and restart your kindle. It should work.
2.) Another issue will surely of a program like Screen Dimmer or Bad *** Battery Monitor or it's addon Icon Pack that constantly runs in the background or notification tray. It somehow kills the Install button in the file manager. Find it anyhow and turn it off. You will find the issue resolved.
Thanks

NO ROOT REQUIRED: Completely disable and enable your lock screen

Many of us don't have root and many of us also uninstalled may system apps, including Fire Launcher. That left us with some annoyances. One major annoyance was being kicked to the lock screen whenever we swiped away apps from the recent apps menu. Some people saw annoying flashes. Well this isn't quite a fix, but it pretty much takes care of the problem. You can now remove your lock screen completely and replace it at will and you do NOT need root access.
***WARNING: Touching any other settings on your tablet during this guide can cause a brick!!!***
1. Download and install Settings Database Editor.
2. Plug your tablet into your PC and open an ADB window. Enter the following:
Code:
adb shell pm grant by4a.setedit22 android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
Step number 2 MUST be done in order for this to work.
3. Open Settings Database Editor and tap on the 'secure' tab at the top.
4. These settings are in alphabetical order. Scroll until you see:
Code:
"lockscreen_disabled" "0"
5. Change the 0 to a 1. DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE
6. Close Settings Database Editor
Now turn off your screen. Now turn it back on. You are welcome! I have a few more tricks coming. Watch for some later!
IF THE ABOVE DOESN'T WORK, TO DISABLE LOCK SCREEN:
Code:
adb shell settings put secure lockscreen_disabled 1
ENABLE LOCK SCREEN:
Code:
adb shell settings put secure lockscreen_disabled 0

Both methods don´t work on my Fire HD10 2017.

tommes-d said:
Both methods don´t work on my Fire HD10 2017.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked almost instantly for me. Maybe wait a bit? Did you reboot? It won't work on every device. Doesn't work on my Galaxy S7.

Not working for me too (Fire HD 8 2016). Also, you've made a mistake: original setting name is "lockscreen.disabled" (dot, not an underscore).

sensboston said:
Not working for me too (Fire HD 8 2016). Also, you've made a mistake: original setting name is "lockscreen.disabled" (dot, not an underscore).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disappointing. Today I got a good one though. I can't wait to get home and post a thread.

I know this isn't the correct forum for this but I tried this on a Fire 7 (2017) and it also does not seem to work.

is there an updated way to do this?
is there an updated way to do this?
edit: kindle fire 8 7th gen, confirmed not working.

Doesn't work on my Fire HD8. But while browsing through Settings Database Editor I have found something useful.
In the "Global Table" tab there's a setting called LOCKSCREEN_AD_ENABLED. Change the value from 1 to 0, save. Turn off screen, turn it on again --> ads are gone!
At least for a while...

Seems to be working on KFAUWI (Fire 7 7th Gen) on 5.4.0.0.
EDIT: Maybe it doesn't work with 5.4.0.1 and later?
It would be useful for those reporting success/failure to include not just device model, but fw version as well.
EDIT1: After some time playing around the system I have found out that by default it actually does not work, but if Global Table->"device_provisioned" = 0 then lock screen gets disabled, but serial number gets greyed out and developer options get disabled, while adb remains functional.
On 5.6.0.0 even change to "device_provisioned" did not disable the lock screen.

gabosius said:
Seems to be working on KFAUWI (Fire 7 7th Gen) on 5.4.0.0.
EDIT: Maybe it doesn't work with 5.4.0.1 and later?
It would be useful for those reporting success/failure to include not just device model, but fw version as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are settings in the "private" class that override some of these lower ones, usually in favor their using their own software. I think most device stock settings are hidden for the purpose of favoring their own software. Though with Amazon, I scratch my head. Why spend the large amount of money, to install a high tech, customizable GPS system on devices, only to spend more money carelessly blocking your Access?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using XDA Labs

DragonFire1024 said:
There are settings in the "private" class that override some of these lower ones, usually in favor their using their own software. I think most device stock settings are hidden for the purpose of favoring their own software. Though with Amazon, I scratch my head. Why spend the large amount of money, to install a high tech, customizable GPS system on devices, only to spend more money carelessly blocking your Access?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fairly simple, the same goes for one of the iPhones (don't recall which gen exactly) which had two different models of radio chips, one of which did support LTE, but Apple decided to disable LTE support for that gen of the phone altogether.
Now more on the topic, checked the specs of all 7th gen tablets, indeed none of them seem to support GPS officially (for some reason I thought that HD8/HD10 might have it), but if they have the hw, it could be for testing purposes to test proprietary GPS related sw on development devices before introducing it in the next gen? Or simply they decided to drop it somewhere along the way but left the hardware (as we still have Serial/UART on some production devices nowadays, which are used only for debugging in the development stage).
On the other hand, where did you get the info that it actually has GPS related hardware? Because while exploring my device settings I only found a hint on A-GPS support (which is not proven).

gabosius said:
That's fairly simple, the same goes for one of the iPhones (don't recall which gen exactly) which had two different models of radio chips, one of which did support LTE, but Apple decided to disable LTE support for that gen of the phone altogether.
Now more on the topic, checked the specs of all 7th gen tablets, indeed none of them seem to support GPS officially (for some reason I thought that HD8/HD10 might have it), but if they have the hw, it could be for testing purposes to test proprietary GPS related sw on development devices before introducing it in the next gen? Or simply they decided to drop it somewhere along the way but left the hardware (as we still have Serial/UART on some production devices nowadays, which are used only for debugging in the development stage).
On the other hand, where did you get the info that it actually has GPS related hardware? Because while exploring my device settings I only found a hint on A-GPS support (which is not proven).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add a few .xml configuration files to start and there is configuration settings in the framework. Look for an app on the tablet with HERE in all caps in the title. That's the APK module making it possible. And yes I figured out a way to modify framework settings

DragonFire1024 said:
Add a few .xml configuration files to start and there is configuration settings in the framework. Look for an app on the tablet with HERE in all caps in the title. That's the APK module making it possible. And yes I figured out a way to modify framework settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, just checked MT8127 specs, and indeed there seems to be integrated support for GPS with GLONASS, that may be something interesting to play with.
EDIT: HD8/HD10 even have broader support of GPS related technologies according to their SoC specs.
Yeah, I was following root progress thread, even tried Blueborne exploit (the one published by Armis labs on github) on KFAUWI without much success as there is no access to /proc/<pid>/maps. And framework-res.apk mod looks promising only for devices having root, as getting required permissions outside /system is rather problematic.
Yet I was surprised that WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS can be assigned outside /system. As I was poking around com.amazon.dcp.permission.DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI for quite some time.

gabosius said:
Yet I was surprised that WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS can be assigned outside /system. As I was poking around com.amazon.dcp.permission.DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI for quite some time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any idea if you can grant something like Activity Launcher the DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI permission? Some of the activities gave me errors when I tried to open them, saying they require com.amazon.dcp.permission.DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI.
The thing is, this appears to be a custom permission added by Amazon, not available in the official Android documentation.
Would Activity Launcher even be capable of launching certain "hidden" activities with this permission granted? Presumably you would grant permission over ADB the same way as WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS?
Any ideas would be great.

lakitu47 said:
Do you have any idea if you can grant something like Activity Launcher the DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI permission? Some of the activities gave me errors when I tried to open them, saying they require com.amazon.dcp.permission.DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI.
The thing is, this appears to be a custom permission added by Amazon, not available in the official Android documentation.
Would Activity Launcher even be capable of launching certain "hidden" activities with this permission granted? Presumably you would grant permission over ADB the same way as WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS?
Any ideas would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried granting it to other apps and it resulted in "com.amazon.dcp.permission.DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI is not a changeable type" the command I used was pm grant com.amazon.dcp com.amazon.dcp.permission.DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI so yes, the syntax is the same with custom amazon permissions. Also execution of dumpsys package com.amazon.dcp shows that app already has DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI permission.
My guess is that it requires root, as even when I am launching activity from adb shell (not in context of activity manager) I get the same error that it requires the permission, and the same goes for some other hidden amazon applications.
EDIT: you can get list of device permissions by executing "pm list permissions" without quotes from adb shell, there are at least a few interesting ones.

lakitu47 said:
Do you have any idea if you can grant something like Activity Launcher the DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI permission? Some of the activities gave me errors when I tried to open them, saying they require com.amazon.dcp.permission.DISPLAY_DEBUG_UI.
The thing is, this appears to be a custom permission added by Amazon, not available in the official Android documentation.
Would Activity Launcher even be capable of launching certain "hidden" activities with this permission granted? Presumably you would grant permission over ADB the same way as WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS?
Any ideas would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a great question and one that hasn't been asked before. I can tell you I've been able to, in some apps, modify the manifest permissions. For example, I can use an app to edit the manifest of Jack Pals terminal emulator to add the secure settings permission and have it successfully install etc. I never thought of doing the same with activity launcher and if successful, seeing what happens. This could be very interesting. If you give me a few copies of some of the manifests permissions, I can see if a recompile and install will hold.

DragonFire1024 said:
That's a great question and one that hasn't been asked before. I can tell you I've been able to, in some apps, modify the manifest permissions. For example, I can use an app to edit the manifest of Jack Pals terminal emulator to add the secure settings permission and have it successfully install etc. I never thought of doing the same with activity launcher and if successful, seeing what happens. This could be very interesting. If you give me a few copies of some of the manifests permissions, I can see if a recompile and install will hold.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I attached a text document with ALL of the permissions listed by "pm list permissions" since it was too long to put here.

lakitu47 said:
I attached a text document with ALL of the permissions listed by "pm list permissions" since it was too long to put here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give me a few hours to see if I can modify the app. If I can, I'll upload a. APK
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using XDA Labs

DragonFire1024 said:
Give me a few hours to see if I can modify the app. If I can, I'll upload a. APK
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Questionable whether anything would change, as I don't see where activity launcher would need write secure settings permission.
On the other hand I did some digging on the "not a changeable permission type" message, and this provides some answer on what it might be expecting in order to activate?/assign the permission.

gabosius said:
Questionable whether anything would change, as I don't see where activity launcher would need write secure settings permission.
On the other hand I did some digging on the "not a changeable permission type" message, and this provides some answer on what it might be expecting in order to activate?/assign the permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. So each permission has a certain "protection" level?

Fire TV Stick 4K System Package List (6.2.7.1)

Packages required to be kept or else Amazon Signing in won't work:
com.amazon.tv.oobe (Holds the whole Amazon Account setting)
com.amazon.ale (Is in charge of keeping the account connections to work)
com.amazon.katoch (Same with this one. Don't disable and remove)
com.amazon.naatyam (This one too. It messes up the account connections if deleted and disabled)
com.amazon.ceviche (This one too.)
com.amazon.csm.htmlruntime-stub
com.amazon.tv.routing
com.amazon.tcomm (Communication services with the Amazon Service, in charge of accounts)
com.amazon.communication (tcomm client for signing in)
Packages that somehow bootloop/breaks home menu on your Fire TV Stick 4K if removed and disabled:
TIFObserverService
MetricsService
MetricsApi
com.amazon.metrics.api
ExtServices
amazon.jackson19 (safe to disable, if removed it breaks the home menu)
Packages that mess up movie trailers from working:
com.amazon.communication (tcomm client, used for communications with Amazon, for some reason it temporarily "hides" com.amazon.avod meant for trailers to play and gets rid of the whole trailer functionality altogether)
com.amazon.tcomm (Same with this one)
com.amzon.dp.logger (If removed, the trailer icon is gone completely, package name doesn't make any sense with what it means, it is completely safe to disable.)
DeviceMessagingAndroid (If removed, your Fire TV Stick 4K will endlessly load fighting for a connection, removes trailer functionality as well, if disabled, it breaks trailers from playing)
DeviceMessagingAndroidInternalSDK (Safe to disable, not remove. Same issue here as it loads endlessly if removed)
DeviceMessagingAndroidSDK (Safe to disable, same as other two with loading issues upon reboot)
Packages required for updating to work on setup wizard:
DeviceSoftwareOTA
DeviceSoftwareOTAContracts
(Forgot the third DeviceSoftwareOTA folder in priv-app, safe to remove)
com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2
To block updates completely, go to /system/etc/security/otacerts.zip and rename the .zip to back then reboot. It helps a lot when factory resetting as it "thinks" its trying to "update" but skips. Anyways, that's it for my guide about what some packages mean and what they're in charge of. This guide may change in the future as Amazon rolls out their ota updates that change what these packages are doing in the background.

Any idea which app controls the "press home button for 10 seconds to pair" screen that shows when you first start a new fire stick? I'm curious if you rename or remove this app if it will still require a remote control to set up a new firestick as I don't have that.

You can use CEC with the TV remote to pair the Firetv remote.
I Think its the oobe....apk which will be Auto disable After the initial Setup.

funkybluemonkey3 said:
Any idea which app controls the "press home button for 10 seconds to pair" screen that shows when you first start a new fire stick? I'm curious if you rename or remove this app if it will still require a remote control to set up a new firestick as I don't have that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's probably OOBE (Setup Wizard)

tsynik said:
it's probably OOBE (Setup Wizard)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its most likely the bluetooth package found in /system/app (which isn't recommended to delete since Bluetooth is required for the Fire TV to work unless CEC control is possible). OOBE is responsible for pulling together the Amazon Communication Services as I tested out what OOBE does and it relies on the packages I referenced on my OP

This is a parts of OOBE (see attachs)

That's very cool I didn't know you could pull apart an APK file like that. I don't really speak robot but, it looks like it's calling out for the remote control. Think it would be possible to hard-code in a "yes" response and then save the file?

Anyone know which package is needed for Screen Mirroring/Miracast?

HansiPwer said:
Anyone know which package is needed for Screen Mirroring/Miracast?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I do not let me take a look tomorrow for it

Skel40 said:
To block updates completely, go to /system/etc/security/otacerts.zip and rename the .zip to back then reboot. It helps a lot when factory resetting as it "thinks" its trying to "update" but skips. Anyways, that's it for my guide about what some packages mean and what they're in charge of. This guide may change in the future as Amazon rolls out their ota updates that change what these packages are doing in the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey @Skel40 here is a link to a folder of almost entire system apks (the ones most people debloat)
If you want to link it incase anyone makes a blunder they can just push> install the apk(s) lost instead of worrying about reset.
File folder on MEGA
mega.nz
It is not a full folder to download (unless they want to) members can cherry pick what they might need

Bertonumber1 said:
Hey @Skel40 here is a link to a folder of almost entire system apks (the ones most people debloat)
If you want to link it incase anyone makes a blunder they can just push> install the apk(s) lost instead of worrying about reset.
File folder on MEGA
mega.nz
It is not a full folder to download (unless they want to) members can cherry pick what they might need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice! That's definitely making a lot of things more easier to understand! I got the full list myself when I create the debloated roms listing the files I have removed with their proper file locations they belong

HansiPwer said:
Anyone know which package is needed for Screen Mirroring/Miracast?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the package name! It's com.amazon.cast.sink if this is what you're wondering?

Skel40 said:
Nice! That's definitely making a lot of things more easier to understand! I got the full list myself when I create the debloated roms listing the files I have removed with their proper file locations they belong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good show mate, just trying to make it a bit easier for folk like me who fk up a lot lol but they should come in useful.
Will post a link to other stuff like boot.img, build.prop (modded and unmodded) and newer stock firmwares too soon if its not going to tangle things up for you I'll put in another thread

Skel40 said:
I have the package name! It's com.amazon.cast.sink if this is what you're wondering?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, that isn`t it.
From where you have that package? I don't disabled that.
I Used the debloater from TechDoctorUK
Firestick Debloat Tool v3 (18th Sept) | TechDoctorUK
www.techdoctoruk.com
on a Fire TV 4K Stick and disabled all with that debloater, only prime video not.
Now when i want to Screen Mirroring/Miracast from a mobile Phone to the Stick, the Stick is not showing up.

HansiPwer said:
no, that isn`t it.
From where you have that package? I don't disabled that.
I Used the debloater from TechDoctorUK
Firestick Debloat Tool v3 (18th Sept) | TechDoctorUK
www.techdoctoruk.com
on a Fire TV 4K Stick and disabled all with that debloater, only prime video not.
Now when i want to Screen Mirroring/Miracast from a mobile Phone to the Stick, the Stick is not showing up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reenable all apks with word "whisper" and reboot

Bertonumber1 said:
Reenable all apks with word "whisper" and reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is nothing with "whisper"
All packages:
Spoiler
package:com.amazon.recess
package:com.amazon.bueller.notification
package:com.amazon.bueller.photos
package:com.ivona.orchestrator
package:com.amazon.device.sync
package:com.android.documentsui
package:com.amazon.alta.h2clientservice
package:com.amazon.ods.kindleconnect
package:com.amazon.sharingservice.android.client.proxy
package:com.amazon.webview
package:com.amazon.sync.service
package:com.amazon.tv.csapp
package:com.amazon.logan
package:com.amazon.tahoe
package:com.amazon.kindle.cms
package:com.amazon.tv.fw.metrics
package:com.amazon.securitysyncclient
package:com.amazon.device.messaging
package:com.amazon.device.messaging.sdk.internal.library
package:com.amazon.device.messaging.sdk.library
com.amazon.firebat
package:com.amazon.providers
package:com.svox.pico
package:com.amazon.tmm.tutorial
package:com.amazon.tv.support
package:com.amazon.ags.app
package:com.amazon.tv.legal.notices
package:com.amazon.android.service.networkmonitor
package:com.amazon.kso.blackbird
package:com.amazon.providers.contentsupport
package:com.amazon.awvflingreceiver
package:com.amazon.device.crashmanager
package:com.ivona.tts.oem
package:com.android.wallpaperbackup
package:com.amazon.alexashopping
package:com.amazon.tv.releasenotes
package:com.amazon.device.sync.sdk.internal
package:com.amazon.connectivitydiag
package:com.amazon.bueller.music
package:com.amazon.hedwig
package:com.amazon.kindle.devicecontrols
package:com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2
package:com.amazon.device.software.ota
package:com.amazon.device.software.ota.override
package:com.amazon.shoptv.client
package:com.amazon.tv.nimh
package:com.amazon.tv.livetv
package:com.amazon.jackson19
package:com.amazon.kindleautomatictimezone
package:com.amazon.imbd.tv.android.app
package:com.amazon.ftv.screensaver

HansiPwer said:
There is nothing with "whisper"
All packages:
Spoiler
package:com.amazon.recess
package:com.amazon.bueller.notification
package:com.amazon.bueller.photos
package:com.ivona.orchestrator
package:com.amazon.device.sync
package:com.android.documentsui
package:com.amazon.alta.h2clientservice
package:com.amazon.ods.kindleconnect
package:com.amazon.sharingservice.android.client.proxy
package:com.amazon.webview
package:com.amazon.sync.service
package:com.amazon.tv.csapp
package:com.amazon.logan
package:com.amazon.tahoe
package:com.amazon.kindle.cms
package:com.amazon.tv.fw.metrics
package:com.amazon.securitysyncclient
package:com.amazon.device.messaging
package:com.amazon.device.messaging.sdk.internal.library
package:com.amazon.device.messaging.sdk.library
com.amazon.firebat
package:com.amazon.providers
package:com.svox.pico
package:com.amazon.tmm.tutorial
package:com.amazon.tv.support
package:com.amazon.ags.app
package:com.amazon.tv.legal.notices
package:com.amazon.android.service.networkmonitor
package:com.amazon.kso.blackbird
package:com.amazon.providers.contentsupport
package:com.amazon.awvflingreceiver
package:com.amazon.device.crashmanager
package:com.ivona.tts.oem
package:com.android.wallpaperbackup
package:com.amazon.alexashopping
package:com.amazon.tv.releasenotes
package:com.amazon.device.sync.sdk.internal
package:com.amazon.connectivitydiag
package:com.amazon.bueller.music
package:com.amazon.hedwig
package:com.amazon.kindle.devicecontrols
package:com.amazon.tv.forcedotaupdater.v2
package:com.amazon.device.software.ota
package:com.amazon.device.software.ota.override
package:com.amazon.shoptv.client
package:com.amazon.tv.nimh
package:com.amazon.tv.livetv
package:com.amazon.jackson19
package:com.amazon.kindleautomatictimezone
package:com.amazon.imbd.tv.android.app
package:com.amazon.ftv.screensaver
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enable com.amazon.awvflingreceiver
The name of the package is built in receiver meaning its responsible for casting functionalities
It's responsible for the casting you were talking about then reboot

Skel40 said:
Enable com.amazon.awvflingreceiver
The name of the package is built in receiver meaning its responsible for casting functionalities
It's responsible for the casting you were talking about then reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Fire TV Stick is displayed, then I connect it to the phone but the connection is broken/it doesn't work/no picture is displayed from the phone
You probably need everything completely original for this to work, I also still have the Wolf Launcher

HansiPwer said:
The Fire TV Stick is displayed, then I connect it to the phone but the connection is broken/it doesn't work/no picture is displayed from the phone
You probably need everything completely original for this to work, I also still have the Wolf Launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend re-enabling all the packages you've disabled