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or even better in designated folders.. as far as I understand, this can be done after rooting right? but I'd rather not go down that route (at least atm) as I haven't a clue what I'm doing & the methods I've seen for the Shield TV are a little complicated for me (is there an automated method?)
Advice would be appreciated.
If you want to use the LeanBack (default) launcher you have to download SideLoad Launcher from the play store, otherwise you can flash Zulu99's ROM that gives you the default Android experience.
Agreed. I want to root my Android TV, but every thread I read is a little different, and since I don't have much experience doing it, I don't even know where to start. I'd rather wait until I've understood the process better before taking a chance at bricking my console.
Root is dead simple on this device. It's literally not requiring exploits and roots like a nexus device. You unlock the bootloader with very easy instructions, and can even leave the stock recovery if you are worried about things like that. I'm also pretty sure, though don't quote me, that unless you do something massively strange and unlikely, like changing partition sizes, that going back to stock, and relocking is always possible. At least it is on almost every single factory unlockable device on the market. No risk, I recommend it. That being said, you don't need root to sideload as stated abbove. Just get the launcher they recommended by chainfire, nistall it, then grab something like es file explorer, both in the play store, then install apk files from es file explorer, and launch from teh other launcher. The stock launcher launches the other one as the stock launcher can only display android TV supported apps, but the other launcher can display any android app, hence having a launcher inside a launcher.
Hope this helps.
I'd like to flash Steele01's Cyanogenmod 12.1 and use the twrp multi-rom, but from what I've seen, he's still working out a lot of kinks with the console since it's different from the Shield tablet.
If it wasn't for ES Explorer, I'd really be limited. At least I've been able to install Amazon Prime Instant Video and some other apps using their apk files. As far as the launcher inside of a launcher, are you referring to the crappy Sideload Launcher that's available through Leanback Launcher's play store? I saw the full Android mod for the Android TV, and it looks awesome. It looks exactly like you would expect any Android product to look. This whole Leanback Launcher is very disappointing. I feel like someone enabled Kid's mode on their tablet or something. I guess I'm thinking too much into this, and I should just go ahead and do it. Like you said, I could always go back to stock recovery, which from what I understand will need to be done anyway to receive any further updates.
Rolldog said:
I'd like to flash Steele01's Cyanogenmod 12.1 and use the twrp multi-rom, but from what I've seen, he's still working out a lot of kinks with the console since it's different from the Shield tablet.
If it wasn't for ES Explorer, I'd really be limited. At least I've been able to install Amazon Prime Instant Video and some other apps using their apk files. As far as the launcher inside of a launcher, are you referring to the crappy Sideload Launcher that's available through Leanback Launcher's play store? I saw the full Android mod for the Android TV, and it looks awesome. It looks exactly like you would expect any Android product to look. This whole Leanback Launcher is very disappointing. I feel like someone enabled Kid's mode on their tablet or something. I guess I'm thinking too much into this, and I should just go ahead and do it. Like you said, I could always go back to stock recovery, which from what I understand will need to be done anyway to receive any further updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend trying it out with a cestom rom, as long as you are willing to unlock. I have since gone back to stock after trying both as I needed/wanted 2 features. The streaming button (there is a paid alternative) and the headphones on the controller. Keep in mind you also give up wireless controller, hence the headphones, by going to other roms. I use a monitor, and without a USB DAC I don't have sound if I give up wireless. I have simply settled for running 2 sidebar launchers, and it's working great for me. Also, Market Helper is good as it'll tell the play store (web version) that you are using a Nexus 7, ect, and can install most apps that way easily without having to sidelead everything. It'll also handle auto-updates ironicly ,ith stock play store app. Hopefully that'll help you decide. Please let us know what you did and why as we as a community like to know users needs. If you get stuck at any part of the process, please PM me or ask on the forums. We'd be glad to help with anything!
I don't have any problems with unlocking it, I, like you, just want to be sure I don't lose any features of the Shield. Losing game streaming and the wireless controller sound like a deal breaker. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before someone fixes these issues in a custom ROM. The wireless controller is configured using WiFi Direct. Even on Nvidia's website, they're all for people rooting their device and customizing it the way people want. One guy, who works for Nvidia was saying that they're definitely not against people rooting it because once someone buys it, they're willing to do whatever they want with it. So hopefully, we'll see Nvidia release more info to help people develop custom ROMs without losing any of the functionality of the device. Aren't there custom ROMs you can flash onto the Shield Tablet and still be able to use the wireless controller?
Is Market Helper an apk to install on the console? And what sidebar launchers are you using? There are times when I try using Shield Hub to connect to my local PC and it not work, and then I try with Moonlight, and it works everytime. I also like using the remote desktop feature. If you add the remote desktop app manually into the GeForce Experience software on your PC, then using the Shield, you can connect to your desktop using either Moonlight or Shield Hub and your TV mirrors your monitor.
kdb424 said:
Root is dead simple on this device. It's literally not requiring exploits and roots like a nexus device. You unlock the bootloader with very easy instructions, and can even leave the stock recovery if you are worried about things like that. I'm also pretty sure, though don't quote me, that unless you do something massively strange and unlikely, like changing partition sizes, that going back to stock, and relocking is always possible. At least it is on almost every single factory unlockable device on the market. No risk, I recommend it. That being said, you don't need root to sideload as stated abbove. Just get the launcher they recommended by chainfire, nistall it, then grab something like es file explorer, both in the play store, then install apk files from es file explorer, and launch from teh other launcher. The stock launcher launches the other one as the stock launcher can only display android TV supported apps, but the other launcher can display any android app, hence having a launcher inside a launcher.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to forget Es file explores send by land feature which is great for sending apks from other devices to your shield
Hello,
I am trying to set up my Kindle Fire as a media remote and need widgets to accomplish my goal. I was able to get Nova Launcher up and running instead of Fire Launcher however, whenever I try to add widgets it takes me the system settings and then the homescreen is left without the widget I tried to add.
I am running 5.3.2 with a 6th Gen HD8. Any help or working alternative launcher would be really appreciated.
I still am in the return period and am hoping for root however If I cant get widgets to work then I unfortunately will have to return it for a Samsung Tab E Lite. I know rooting takes time but has there also been any hint of progress on it or is it likely this model is
unrootable.
Thanks in advance!
Widgets require 'system' access, which we do 'not' have in 2016 model -> get your money back and go for a 2015 model.
hth
Dear all,
I would have some questions related to customizing the Android TV experience on the Shield. I am fairly new to the topic, so please excuse potential stupid/easy questions
Is it possible to put a different/customized launcher on top of the current Android TV version of the shield with the following requirements:
on startup should launch automatically and open a predefined app
basic UI: home-screen would only show pre-defined apps (not all apps installed on the system showing), possibility to list Sideloaded apps on the home-screen
system to be locked: access to Shield TV settings only via password - also ok to just switch to the original Android TV for that
I guess it should be feasible, looking at existing launchers on the playstore - but since I would need a customized version, is it hard to get this developed (Can anyone guess how many hours development that would mean?)
is a root of the device necessary for that?
Another question, not directly related to the above question is: is it possible to hide the nvidia & google logos on the startup of the shield? If yes, how would that be done?
Thank you all in advance for your help!
My dad has purchased a few of the 10.1 inch tablets for other members of our family, and I've been tasked with setting them up.
Is there any way to remove the Walmart branded stuff off of this thing? Especially the Walmart button in the Navbar?
If this were for me, I'd just look to root and installed Lineage OS, but since these are for someone else, I just want to get the stupid Walmart stuff out of there and make things as simple as possible for them.
Happy to provide more information as needed.
Thanks in advance!
Use Link 2SD to freeze the four apps. You can also freeze a WmApps to disable the icon, but I don't know yet if it'll take a hike. Will know after a bit probably. Both of my tablets are acting weird atm.
OK, got it. Disabling WmApps leaves the Walmart icon on the navbar but it locks the tablet instead of showing the four Walmart apps. If you leave WmApps enabled but freeze the four Walmart apps, the icon will bring up a "favorite apps" screen, presumably with whatever apps you want to move to it.
I could use it as instant lock myself.
I was hoping to get rid of the icon, but yeah, I already disabled the other apps. That'll have to do.
Thanks.
shadow460 said:
Use Link 2SD to freeze the four apps. You can also freeze a WmApps to disable the icon, but I don't know yet if it'll take a hike. Will know after a bit probably. Both of my tablets are acting weird atm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I tried to use Link2SD and it seems to require root to freeze app? I am ok with using the * button for favorite apps.
Thanks!
mailmailmail said:
Hi, I tried to use Link2SD and it seems to require root to freeze app? I am ok with using the * button for favorite apps.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime!
Yes it does require root, which has caused me some issues itself.
Have a good weekend!
shadow460 said:
Anytime!
Yes it does require root, which has caused me some issues itself.
Have a good weekend!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a preferred procedure you can point me to for this? Really appreciate it!
I posted a bloat remover script at https://github.com/ikluft/ikluft-tools/blob/master/scripts/bloat-remover-onntab.sh for use on Linux or other Unix-like systems. You must have ADB, and may (or may not) need root access on your desktop/laptop system to run ADB. It requires developer access to the tablet, but not root. (This doesn't remove the Walmart button because that changed in Android 10/11. I saw others posted examples for Android 9 in other threads.)
I have just purchased a walmart 10.1" Model 100003562. (Pro Tablet)
it has Android 11 software and is got the out of the box software including the walmart apps.
I would like to remove the walmart apps and the spying software for the camera and the microphone. I have not yet allowed it to connect to the WiFi to update or have allowed it to identify a google account.
Is there any hope? I have searched over and over for hours for some kinda of guide on what to do with this tablet and I haven't come up with a rock solid description of what I need to do.
I would be extremely grateful for any help and wouldn't hesitate to donate if I need too. I have a few days left with it before I can return it and get a refund if I accidently brick it or if its just impossible to make "clean"
Thank you much.
I thought I'd share my method to remove the Walmart button for others searching. I had removed some of the bloatware using the GitHub script posted. Put that button was still there. I'm using Nova launcher. But I imagine this should work with the stock launcher. You can just get rid of the navigation bar. Enable gestures in settings. This completely removes the navigation bar. The gestures are working well for me and are intuitive. It looks great and clean.
Hello everyone,
I've got a Smart TV with stock Android TV (v 11, can't disclose client , at the moment).
Is there any way to add a super minor customization to android tv ?
It's literally minor, it's adding an entry point for an App, which is not an App Icon Launcher, because they want it to look like integral part of the OS.
It could be anything like an Icon (next to the other system icons like settings, input, profile), or an Entry in system settings menu' , or something like that, to launch the Application.
It's so minor that redo all the work and get into AOSP is way too overkill, it would start a completely different project.
No, the client exclude the option to just have the App installed, they want the App as it was integral part of the Operating System.
I've read several documentations :
- Aosp : Way too many cons for such a small customization.
- Android Operator Tier with Custom Launcher : Could be viable to do a custom launcher, but the Smart TV is not eligible for operator tier (Not sold in leasing, do not sell any pay/linear channel, it's just a plain Smart TV)
- Custom Launcher on stock Android TV : Not viable, it would still be an Application with its launcher or would need some tricky configuration which wouldn't look like integral part of the OS at all.
- TIF (TV Input Framework) : Would just modify and recompile the TV App work ? I'm not sure if it is possible and how difficult it would be and if it is possible to "overwrite" just the TV System App on a Stock Android TV OS.
Do you have any suggestions how to achieve the desired "customization" without loosing all the built in supports/services that come with stock Android TV OS ? The simpler the better.
Thank you so much in advance!
from what you're explaining isn't a minor customization.
what you want is to customize the android tv launcher, however that launcher is an app just like everything else on the tvbox including your iptv app, youtube app, netflix app, etc...
so for your to achieve what you want, you'll need to have some dev knowledge, and you'll need to disassemble, modify and reassemble the launcher app + do whatever customization you need done.
it's not impossible, however it's not easy at all.
option2: you can hire a developer to develop your own tv launcher with whatever customization you want, probably won't be cheap, but will achieve exactly what you want.
option3: find an open-source tv launcher, use it, customize it as you like, you may or may-not need to hire a developer to do extra customizations, your cheapest, easiest, and quickest way to achieve what you're looking for. just google open source tv launcher, i'm sure you'll land on a few.
example:
Code:
https://gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher
donmega_icecube said:
from what you're explaining isn't a minor customization.
what you want is to customize the android tv launcher, however that launcher is an app just like everything else on the tvbox including your iptv app, youtube app, netflix app, etc...
so for your to achieve what you want, you'll need to have some dev knowledge, and you'll need to disassemble, modify and reassemble the launcher app + do whatever customization you need done.
it's not impossible, however it's not easy at all.
option2: you can hire a developer to develop your own tv launcher with whatever customization you want, probably won't be cheap, but will achieve exactly what you want.
option3: find an open-source tv launcher, use it, customize it as you like, you may or may-not need to hire a developer to do extra customizations, your cheapest, easiest, and quickest way to achieve what you're looking for. just google open source tv launcher, i'm sure you'll land on a few.
example:
Code:
https://gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!
Thanks so much for the answer, Don Mega.
Damn i hope there was an easier way to add an icon.
I see...
No need to hire a developer.
I'm a Senior android engineering and I got a skilled team but we never had to work on the android TV OS system itself tho ( we're specialized on mobile apps and iot solutions, not tvs).
Btw .. I could develop a custom launcher but it may take time and as I said as far as I've read on documentation, a custom launcher would still need AOSP if the manufacturer want to override the system one.
Doesn't it ?
I ask 'cause AOSP is too much of an effort (at least just for an icon!) and several manufacturer who started on aosp and various customizations are now abandoning it (I already worked on a STB for British telecom and yeah, i didn't work on their custom OS specifically but i know they changed their mind in the end).
Probably because once you go that route, you loose all the support and services out of the box, and you need to take care of too many things to keep it up to date.
So they usually prefer to stick to Android tv stock version (wise choice).
If that's the case I suppose the manufacturer will be better find a more standard way to launch their app
Nimx said:
Btw .. I could develop a custom launcher but it may take time and as I said as far as I've read on documentation, a custom launcher would still need AOSP if the manufacturer want to override the system one.
Doesn't it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
donmega_icecube said:
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The manufacturer obviously don't want users to do this procedure to choose the new launcher, but should be able to persistently active it overriding the system one. And that's why I thought custom ROM was needed.
If that's not true then your solution is the perfect one
donmega_icecube said:
no need for flashing a different OS or Custom Rom to be able to install a custom developed app.
so if you make your own apk, all you need to do on the existing tvbox, enable unknown sources, to be able to install your own apk on there, it should be pretty straight forward.
put the apk on a usb stick, plug it into your box and navigate to any file manager app, you'll be able to find your apk, click on it and install, on your remote control press the HOME button, it should popup a msg asking which launcher you want to load, since now you developed your own launcher and the old launcher is still there, choose which launcher you want to be default. you can always go into settings > apps and disable the old launcher so if anyone presses the HOME button again, it always defaults to the new one you developed.
so short answer, no you don't need AOSP or any type of Custom Rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to keep you updated.
Custom launcher need user to set the new one.
But we found a possible solution without the burden to do a custom Rom.
Adding a new Ad-Hoc button on the Remote controller to launch their ecosystem settings app and/or a custom launcher (since this Smart Tv is a new model that will initially be delivered to several europe countries).
In this way it will look quite integrated in the android tv system, and the android TV OS will be always kept up to date from regular google updates, without all the issues plaguing custom roms like it does for other manufacturers.
Thank for your help
Nimx said:
Just to keep you updated.
Custom launcher need user to set the new one.
But we found a possible solution without the burden to do a custom Rom.
Adding a new Ad-Hoc button on the Remote controller to launch their ecosystem settings app and/or a custom launcher (since this Smart Tv is a new model that will initially be delivered to several europe countries).
In this way it will look quite integrated in the android tv system, and the android TV OS will be always kept up to date from regular google updates, without all the issues plaguing custom roms like it does for other manufacturers.
Thank for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sometimes i wish i was a developer, glad you found an easy solution.
thank you
It's still quite easy to become a developer due to high demand.
Not sure how old are you but I started when I was 34 yo by myself with no prior experience.
Nowadays, 5 years later, I Interview many candidates and I can tell the discriminating factor is not prior studies but dedication, high IQ (logic and abstraction wise) and learning speed.
Good luck if you'll ever decide to get into it
i'm 44 i have no patience for programming in general, I never did, I'm a full time network admin, and really into hardware a lot more than software.
but when it came to Android, i got my hands dirty flashing custom roms on all my phones. i started to customize my own roms for tv boxes.
but I kinda wish I did have some android dev skills, it's the only thing i end up outsourcing when needed.
thank you