Tips for new users? - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have just gotten a fire TV here in the UK today.
I've done a bit of searching and found out how to sideload APK's but can't find much on blocking updates to help with potential future rooting?
When i turned on the fireTV and connected wifi, it immediately wanted to update.
If i had blocked the updates first would I have been left with a rootable fireTV?
It would be good if there was a sticky post in this forum!
I've seen mention of some people using another app to get XBMC On the home screen, llama something?
cheers,

check here for XBMC launch methods: http://kodi.wiki/view/Amazon_Fire_TV#Launch_XBMC_on_the_Fire_TV
imo you should just go ahead and let the update happen. If a new root method is found it will likely be working on the latest version at the time.

f1ux said:
I have just gotten a fire TV here in the UK today.
I've done a bit of searching and found out how to sideload APK's but can't find much on blocking updates to help with potential future rooting?
When i turned on the fireTV and connected wifi, it immediately wanted to update.
If i had blocked the updates first would I have been left with a rootable fireTV?
It would be good if there was a sticky post in this forum!
I've seen mention of some people using another app to get XBMC On the home screen, llama something?
cheers,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Comprehensive tutorials are here :http://www.aftvnews.com/. XBMC/Kodi wiki is here: http://kodi.wiki/view/Amazon_Fire_TV.

Related

[Q] New Fire TV

Hello, yesterday I got myself the Fire TV I'm just wondering what updates you should block and the best version of XBMC to run on the Fire TV?
Thanks,
Peter.
http://kodi.wiki/view/Amazon_Fire_TV
http://www.aftvnews.com/
Everything you need to know
just got one bnib and I was looking for where to start also. Thanks for the links.
Hello, thank you for the links I have installed the official build XBMC 13.2 Gotham for Android, but for some reason must add-ons that I use are showing up has incompatible.
Thanks,
Peter.
enserio said:
just got one bnib and I was looking for where to start also. Thanks for the links.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFTVnews.com/start would be a great place to start
just use Google search.. you will find the answers much faster than waiting to be spoonfed...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
We all start somewhere. Like aftvnews said though, aftvnews.com/start is a good place to go. Good luck!

[Q] Kodi Disappearing from Fire Stick?

Hello! I recently configured 5 Fire Sticks with Kodi for a friend. I have done this on a couple Fire TVs as well. I have never had any issues. But on 2 of his Fire Sticks, he is saying that Kodi completely disappeared. It is no longer listed in the Manage All Applications list. Has anybody heard of this? I am fairly certain that system updates will not remove user-installed apps. Maybe he turned off the developer options? Could that remove Kodi? Does anybody have nay ideas on how he might have "accidentally" removed it? Thank you!
i had the same thing happen to both my firesticks does anyone know the reson/s behind this please help asap.
jrellz13 said:
i had the same thing happen to both my firesticks does anyone know the reson/s behind this please help asap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one will help you ASAP...
ASAP
ldeveraux said:
No one will help you ASAP...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems a fair request to me.
As soon as possible, what's wrong with that?
alandmo said:
Seems a fair request to me.
As soon as possible, what's wrong with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think there is nothing wrong with that, but i think if someone knows, what happend with the kodi installations, there will help "asap" even without the "asap" in a help request.
I dont think, that kodi deinstalled/deleted it self or were deleted by an update, i never have any kind of this problem on any android device.
Maybe he deinstalled by exident, when he try to "force close" the app and selected the wrong button. Another possibility is a defect memory section, so that android think the apk is broken and wont list it anymore under the apps or the apk became corrupt cause of a powerlost when the app was running/loading.
But i think a reinstallation is done quick and when the apps wont vanished again it will be a unsolfed mystery why it gone the first time ^^
did you find a cure for this???
jrburke99 said:
Hello! I recently configured 5 Fire Sticks with Kodi for a friend. I have done this on a couple Fire TVs as well. I have never had any issues. But on 2 of his Fire Sticks, he is saying that Kodi completely disappeared. It is no longer listed in the Manage All Applications list. Has anybody heard of this? I am fairly certain that system updates will not remove user-installed apps. Maybe he turned off the developer options? Could that remove Kodi? Does anybody have nay ideas on how he might have "accidentally" removed it? Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you find a way round this mate?
kirkydman said:
Did you find a way round this mate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only solution I've found thus far is to factory reset the fire stick and reinstall/restore kodi via adbfire. The problem is Kodi no longer is listed as an application.. ANYWHERE. I've pushed settings.apk and it's not listed there. All the files are still in place and viewable via es file explorer, yet the apk doesn't even show up using ADBfire to uninstall. I'd wager this was intentionally done by amazon to curb piracy on their devices. It's way too specific and all other apps including firestarter remain intact.
soundahfekz said:
The only solution I've found thus far is to factory reset the fire stick and reinstall/restore kodi via adbfire. The problem is Kodi no longer is listed as an application.. ANYWHERE. I've pushed settings.apk and it's not listed there. All the files are still in place and viewable via es file explorer, yet the apk doesn't even show up using ADBfire to uninstall. I'd wager this was intentionally done by amazon to curb piracy on their devices. It's way too specific and all other apps including firestarter remain intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My other apps went with it, its only when you update to the 5.0.5, but im reading on other forums peoples Kodi isnt disappearing.
My app data all stayed there too, once i factory set it and downloaded Kodi through ES file explorer (you have to open web browser it wont let you download it direct) its fine now.
I'm new to the whole kodi on fire stick thing and I experienced same thing but on my device (1st gen) kodi was still listed when I went to uninstall it. All I did was to manually reinstall kodi using es explorer and restart firestarter app.
Old thread but for future people that run into this problem go down to apps it should be in there still if not sorry this was my fix when it happened for me maybe just lucky.. But in main screen in fire stick go down to the apps icon and move te toggle to right hope this helps !! Good luck guys run into several issues and always find answers online so hope to return favor to someone !!! Good luck

[Q] how to give remote support on Fire TV/Fire TV Stick

I tried searching the forum and Google, can't find an answer. I am trying to be able to remotely provide tech support to Fire Tv's/Sticks, anybody knows how? I tried Teamviewer Quicksupport but wasn't able to remote in like on computers. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
quique18 said:
I tried searching the forum and Google, can't find an answer. I am trying to be able to remotely provide tech support to Fire Tv's/Sticks, anybody knows how? I tried Teamviewer Quicksupport but wasn't able to remote in like on computers. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are rooted, Teamviewer Quicksupport works well. When you are rooted and a remote access is requested, you will be asked to grant root access once so the remote view can work. I use it all the time for my parent's firetv overseas and am glad they are rooted.
I also tried contacting Teamviewer on this and their response was around Amazon will not approve their app for remote.
For my parent's firetv, it wasn't rooted, so I sold it on ebay and repurchased another one which could be rooted. Total net loss was about $25.
navigates said:
If you are rooted, Teamviewer Quicksupport works well. When you are rooted and a remote access is requested, you will be asked to grant root access once so the remote view can work. I use it all the time for my parent's firetv overseas and am glad they are rooted.
I also tried contacting Teamviewer on this and their response was around Amazon will not approve their app for remote.
For my parent's firetv, it wasn't rooted, so I sold it on ebay and repurchased another one which could be rooted. Total net loss was about $25.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems really useful. I'm rooted but had some trouble connecting last night. Is it a paid app? I saw there was a full version but what does the free version get?
I already have a few ways to connect remotely to my computers so this would primarily be for my aftvs. Might come in handy if I'm at work and my wife has problems with it (which happens often)
KLit75 said:
This seems really useful. I'm rooted but had some trouble connecting last night. Is it a paid app? I saw there was a full version but what does the free version get?
I already have a few ways to connect remotely to my computers so this would primarily be for my aftvs. Might come in handy if I'm at work and my wife has problems with it (which happens often)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about the paid version or the free version. I have a version of apk at home which I can send to you if you like. Just install that and you will have full remote capability. I didn't know there was a paid version of quicksupport. I have most of the needed apk's and have a batch file which installs all of them for a new firetv that I build for friends and family.
navigates said:
I don't know about the paid version or the free version. I have a version of apk at home which I can send to you if you like. Just install that and you will have full remote capability. I didn't know there was a paid version of quicksupport. I have most of the needed apk's and have a batch file which installs all of them for a new firetv that I build for friends and family.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes please. That'd be great! Maybe I got it wrong. A quick search brought me to the site and it does say full version but it says free as well. And there's a number for sales and one for tech support? Never seen that but haven't looked to deeply. Could be like an open source type deal which is donation optional for personal use but you need a license for business. Anyways, yes I'd like to try your apk when you have time. Thanks!
KLit75 said:
Yes please. That'd be great! Maybe I got it wrong. A quick search brought me to the site and it does say full version but it says free as well. And there's a number for sales and one for tech support? Never seen that but haven't looked to deeply. Could be like an open source type deal which is donation optional for personal use but you need a license for business. Anyways, yes I'd like to try your apk when you have time. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the one I have. Try this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamviewer.quicksupport.market
Do you know how to download the apk and install it? If you don't have google play installed?
I use this:
http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/
navigates said:
this is the one I have. Try this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamviewer.quicksupport.market
Do you know how to download the apk and install it? If you don't have google play installed?
I use this:
http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Oh yeah, I can definetly manage the apk install lol. I think I just got a little confused with the setup. When I installed it the other nite it asked for a remote but then the only other thing I found was quicksupport (which I assumed you'd install on your android phone/tablet). That combined with the fact I thought it might be a paid app just made me think your apk was different. But I'll get it working.
I'm really surprised this is a free service. I use to have a similar app for Mac which was free app a few years back then they started charging. I actually don't even bother telling my parents about kodi because if it has issues they won't be able to fix it, but if I can do that remotely it changes things. I appreciate the time. Sorry for the miscommunication.
Not a problem. Let me know how it works for you. You need root to enable screen sharing and the first time you request remote access supersu will prompt for root access confirmation. Teamviewer is free for personal and household use and no adds. It's really good.
Good luck
navigates said:
Not a problem. Let me know how it works for you. You need root to enable screen sharing and the first time you request remote access supersu will prompt for root access confirmation. Teamviewer is free for personal and household use and no adds. It's really good.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had loads of time to figure this out but might know why I'm struggling. Can teamviwer not remotely connect from android to aftv? I've been trying to do it with my phone and then my tablet but do you need to use a PC or Mac as your remote?
That's the only reason I can think as to why I can't get it to work. But for me, it'd be a lot more convenient if I could use my phone/tablet since those are the devices I always have on hand or very close by.
KLit75 said:
I haven't had loads of time to figure this out but might know why I'm struggling. Can teamviwer not remotely connect from android to aftv? I've been trying to do it with my phone and then my tablet but do you need to use a PC or Mac as your remote?
That's the only reason I can think as to why I can't get it to work. But for me, it'd be a lot more convenient if I could use my phone/tablet since those are the devices I always have on hand or very close by.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly I can't comment on it. I always use my laptop. That may be your problem.
navigates said:
Honestly I can't comment on it. I always use my laptop. That may be your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea. I dont think you can connect from an android device. I installed it on my mac last nite and was able to connect from aftv.
How can I root my firestick?
Screen Sharing Only
​
navigates said:
Not a problem. Let me know how it works for you. You need root to enable screen sharing and the first time you request remote access supersu will prompt for root access confirmation. Teamviewer is free for personal and household use and no adds. It's really good.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been having issues with quick support only allowing screen sharing. I have a rooted fire tv 2 and a rooted Fire tv stick 4k and i'm running the same file you linked to
on the google play store. It never asked me to grant root permission like other apps have.
In the advanced setting of quick support there used to be an option to "Install Additional Add-Ons " but now that is always grayed out. So the only other thing i can
come up with is to find the Addon's or through adb manually allow root access to the quick support.apk.
It's doesn't make sense. this used to work on rooted Fire Tv's but not any longer. You post is now 5 years old and i'm wondering if your having the same issues i am.

[FTVS2] Black screen on Apps section

Hey guys, just bought the ftvs2. I get a black screen when i select the apps section on the device. I have tried clearing cache, data, etc. Also have done factory reset twice lol. Please help me. I have to sideload all apps otherwise
regalstreak said:
Hey guys, just bought the ftvs2. I get a black screen when i select the apps section on the device. I have tried clearing cache, data, etc. Also have done factory reset twice lol. Please help me. I have to sideload all apps otherwise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will need a bit more info.
Are you blocking updates thru the router or opendns method ? Had you blocked updates thri the router &/or opendns for other FTV(S)'s before and left things in place ? Are you running a VPN on it? What app market location are you in or are trying to access?
Y314K said:
Will need a bit more info.
Are you blocking updates thru the router or opendns method ? Had you blocked updates thri the router &/or opendns for other FTV(S)'s before and left things in place ? Are you running a VPN on it? What app market location are you in or are trying to access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why will I block updates and all lol. Just unboxed and plugged it in. Didn't mess up with dns and other blocks and stuff too.
It's just that the screen is black. Apps install fne through recommendations. I'm using English (India) so maybe indian market
regalstreak said:
Why will I block updates and all lol. Just unboxed and plugged it in. Didn't mess up with dns and other blocks and stuff too.
It's just that the screen is black. Apps install fne through recommendations. I'm using English (India) so maybe indian market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you had worked on FTV's before. You could had left update blocking up on your router. So had to ask to clarify.
http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-stick-and-amazon-appstore-launch-in-india/
The app selection on the Fire TV Stick in India is much more limited than in any other country because paid apps and apps with in-app purchasing are not yet supported in the Indian Amazon appstore. Although my Downloader app is 100% free, it does have in-app purchasing enabled to accept donations, so my Downloader app is not yet allowed in India. I’ll try to find out when apps with in-app purchasing will be allowed on Indian Fire TVs. If it seems like something that won’t be available for a while, I’ll release a version of my Downloader app in India with the donation buttons removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Change to English(UK) & see if that helps. Not sure if you will have to add a UK address in you account for it to work right. Also read the comments to see what others are experiencing. Seems the India FTV App Store is bare bones at the moment.
Y314K said:
If you had worked on FTV's before. You could had left update blocking up on your router. So had to ask to clarify.
http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-stick-and-amazon-appstore-launch-in-india/
Change to English(UK) & see if that helps. Not sure if you will have to add a UK address in you account for it to work right. Also read the comments to see what others are experiencing. Seems the India FTV App Store is bare bones at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try that. Btw thanks for the link.
<OT>
Do you know any way I could get an android TV apk of a certain app? I've tried market helper, it won't work as google has blocked it's access token. No hopes with build.prop edits. I've tried emulating android tv on avd but that too sucks as play store is not proper over there. It's stuck at sign in.
App I need: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.balaji.alt
This is for my mom.
</ot>
regalstreak said:
I'll try that. Btw thanks for the link.
<OT>
Do you know any way I could get an android TV apk of a certain app? I've tried market helper, it won't work as google has blocked it's access token. No hopes with build.prop edits. I've tried emulating android tv on avd but that too sucks as play store is not proper over there. It's stuck at sign in.
App I need: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.balaji.alt
This is for my mom.
</ot>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe this is what your looking for:
https://m.apkpure.com/altbalaji/com.balaji.alt
Should be the latest version. Just sideload it & install it. It's probably not the AndroidTV version. Will see if that one is out there later.
Y314K said:
I believe this is what your looking for:
https://m.apkpure.com/altbalaji/com.balaji.alt
Should be the latest version. Just sideload it & install it. It's probably not the AndroidTV version. Will see if that one is out there later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah that too is the phone version.
Do y'all have any Telegram or whatsapp group for the ftv tho?
If not we should have a telegram group at least. Also thanks a lot for helping me. You look like a future RC to me
One last question: (noobish) How do i make normal casting work/screen mirroring on ftvs work in background all the time
Idk but after 2 days the app store automatically started working lmao. Maybe they blocked it for the first day

Firestick 2 Won't run without google play services which are not supported by device

I sideloaded a television providers app (Fios Mobile) installed on my device. The app was working perfectly but it just updated and I keep getting the error "Won't run without google play services which are not supported by your device".
I tried reverting back to the previous version but it was a mandatory update, so no dice. I tried sideloading the Google Play store but that did not help.
Is there a workaround for this type of error? The app does not API call any of Google Play Services. It seems like many of the TV apps are dropping support (they encouraged it a few years ago to lower bills) so you buy another Set top box. Other cable apps know you are inserting a device into a HDMI port and disable it from working that way.
I can download each individual TV app and enter my television providers password or mirror from my Android Phone but that would be a huge inconvenience.
Any suggestions? If there an app that will fool my TV app into thinking the play store is installed?
Since every channel pretty much has it's own app now, is there another app that will take its place instead of downloading each channels separate app and entering the password?
Is your firestick rooted? (Sorry, I don't know if they can even be rooted.) If so, there's an Xposed module to allow apps to work without Google Play Services.
Another idea is to get the Fios Mobile app from the Amazon App Store and side load that one onto your Fire TV: https://www.amazon.com/Verizon-Services-Corp-FiOS-Mobile/dp/B00DGVUD9I/
That one may not have any dependencies on Google apps.
Seriously? 5 seconds of looking at general...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/installing-google-play-service-rooted-t3574088
TimmyP said:
Seriously? 5 seconds of looking at general...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/installing-google-play-service-rooted-t3574088
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously, you are giving me outdated information???? "Fios Mobile won't run unless you update Google Play Services". It would be nice to know where to find updated compatible versions for each. I have looked at several app stores and none seem to work. So please cut that attitude as your five-second search advice did not get me any further than I was before.
Sizzlechest said:
Is your firestick rooted? (Sorry, I don't know if they can even be rooted.) If so, there's an Xposed module to allow apps to work without Google Play Services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last I checked the Firestick 2 can't be routed. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Sizzlechest said:
Another idea is to get the Fios Mobile app from the Amazon App Store and side load that one onto your Fire TV: [/url]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried two different app stores but not that Amazon one. Crossing fingers!!!! DARN. Just tried it and said incompatible, you can't make purchases from this device. Fios does support Kindle fire but as I suspect, they don't want the app as a box substitute like they used too.
Maybe, someone has an updated version of what Timmy P linked too. Hopefully, they will test the link first before making condescending remarks about checking older posts.
allusernamestaken said:
Last I checked the Firestick 2 can't be routed. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I tried two different app stores but not that Amazon one. Crossing fingers!!!! DARN. Just tried it and said incompatible, you can't make purchases from this device. Fios does support Kindle fire but as I suspect, they don't want the app as a box substitute like they used too.
Maybe, someone has an updated version of what Timmy P linked too. Hopefully, they will test the link first before making condescending remarks about checking older posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I cant be of more help, but they are working on mine 100 percent. Good luck!
PS: Your OP said NOTHING about outdated services. Dumb piece of **** scum.
TimmyP said:
Sorry I cant be of more help, but they are working on mine 100 percent. Good luck!
PS: Your OP said NOTHING about outdated services. Dumb piece of **** scum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because when I read that site from the original author it said FTV and FTV stick not 2 dumbass. Then I read the re-post on here claiming FTV 2 from MARCH 2017!! DId you not see where I said everything was working perfectly since September 4th!!!! Technology changes fast little tike. Google also updates and apps do along with it buttercup.
But I assumed someone with such a smug post must be correct but what a surprise you were not cupcake.
Since there is only 1 person who found a fix on the entire internet, it must not be a very easy fix. If it were, he could put it on APK sites for constant updates.
That is why I also asked 1: If there is a workaround. Easy/permanent if possible, so I don't need to worry about this update. Even easier if there is a 3rd party app that would consolidate all the apps and enter my default password for me.
P.S Being smug even when your correct is being an ass, doing so when you are incorrect makes you a stinky diarrhea with **** nuggets still stuck kind of ass.
I take it English isn't your first language?
TimmyP said:
I take it English isn't your first language?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it is but the English language can't adequately describe just how big of a douche you are.
I take it English isn't your first language?

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