Safely removing Fire Launcher - Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I own a Fire HD8 running 5.4.0.0 (Not rooted because I think root doesn't work for my version) and I really want to safely remove the Fire Launcher and replace it Evie Launcher as the default one. I've read a bunch of threads that I don't know if they're outdated or not about how to do this but I remember reading something worrying in these forums about the Home button bar disappearing if you removed the fire launcher which would definitely be a problem.
So my question would be, how exactly do I remove it and replace it with this launcher safely without messing anything up or having the home bar disappear on me? Thanks.

Related

[Q] Kindle Launcher Icons Screwed Up

I recently rooted a kindle fire and installed go launcher EX. Now for some reason, the icons in the kindle are screwed up and don't display normally anymore. I don't want to clear default data for the launcher (but will do so if it is the only way)..
Here is how it looks like...
Is there a way to fix this? Thanks
I fixed it, I found out it was the Chainfire3D app I installed. .
Please close thread! Thank you!

Launchers for the HDX 7

Ok, so I'm trying to find a decent launcher for the HDX. I'm going to chronicle my struggle with this great launcher deficit. I do realize there is a "Working Launcher Thread", but it's rather strewn about and disorganized. I would like to make my first contribution to this forum a comprehensive Launcher list, with a quick n' dirty prognosis of each item.
Kindle Fire HDX 7"
Stock ROM Version 13.3.2.4
Rooted with Towelroot
OTA Updates Disabled
I was just going to flash a new ROM, but I was not able to boot into any ROM Manager. If anyone could point me in the direction of a good ROM and ROM Manager that works with the KFHDX7, I'd be highly appreciative. Now, I digress.
Key:
Glitchy and/or Sucky
Mediocre
Awesomesauce
Tested the following launchers:
Otter(aka stock "Home"): Obviously, this one sucks the proverbial balls. No customizability, no widgets. My whole motivation for rooting.
Next Launcher 3D 3.10: Looked pretty, but unfortunately too glitchy.
GO Launcher HD: Stable thus far. Somewhat busy. GO Widgets work, if you have Google Play.
KitKat Launcher 1.14: Stable, minimalist design. Surprisingly, did use slightly more RAM than relatively cluttered GO Launcher(without Widgets activated)
Holo Launcher HD 2.0.4: Worked great until I rebooted. Sent my device into epileptic crisis.
Galaxy/Touchwiz Beta v5: Always in landscape mode, would not react to moving device to portrait mode.
GEL/Google Now: Widget support! However, I did need the Xposed Framework and GEL Settings app to make things work properly.
Unfortunately, NONE of the launchers had native widget support. They would simply crash when trying to add a launcher to the homescreen. I'm guessing this has something to do with the KFHDX OS itself. The exception to this was GO Launcher, which had working GO Widgets. To be honest, I wasn't overly impressed by the GO Widgets.
Also, another common theme was issues with the screen orientation.Several launchers had problems with device orientation. When in landscape mode with Next, you could not move icons around. The screen would invert, and you would 'drop' the icon. When in portrait mode, the persistent launcher frame with the Home/Back/Apps/Search button would cause the Next launcher bar to overlap some of the icons on the screen, thereby rendering them inaccessible. The same thing happened with KitKat as far as being unable to move icons around when in landscape mode. However, there was no issue with overlapping elements, so this was less of a deal-breaker.
I use Nova on mine. Everything works great widgets and all.
I'm using the everythingme launcher. Its my new favorite.
Sent from my KFAPWI using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Everything me crashed on me every time
Nova prime and Apex both working perfectly. Widget support, wallpapers etc
I installed KK Launcher from the Play Store. Once downloaded you can all install the KK Locker which will replace your Amazon lockscreen with KitKat style one. In the settings of KK Locker choose the disable default lockscreen option and it will take you to the amazon lockscreen options, then back out of it. Reboot device. The amazon lockscreen will appear for a few seconds, then disappear. From then on, the KK Locker screen always appears, no double lockscreen. If you download Android L Wallpapers by AKWS, you can use it to change wallpapers. You can also change the keyboard by installing keyboard of your choice and then finding it under keyboard languages. I installed Android L keyboard from the Play Store and found it under languages as "English (United States)" and checked it. There is another option with same name already checked and that was the Amazon Keyboard, which I unchecked. Then selected the checked keyboard under default and voila. Now my Fire HDX looks like an AOSP Android L (except when entering settings).
BTW - If you go to the app drawer within the launch and select manage apps, it will open the Amazon app manager, but you will lose your onscreen buttons at the bottom of the screen. I did this while typing this post ... still trying to get them back Maybe I can figure out how to load the AOSP buttons in their place:fingers-crossed:
KK Launcher : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kk.launcher&hl=en
KK Locker : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kk.locker&hl=en
Android L Wallpapers : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=alexanderkazmin.androidlwallpapers&hl=en
Android L Keyboard : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.e.android.softkeyboard&hl=en
First a preamble....
I am thinking this might be better placed in the themes and apps section, but I am not sure.
If you have read all of the posts about bricking, you would know that flashing a replacement Rom is both dangerous and bound to fail because we do not have an unlocked boot loader yet.
Be careful with implementation, but if you want to experiment with alternate roms, head over to the developer section, read everything about Dagestan for your particular device, and then have a it. Be sure the first thing you do is back up your current Rom. Then make a new slot, and only make changes on new slots.
Okay with that our of the way...
As others have stated, I use Nova. It is quite nice.
For those of you who have issues with typical Android things like wallpapers and widgets, Amazon left out some apps that run those services. Some launchers do not need those services to implement those things. Most do.
You can install those services safely (without locking up your device) by using Kindle Free. It is an app that is in the play store. I just used the free one.
I was happy to discover that even Amazon Native apps come with widgets that can be used once the fix is applied.
I am on the OEM Rom, rooted.
Good luck. Sorry if this comes across as pejorative, but a lot of people are bricking their devices and I would hate for that
T to happen to anyone else.
Apex works well for me. Love that you can resize widgets. Wallpapers work well. That being said, there is the occasional glitch that is fixed with a reboot.
rootnooby said:
Apex works well for me. Love that you can resize widgets. Wallpapers work well. That being said, there is the occasional glitch that is fixed with a reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon Kindle doesn't open when I use Apex. Haven't tried other launchers but expect the same thing to occur. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix that?
Thanks

5.6.2.0 Borks Nova Launcher

Installed 5.6.2.0 on my HD8 with Nova Launcher + widget support, now the notification bar and bottom navigation bar are missing. It's a total loss, too... Nothing on the home screen, nothing in any apps. I've got to do a complete reboot to get out of any app I start. Makes the tablet nearly impossible to use.
I've looked through Nova's settings, but nothing jumps out as a possible fix.
A warning to anyone who wants to keep using Nova with the latest update, and a call for help from anyone who has updated and has run into this problem too.
scooter1979 said:
Installed 5.6.2.0 on my HD8 with Nova Launcher + widget support, now the notification bar and bottom navigation bar are missing. It's a total loss, too... Nothing on the home screen, nothing in any apps. I've got to do a complete reboot to get out of any app I start. Makes the tablet nearly impossible to use.
I've looked through Nova's settings, but nothing jumps out as a possible fix.
A warning to anyone who wants to keep using Nova with the latest update, and a call for help from anyone who has updated and has run into this problem too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had an issue like this on my nexus 6 and a custom rom. The only way I found to make nova widgets and such work was to load an older nova 4.xx version. Maybe this will help you as well.
I'm having this problem too. I got home from work this morning to find it updating on me and now nav/notification bars are gone for me too. I don't use any of the widgets, I just have Pro version.
Woke up today to find the same issue. Here's how I solved it:
Step 1) Remove Launcher Hijacker or Clear Data
Step 2) Reboot Tablet
Step 3) Walk through Amazon's new introduction video and stuff
Step 4) Setup Launch Hijacker again
hackerp4tches said:
Woke up today to find the same issue. Here's how I solved it:
Step 1) Remove Launcher Hijacker or Clear Data
Step 2) Reboot Tablet
Step 3) Walk through Amazon's new introduction video and stuff
Step 4) Setup Launch Hijacker again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That did it. Thanks. Note to others, make sure you set the Accessibility home button setting to On again. I had to review the original setup post to get Nova to stick after reboots and Show Mode.
Actually, Nova Launcher works fine on the new update, you just need to re-enable root because it was lost during the update, and then re-disable the stock launcher which is now called "Paladin" so after getting root, going into a root user shell with adb shell -> su and then typing in pm disable com.amazon.paladin Nova took over again.
autobulb said:
Actually, Nova Launcher works fine on the new update, you just need to re-enable root because it was lost during the update, and then re-disable the stock launcher which is now called "Paladin" so after getting root, going into a root user shell with adb shell -> su and then typing in pm disable com.amazon.paladin Nova took over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't working with root, just using the non-root method. Thanks for the tip, though. I've got a couple rooted 5th gen 7s, I wanted to let my 8 and 10 run with all of Amazon's bells and whistles (aside from their launcher on my 8, obviously).

LauncherHijack and NOVA Launcher questions

I am using the NOVA launcher with LauncherHijack . It works, but I have two questions.
Is my perception that this combo is slowing my Fire HD8 correct ? It seems more sluggish.
What is the safe way to go back to the default Fire launcher ? Can I just delete LauncherHijack and NOVA ?
Yeah, just uninstall both apps. I tried the same thing and agree. With FireOS launcher still running in the background, it causes slow downs. We need a Dev for this device so we can just get a custom ROM.

Custom Launcher problem with Fire HD10 plus

Hello XDA team,
First of all, Thank you for your support with Fire Toolbox.
I can customize my HD10 plus tablet with Fire Toolbox!!!
Today, I have downloaded FTB, and this version is V25.2.
And 'Google Services', 'Keyboard and Input', 'Lockscreen Management', and 'Manage Amazon Apps' was successful.
But I have faced some problem with Custom Launcher.
I have set 'Nova Launcher' in there, then I can found Nova Launcher app in my tablet.
When I executed this Nova Launcher app, this app showed me it was now set to default app.
So I tried to set this Nova Launcher app to Default.
But I could not find configuration menu in the 'Default apps' menu.
So, in the Nova Launcher app, if I pushed home button, my tablet back to Fire launcher.
Coud you check this problem?
my tablet build number is 0022247233412
Device model is Fire HD10 Plus.
FTB version is 25.2.
Thank you and Best Regards,
See the Fire Toolbox thread...newer update prevents replacing the launcher. I'm in the same boat.
Sounds like you might have FireOS 7.3.2.2.
In version 7.3.2.2 they made some things protected including the launcher which prevents it from being replaced.
No word on if there is a fix. I made some complaints to Amazon, and I'm waiting to see if someone finds a solution.

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