Database Users

[TOOLS Fire HD 6&7 ] Rooting, Gapps, Launchers, Block OTA & Ads + More

Download the latest tools from the AFH link near end of post. It includes the changes in the attached "jobs" zip. You only need "jobs" if you downloaded the tools before May 11
EDIT May 29: Playstore is currently unreliable. Until updated, use the workaround here.
UPDATE May 17: Install Other Launcher and Install Kingroot tools may not complete if Windows username has spaces. I'll fix in next update. Until then, if your username has spaces, use this fix.
Here are tools for the 2014 Fire HD 6 and 7. A little late, I know, but some of you who still troll the forums may find them handy. Download the tools from AFH link, extract and run RUNME.bat.
IF YOU PLAN TO ROOT, TURN OFF WIFI NOW!
Tested working on OS 5.1.2.1 and below, except:
- Current Kingroot can't root 5.1.2.1. You need to downgrade. See "ROOT OS 5.1.2", below.
- OS 4: Only OTA blocking is implemented in the Block/Unblock jobs. [5/13/16 UPDATE: Also, Play Store isn't working on OS 4.
.. I probably won't fix it unless there's some demand. Try the video guide here. OS 4 users, also see post #11 for useful info about custom launchers.]
THE TOOLS
Install Play Store
Install Nova Launcher to /priv-app [root]
Install Other Launcher to /priv-app [root]
Uninstall priv-app Launchers [root]
Install Apps
Block/Unblock: OTA, ADS, AMAZON LAUNCHER, APPSTORE, AMAZON SEARCH [root]
Root Checker
Device Info
Root Tools
Install Kingroot ~ Root ~ Block OTA
Replace Kingroot with SuperSU [root]
DESCRIPTIONS
Before running a job, look here for any tips and instructions. This info is also in the readme.txt in the zip​
INSTALL PLAY STORE - Like it says. Works on both rooted and unrooted OS 5. Not for OS 4. EDIT May 29: Playstore is currently unreliable. Until updated, use the workaround here.
INSTALL NOVA LAUNCHER - Installs Nova to /system/priv-app so widgets work. If you just rooted, make this your first custom launcher. You can replace it or add a different one later.
INSTALL OTHER LAUNCHER Installs the launcher app in user_launcher folder to priv-app. Get the apk for the launcher you want (from apkmirror.com for example) and put it into the folder and run the job. EDIT 5/16/2016: Filenames must end with ".apk" No spaces allowed; replace with "_". (The tool will find spaces and pause while while you fix.)
HOW TO INSTALL GOOGLE NOW (also in Readme.txt):
It's much easier to install Google Now if Amazon is blocked, and you need a custom launcher to do that.
1. If you don't have a custom launcher installed, use Install Nova tool (installs Nova and blocks Amazon)
If you have a custom launcher, block Amazon so your custom launcher is running.
2. Get Google Now (small) from apkmirror.com, e.g., put into user_launcher folder and run Install Other Launcher job.
You'll boot to your "other" launcher
3. Run Google Now in app drawer and:
If prompted to Update Google App (Get it from Google Play), do it.
If prompted that other launcher is default, tap link to go to Amazon Settings. In Apps & Games>Manage all Applications: Swipe to All, scroll to your other launcher, tap it and see if "Launch by Default" is on. If yes, Clear Defaults. If no, go to your launcher settings and see if you can turn off default there.
Some launchers don't give up their default easily. If pressing home key doesn't show "Select Home App" after doing the above, run Block/Unblock tool and switch to Amazon. Then block Amazon again. After restart, press home key and you'll get "Select Home App" and be able to choose Google Now.
UNINSTALL LAUNCHERS - Uninstalls and deletes everything associated with a launcher installed to /priv-app. If multiple, prompts you to choose the one to uninstall.
INSTALL APPS - Installs all the apps in the user_apps folder. Put the apks into the folder and run the job. Filenames must end with ".apk" No spaces allowed; replace with "_". (The tool will find spaces and pause while while you fix.) Don't install a launcher with this; use one of the launcher tools.
BLOCK/UNBLOCK - OTA, ADS, AMAZON LAUNCHER, APPSTORE, AMAZON SEARCH
Except for OTA, these work only on rooted OS 5. OTA does a soft block on unrooted OS 4, hard block on rooted.
OTA: Disables update packages and renames DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk for a "hard" block. Unblock reverses it.
ADS: Blocks/unblocks the lockscreen ads.
AMAZON LAUNCHER: Block disables the stock launcher (Amazon UI) and the Appstore, which forces the home key to use your custom launcher. Unblock switches you to Amazon. Checks for custom launcher before disabling Amazon. Black screen with multiple custom launchers: If you haven't set a default launcher, disabling Amazon will boot to black screen. (System doesn't know which launcher to use.) Press home key (circle at bottom) for launcher choices. TIP: To easily switch between your launcher and Amazon, use @bibikalka's guide here to set up "one-tap switching" from launcher home screen.
APPSTORE: Blocks the appstore so in-app links take you to the Play Store (instead of throwing that stupid Appstore prompt). Amazon complains bitterly if you run this from Amazon UI, so use it at your custom launcher or just use the Amazon launcher block.
AMAZON SEARCH: If you have Google Search installed, blocking Amazon Search makes your launcher search bar use Google instead of Amazon shopping.
DEVICE INFO - Just some specs that I find interesting. Lazy man's way to find out which tablet is plugged in, OS it's running, whether rooted . . .
INSTALL KINGROOT, ROOT, BLOCK OTA - Installs Kingroot, prompts you through rooting and blocks OTA updates.
- Installs kingroot v.4.8.5 by default.
- You can skip installation if Kingroot already installed
- You can install a later version if available: Check for new versions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/one-click-root-tool-android-2-x-5-0-t3107461
ROOTING AND UPDATES: An update file can download while you're rooting. The Kingroot tool prevents it from installing as soon as you press Enter to tell the tool you're rooted. Then it looks for any downloaded file and if it finds one it tells you where it is and prompts you to delete.
Amazon says that updates install when the the device is not being used, but be aware that on OS 5 there's some risk. To minimize the risk, never leave the tablet idle while rooting. Just keep running Kingroot until root is successful and then press Enter to block installation of any download. (These instructions are in the tool.) To eliminate all risk, you can downgrade and root OS 4.5.3. On OS 4 the tool blocks update installation before rooting. (There's no way to do this on OS 5.) From OS 4.5.3, you upgrade with root in TWRP per bibikalka's root Tut.
True story: Kingroot once rebooted 5 times and told me "Root Failed" 3 times before finally succeeding. An update had downloaded to /cache, but the kingroot tool successfully blocked installation and found the file, which I deleted. So, although it's possible you could get upgraded, as long as you keep the tablet busy trying to root and then press Enter as soon as you're rooted, it's very unlikely.
REPLACE KINGROOT WITH SUPERSU - Installs W0lfDroid's sh script and prompts you through using it to replace Kingroot.
I reviewed and tested the script and it does (only) what it says: Removes all Kingroot (except Purify app, which tool uninstalls) and installs SuperSU. The tool uses SuperSU v. 2.4.6 for OS 5 (known working on OS 5.1.2) and SuperSU v. 2.4.9 for OS 4 (because 2.4.6 didn't seem to work).
FULL DISCLOSURE: I lost root one time after running this on OS 4. I think the problem was SuperSU 2.4.6 and that's why I changed it. I've tested many times and this only happened once, but you should know it happened. AFAIK W0lfDroid script is still the best free tool for the job.
ERRORS: Script was written to remove Kingroot from multiple android versions, so it tries to remove Kingroot files that don't exist on Lollipop. THIS PRODUCES LOTS OF ERRORS. THAT'S OK. I left in all commands so it will work on OS 4, too.
USE THIS SOON AFTER ROOTING. W0lfDroid's script should work fine even with root apps installed, but all I know for sure is it runs quick and easy on a "fresh" system.
ADB Sideload
There's an adb-sideload job in the jobs folder. I didn't put it on the menu because it uses commands that may not run on some systems. Also, if you know what you're doing, it's probably faster to manually sideload an update. If someone wants to try it, put the update bin file into adb_sideload folder and run sideload.bat.​WINDOWS TESTING: Script was tested on English-language versions of Win 7 Pro and Home. Some testing on Win 10. (Thanks @SpaceBananas!) There's nothing that can hurt your tablet, but there may be kinks to work out based on Windows version. Hope a tester will work with me to help make the tools accessible to everyone. Thanks!
ADB DRIVERS REQUIRED: Try the guide in first link below. If problems, try the second.
Guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fir...ivers-fire-t3189000/post62561840#post62561840
Other options: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63072252&postcount=2
ROOT OS 5.1.2
IF YOU PLAN TO ROOT, TURN OFF WIFI NOW!
ROOT GUIDE: Follow this guide to use Kingroot and the root tools to set up your tablet.
At this time, Kingroot can only root OS 5.1.2 (February 2016) and below.
You can downgrade OS 5.1.2.1 (March 2016) to 5.1.2 and root, as explained in Root Guide, but this is an exception!
In general, never downgrade in order to use Kingroot. It's the fastest way to a brick!
You may be able to safely downgrade a higher OS to OS 4.5.3, root, and then upgrade in TWRP per @bibikalka's root Tut. Before trying this on an OS later than 5.1.2.1, make sure the tutorial says it's safe.
DOWNLOAD THE TOOLS FROM AFH ➔ . FireHD_TOOLS v 1.2
Update as of 5/11/16
➔ If you got the tools before the update, just replace the jobs folder in FIREHD_TOOLS with the one in attached "jobs_v1.x.zip"
Change Log
5/11/2016 - v1.2: Updated sideload.bat. (Missed the Find/Findstr fixes.)
5/10/2016 - v1.1: Fixed "No such file or directory" and "Permission denied" errors for users with *nix Find command installed
.

Nice Work!

@DoLooper - Magnum Opus, no less !
Why version 0.1 ??? The first release - solid 1.0 !!!

Updated. See OP.
Guys, I could use some feedback. Tools are getting downloaded a lot. Anybody using them? Are they helpful? Problems? Wishes? Anything? Thanks!
.

Updated again <sigh>. Sideload tool didn't get updated in v1.1. Apologies to those who downloaded the jobs zip.

DoLooper said:
Updated. See OP.
Guys, I could use some feedback. Tools are getting downloaded a lot. Anybody using them? Are they helpful? Problems? Wishes? Anything? Thanks!
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks DoLooper.
I tried these tools on my Fire HD 7 running 4.5.5.1 rooted with KingRoot.
I was able to use the script to successfully switch from KingRoot to SuperSU as well as to install Nova Launcher.
However, I had issues with the script elsewhere.
The play store seemed to install okay and it let me put in my google account info. After that, things went down hill. I was able to open the Play Store app without it crashing, but I just kept getting the "Error retrieving information from server. [RH-01]" message . I tried numerous things to correct this, but nothing seemed to work. In the end, I downgraded to 4.5.5, wiped data, cache and dalvik, and then flashed gapps via TWRP. This worked out, so all is good now.
I also had trouble with blocking the default launcher. Nova seemed to install okay, but the default launcher still worked and was a constant nag with each press of the home button. I fixed this by freezing the default launcher via Titanium Backup.
I don't know if these issues are particular to 4.5.5.1, or if I'm just unlucky. Regardless, I still appreciate your effort for putting this together. :good:
I'm currently trying to get wallpapers and widgets to work on the Nova launcher with no success. I tried the fixes intended for earlier Kindle models and (not surprisingly), they didn't work. Specifically, I tried Stunt's Wallpaper Fix and Kindlefree from the app store.
Any ideas where I should look for guidance on making Wallpapers and Widgets work?
Thanks again!

notorious.dds said:
Thanks DoLooper.
I tried these tools on my Fire HD 7 running 4.5.5.1 rooted with KingRoot.
I was able to use the script to successfully switch from KingRoot to SuperSU as well as to install Nova Launcher.
However, I had issues with the script elsewhere.
The play store seemed to install okay and it let me put in my google account info. After that, things went down hill. I was able to open the Play Store app without it crashing, but I just kept getting the "Error retrieving information from server. [RH-01]" message . I tried numerous things to correct this, but nothing seemed to work. In the end, I downgraded to 4.5.5, wiped data, cache and dalvik, and then flashed gapps via TWRP. This worked out, so all is good now.
I also had trouble with blocking the default launcher. Nova seemed to install okay, but the default launcher still worked and was a constant nag with each press of the home button. I fixed this by freezing the default launcher via Titanium Backup.
I don't know if these issues are particular to 4.5.5.1, or if I'm just unlucky. Regardless, I still appreciate your effort for putting this together. :good:
I'm currently trying to get wallpapers and widgets to work on the Nova launcher with no success. I tried the fixes intended for earlier Kindle models and (not surprisingly), they didn't work. Specifically, I tried Stunt's Wallpaper Fix and Kindlefree from the app store.
Any ideas where I should look for guidance on making Wallpapers and Widgets work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for feedback. Tools apparently need work for OS 4.5.5.1. I tested pretty well on 4.5.3 and 4.5.5, but not 4.5.5.1. There may be some peculiarity there.
- The play store error has been reported on some 2015 Fires (using a different tool, but same method to install). It's unclear why it happens on some devices and not others, and they haven't found a fix, but it may be an OS 4 issue on the Fire HDs. I'll look into it.
- Nova & stock launchers: The block on stock launcher didn't work because it isn't implemented for OS 4. As mentioned at top of OP, only OTA block is available for OS 4. I'll need to add it in an update. Hadn't thought about need for it when using the Nova tool.
Would you please look in /system/priv-app folder and see if com.teslacoil.launcher.apk is at the bottom of directory? If so, are perms set to rw- r-- r--? Let me know and we'll proceed from there to get you widgets. Thanks.

DoLooper said:
Thanks for feedback. Tools apparently need work for OS 4.5.5.1. I tested pretty well on 4.5.3 and 4.5.5, but not 4.5.5.1. There may be some peculiarity there.
- The play store error has been reported on some 2015 Fires (using a different tool, but same method to install). It's unclear why it happens on some devices and not others, and they haven't found a fix, but it may be an OS 4 issue on the Fire HDs. I'll look into it.
- Nova & stock launchers: The block on stock launcher didn't work because it isn't implemented for OS 4. As mentioned at top of OP, only OTA block is available for OS 4. I'll need to add it in an update. Hadn't thought about need for it when using the Nova tool.
Would you please look in /system/priv-app folder and see if com.teslacoil.launcher.apk is at the bottom of directory? If so, are perms set to rw- r-- r--? Let me know and we'll proceed from there to get you widgets. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help!
I found the com.teslacoilsw.launcher-1.apk file, but it's in my /data/app folder... and it is chmod'ed to 644.
Also, I did successfully install the AppWidgetPicker.apk and LiveWallpapersPicker.apk files to /system/app using the "kindlefree" app, but I think that about all the app did. These files are also chmod'ed to 644.

notorious.dds said:
Thanks for the help!
I found the com.teslacoilsw.launcher-1.apk file, but it's in my /data/app folder... and it is chmod'ed to 644.
Also, I did successfully install the AppWidgetPicker.apk and LiveWallpapersPicker.apk files to /system/app using the "kindlefree" app, but I think that about all the app did. These files are also chmod'ed to 644.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using OS 5 for too long! Forgot you can't get wallpaper on OS 4 without fussing. It's unclear from your post: Did the pickers get wallpaper to work? This is the way we did it back when we always booted twrp and installed xposed: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-hd/general/how-to-wallpaper-custom-launcher-t3123009
As to widgets: What I meant is, you should have /system/priv-app/com.teslacoil.launcher_4.2.2.apk. Do you? I just retested this on 4.5.3. Nova (com.teslacoil.launcher_4.2.2.apk) got copied there and chmod'ed to 644 as it should and widgets are working fine.
No wallpaper is a bad problem, though, and no tool can fix it--unless that LiveWallpapersPicker DID work. Let me know. And let me know about /system/priv-app/com.teslacoil.launcher_4.2.2.apk.
BTW, how come you want to stay on OS 4?

DoLooper said:
I've been using OS 5 for too long! Forgot you can't get wallpaper on OS 4 without fussing. It's unclear from your post: Did the pickers get wallpaper to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
DoLooper said:
This is the way we did it back when we always booted twrp and installed xposed: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-hd/general/how-to-wallpaper-custom-launcher-t3123009
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I tried that to no avail, but I can't remember exactly which module I used.
DoLooper said:
As to widgets: What I meant is, you should have /system/priv-app/com.teslacoil.launcher_4.2.2.apk. Do you? I just retested this on 4.5.3. Nova (com.teslacoil.launcher_4.2.2.apk) got copied there and chmod'ed to 644 as it should and widgets are working fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I ended up installing Nova via the app store so that's why it wasn't on the system partition. However, my widgets seemed to work when I checked again. I have no idea why they wouldn't work when I first tried them. I did end up creating two simple scripts via the "Scripter" app that would enable and disable the stock launcher. I put them as widgets on the nova desktop allowing for single click toggling of the stock launcher.
DoLooper said:
No wallpaper is a bad problem, though, and no tool can fix it--unless that LiveWallpapersPicker DID work. Let me know. And let me know about /system/priv-app/com.teslacoil.launcher_4.2.2.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, nothing seemed to fix the wallpaper... always black. Am understanding this correctly that the wallpaper works on this thing if I load Lollipop?
DoLooper said:
BTW, how come you want to stay on OS 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't want to fiddle around with change the bootloaders every time I wanted into TWRP. At this point, it doesn't matter anyway... I hard bricked the device by flashing the 5.2.0 stock recovery last night
The post about using this to revert to stock should be edited or removed. It's bad.
The only reason I was trying to revert to stock was that I ended up getting into a situation where the stock launcher would continue looping back to the Welcome/select language screen. I wiped cache, data, and dalvik and reflashed the 4.5.5 rom which didn't fix it. I even tried that same approach including a wipe of system... same result. I was quite surprised to see the problem continue even after wiping everything. At that point I figured I go back to full stock and start over... BAD IDEA.
Anyway, I ordered a new one and it should be here tomorrow. I'm now curious if it's possible to recover the bricked device via the UART port on the motherboard. We'll see.:fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:

notorious.dds said:
. . .
I think I ended up installing Nova via the app store so that's why it wasn't on the system partition. However, my widgets seemed to work when I checked again. I have no idea why they wouldn't work when I first tried them. I did end up creating two simple scripts via the "Scripter" app that would enable and disable the stock launcher. I put them as widgets on the nova desktop allowing for single click toggling of the stock launcher.
No, nothing seemed to fix the wallpaper... always black. Am understanding this correctly that the wallpaper works on this thing if I load Lollipop?
I didn't want to fiddle around with change the bootloaders every time I wanted into TWRP. At this point, it doesn't matter anyway... I hard bricked the device by flashing the 5.2.0 stock recovery last night
The post about using this to revert to stock should be edited or removed. It's bad.
The only reason I was trying to revert to stock was that I ended up getting into a situation where the stock launcher would continue looping back to the Welcome/select language screen. I wiped cache, data, and dalvik and reflashed the 4.5.5 rom which didn't fix it. I even tried that same approach including a wipe of system... same result. I was quite surprised to see the problem continue even after wiping everything. At that point I figured I go back to full stock and start over... BAD IDEA.
Anyway, I ordered a new one and it should be here tomorrow. I'm now curious if it's possible to recover the bricked device via the UART port on the motherboard. We'll see.:fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear about the brick. Good thing Amazon is patient with us.
Yes, wallpaper works fine on OS 5. [For others who read this, on OS 4 the only way to get wallpaper is with Xposed (installed in TWRP) and the kindleBG module in the link I posted above. And BTW, although the tools don't block OS 4 Amazon launcher ATM, it can be done manually. Commands are here.]
Thanks for your input. Play store didn't work for me either this time, despite earlier success. Everything else except the launcher block (and other non-OTA blocks) does work, so for now I'm just going to edit post and see if there's any other interest in play store on OS 4. (I trust you'll get OS 5 on replacement or will want to update to it.)
As to TWRP: Once tablet is set up, booting TWRP isn't needed much except for upgrading. and bibikalka gives us lots of options for doing it.
Let us know if anything comes of UART port tests. You'd be the hero of the community!

Workaround for Windows username with spaces
The Install Other Launcher and Install Kingroot jobs may not complete if your Windows username has spaces in it. I'll fix this in next update. Meanwhile here's the workaround:
1. Right-click RUNME.bat and choose Edit. [file opens in Notepad]
2. Add a blank line under :: Set paths and run menu.
3. Type: SET "username=abc"
4. Make sure this section of RUNME looks like below and then save and close Notepad
Code:
:: Set paths and run menu.
SET "username=abc"
SET "main=%CD%\"
SET "jobsdir=%main%jobs\"
[remaining code]
This changes the username only for the tools. The rest of Windows continues to use the real username.

I'm getting ready to update. Please let me know if you found any problems.

Used the tool on my Fire HD 6 (4th Gen) running a Rooted OS 5.1.2.1 to install a new launcher and block OTA's, ads, fire launcher, appstore, and Amazon search. Everything worked without issue! Thanks for the awesome and simple to use tool! Tablet is now almost pure Android. Great work!!!
Sidenote: Used bibikalka's TUT (http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-hd/general/how-to-upgrade-to-lollipop-root-gapps-t3163950) on my Fire HD 6 that was currently running Fire OS 4.5.3 with TWRP Recovery to obtain a Rooted Fire OS 5.1.2.1..

I adb'd the 5.1.2 upgrade to my slab this way.
$ adb push update-kindle-20.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin /sdcard/
3047 KB/s (663908627 bytes in 212.722s)
My OS is FIRE OS 5.1.2 Build Date March 31, 2016 1:37 AM.
I tried and got an error to the effect, "cannot upgrade because the upgrade you are trying is older than the one you have".
So I'm probably running an even later version of 5.1.2 where they blocked that loophole.
I'm just going to by a cheap Chinese slab and root that.

wallywallywally said:
I adb'd the 5.1.2 upgrade to my slab this way.
$ adb push update-kindle-20.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin /sdcard/
3047 KB/s (663908627 bytes in 212.722s)
My OS is FIRE OS 5.1.2 Build Date March 31, 2016 1:37 AM.
I tried and got an error to the effect, "cannot upgrade because the upgrade you are trying is older than the one you have".
So I'm probably running an even later version of 5.1.2 where they blocked that loophole.
I'm just going to by a cheap Chinese slab and root that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use adb sideload in Stock recovery
Sent from my KFFOWI using XDA Labs

sd_shadow said:
use adb sideload in Stock recovery
Sent from my KFFOWI using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yuh, I used sideload AND IT WORKED!!
I also have a fire 5th generation. Does the same procedure work for that, assuming I use the proper 5.1.2 for that device: https://kindle-fire-updates.s3.amaz...ate-kindle-global-37.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin

wallywallywally said:
Yuh, I used sideload AND IT WORKED!!
I also have a fire 5th generation. Does the same procedure work for that, assuming I use the proper 5.1.2 for that device: https://kindle-fire-updates.s3.amaz...ate-kindle-global-37.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes
Sent from my KFFOWI using XDA Labs

Confirmed, this procedure worked for Fire (5th generation), however the amazon update file is different (see a few posts back)

I just got a fire HD 6 (4th Gen) with the 4.5.2 OS.
Everything I see talks about 4.5.3 and later. I have not turned on wifi, so basically in a holding pattern for now. I want to root/twrp and maybe a custom rom.
Can some give me advice on the best path to take? Should I upgrade then root? Or root then upgrade? Any advice is appreciated.

Nexus 7 2012 on 5.1.1 -- any way to root it?

Hi all, kinda new to this whole game.
Couldn't find anything about rooting 5.1.1, only 4.2.2.
If there's no way to root 5.1.1, would you recommend reverting to 4.2.2 and then rooting it? Are there any improvements from using that version over 5.1.1?

Rooting 5.1.1 is the same way as on 4.2.2, unlock bootloader, flash custom recovery and flash super su.
I would recommend you to revert to 4.2.2 if you want a better performance, but if you want to stay on 5.1.1 make sure to use parrotmod to increase performance

Nexus Root Toolkit make it very easy.

thanks for the tips. i was able to root it, but now i'm trying to install the Xposed framework and it's telling me
cp:write error: No space left on device
meanwhile there's about 5 gigs of space since i flashed it down to 5.0 from 5.1.1
interestingly enough, after i root it and try to install busybox, it tells me free space is unavailable for /system/xbin as well as all the other options i try to change it to (/su/xbin, etc).
anyone know if something went wrong at some point?

PlayerThirteen said:
thanks for the tips. i was able to root it, but now i'm trying to install the Xposed framework and it's telling me
cp:write error: No space left on device
meanwhile there's about 5 gigs of space since i flashed it down to 5.0 from 5.1.1
interestingly enough, after i root it and try to install busybox, it tells me free space is unavailable for /system/xbin as well as all the other options i try to change it to (/su/xbin, etc).
anyone know if something went wrong at some point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your /system partition is full, try to remove something you don't need

iwjosi said:
Your /system partition is full, try to remove something you don't need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice. How do I know what i can remove? If i flashed the tablet multiple times (tried diff versions of android), would that have bloated the /system partition?
Is there something specific i should be careful to leave in?

PlayerThirteen said:
Thanks for the advice. How do I know what i can remove? If i flashed the tablet multiple times (tried diff versions of android), would that have bloated the /system partition?
Is there something specific i should be careful to leave in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can remove google apps like youtube, hangout, g+ etc

anyone know if the play store can detect that a device is rooted, and prevent pokemon go from showing up in the store?
or is it just not detecting on my tablet possibly from the model of tablet i have?
i checked the official requirements page and there's nothing 'targeting' specific devices, the device just needs to haev Android 4.4+, but i'm not seeing it in my play store for whatever reason.
(my device is a nexus 7, Android 5.0)
i do recall that, before rooting my device, i'm pretty sure i was able to see and DL pokemon go on this tablet when it was running 5.11 before the root was performed

nvm, i found a site hosting the apk for the app. now just trying to make all the pieces work together on the nexus 7

you need to install Magisk to play pogo on a rooted tablet. magisk will disable the root so pogo will load.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/mod-magisk-v1-universal-systemless-t3432382
Flash a custom rom and install the nano gapps from http://opengapps.org/ if you want to install more apps.
But I wouldn't recommend it since it lags a lot without parrotmod speeding things up. Use the N7 2013 instead.

Magisk will not install on a 5..1.1 ROM because it needs systemless root and this is availabe only on 6.0 or greater ...

Thanks for the added tips. It's too bad this Magisk program only works on 6.0+.
I've tried everything detailed in this guide, including hiding the root with modules in Xposed, but i can't get the logins i created for PoGo to authenticate. I think i'm going to have to throw in the towel on this one.

AndDiSa said:
Magisk will not install on a 5..1.1 ROM because it needs systemless root and this is availabe only on 6.0 or greater ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you might want to rethink that. It works fine on my 5.1.1, as stated in the magisk post "Magisk supports all the way down to Android 5.0 (SDK 21+) (thanks to the new method and busybox environment)"
---------- Post added at 03:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:01 AM ----------
PlayerThirteen said:
Thanks for the added tips. It's too bad this Magisk program only works on 6.0+.
I've tried everything detailed in this guide, including hiding the root with modules in Xposed, but i can't get the logins i created for PoGo to authenticate. I think i'm going to have to throw in the towel on this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use xposed, either don't install or disable when you don't need it. Someone mentioned that pogo won't work if xposed was installed, but i didn't think twice about it since mine worked with xposed installed, until today. So today I disabled xposed, then restarted, and it works again.

oh, thanks man. i'll def try it out -- see if i cant get it to work with Magisk. I appreciate you pointing that out

g96818 said:
you might want to rethink that. It works fine on my 5.1.1, as stated in the magisk post "Magisk supports all the way down to Android 5.0 (SDK 21+) (thanks to the new method and busybox environment)"
---------- Post added at 03:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:01 AM ----------
Don't use xposed, either don't install or disable when you don't need it. Someone mentioned that pogo won't work if xposed was installed, but i didn't think twice about it since mine worked with xposed installed, until today. So today I disabled xposed, then restarted, and it works again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon my newb, but this workaround method is what i'm trying to achieve through all this.
In short, rooting, then using Xposed modules to hide the fact that 'mock locations' is enabled and faking my GPS location with it. (we live in a tiny town and want the device location moved to a big city).
Without Xposed installed, is there any alternate way that I can hide from PoGo that mock locations is enabled? Per the method linked, that was the one way to make it work, at time of writing.
Or even better, since the linked method actually didn't work on my device (pogo account 'wouldnt authenticate' -- not sure why but assuming its caused by xposed or some kind of root detection), would you know of a different way to fake my GPS location and hide it from PoGo on a Nexus 7?

Just to clarify, I followed your advice and installed Magisk already.
So I have a Magisk-ready device, just not sure where to take things from here, since I realized my instructions uses Xposed specifically to circumvent PoGo

Help
I'm in the same position.
How to remove thee apps? nexus tab 7 2012 is rooted running 5.1.1
Whic ROM should i use?

PlayerThirteen said:
Pardon my newb, but this workaround method is what i'm trying to achieve through all this.
In short, rooting, then using Xposed modules to hide the fact that 'mock locations' is enabled and faking my GPS location with it. (we live in a tiny town and want the device location moved to a big city).
Without Xposed installed, is there any alternate way that I can hide from PoGo that mock locations is enabled? Per the method linked, that was the one way to make it work, at time of writing.
Or even better, since the linked method actually didn't work on my device (pogo account 'wouldnt authenticate' -- not sure why but assuming its caused by xposed or some kind of root detection), would you know of a different way to fake my GPS location and hide it from PoGo on a Nexus 7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is another way, but it will disable your ability to use gps . use lucky patcher to install your spoofing app as a system app, then you don't need to enable mock locations and don't need xposed since the xposed modules don't work anyways. after that, install an app called disableservice and disable the 3 locationsharing services in google play service. What this does is prevent your real gps to overwrite your mock gps data.
try at your own risk of being banned

g96818 said:
There is another way, but it will disable your ability to use gps . use lucky patcher to install your spoofing app as a system app, then you don't need to enable mock locations and don't need xposed since the xposed modules don't work anyways. after that, install an app called disableservice and disable the 3 locationsharing services in google play service. What this does is prevent your real gps to overwrite your mock gps data.
try at your own risk of being banned
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate, i'll give it a shot!

[Guide] Convert Shield Tablet into a dedicated Android TV

What works
Leanback Launcher
Leanback App Buttons (you may still want Sideload Launcher for some things)
Leanback Recommendations
HDMI-CEC (insofar as my TV supports it YMMV)
Shield Controller, including right thumbstick as mouse
Ten Foot experiences for applications that check for it
What doesn't work
Cast Receiver
Probably other things, this is a work in progress
What's needed
ADB access - If you don't have the Android SDK you can just use Minimal ADB and Fastboot
Stock 5.0 OTA (Android 7.0 Nougat) - I don't know how necessary this is but it's what I used.
Root
TWRP or some means of flashing a zip
Open GApps arm tvstock
Step 1 - Debloat
First we need to get rid of a number of things that we won't need, or will get in the way. Use debloat.zip for this. I actually like to run this initially, as well as after Gapps are installed. The script file inside is copied in the spoiler below.
Code:
mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/APP", "/system");
ui_print("System app removals");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/BackupRestoreConfirmation");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/BlockedNumberProvider");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/ConfigUpdater");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/CalendarProvider");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Contacts");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/ContactsProvider");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/DocumentsUI");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GmsCore");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleBackupTransport");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleFeedback");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleLoginService");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleOneTimeInitializer");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GooglePartnerSetup");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/GoogleServicesFramework");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/MmsService");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Phonesky");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/SetupWizard");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/TegraOTA");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/TeleService");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Telecom");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Velvet");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/NvLauncher");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/NvCustomize");
#delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/NvRpxService"); needed for controller pairing
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/nvlasso");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/shield_platform_analyzer");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/shieldcustomize");
delete_recursive("/system/priv-app/Katniss");
delete_recursive("/system/app/CalendarGoogle");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Chrome");
delete_recursive("/system/app/CloudPrint");
delete_recursive("/system/app/DeskClockGoogle");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Drive");
delete_recursive("/system/app/ExactCalculator");
delete_recursive("/system/app/FaceLock");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Gmail2");
delete_recursive("/system/app/GoogleContactsSyncAdapter");
delete_recursive("/system/app/GooglePrintRecommendationService");
delete_recursive("/system/app/GoogleTTS");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Hangouts");
delete_recursive("/system/app/JusWrite");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Maps");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Music2");
delete_recursive("/system/app/PlayGames");
delete_recursive("/system/app/PrintSpooler");
delete_recursive("/system/app/SoundRecorder");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Tn8Tdc");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Videos");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Write");
delete_recursive("/system/app/idsmonitor");
delete_recursive("/system/app/stylusmobile-oem");
delete_recursive("/system/app/talkback");
delete_recursive("/system/app/trine2");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Twitch");
delete_recursive("/system/app/YouTube");
delete_recursive("/system/app/Music2Pano");
delete_recursive("/system/app/VideosPano");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/CalibNotifier");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/ConsoleSplash");
#delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/ConsoleUI");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvAndroidOSC");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvBenchmarkBlocker");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvCPLUpdater");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvCamera");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvEsrd");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvGamecast");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/NvRegistration");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/Stats");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/TegraZone");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/Welcome");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/nvbatterymonitorservice");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/nvidiafeedback");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/nvpowerstats");
delete_recursive("/system/vendor/app/watercolor");
ui_print("Finish");
Step 2 - TV Permissions
Some apps with ten foot experiences are packaged and distributed separately from their mobile/tablet counterparts (like Twitch and ESPN). Others, package all experiences together and ask for permissions at runtime (like PBS Video and PBS Kids). The attached tv_permissions.zip file adds these, as well as android.software.picture_in_picture in order to prevent an exception when the home button is double tapped.
Step 3 - Settings activity is now broken
This is because our conflicted device is looking for the ribbon at the top of the settings activity, but it doesn't exist in the tv layout. fixes.zip patches Settings.apk to include the ribbon in the tv layout.
If you have issues with this, try running debloat and tv_permissions, boot the device, then go back to recovery and flash fixes.zip.
Step 4 - Open GApps tvstock
Big thanks to the Open GApps guys for this one. I cheated a bit here and instead of adding the packages one-by-one to be removed in the debloat script, I manually removed a number of tars from the zip file. I'll fix this, I promise but in the meantime open up the zip file and remove the following:
GApps/castreceiver-arm.tar.lz
GApps/gamepadpairing-arm.tar.lz
GApps/livechannels-arm.tar.lz
GApps/talkback-arm.tar.lz
GApps/tvmovies-arm.tar.lz
GApps/tvmusic-arm.tar.lz
GApps/tvplaygames-arm.tar.lz
Core/bugreport-all.tar.lz
Core/googlebackuptransport-all.tar.lz
Core/googlecontactssync-all.tar.lz
Core/gsfcore-all.tar.lz
Core/notouch-all.tar.lz
Core/setupwraith-all.tar.lz
...or don't if you want to experiment with Google Play Services, but that's not my cup of tea on a TV device. Early builds saw hangouts messages popping up while my wife and I were watching tv (ugh). By the way anything you do with any of this knowledge your sole responsibility.
Other Minutiae
Use the SPMC fork if you use Kodi. You will get recommendations/now playing, among other things.
Some apps may look for Play Services at runtime (I had this with Twitch, for example). If you don't want GPS/GSF I can verify that microG works for this. I used Lanchon's Haystack for signature spoofing. This required Linux and the Android SDK, but there are other ways to accomplish signature spoofing, I just didn't try them.
You'll need some means of downloading app packages without Play Store on your device. I used Raccoon and DummyDroid with the build.prop from Shield Android TV and this user agent string:
Code:
'Android-Finsky/6.5.08.D-all (versionCode=80650800,sdk=23,device=foster,hardware=foster_e,product=foster,build=NRD90M:user)'
Originally, I wanted to do this as a custom AOSP or Lineage-based rom. Some of the issues I ran into were beyond my reckoning and I decided to cut bait and use stock. Lineage does work though, you'll just be sacrificing HDMI-CEC and Granular HDMI audio volume (Steel01 got HDMI audio working though, so big props there).
One thing that was bugging me was that the Shield Controller won't wake the tablet when the tablet is on batter power, even if you have it set to leave wifi on when sleeping. The following setting will fix this:
Code:
adb shell settings put system com.nvidia.blakepairing.agoAlwaysOn 1
Edit 3/6
Guide skeleton, can't attach zips, screens, or post links
Setting to wake device on battery power
Edit 3/9
Screens and flashable zips added

tenFootPedal said:
Title seems sudden, but actually it's been a bit of a task. If anyone's interested I'll put some details and flashables up in here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put em up, I was just thinking about converting mine with my Chromecast for mobdro, TV portal, and terrarium app. I already have a roku box and a Chromecast, but I'm curious how you converted yours. Thanks!

tenFootPedal said:
Title seems sudden, but actually it's been a bit of a task. If anyone's interested I'll put some details and flashables up in here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a GOOD IDEA to add the method rather than just a passing comment...
Thanks

set my spare shield up with kodi and its fine, i even still game on it occasionally. it's always hooked up so, why not?

LenAsh said:
It's a GOOD IDEA to add the method rather than just a passing comment...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'm planning on sharing but I wanted to gauge interest. Also I've never posted here and either I don't have permissions or I'm having PEBKAC issues with posting attachments.

Edit 3/6
Guide skeleton, can't attach zips, screens, or post links
Setting to wake device on battery power

Edit 3/9
Screens and flashable zips added
I'll be trying this with 5.1 OTA next

i have gotton the sheild game hub from the stock nvidia sheild tv firmware to install and work with this mod. i also use the ps4 controller via bluetooth for my remote in console mode. i cant figure out how to install the Google play store on this mod. can someone help me get it to install and work.

i have gotton the sheild game hub from the stock nvidia sheild tv firmware to install and work with this mod. i also use the ps4 controller via bluetooth for my remote in console mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice. Thanks for the feedback.
I haven't been down the play store road, but I would start by installing the tvstock gapps package without removing gsfcore (maybe others?) and don't run the debloat zip after you do so.

tenFootPedal said:
nice. Thanks for the feedback.
I haven't been down the play store road, but I would start by installing the tvstock gapps package without removing gsfcore (maybe others?) and don't run the debloat zip after you do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the tv gapps dont even have google play within the zip so we have too figure out how to install the android tv google play store on this mod we will be all set to go. i have all the system files from the stock nvidia shield tv on my pc trying to swap files to see what i can mimic. but the shield games for the nvidia shield tv works perfectly on this mod.im also trying to see if i can install the stock shield tv firmware on the shield k1. i can get the boot,recovery,system img's to flash successfully but it taking forever to boot. so it seems it dont work but i will keep trying.

So u can install stock Android shield TV games on this mod aye
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

also this mod works with the 5.1.1 OTA and the 6.0.1 OTA. and the lastest firmware but its a little buggy for me. aslo is there any way to make a uninstaller.zip for this mod. im also still having a hard time to get google play store installed

It would be so great if someone could pack this all up into a flashable ROM. That's something out of my abilities, could someone pretty please make it happen?

phuzznut said:
It would be so great if someone could pack this all up into a flashable ROM. That's something out of my abilities, could someone pretty please make it happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this were an aosp-based build, I would do it. But since its stock, I didn't feel comfortable doing it. There are some things I should probably do to take some of the steps out and make it easier though.
@brandonlee96, since this deletes a number of stock apks, I'd need to pack them up to put them back to make an uninstaller, which I don't want to do for the same reasons as above. You can do what I do and just make a twrp backup of stock to go back to.

@brandonlee96 Here's your play store problem. TubeSky is missing when tvstock runs on a tablet device. So you need to change this line in your build.prop
Code:
ro.build.characteristics=tablet
to this
Code:
ro.build.characteristics=tv
before flashing tvstock.
After that, make sure you delete SetupWraith, because it will perpetually crash and restart on boot. I haven't tested it any further than that.

tenFootPedal said:
@brandonlee96 Here's your play store problem. TubeSky is missing when tvstock runs on a tablet device. So you need to change this line in your build.prop
Code:
ro.build.characteristics=tablet
to this
Code:
ro.build.characteristics=tv
before flashing tvstock.
After that, make sure you delete SetupWraith, because it will perpetually crash and restart on boot. I haven't tested it any further than that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im doing that right now! i will let you know the results.

Apparently play store will auto update itself to the intended device's version. Getting the leanback (TubeSky) version to stay likely involves spoofing your device as an android tv to the play store (via build.prop and/or other means). I don't think I want to devote any more time to play store for now, when apks can be pulled from another device or via Raccoon.

tenFootPedal said:
Apparently play store will auto update itself to the intended device's version. Getting the leanback (TubeSky) version to stay likely involves spoofing your device as an android tv to the play store (via build.prop and/or other means). I don't think I want to devote any more time to play store for now, when apks can be pulled from another device or via Raccoon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the google play working thank you. i just wondering is there anyway we can beef up this mod? btw the recommendations does work it just didn't load up at this time!

brandonlee96 said:
i have the google play working thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you make it stop auto-updating/replacing the vending package?
brandonlee96 said:
is there anyway we can beef up this mod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you have in mind?

Hi, great thread! Will defenitly be trying this out in the next couple days... but i have a few questions. .
Does GFN work?
Does the system UI mimic ATV? Like the settings menu etc..?
Can we tell the battery level when unplugged?
Also, regarding build.prop edits to mimic the ShieldTV, i haven't changed build.prop to mimic anything in like 4 years haha! so I'm a little rusty, can you kindly show me what lines need changing to successfully spoof the STV?
Also, may be worth adding the Playstore is now working to the OP and credit @brandonlee96 haha
Great work guys! This looks amazing.

[Release] OneClick Script for Amazon Fire v5.3.2.1...v5.4.0.0 (Fire 7 / 7th gen)

Based on @savvytechwinner's work, on Wicki's work (Mod Edit - NO links to competing Forums) and on some experimentation of my own, I put together a new script to further ease the setup of an out-of-the-package Amazon Fire 7 / 7th gen and to clean up more throughly. This is a derivative / remix / improvement rather than something new. Thanks go to all the people this work is based on.
I already announced this in savvytechwinner's thread, but I figured setting up it's own thread is warranted.
What it does:
OTA Updates are blocked
Lockscreen ads are removed
Functional Google Play Store and Google Go search are installed
Bloatware is removed from the tablet
Functional Nova Launcher, Adblocker (DNS66) and light Youtube Client (NewPipe) are installed
Out-of-the-package instructions:
Have adb and Amazon Fire USB drivers installed on your PC.
Power on your Fire tablet, do the initial setup. DO NOT CONNECT TO WIFI. Instead, select any password protected wifi, then cancel, and initial setup will let you continue without internet.
Enter Settings -> Device options -> click Serial 7 times. A new menu entrypoint called Developer options will pop up.
In Developer options, enable ADB, then connect your tablet to your computer. Confirm the fingerprint. If that didn't work, look here for troubleshooting.
Now, extract the contents of this package somewhere on your computer and double click FireOneClick.bat.
You can watch how Amazon's apps vanish, but it is recommended not to do anything else with your tablet while the script does its work.
After it's finished, enter Settings -> Accessibility -> "enable To detect home button press". Then, open the LauncherHijack app and select Nova Launcher.
Open the DNS66 app and start it. This will run in background (at low memory consumption) and block ads.
Download the One Click Script from here.
Full readme, including credits and more info is found in my GitHub repo.

Just a heads up, I used this script on a fire 7 I had literally just opened, and it was successful in loading GApps and Blocking ads, but it did not debloat the amazon apps and it also did not block OTA updates...I woke up to a fire 7 that auto updated to 5.6.0. I'm not complaining here, since Nova Launcher is still installed and ads are nonexistent, just letting you know!

hiphopsded said:
Just a heads up, I used this script on a fire 7 I had literally just opened, and it was successful in loading GApps and Blocking ads, but it did not debloat the amazon apps and it also did not block OTA updates...I woke up to a fire 7 that auto updated to 5.6.0. I'm not complaining here, since Nova Launcher is still installed and ads are nonexistent, just letting you know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dammit... what version did you start on? Assuming it was 5.4.0.1?

Hi my 7" is on 5.4.0.
Does this just block the download or the update itself? Because I accidentally downloaded the OTA update but the tablet doesn't updated jet.
Is there a way to delete the update without root?

VottelTheTroll said:
Hi my 7" is on 5.4.0.
Does this just block the download or the update itself? Because I accidentally downloaded the OTA update but the tablet doesn't updated jet.
Is there a way to delete the update without root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It blocks the update itself by disabling all apps that would apply it. I still recommend turning Wifi off and doing a factory reset, so the update data is gone for sure.
Blocking the update / debloating most likely did not work for @hiphopsded cause he started from 5.4.0.1. Blocking updates / removing ads / debloating is onlypossible on v5.4.0.0 and below. I am somewhat surprised he doesn't have ads on the lockscreen, but I think that is due to the DNS66 adblocker doing it's work properly.
EDIT: @hiphopsded - maybe there is still hope, but you'll have to do the research yourself.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75167286&postcount=437

@k8500 I was on v5.4.0.0
I opened it brand new from sealed packaging, canceled connecting to a WiFi I did not have the password to, and was brought into the device home screen without ever connecting to WiFi to verify that I was on v5.4.0.0 and proceeded with installing the one click script.
Everything worked except debloating the tablet and OTA Updates being blocked. Not sure what went wrong. But having the launcher, google apps, and no ads is fine enough.

Another confirmation of this working on 5.4.0.0
Just received an Amazon Fire 7 - 7th gen. It ships with 5.4.0.1
I was able to downgrade from 5.4.0.1 to 5.4.0.0, then use this batch file to clean up the tablet.
Thanks!

already (well) used 7gen currently on 5.6.0.1
any idea when this will be updated to work on 5.6.0.1?
and next question does it actually root the tablet?
thanks in advance

markbnj said:
any idea when this will be updated to work on 5.6.0.1?
and next question does it actually root the tablet?
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does not root and will not be updated for 5.6.x.x as Amazon disabled the underlying commands that perform the magic.

5.6.x.x update question
Davey126 said:
Does not root and will not be updated for 5.6.x.x as Amazon disabled the underlying commands that perform the magic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok. So, bottom line, I can either wipe the unit, and start over; or
try and root the fire tablet to get rid of ads, and install other stuff...)
any other ideas?
I've rooted lots of android, and would actually prefer a more android, rather then amazon centric tablet....
thanks in advance...

markbnj said:
ok. So, bottom line, I can either wipe the unit, and start over; or
try and root the fire tablet to get rid of ads, and install other stuff...)
any other ideas?
I've rooted lots of android, and would actually prefer a more android, rather then amazon centric tablet....
thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't root 7th gen Fire at present. Period. Can't load a different ROM w/o root. Try sketchy rollback/debloat techniques at your own peril. Contact Amazon to dump annoying lock screen ads. Install a VPN based firewall like AdGuard to dispense with in-app advertising. Possibly install a different launcher using non-root techniques. Pretty much it.

Maybe I'm a little late in opening this thread up again, but let me ask this:
I just got a Kindle 7 (7th generation) in the mail, to replace our son's old one (5th generation, though unfortunately never rooted) that started messing up (so presumably the new one is refurbished). We don't like all the amazon bloat, etc., and would prefer the different launcher or anything more android-like we can get. I would love to block the OTA updates. So your tool sounds great.
I opened it and turned it on but haven't set up the device yet. I see it's version 5.3.3.0 Does this one click script of yours work on the 5.3.3.0 ? Are there any other suggestions on the best way to use my new device (taking out amazon bloat and more like google) considering it's *not* the newest OS that Amazon makes? I.e. are there any options I have available to me currently that I want to be sure I don't lose out on by accidentally updating or something? Thanks for any help you can provide!

madagascaradam said:
Maybe I'm a little late in opening this thread up again, but let me ask this:
I just got a Kindle 7 (7th generation) in the mail, to replace our son's old one (5th generation, though unfortunately never rooted) that started messing up (so presumably the new one is refurbished). We don't like all the amazon bloat, etc., and would prefer the different launcher or anything more android-like we can get. I would love to block the OTA updates. So your tool sounds great.
I opened it and turned it on but haven't set up the device yet. I see it's version 5.3.3.0 Does this one click script of yours work on the 5.3.3.0 ? Are there any other suggestions on the best way to use my new device (taking out amazon bloat and more like google) considering it's *not* the newest OS that Amazon makes? I.e. are there any options I have available to me currently that I want to be sure I don't lose out on by accidentally updating or something? Thanks for any help you can provide!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it works with fire OS 5.3.3.0

Rortiz2 said:
Yes, it works with fire OS 5.3.3.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for letting me know, but maybe I'm doing something wrong because I can't get it to work at all. To start with, I had already opened my fire tablet but skipped setup (also skipped signing into wifi because I knew that could give me an auto-update). So maybe that's what screwed it up? Maybe I should reset to factory and try again?
I had installed the fire drivers too but my fire never showed up in "portable devices" in device manager (in fact, I never saw such a category - but it did show up in devices as "MTP device").
The adb worked fine as I was able to get it to "show devices". However, the one-click never did anything. Usually I use powershell, but then I tried running through normal command prompt, but still no luck. I tried putting it in my adb fastboot folder (is that my problem? does it need the full adb and adb fastboot isn't enough?) and it still didn't work. So, maybe my first step was the problem or maybe a subsequent one, I don't know, but I couldn't get any of it to work.

uninstall apps
cannot uninstall applications , i downgrade to 5.4.0 but applications are only hiding , they are still in the system .
PROOF : you can check your free space before and after uninstalling, you will gain nothing important.
but for removing ads or blocking update , its working for 5.4.0 !!!
---------- Post added at 12:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:17 AM ----------
avatarma said:
cannot uninstall applications , i downgrade to 5.4.0 but applications are only hiding , they are still in the system .
PROOF : you can check your free space before and after uninstalling, you will gain nothing important.
but for removing ads or blocking update , its working for 5.4.0 !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but for rooted devices we can uninstall applications with root uninstaller pro or similare application.

What are the ways to install full google play store on Android TV or to sideload apps

I've been searching for a couple of hours and there's no guides or even clarification about what is possible with regards to running non-tv apps on the shield / android TV.
I really need to install a custom internet browser, VoIP apps, syncthing, firewall, maybe libre office who knows etc.
So:
- How do you install Full Google PlayStore?
- Do you need to root? (guide 1)(guide 2)
- I heard you can alternatively sideload apps via ADB. So I guess you need TWRP, and root? And where do you get the apks from?
In general, are there any non-UX limitations of android TV that would cause apps to not run? Or does it have the same capabilities as plugging in a mouse & kb into my phone's OTG port and then casting its screen to a TV?

Well here's a few thoughts without going into too much detail as I'm at work:
Full google play will need a custom rom I believe and you'll need to give up the android tv version of play and leanback functionality (I think)
There may be another method (still losing androidtv but probably needing root)
You can sideload via ADB or via a sideloading app. Or using network shares, USB storage, USB transfer etc.
In the past I've used Titanium Backup (rooted naturally) installed a load of games to my phone then moved the backups to an SD/USB to restore on the SHIELD.
There are also dubious website and alternative stores you can install or visit on the SHIELD. Not a fan of those tbh.
You can get APK downloader addons for web browsers that allow you to download directly from Play Store website. Chrome android doesn't support these I am lead to believe... but installing Yandex broweser and installing the chrome addon to that apparently might work. So then load Play Store in Yandex browser and you can get your apps direct from google... just sadly not the paid ones.
I've been meaning to get on this again myself. I'm really quite pissed that most of my paid Rockstar android games won't install from AndroidTV Play store. These games run fine on SHIELD but are flagged as unsupported. Thus forcing you to download them from dubious sources to get running due to the DRM. The TV store is very disapointing, the layout is bad, there's no reviews and developers just don't seem interested in keeping their apps accessible on the platform when they otherwise should be. The Rockstar games in particular run fantastic on the SHIELD and if I were Google or Nvidia I'd actively be trying to encourage Rockstar to promote these games as SHIELD compatible or enhanced!
I don't know about any technical disadvantages to the platform that hold things back but I'm sure many people here will be far more knowledgable. I just assume an app has to be fully functional with just the remote or joypad to be ATV compliant. I'm not entirely sure on this last question but I will say this, every app I've sideloaded has worked as long as it doesn't require touch control in games. I use a 5way hub so I've always got mouse/keyboard and additional storage options etc. If it can be controlled with one finger you can use a mouse to facilitate that.

thanks for the input. Yeah it sucks for paid apps and games. First I'll see if I can get by with just root and these methods, because I couldn't find any good custom roms for the shield. There is one on another forum but I couldn't get it installed (got stuck at nvidia logo after a successful install)..
I'm a noob to android TV, what's "leanback functionality"?

Twodordan said:
thanks for the input. Yeah it sucks for paid apps and games. First I'll see if I can get by with just root and these methods, because I couldn't find any good custom roms for the shield. There is one on another forum but I couldn't get it installed (got stuck at nvidia logo after a successful install)..
I'm a noob to android TV, what's "leanback functionality"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sideload any apk to the shield if rooted but there are apk's made for android tv and just mobile apk's with mobile apl's you lose some functionality of android tv however a keyboard mouse combo or even nvidia shield tv app will help you navigate through those apk's that are not made for android tv

As far as I know, sideloading apps means finding an apk, placing it on the device, and then running it (and allowing installation from unknown sources).
So at what point in this process do I require root? Do I need the root if it's an apk not made for Android TV? What is that process exactly?

Twodordan said:
As far as I know, sideloading apps means finding an apk, placing it on the device, and then running it (and allowing installation from unknown sources).
So at what point in this process do I require root? Do I need the root if it's an apk not made for Android TV? What is that process exactly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I side load stuff to my non rooted shield all the time its true not all apps will work but a majority of them will for some apps that have only a vertical view you can use apps like set orientation to have it in landscape mode just allow install of unknown apps for the file browser you use on the shield.
https://apkpure.com/set-orientation/com.googlecode.eyesfree.setorientation
You can simply place the apk into your downloads folder or wherever you like on the shield tv then install it from there using a file browser I personally use FX file explorer on shield but any should work. You can also use a file browser to add your cloud like google drive or one drive or whatever and install directly from there or browse to a shared folder on pc and install it that way too whatever is easier for you.
Apps that require root to run will not of course work properly on a non rooted device, however there are plenty of apps that do not require root that install and run just fine.

Yeah I always keep my SHIELD rooted for this reason. I don't know what the situation is with TWRP recovery at the moment but I know it stopped working in one of the recent updates. By being rooted you can use Flashfire app to flash zips to the SHIELD if you need to flash let's say GLTools or something like that. I mainly use that to force antialiasing for certain games. One thing you will want is either Sideload Launcher (on Play Store) or TV App Repo. Sideload launcher just loads a launcher that includes your non TV apps (They don't all work with the leanback launcher) or you can use TV App Repo to make shortcuts to them on the leanback launcher. TV App Repo will also need root to work, so yeah that's a great reason to have root when sideloading.

I could adb install the sideload launcher apk (got it from apkpure) to my 16gb shield tv 2017, via a usb-to-usb cable, and it works just fine without root.
Installing root is such a goddamn nightmare. You have to flash a full developer stock image for which you have to sign up to get from nvidia, then install magisk etc, and the killer is you gotta do this manual developer whole-image flashing nonsense every time there's an update from nvidia. Seriously why the hell can't we android users just get a proper version of the full opensource debloated OS that updates itself like a sane person? X_X
[Edit] Installed TV Launcher instead of sideload launcher. It can replace the default launcher and it is also so much nicer: https://apkpure.com/tvlauncher/com.awe.dev.pro.tv
[Edit] So a custom launcher like TV Launcher will insert itself as a suggestion whenever you press the home screen, and you can set it to Always use this launcher, however in many situations, like restarting your shield, it will default back to the stock launcher. You can read this but it's still fine to always have a prompt whenever you press home: https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndr...hange_default_launcher_on_shield_2017_nougat/

I use Yalp store and set it up as different device (in my case Samsung Galaxy Tab S3). Works really fine for 95% of the time.

Question Please?
Can you please say which shield TV you have? I am thinking of buying one but am put off by the lack of full play store. Being able to install any apk from a USB stick may sway me (but still not sure). What I plan to do is install any apps I want on my phone, use an apk extractor to get the apk, put it on USB then use CX file explorer to click and install. Does that sound all possible on non-rooted latest full Shield?
Cheers.
Eric.
"You can simply place the apk into your downloads folder or wherever you like on the shield tv then install it from there using a file browser I personally use FX file explorer on shield but any should work. You can also use a file browser to add your cloud like google drive or one drive or whatever and install directly from there or browse to a shared folder on pc and install it that way too whatever is easier for you.
Apps that require root to run will not of course work properly on a non rooted device, however there are plenty of apps that do not require root that install and run just fine."
---------- Post added at 02:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:44 AM ----------
PS Since you can install apk's easily did you ever try to sideload the Google play store apk (along with Google Play Services apk to see if they will install?
That would be interesting.
Gaps download for HUAWEI Chinese phones would be easy to obtain.
DBCAB said:
I side load stuff to my non rooted shield all the time its true not all apps will work but a majority of them will for some apps that have only a vertical view you can use apps like set orientation to have it in landscape mode just allow install of unknown apps for the file browser you use on the shield.
https://apkpure.com/set-orientation/com.googlecode.eyesfree.setorientation
You can simply place the apk into your downloads folder or wherever you like on the shield tv then install it from there using a file browser I personally use FX file explorer on shield but any should work. You can also use a file browser to add your cloud like google drive or one drive or whatever and install directly from there or browse to a shared folder on pc and install it that way too whatever is easier for you.
Apps that require root to run will not of course work properly on a non rooted device, however there are plenty of apps that do not require root that install and run just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Twodordan said:
Installing root is such a goddamn nightmare. You have to flash a full developer stock image for which you have to sign up to get from nvidia, then install magisk etc, and the killer is you gotta do this manual developer whole-image flashing nonsense every time there's an update from nvidia. Seriously why the hell can't we android users just get a proper version of the full opensource debloated OS that updates itself like a sane person? X_X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need the developer image to get root.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/development/kernel-overclock-kernel-2-22-ghz-t3943079
And if you don't flash twrp, getting updates will work fine, you will just have to root again.

Twodordan said:
I could adb install the sideload launcher apk (got it from apkpure) to my 16gb shield tv 2017, via a usb-to-usb cable, and it works just fine without root.
Installing root is such a goddamn nightmare. You have to flash a full developer stock image for which you have to sign up to get from nvidia, then install magisk etc, and the killer is you gotta do this manual developer whole-image flashing nonsense every time there's an update from nvidia. Seriously why the hell can't we android users just get a proper version of the full opensource debloated OS that updates itself like a sane person? X_X
[Edit] Installed TV Launcher instead of sideload launcher. It can replace the default launcher and it is also so much nicer: https://apkpure.com/tvlauncher/com.awe.dev.pro.tv
[Edit] So a custom launcher like TV Launcher will insert itself as a suggestion whenever you press the home screen, and you can set it to Always use this launcher, however in many situations, like restarting your shield, it will default back to the stock launcher. You can read this but it's still fine to always have a prompt whenever you press home: https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndr...hange_default_launcher_on_shield_2017_nougat/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is rooting a nightmare ? Once your bootloader is unlocked it literally takes 5 minutes to root..
Unlock bootloader
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot boot twrp.img
install magisk zip
Reboot , you're rooted..
I don't understand why people suggest any other file explorer besides "x-plore". By far the best file explorer out there, 100% crap free. You can install any APK from any location using x-plore.. Most of the time I leave the APK on my network , that network drive is mapped in the shield settings, I simply browse to it with x-plore , and install any APK. If it doesn't make a shortcut in the android tv menu , then simply use "sideload launcher" by chainfire to launch whichever app doesn'T show up on the main menu.

ericritou said:
Can you please say which shield TV you have? I am thinking of buying one but am put off by the lack of full play store. Being able to install any apk from a USB stick may sway me (but still not sure). What I plan to do is install any apps I want on my phone, use an apk extractor to get the apk, put it on USB then use CX file explorer to click and install. Does that sound all possible on non-rooted latest full Shield?
Cheers.
Eric.
"You can simply place the apk into your downloads folder or wherever you like on the shield tv then install it from there using a file browser I personally use FX file explorer on shield but any should work. You can also use a file browser to add your cloud like google drive or one drive or whatever and install directly from there or browse to a shared folder on pc and install it that way too whatever is easier for you.
Apps that require root to run will not of course work properly on a non rooted device, however there are plenty of apps that do not require root that install and run just fine."
---------- Post added at 02:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:44 AM ----------
PS Since you can install apk's easily did you ever try to sideload the Google play store apk (along with Google Play Services apk to see if they will install?
That would be interesting.
Gaps download for HUAWEI Chinese phones would be easy to obtain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 2015 pro model NVIDIA shield, but do have access to a 2017 model at my brother in laws, anyway extracting apks or getting them from places like apk mirror then using a usb to install will work you can even install them over your network from your pc or laptop using a file explorer program that supports it. I have never tried installing the full play store on my shield as it comes with one, however I have tried to install things using a pc browser and the google play site to the shield and had some luck installing a few apps that are not available on the shields version of play store. So basically doesn't matter where u get the apk you can usually install it to the shield some apps wont display properly which is why I suggested an orientation type program to correctly display and use also be aware some apps might need a mouse or keyboard to function properly when you do this depending on what you install.

Roamin64 said:
How is rooting a nightmare ? Once your bootloader is unlocked it literally takes 5 minutes to root..
Unlock bootloader
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot boot twrp.img
install magisk zip
Reboot , you're rooted..
I don't understand why people suggest any other file explorer besides "x-plore". By far the best file explorer out there, 100% crap free. You can install any APK from any location using x-plore.. Most of the time I leave the APK on my network , that network drive is mapped in the shield settings, I simply browse to it with x-plore , and install any APK. If it doesn't make a shortcut in the android tv menu , then simply use "sideload launcher" by chainfire to launch whichever app doesn'T show up on the main menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont understand y ppl think their preferred app is the same or should be everyones preference.. never really used xplore so cant comment on it but this is bcuz i use fx file explorer.. it has been good to me for years and still counting.. you can access network and more if u get an fx license which is cheap.. u can set up windows, ftp, ssh, webdav over network... set up cloud storage... bluetooth... web access.... fx connect and other means using it.. root installer.. text editor... binary viewer... deals with archives... themes... multiple root settings and other settings... diagnostic tools... has builtin busybox or u can use any other busybox you have installed and more
agreed though, roots easy if you dont have troubles.. not sure what ur runnin but nstv pro 2019 unless its been updated since i last checked cannot simply install magisk.. u need modified magisk.zip which is an older version then need to do some trickery in twrp to get it to flash right then still might need some trickery to get it to boot.. i have to use adb root to change bootstate to orange before itll load and if u dont got adb authorized yet then i use twrp to set a script tochange bootstate on boot.. tyen if u still have problems might need towipe and/or mess with vbmetaand/or dtb partitions.. and im an experienced person when it comes to root, exploits, twrp utilization and fastboot (not claiming to b pro or anything crazy, just know how to use them fairly well and general idea of how things work) so i can imagine some ppl that maybe arent as experienced or new to this particular device would have a difficult time indeed.

DBCAB said:
I have the 2015 pro model NVIDIA shield, but do have access to a 2017 model at my brother in laws, anyway extracting apks or getting them from places like apk mirror then using a usb to install will work you can even install them over your network from your pc or laptop using a file explorer program that supports it. I have never tried installing the full play store on my shield as it comes with one, however I have tried to install things using a pc browser and the google play site to the shield and had some luck installing a few apps that are not available on the shields version of play store. So basically doesn't matter where u get the apk you can usually install it to the shield some apps wont display properly which is why I suggested an orientation type program to correctly display and use also be aware some apps might need a mouse or keyboard to function properly when you do this depending on what you install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks.
---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------
DBCAB said:
I have the 2015 pro model NVIDIA shield, but do have access to a 2017 model at my brother in laws, anyway extracting apks or getting them from places like apk mirror then using a usb to install will work you can even install them over your network from your pc or laptop using a file explorer program that supports it. I have never tried installing the full play store on my shield as it comes with one, however I have tried to install things using a pc browser and the google play site to the shield and had some luck installing a few apps that are not available on the shields version of play store. So basically doesn't matter where u get the apk you can usually install it to the shield some apps wont display properly which is why I suggested an orientation type program to correctly display and use also be aware some apps might need a mouse or keyboard to function properly when you do this depending on what you install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!

have you tried the Aurora store? i find stuff there ibcant find in tv play store

elliwigy said:
have you tried the Aurora store? i find stuff there ibcant find in tv play store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
elliwigy suggested the best way to have full playstore, Aurora is a frontend for the real playstore, you are not downloading from an unknown source and also allow to install and validate the apps that you have purchased, also it's possible to spoof your shield as other devices making possible to install apps that in other ways aren't available for your device