EDIT: I have things working now. Sorry for the superfluous post. I have YouTube installed from the Play Store and it's playing videos just fine, as well as a non-google application. Thanks for reading.
Ordered a new Kindle Fire HD 8" model...
Upon taking it out of the box, I logged in, and it required a reboot almost immediately. It is running OS 5.3.3.0. This is my first Kindle Fire, it's a replacement for an aging Nexus 7 (2013).
I use a tablet for general utility purposes, but I'm pretty heavily invested in the Google ecosystem. The fact that the Kindle can't even access my google drive is highly disappointing.
Now, I've tried a few solutions sideloading apk's but the tablet seems to know to block the installation of things like google play services, as it fails every time. Anyone know of any other solutions for getting other things like YouTube, or Google Sheets installed?
I'm not above rooting or ROM's if that's a solution... But so far, a cursory search hasn't yielded anything that works for 5.3.3.0.
Google Services (Play Store) can be installed followinf this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/how-to-install-google-play-store-fire-t3486603. Mine is on 5.3.3.0 noch, Play Store works without problems.
Root seems not possible at the moment, not that critical. I am not sure about disabling the lock-screen ads, I was just looking for the thread myself.
Have fun
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7th Gen/2017
Note: Rather than create another thread, I just updated the thread title to include the 7th Gen HD 10.Just remember they do have slightly different hardware. -4 March 2018
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Fire OS 5.3.1.0 was the last version to be rootable,
for all Fires except the 7th gen HD 10.
Do not attempt to downgrade. - 7th Oct 2018
FAQs
Manual Update
https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/general/unbrick-amazon-fire-hd-8-10-t3240034
Download Firmware
7th Gen HD 8
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202144610
7th Gen HD 10
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202194760
Currently there is no known root method - 14 July 2017
There is no reliable way to stop updates, without rooting. - 14 July 2017
see https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/how-to-install-google-play-store-fire-t3486603 on how to add google framwork/playstore without root. - 14 July 2017
Thank you for starting this.
Buzzing audio noise issue
I've recently bought one of these & it seems pretty good for the money (i.e. £40 on prime day with student discount). I've installed the Google Play Store & downloaded some apps & everything works fine so far. It's mostly being used to listen to music using the Google Music & BBC Radio apps, both of which work fine.
However I've noticed a couple of issues with the audio which are quite annoying. The tablet is connected to my stereo amplifier via a cable (headphone jack to 2 stereo jack). The first problem is when the amp is on but the tablet is off there is a buzzing noise. Secondly, when the tablet is on audio plays perfectly with no buzzing but when whatever is playing has finished (i.e. when no sound is playing) there is silence for some time (maybe 5 or 10 minutes) but then a buzzing noise starts & repeats erratically. However, this noise stops as soon as the tablet screen is switched on. The noise sounds like the tablet isn't earthed correctly but I've used the same cables & connections with my old Nexus 7 tablet without any problem so don't see why this should be any different.
Having spoken with Amazon they suggest a factory reset which I'm holding back from doing as it's taken me some time to set it up & I'd rather not go through it again. However, they did remove the adverts from the lockscreen for free while I was chatting to them which was good.
Anyway, my question is does this sound like a software fault, a hardware fault, or an issue with the cable I'm using. Obviously, if it's a hardware fault I'll have to send it back anyway but it's a pain whatever as I'm quite happy with it otherwise. Also if I send it back does anyone think that the fact I've installed the Google Play Store on it will affect the return.
Sorry for long rambling post but couldn't find anything about this issue anywhere else & appears this is the first question posted in this thread so maybe it's a bit too early to expect anyone to be able to answer from experience yet.
Cheers anyway.
Eagerly awaiting root fix for these!
Blank Home Screen on HD8-7th
I have a Fire HD 8, 7th Gen, running Fire OS 5.4.0.0.
My problem is that my home screen will sometimes go blank. I can swipe down to show the Brightness etc, and I can hit the square on the bottom to see and use any running apps, but the screen that usually shows Home, Books, Video, etc is completely blank. I can swipe down, open settings, and navigate through there with no problems.
I have done a factory reset, and still have the symptoms.
The only things I have done after the reset is install Adobe acrobat from the Amazon Appstore, and install the Google Play Store using these APKs:
edit: I am having a hard time with the forum link autodetect. All of these are on www<DOT>.apkmirror<DOT>com.
apk/google-inc/google-account-manager/google-account-manager-5-1-1743759-release/google-account-manager-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/
apk/google-inc/google-services-framework/google-services-framework-5-1-1743759-release/google-services-framework-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/
apk/google-inc/google-play-services/google-play-services-10-2-98-release/google-play-services-10-2-98-230-146496160-android-apk-download/
apk/google-inc/google-play-store/google-play-store-7-4-25-release/google-play-store-7-4-25-l-all-0-pr-145823605-android-apk-download/
Any suggestions? I am willing to try another reset, and try without the Google stuff for a few days, but it seems like lots of people are using this on this tablet without problem.
Thanks,
Ed
EdStokes said:
I have a Fire HD 8, 7th Gen, running Fire OS 5.4.0.0.
My problem is that my home screen will sometimes go blank. I can swipe down to show the Brightness etc, and I can hit the square on the bottom to see and use any running apps, but the screen that usually shows Home, Books, Video, etc is completely blank. I can swipe down, open settings, and navigate through there with no problems.
I have done a factory reset, and still have the symptoms.
The only things I have done after the reset is install Adobe acrobat from the Amazon Appstore, and install the Google Play Store using these APKs:
edit: I am having a hard time with the forum link autodetect. All of these are on www<DOT>.apkmirror<DOT>com.
apk/google-inc/google-account-manager/google-account-manager-5-1-1743759-release/google-account-manager-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/
apk/google-inc/google-services-framework/google-services-framework-5-1-1743759-release/google-services-framework-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/
apk/google-inc/google-play-services/google-play-services-10-2-98-release/google-play-services-10-2-98-230-146496160-android-apk-download/
apk/google-inc/google-play-store/google-play-store-7-4-25-release/google-play-store-7-4-25-l-all-0-pr-145823605-android-apk-download/
Any suggestions? I am willing to try another reset, and try without the Google stuff for a few days, but it seems like lots of people are using this on this tablet without problem.
Thanks,
Ed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since this thread is pretty quiet & doesn't seem to have any responses I can only offer my own experience which is that I've installed Google Play Store following this thread:
how-to-install-google-play-store-fire-t3486603 & haven't experienced this issue. I'm not sure about the source of your apks but if you're getting them from elsewhere maybe try the links in the thread I've given to see if that makes any difference?
You could get the tablet replaced as a factory reset is the standard test Amazon suggest before offering a replacement so if that hasn't worked then it is likely an issue with the tablet itself. If you do chat to Amazon about it is worth mentioning the ads on the lockscreen (if you have them) as you can get them removed for free fairly easily (basically by just mentioning them).
sd_shadow said:
FAQs
Currently there is no known root method - 14 July 2017
There is no reliable way to stop updates, without rooting. - 14 July 2017
see https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/how-to-install-google-play-store-fire-t3486603 on how to add google framwork/playstore without root. - 14 July 2017
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the helpful post. Are you aware of a dedicated thread (or other place) where dev-minded individuals working with the hd fire 7th gen may frolic in efforts to root/unlock bootloader? At least a list of known potential exploits etc? I had no trouble finding such resources for my Note 4. I don't expect to have time to really dig in - but I might contribute in small ways.
---------- Post added at 06:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:56 AM ----------
EdStokes said:
Any suggestions? I am willing to try another reset, and try without the Google stuff for a few days, but it seems like lots of people are using this on this tablet without problem.
Thanks,
Ed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple thoughts-
-the steps must be followed in order on that post or things night get wonky.
-are you using the stock launcher or something else? I had similar issues with launcherpro. Did you start to follow the instructions on how to change your launcher perhaps?
-I had better luck when installing the apks from my device instead of sideloading. I have some ideas as to why, but that doesn't matter in this post.
-Do you have a particular setting that is synchronizing after you log in? You night try turning off app sync and backup and then clearing the data/cache for the launcher app.
Perhaps the easiest solution is to change your launcher app to something nicer. I've been using Nova (pretty standard launcher replacement) and it works great.
Blank Home Screen - resolution
Thank you all for your advice.
Here is what worked for me:
I uninstalled the Google Play store from my home screen, then reinstalled all four apks from my SD Card. I don't know why this worked, because I thought I did that before. Maybe I installed directly from the APK website, I don't know, but I have not seen the blank home screen I described above since.
By this time, I had already talked to Amazon, and their policy seemed to be "Blank screen after system restore? Ship him a replacement." So now I am returning a probably perfect HD8 to Amazon. <shrug>
Thanks, again, and I am looking forward to when you geniuses figure out how to root the HD8.
Ed
Hey I just ordered my HD 8 2017 and I'm worried I won't be able to stream to my chromecast. I use plex and netflix and something else I should maybe not mention, but I just wanted to make sure I could use this stuff because it's like 50% of what I plan on using it for.
staythepath said:
Hey I just ordered my HD 8 2017 and I'm worried I won't be able to stream to my chromecast. I use plex and netflix and something else I should maybe not mention, but I just wanted to make sure I could use this stuff because it's like 50% of what I plan on using it for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried using mine to stream to other devices, but after installing the Google App Store (see other posts above), I've watched Netflix and have watched content streamed from my home PC using Plex. No issues so far.
Hey guys, anyone is having issues with the YouTube app crashing while viewing the subscriptions tab or having heavy lag? I can't even view that tab without the app force closing itself.
Hi! I'm running Fire OS 5.4 and I've installed the Google Play, Google Framework, Google Home, etc...
but I can't seem to get Netflix to display the Chromecast button, also Plex has the icon, but it's unable to cast to the device.
I like the tablet, don't mind the adds, won't even root it if there is a fix for the Chromecast issue. C'mon Amazon, it's an Android, stop restricting my life...
---------- Post added at 03:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 AM ----------
staythepath said:
Hey I just ordered my HD 8 2017 and I'm worried I won't be able to stream to my chromecast. I use plex and netflix and something else I should maybe not mention, but I just wanted to make sure I could use this stuff because it's like 50% of what I plan on using it for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having an issue with Plex casting to the Chromecast, it shows up within the app, but isn't able to cast to device.
Netflix, I don't see the icon anywhere, not even when you start the play the video.
Hoping there's a fix that doesn't require a root, but I like you would really like to use this feature.
I took my 5.4.0.1 device back to the store and exchanged for one with 5.4.0.0 and used the debloater tool to remove/hide OTA updates, should I block anything other than com.amazon.device.software.ota and com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe.forced.ota?
The ads don't hurt me so I left that but installed the Nova Launcher and Google Services, should I avoid registering with Amazon because of this? Will registering the device with Amazon cause any problems after installing those and blocking updates?
Didn't realize it, but I bought (again) moon reader pro and calibre companion on amazon appstore. I didn't know that they used their monopoly to block installation of alternative book apps from their own store.
Good thing for the sideload though. I didn't think I'd need it but Amazon forced me.
Just purchased a n Amazon Fire Tablet HD 8 7 gen after my Google Nexus 7 touch screen stopped responding, would like to get info off that device but that's another story. The Fire Tablet working fine but I feel restricted with the ads and apps. I would like to make this tablet open some like the nexus 7. What's the best way to make that happen on this devis.
gogo1555 said:
Just purchased a n Amazon Fire Tablet HD 8 7 gen after my Google Nexus 7 touch screen stopped responding, would like to get info off that device but that's another story. The Fire Tablet working fine but I feel restricted with the ads and apps. I would like to make this tablet open some like the nexus 7. What's the best way to make that happen on this devis.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can install a different launcher
see
https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/general/using-nova-launcher-to-replace-fire-t3511831
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
Depending on the fire os version, you can disable several apps, stop auto updates, install play store, change launcher and disable lockscreen adds. Just do a search un the amazon fire forum.
This is the thread.. https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/amazon-fire-utility-tool-bloat-removal-t3641151
Also are included any launcher tool ans you can choose your favorite launcher..
gogo1555 said:
Just purchased a n Amazon Fire Tablet HD 8 7 gen after my Google Nexus 7 touch screen stopped responding, would like to get info off that device but that's another story. The Fire Tablet working fine but I feel restricted with the ads and apps. I would like to make this tablet open some like the nexus 7. What's the best way to make that happen on this devis.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, but I saw a thread that was similar to my issue and I called Amazon told them I want to send the tablet back and get a tablet with no Special Offers. They cancelled the Special Offer free of charge. That's customer service!
Did you ever have any issues after doing what you mentioned? I already had one tablet auto-update and really want to make sure the second is safe.
GreenElephants said:
I took my 5.4.0.1 device back to the store and exchanged for one with 5.4.0.0 and used the debloater tool to remove/hide OTA updates, should I block anything other than com.amazon.device.software.ota and com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe.forced.ota?
The ads don't hurt me so I left that but installed the Nova Launcher and Google Services, should I avoid registering with Amazon because of this? Will registering the device with Amazon cause any problems after installing those and blocking updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Fire Folk,
I decided to go ahead take the plunge and let my 2017 Fire HD tablets do their thing and update to 5.6.2.0. Well, the too-good-to-be-true advertising lulled me in anyway ("Show Mode!? You mean I can finally use my Fire Tablet for multi-room audio? And I can stop calling half the Alexa devices in the house "Alexa" while I call the others "Computer" and we can all live as one big happy, desegregated family?! And I can play Spotify on any of the devices and make drop in calls until my heart's content!??" Well, we're not quite there yet...
Anyway, the purpose of my post... Is anyone else noticing the annoying "Ghost" notifications (where it's just a blank white bar at the top, popping up regularly, but if you tap on it/long-touch it enough it eventually reveals its true self) appearing more frequently now? I have three HD 8s and one HD 10 and the background app is running rampant on all of them, resulting in super-frustrating and function-impairing crumminess. Fortunately, the 10 has root and on that tablet I can put this resource-gobbling ghost in its place. However, I'm at a loss on the Fire 8s. In the past I've tried various "no root" app freezing applications but I've never really found one that truly is capable of doing what it claims to be able to accomplish. Does anyone have any tips? I know for a while we could run that one script and make magic happen but can no longer use that trick. :-/
The background ghost app is "Tachyon Calling App" and I gather it's part of the messaging system that is supposed to make the Fire, post 5.6.2.0 update, more "Show"-like. But it runs wiiiild. I'll grabbed a few screenshots which tell a little more about this background pest and will include them below. If you've upgraded to the latest OS and haven't noticed this yet, I hope you never do, but I'd be surprised should you not soon become well-acquainted.
Oh also, my tablets all have Play Store et al. installed and I'm using Action Launcher, if that might have any impact on why I'm experiencing this conflict.
Thanks all! I've been lurking in the Fire section for a long time now and decided to finally make a profile, interact, etc. I am very appreciative to many people here for sharing the awesome findings/discoveries/techniques you've brought forward. I am still holding out hope - some day - even if it's 2046 and these tablets are beyond obsolete/somehow still manage to exist in physical form somewhere in the world, that we will get root access on HD 8! ??????
Screenshots w. additional details:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/album.php?albumid=15035
Having this same problem on a Fire 8 that's got the Play Store loaded. Also my model doesn't even have a sim card, does yours?
This is a new one. Never heard of or seen this app in any Amazon tablet I own (and I own several from the Fire 7 all the way to 10). Just from doing a general search, it appears it belongs to tachyon Mobility. At least that's the most likely culprit. For whatever reason it's on a device I have no idea unless you own a Samsung phone or tablet. I've seen other Samsung apps and Hardware configurations on Motorola devices but never on an Amazon device. If you don't mind uploading a copy of the APK, I can decompile it and take a look inside and see what it actually does or at least try. For now disable it by changing the file name to: appname.apk_ because some system apps like that may become useful in the future. By the way if you are rooted on the HD 10 Google 'rooted activity launcher'. Download the APK from the GitHub source. You can use that activity launcher to launch almost every system app that has a user interface. If this application does you can launch it with rooted activity launcher and see what it does.
I really would like to have the best of both worlds! I like the almost every Amazon has implemented on the Fire HE 10, except their apps and app store. And I like everything about Google Play services and their apps. Here on CAR are many threads on topics to customize one world over the other. But not anything I would characterize as the best of both worlds.
Most Amazon topics are generally like tips. And Google topics generally involve a complete wipe of Amazon's implementation of launcher and product offering.
Is there anyone who has created an implementation that utilizes the best of both? It seems as though I've read all the posts or searched all the posts here and nothing that really says to me this is the solution. I would especially like to see a custom rom like we see for our phones.
cfedata said:
I really would like to have the best of both worlds! I like the almost every Amazon has implemented on the Fire HE 10, except their apps and app store. And I like everything about Google Play services and their apps. Here on CAR are many threads on topics to customize one world over the other. But not anything I would characterize as the best of both worlds.
Most Amazon topics are generally like tips. And Google topics generally involve a complete wipe of Amazon's implementation of launcher and product offering.
Is there anyone who has created an implementation that utilizes the best of both? It seems as though I've read all the posts or searched all the posts here and nothing that really says to me this is the solution. I would especially like to see a custom rom like we see for our phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check around here for my tips, hacks etc. I have been trying to build a ROM for a bit. It may not be possible on this device (as long as it's bootloader locked), at least not like the Fire 7. Either FlashFire won't install one on the HD 10, or Amazon did something that doesn't allow the traditional updater-scripts or FlashFire to do their job properly. I suspect they removed something from a .bin file or modified it like they did the bootanimation.bin (FireOS stock bootanimation is written into the bootanimation bin file in /system/bin. So if you don't replace the bin file, and try to change bootanimation, it would fail.) So far I have been doing it the slow way: replacing the Amazon apps one by one, with Android. My hope is to create a 'ROM' that way, and at some point distribute the system.img.
cfedata
Follow DragonFire1024's posts about the FIre HD and you have a great approximation of both worlds. I have Alexa and Google Assistant voice activated on all my Fire HD's. The Amazon Appstore is pretty useless in my opinion. Once you get the Google Play store installed, you'll probably never use it. I tend to sideload apps on all my devices anyway but the Play Store is occasionally useful for updates. Just make sure you have "Do Not auto-update apps" selected in your Play Store settings since some updates for certain apps make them unusable or unstable on the Fire HD's