Can the 2020 edition of the Fire run the Sonos Controller? - Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

As I understand it the 2020 edition of the Fire HD 8 (that is, the one being sold for $55 now on Amazon) can't be rooted or run custom firmware yet; the best you can do is install the Google Play store, however, even then some apps that need special permissions won't work.
So my question is, does anyone know if the Sonos Controller app run using this config? I'd like to replace my 5th generation Fire but one of my main uses for it is that of a Sonos controller. I know that the Sonos app installs itself as a service, so I am wondering if it will have issues.

td1010 said:
As I understand it the 2020 edition of the Fire HD 8 (that is, the one being sold for $55 now on Amazon) can't be rooted or run custom firmware yet; the best you can do is install the Google Play store, however, even then some apps that need special permissions won't work.
So my question is, does anyone know if the Sonos Controller app run using this config? I'd like to replace my 5th generation Fire but one of my main uses for it is that of a Sonos controller. I know that the Sonos app installs itself as a service, so I am wondering if it will have issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To grant the special permission for some apps. You can do over ADB:
Code:
adb shell pm grant <package-name> <permission>
Example
adb shell pm grant com.facebook.orca android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW

Like the original post, I've got an older Fire 10 tablet. It works, but shortly after installing the Google Store, and installing the Sonos app to control my 4 wireless speakers around my condo... I started getting an error about my OS not being supported. The app continues to control my speakers, but I've been waiting for it to fail at some point.
A buddy got an inexpensive Android tablet he was thinking of using in his car. After realizing certain limitations, he went another direction and offered to let me tinker with it. I tried installing the Sonos app, but got the same error. And I suspect because I didn't get it "working" before the error started... I couldn't even get it to "see" my speakers like the original Fire 10 I have, let alone control them.
So I'd like to buy a new tablet that I can install the Sonos app on, and control my wireless speakers. Anyone here happen to have done this on the new tablets... and know whether you still get the OS error, or maybe the newest Fire devices run a newer OS and it works? Any replies are appreciated. Thanks all!

Related

[ROOT] Instructions for Airplay Screen Mirroring / Display Extension on the FireTV

Long time reader, first time posting.
Install requires root.
Squirrel LLC just released an android version of their app Reflector ($7). This app can be installed fairly simply on the FireTV, turning it into an airplay receiver for screen sharing and display extension, not just video or audio playing.
This requires root (instructions here) and the google play store (instructions here- they are for kindle, but work) before you can install this program.
Once you have the play store installed and you are signed in, you will be able to install apps remotely. This is much easier, as the play store is somewhat difficult to navigate on the Fire TV itself. However, Google will think the Fire TV is not compatible with Reflector.
To circumvent compatibility restrictions, download Market Helper and install on your FireTV (sideload instructions here). This will allow you to spoof your device type and install the app. I used the Nexus 7 as the device type. Make sure you've run google play services and signed into the play store before you run this, so it can read your id. The activate buttons are invisible until you are selecting them, so just press down and over until you find what you want.
After setting up your Fire TV to look like a Nexus 7, head back to the play store and set Reflector to install remotely.
From here, you can use any airplay device to broadcast to the Fire TV!
Couldn't you use snappea instead of google play?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I wasn't able to get this to work in Extend Desktop mode with my Mac. Since there's only a 15 minute refund period, I already got the refund, so it's possible I was doing something wrong, but the Play description didn't mention Extend Desktop mode. I don't see how I was doing anything wrong though, since the only settings in the app is the Name and the Password (and I didn't set a password). I did remember to turn off AirPlay in my other AirPlay app before trying Reflector.
Prior to this, I was already using AirReceiver to handle IOS mirroring. If all you want is IOS mirroring, I believe it was less expensive. Since it was bought through the Amazon store, it shows up with an icon on main screen (in my Apps and Recent sections). I don't recall if you can buy it on the FireTV or not, but I think so. A Voice search for Air Receiver brings it up.
Thanks!
Hey Guys,
Sid from Squirrels here!
Thanks for the walkthrough and the instructions. We're glad you got everything working!
We've actually submitted Reflector to the Amazon Fire TV store. The approval process is a bit more lengthy and involved than normal Google Play submissions.
As for extended desktop from a computer. It should work alright. I'de be interested in seeing logs from this to see why it didn't work for you. You can email our support team and they'll be happy to get it working!
Thanks again for the instructions.
So why root?? Why not just side load reflector??
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
1975jamie said:
So why root?? Why not just side load reflector??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reflector is a paid app, and I have no experience sideloading paid apps / getting a signed apk out of one. I found it to be easier to root and install the play store than to bother with that. If you are aware of an easy method to get the APK out of a paid app, I'd love to hear it- I always pay for my apps, but sometimes I need to install them in a dev environment where the play store isn't available, and I'd like to know.
If you're concerned about rooting, I'd consider the advantages. Rooting is a piece of cake now thanks to Towelroot, and it gives you uped duper more functionality than you have without it, especially if you are using this device to run XBMC primarily.
sidneykeith said:
Hey Guys,
Sid from Squirrels here!
Thanks for the walkthrough and the instructions. We're glad you got everything working!
We've actually submitted Reflector to the Amazon Fire TV store. The approval process is a bit more lengthy and involved than normal Google Play submissions.
As for extended desktop from a computer. It should work alright. I'de be interested in seeing logs from this to see why it didn't work for you. You can email our support team and they'll be happy to get it working!
Thanks again for the instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the good customer support. I figured it was the Amazon store's lengthy submission process that was holding things up and not an actual compatibility issue, which is why I decided to hack this together.
I own no other Amazon devices (and probably won't), so it's to my advantage to keep all my purchases within one ecosystem. You may consider adding a little walkthrough on how to use the google play store to run your app on the firetv to your page, if you guys aren't fearful of the wrath of Bezos. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who bought the firetv for the android, not the amazon.
Taige said:
I wasn't able to get this to work in Extend Desktop mode with my Mac. Since there's only a 15 minute refund period, I already got the refund, so it's possible I was doing something wrong, but the Play description didn't mention Extend Desktop mode. I don't see how I was doing anything wrong though, since the only settings in the app is the Name and the Password (and I didn't set a password). I did remember to turn off AirPlay in my other AirPlay app before trying Reflector.
Prior to this, I was already using AirReceiver to handle IOS mirroring. If all you want is IOS mirroring, I believe it was less expensive. Since it was bought through the Amazon store, it shows up with an icon on main screen (in my Apps and Recent sections). I don't recall if you can buy it on the FireTV or not, but I think so. A Voice search for Air Receiver brings it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what happened there for you. Extended display was the default for me. That being said, the other app could have interfered, or maybe your settings in OSX weren't correct. I wish I could help you more, but Airplay is finicky enough as it is, without adding third party software. Maybe get in touch with Sid about that.
If anyone else is interested in this, my brother managed to get airsquirrel to work with reflector on the firetv, but it seemed to be more laggy than with true airplay. I'm not sure if that was the fault of his laptop or the software, so that might be worth looking into if you're a diehard windows user like I used to be.
hotterpop said:
Reflector is a paid app, and I have no experience sideloading paid apps / getting a signed apk out of one. I found it to be easier to root and install the play store than to bother with that. If you are aware of an easy method to get the APK out of a paid app, I'd love to hear it- I always pay for my apps, but sometimes I need to install them in a dev environment where the play store isn't available, and I'd like to know.
If you're concerned about rooting, I'd consider the advantages. Rooting is a piece of cake now thanks to Towelroot, and it gives you uped duper more functionality than you have without it, especially if you are using this device to run XBMC primarily.
Thanks for the good customer support. I figured it was the Amazon store's lengthy submission process that was holding things up and not an actual compatibility issue, which is why I decided to hack this together.
I own no other Amazon devices (and probably won't), so it's to my advantage to keep all my purchases within one ecosystem. You may consider adding a little walkthrough on how to use the google play store to run your app on the firetv to your page, if you guys aren't fearful of the wrath of Bezos. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who bought the firetv for the android, not the amazon.
I'm not sure what happened there for you. Extended display was the default for me. That being said, the other app could have interfered, or maybe your settings in OSX weren't correct. I wish I could help you more, but Airplay is finicky enough as it is, without adding third party software. Maybe get in touch with Sid about that.
If anyone else is interested in this, my brother managed to get airsquirrel to work with reflector on the firetv, but it seemed to be more laggy than with true airplay. I'm not sure if that was the fault of his laptop or the software, so that might be worth looking into if you're a diehard windows user like I used to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an android phone that I download the google play app to and then use Es file explorer to back up the app. Then sideload it to the firetv.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Root] How to Root Amazon Fire Tv 2 with Fire Os 5.2.4

Hi ,
I have amazon Fire Tv2 with updated Fire Os 5.2.4. I just want to flash the custom kernel images into the fire tv 2, for that i need to root the device.
How to root the amazon fire tv2 with 5.2.4 version. I found methods for Fire OS 5.2.1 and lower versions, does those methods work for 5.2.4 version ?
Is it possible to root Fire Os 5.2.4 Version ?
Please direct me to the rooting methods links.
Thanks in advance.
rtfm
There is no known root method for 5.2.4.0, I wish there was
Sent from my KFFOWI using Tapatalk
No, it is not possible to root 5.2.4.0 on any device yet. I track all rooting methods for all Fire TV and Fire TV Stick models here: http://www.aftvnews.com/root
This is showing like this person found root...
I believe the hardware mod works. A bit of a nuisance.
JeffDC said:
I believe the hardware mod works. A bit of a nuisance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Team,
i want to root my new firetv, using emmc connecting method. i ordered the maximus low-volt adaptor and the transcent sd adapter.
i soldered the low-volt adapter ( really...really. small parts ! a very hard job....blue led is working )
then i opened the firetv and i am was wondering about the pcb layout .. it is completely different like on the pics in the net
.does anybody have the solder points for this ( Firetv Board DV83YW )
i am too new here for posting pictures links , sorry ..
greets
mike
Hello Mike,
i was surprised too when i take a look inside the new firetv2 box
I uploaded some pictures on gdrive.
can anyone help?
hppts..//drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BylaEM6wx1JOUjVVeGN3MWU5TDA
Same here. Waiting to see if anyone know of the new layout pins (if they are still exposed).
Here is my PCB....
AFTVnews.com said:
No, it is not possible to root 5.2.4.0 on any device yet. I track all rooting methods for all Fire TV and Fire TV Stick models here: http://www.aftvnews.com/root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love your site bro, thanks for all the great info!
anthonykash said:
Love your site bro, thanks for all the great info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome and thanks!
@AFTVnews.com
Also love your site. I have a question you could probably quickly answer:
I need to get stock amazon app "freetime" running on my firetv (box, not stick). I confirmed with Amazon that the freetime app is disabled from running on the current Fire TV firmware version (they couldn't confirm which version actually disabled it, just that it is a feature they have sunset on fire tv). I have the app installed, but it is not visible from app searches and not launchable from the "manage applications" menu in settings. (only force stop)
My current firmware is the latest version (Oct 19th, 5.2.something) and not rootable, but I don't have the skills to experiment with a new device anyway. (I've rooted my XT897 and SM-950F, but can barely handle that).
Let me know if you think it's possible:
1. That amazon's server side would allow freetime to function on a fire TV, despite amazon sunsetting the feature, assuming I could get the app to run locally.
Assuming #1, then
2. To sideload, modify, or otherwise get freetime working on my current Fire TV.
or
3. Downgrade my current firmware to a previous version that would run freetime.
or
4. To find for purchase a fire TV with a different firmware that would allow running freetime.
Thanks in advance. The motivation is that freetime lets me allow my young kids the ability to choose from a pre-selected library of videos and otherwise locks-down our TV for their safety etc.
scuba1999 said:
@AFTVnews.com
Also love your site. I have a question you could probably quickly answer:
I need to get stock amazon app "freetime" running on my firetv (box, not stick). I confirmed with Amazon that the freetime app is disabled from running on the current Fire TV firmware version (they couldn't confirm which version actually disabled it, just that it is a feature they have sunset on fire tv). I have the app installed, but it is not visible from app searches and not launchable from the "manage applications" menu in settings. (only force stop)
My current firmware is the latest version (Oct 19th, 5.2.something) and not rootable, but I don't have the skills to experiment with a new device anyway. (I've rooted my XT897 and SM-950F, but can barely handle that).
Let me know if you think it's possible:
1. That amazon's server side would allow freetime to function on a fire TV, despite amazon sunsetting the feature, assuming I could get the app to run locally.
Assuming #1, then
2. To sideload, modify, or otherwise get freetime working on my current Fire TV.
or
3. Downgrade my current firmware to a previous version that would run freetime.
or
4. To find for purchase a fire TV with a different firmware that would allow running freetime.
Thanks in advance. The motivation is that freetime lets me allow my young kids the ability to choose from a pre-selected library of videos and otherwise locks-down our TV for their safety etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew the newer devices didn't have Freetime, but I had no idea older devices/software disabled it also. I'll need to look into this further to fully undestand what is going on.
As for your questions, I doubt Freetime will work locally without Amazon's backend support. That's because the feature is reliant on child profiles created and stored on Amazon's servers. However, just because they say they have sunset the feature on Fire TV, that doesn't necessarily mean their servers are no longer replying to the requests from the Fire TV. So if you could get the app to run, I expect it would still work, but again, I need to look into it further.
There is no way to downgrade your firmware unless you root the device. Once rooted, it's simply a matter of selecting the pre-rooted version you want to use and installing it through TWRP.
I'll try to find time to test older firmware on a rooted device to see if Freetime works on it. That will tell us if finding a Fire TV running an older version will work for you.
AFTVnews.com said:
I knew the newer devices didn't have Freetime, but I had no idea older devices/software disabled it also. I'll need to look into this further to fully undestand what is going on.
As for your questions, I doubt Freetime will work locally without Amazon's backend support. That's because the feature is reliant on child profiles created and stored on Amazon's servers. However, just because they say they have sunset the feature on Fire TV, that doesn't necessarily mean their servers are no longer replying to the requests from the Fire TV. So if you could get the app to run, I expect it would still work, but again, I need to look into it further.
There is no way to downgrade your firmware unless you root the device. Once rooted, it's simply a matter of selecting the pre-rooted version you want to use and installing it through TWRP.
I'll try to find time to test older firmware on a rooted device to see if Freetime works on it. That will tell us if finding a Fire TV running an older version will work for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. Let me know. And yes, by 'locally' I just meant 'assuming I could get the client app running' that the amazon servers would still talk to it and feed it the content I choose for the kids profile, etc.. I am hopeful on that front because freetime seems to be popular and remain supported on the fire tablet devices, so maybe the server side will remain device agnostic. Thanks in advance for your time in testing.

Remote management?

I have a Fire HD8 (7th gen) that I have added Google Play store & launcher hijack thanks to this site.
Has anyone been successful finding remote control/management software to control these fire tablets from a Windows (or Linux) system?
If this can be done, I would buy a second one as a gift for an elderly relative who would not be able to set it up by herself.
In the past, I have used Teamviewer for computer to computer management, but the version I tried on my tablet appears not to allow control of the tablet, only the other way around.
A trial version of join.me allows viewing of the screen, but not take control.
I'd appreciate pointers of any other solutions I may not be aware of.
Found this thread searching for a solution to same. This is not much help, but just confirming a similar experience. I installed TeamViewer Host on my new Fire HD 10 and it supports file transfer and screen sharing only. You can move a blue pointer around on the screen remotely (for example to point at things to help the person with the tablet), but you cannot actually click on things or take over and control the tablet remotely. I have not tried join.me but sounds like it has the same limitation. My HD 10 also has Google Play store, but no launcher hijack, and no root.
Incidentally, my rooted & ROMed Fire 7 does support full TeamViewer Host functionality with remote control.
toronado said:
Found this thread searching for a solution to same. This is not much help, but just confirming a similar experience. I installed TeamViewer Host on my new Fire HD 10 and it supports file transfer and screen sharing only. You can move a blue pointer around on the screen remotely (for example to point at things to help the person with the tablet), but you cannot actually click on things or take over and control the tablet remotely. I have not tried join.me but sounds like it has the same limitation. My HD 10 also has Google Play store, but no launcher hijack, and no root.
Incidentally, my rooted & ROMed Fire 7 does support full TeamViewer Host functionality with remote control.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a bit odd actually. I would've expected the Fire 7 NOT to have the memory to support it. Team Viewer is great if you get it all working, which can be very complicated. At least I know I'm not the only one who had trouble in my HD 8. And I never seen this thread.
Look st scrcpy...just managed to get working on my HD 10 using scrcpy -b2M -m1024... Had issues with no parameters specified
Sent from my m8 using Tapatalk
evo17paul01 said:
Look st scrcpy...just managed to get working on my HD 10 using scrcpy -b2M -m1024... Had issues with no parameters specified
Sent from my m8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your HD 10 rooted?

Spoofing/Modding - Device/apps Help

I am trying to get all4 on my shield, I've tried many things but failing to do it lol.
OK so I've tried installing the apk I got from someone who backed it up for me from a fire tv but it seems like the apk was just a wrapper so it didnt work.
I have the amazon appstore installed but it recognises my device is not a fire TV device and won't let me install.
Is there a way we could spoof the amazon appstore to see the device as a fire tv or maybe spoof the device so apps think its a fire TV (if that makes sense).
So spoofing the amazon appstore I have an idea -
Using "app cloner" it has a build prop option to where you can modify the apk to see the device as what you wish by filling in the right build prop details for the device you want to spoof to.
Only thing is - I don't have a fire TV device to get the details so I can't try this yet. (If anyone had the details please let me know so I can try - just need to install app cloner and it will show you the info)
Can anyone help with this?
I also have a second problem I've been trying to deal with for years now lol.
There is an app called "notifications for android TV", what it does, is it send notifications from apps on your phone and displays them on the TV in a way where when you install the app on android TV the app auto installs as a server, when you install the same app on phone it asks you if you want to set up this phone as a server or client.
I used to run full android custom ROM on my shield TV, when I did I used app cloner to install 2 versions of this app and installed one as server and one as client so all the notifications were handled by my shield TV and I did not need a phone connected to send notifications - this is ideal. I'm love look ing to try do the same thing on stock nvidia firmware but every time it detects the app as android TV and doesn't you the option to install as a client.
I just need a way to spoof/mod the app to think its installing on a phone instead of android TV.
Can anyone help with this stuff, been bugging me for soo long now lol.
I just side loaded the mobile all4 application from apkpure.
Sure, you need to use a mouse to navigate it, but it works fine for me.
I should have mentioned I am looking for the fire TV version specifically as it is remote friendly. I have the version you are using already.

Amazon Appstore FireOS only apps - any work arounds?

My son has a Fire HD 8 tablet that thanks to you all, I have installed LineageOS 7.1.2 on. It runs great now, but we'd like to install an application that is only available in the Amazon App store and designed to run only on stock FireOS. I think the app would run perfectly fine on the tablet with Lineage installed, but unfortunately the Amazon App store no longer recognizes the tablet as a Fire tablet and therefore blocks our ability to download the app.
Is there some sort of workaround that could be tried here? I've read about people modifying build.prop to spoof the device type and run "unsupported" apps, so perhaps that is the route we'd take here? I'm just sort of stumped here and really don't want to go buy another fire tablet just so we can run stock fire os for his game.
The apps in question are the Osmo kids learning series. Any help would be very much appreciated.
*edit - i have searched for .apks of the app online that would allow me to manually install, but i have been unable to turn any up.
ChrisULM said:
My son has a Fire HD 8 tablet that thanks to you all, I have installed LineageOS 7.1.2 on. It runs great now, but we'd like to install an application that is only available in the Amazon App store and designed to run only on stock FireOS. I think the app would run perfectly fine on the tablet with Lineage installed, but unfortunately the Amazon App store no longer recognizes the tablet as a Fire tablet and therefore blocks our ability to download the app.
Is there some sort of workaround that could be tried here? I've read about people modifying build.prop to spoof the device type and run "unsupported" apps, so perhaps that is the route we'd take here? I'm just sort of stumped here and really don't want to go buy another fire tablet just so we can run stock fire os for his game.
The apps in question are the Osmo kids learning series. Any help would be very much appreciated.
*edit - i have searched for .apks of the app online that would allow me to manually install, but i have been unable to turn any up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get Amazon Appstore for Android on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/get/amazonapp

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