[APP] AFTV Launcher Helper (No root required) - Fire TV Themes and Apps
Hi Guys!
I've written a little helper app that allows you to basically use any app you want as a launcher on your FireTV (and probably also Stick, but I don't own one to test).
The app does not require root as it doesn't really set your app as system launcher, it just provides various workarounds!
Scenario
You want SPMC to be your launcher? No problem! With this little helper app the aftv boots straights into spmc. Also you can select the option to start spmc everytime the "screen on" event occurs (after firetv exits sleep mode). If you are in a different app (e.g. netflix) and press the home button on the remote the system takes you to the amazon launcher. This is detected by the apps watchdog and it takes you right back to SPMC. If you still want to use Amazon prime video or music than the option to allow jumpbacks is for you. It will allow you to stay in Amazon launcher if the last task was your selected launcher app.
The same procedure works for all other apps/launchers you want to use!
Feature list
Use any app as "launcher" (e.g. SPMC, XBMC/Kodi, FiredTV, TV Launcher, ...)
Start on boot
Start on "Screen on" event
Run a background watchdog to check for the current top activity
Allow jumpbacks to amazon launcher only from your selected "launcher" app
Easily going back from amazon launcher to your selected app by pressing the home button (works for all menu positions but search & start page, so scroll down to videos, press home, voila!)
customize watchdog interval
About the watchdog
It will help you to prevent the home or back button to go to the amazon launcher
How does it work? It regularly checks the current top activity, if it is the amazon launcher it starts your selected app
be careful as too low intervals can affect your device performance!
Also make sure to disable home button detection if you use FiredTV launcher to prevent interference!
Troubleshooting
If you somehow manage to lock yourself out just do this via adb:
Code:
adb shell am start -n jb.com.aftvlauncherhelper/jb.com.aftvlauncherhelper.MainActivity
and disable the watchdog (or select the right app ).
If you like the app please consider buying me a drink (button is in my signature).
Have fun!
Screenshot:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Changelog:
Version 1.1:
Fix delayed starting action
Version 1.0:
Initial release
sounds great, thanks. will test this evening.
It works really good but sometimes doesn't get back to firedtv on the first try for me.
I selected firedtv as Launcher and enabled all options (watchdog to 1s)
When I run firetv home and press the home button I sometimes have to scroll around in the menus and press home again to get back to firedtv.
But it's better than anything I tried before! Great work!
aHcVolle said:
It works really good but sometimes doesn't get back to firedtv on the first try for me.
I selected firedtv as Launcher and enabled all options (watchdog to 1s)
When I run firetv home and press the home button I sometimes have to scroll around in the menus and press home again to get back to firedtv.
But it's better than anything I tried before! Great work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I was able to reproduce this. Probably some timing issue when there are a lot of things going on in the message queue. I will try to fix this with the next release.
aHcVolle said:
It works really good but sometimes doesn't get back to firedtv on the first try for me.
I selected firedtv as Launcher and enabled all options (watchdog to 1s)
When I run firetv home and press the home button I sometimes have to scroll around in the menus and press home again to get back to firedtv.
But it's better than anything I tried before! Great work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have just built a small update to v1.1 to try and address you issue.
Please let me know if it works better now
superkoal said:
I have just built a small update to v1.1 to try and address you issue.
Please let me know if it works better now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i rooted and dont need your app anymore.
but thanks for the support :>
Chris
superkoal said:
I have just built a small update to v1.1 to try and address you issue.
Please let me know if it works better now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great work here, much appreciated
I've installed V1.1 but its hit and miss if it returns back to Kodi, great step in the right direction though and lot easier for many people over rooting.
Many thanks again :good:
works good w/ one of the launchers I have.....during testing when I press home it automatically goes back to the custom launcher and if I press home again it goes back to the amazon launcher and if I continue pressing home it stays on the amazon launcher until I actually do something like press up or down which I think is good...I have the watchdog interval to 1500ms is that good or bad?
nickyb003 said:
works good w/ one of the launchers I have.....during testing when I press home it automatically goes back to the custom launcher and if I press home again it goes back to the amazon launcher and if I continue pressing home it stays on the amazon launcher until I actually do something like press up or down which I think is good...I have the watchdog interval to 1500ms is that good or bad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's a good interval. Thanks for the feedback!
Sent from my GT-I9195 using XDA Free mobile app
nice I will try it on fire tv stick which is not rooted of course maybe tomorrow and see how it works so I can get rid of llama thank you
This is really cool! As my aftv cannot be rooted i'm stuck with the amazon launcher. This actually helps a lot!!!
Nice one, this is just what I was looking for, will try it out when I get home from work
What does coming from sleep class as, is that a Screen on event?
And if I want my home button to take me back to Amazon Home do I just need to enable jumpback or does it do that anyway?
Thanks :good:
did little testing on un-rooted Fire TV stick. What I found out was you need to HOLD the home button instead of pressing it to use custom launcher app.
Will do more testing to learn the app more.
I can confirm this works for FireTV Stick. I do not have a FireTV. AFTVLH is this app AFTV Launcher Helper in the following. Here is my experience:
1. Settings Defined in AFTVLH:
- Selected App: Kodi
- Start on boot?: Enabled
- Detect screen on events?: Enabled
- Enable top activity watchdog?: Enabled
- Allow jumpback to amazon launcher?: Enabled
- Watchdog interval: 1500 ms
- AFTVLH Version: 1.1
- FireTV Stick: Stock, not rooted.
2. Cold Reboot
- AFTVLH starts on boot with slight delay. From "adb reboot" the device took 28-40 seconds (28 to first display of launcher to 40 fully loaded launcher) to load default Amazon Home Screen and a total of 54-60 (54 to see Kodi Launch to 60 for fully loaded) seconds to load Kodi. Note the same applies to the remote control shortcut to restart (PLAY + SELECT for 10 Seconds)
3. Pressing HOME while in Amazon Launcher
- AFTVLH loads Kodi within 1-2 seconds, no long click/hold needed. After jumpback to Amazon Launcher there is a need to navigate up/down before hitting home will launch Kodi again.
4. Pressing HOME while in a separate application -- AllCast & Crossy Road (from Amazon App Store) and Llama (sideloaded)
- AFTVLH loads selected app in ~2 seconds after first returning to Amazon Launcher then loading selected app. Crossy Road has a prompt to exit the app when home is pressed (Return to Game | Home). I was curious for a moment if it would still launch the app after selecting to return home from another app. About 2 seconds after selecting, Kodi was opened by the AFTVLH.
5. Home Menu in Amazon Launcher
- I noticed by moving up to Search or Down to Prime Video and back to Home, Kodi was opened (by AFTVLH) without pressing Home on the remote again. This doesn't work all the time, I haven't figured out what steps I took consistently for this to not work.
6. Waking from sleep/screen saver
- After the FireTV Stick is put to sleep (from Settings -> System -> Sleep), AFTVLH no longer opens Kodi when pressing Home and requires the AFTVLH to be launched again for continued use. Waking from screen saver does not appear to have this issue and still works as intended when pressing Home. Not sure if the FireTV Stick goes to sleep at some point after screen saver, I didnt have the patience to test any further tonight, maybe another day if anyone is interested.
Tried this as an alternative to MacroDroid with FiredTV.
I have a similar experience as an earlier poster. I can't get it to launch the stock launcher reliably. And when it does, it gets stuck and I can only get out with a screen toggle.
Turning on the timer allows the HOME button to work reliably, but it then won't stay in the the stock launcher, just jumping back to FiredTV.
I tried to use this app instead of using Llama, and it did absolutely nothing. I used it with everything checked and the interval set to 1500ms. Is there something I'm missing here. I can't stand the Amazon FireTV launcher!
My Setup:
* Fire TV (not stick, though I also have a stick which I will be trying this out on tonight)
* Rooted w/ unlocked Bootloader, CWM, etc.
* NO Xposed (I don't want to install Xposed for the time being security-wise)
* Pre-rooted Stock ROM 51.1.4.1 (can't wait for non-Amz ROM!)
E--Man said:
I tried to use this app instead of using Llama, and it did absolutely nothing. I used it with everything checked and the interval set to 1500ms. Is there something I'm missing here. I can't stand the Amazon FireTV launcher!
My Setup:
* Fire TV (not stick, though I also have a stick which I will be trying this out on tonight)
* Rooted w/ unlocked Bootloader, CWM, etc.
* NO Xposed (I don't want to install Xposed for the time being security-wise)
* Pre-rooted Stock ROM 51.1.4.1 (can't wait for non-Amz ROM!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have root and you scared of xposed? this isn't perfect solution it's intended for people without root...
This app is great, thanks! Sometimes it doesn't launch the app immediately after hitting the home button, but it usually does after a few button presses. Thanks for the work on this!
Thanks Superkoal. Just installed on my Fire stick; so far so good (still working with it to learn how best to use it).
E--Man said:
I tried to use this app instead of using Llama, and it did absolutely nothing. I used it with everything checked and the interval set to 1500ms. Is there something I'm missing here. I can't stand the Amazon FireTV launcher!
My Setup:
* Fire TV (not stick, though I also have a stick which I will be trying this out on tonight)
* Rooted w/ unlocked Bootloader, CWM, etc.
* NO Xposed (I don't want to install Xposed for the time being security-wise)
* Pre-rooted Stock ROM 51.1.4.1 (can't wait for non-Amz ROM!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know why it is not working for you. Can you post the output of
Code:
adb shell top -m 8 -n 1
?
Related
[MOD][XPOSED] Fire TV Mods by rbox
This is a collection of Fire TV mods using Xposed. It requires that you are on software version 51.1.4.0 or newer. It currently contains: AlternateLauncher: This will start an alternate launcher instead of the Amazon one. It will load when the Fire TV starts and anytime you push the home button. The way this is done is a little hokey and there is currently no way to turn it off or select which launcher you want, so if you have more than one, the one that gets started is it. HideAmazonMenuItems: Gives a settings menu to select which menu items to show. HideLauncherAds: Hide the ad at the top of the Home screen. KeyBindings: Allows any key to start any app. RecentsOnMenuLong: Bring up the recents dialog when long pressing the home button. HideAmazonMenuItems: In order to do this, I had to hijack an existing Settings item, so the Help option is gone and I put a 'Menu Items' option at the beginning of the settings list. You can turn on/off any item except Home and Settings. After making changes you must reboot to see the changes. KeyBindings: Someone requested this, but doing a UI for it would be too complicated, and I figured I'd put the feature out there for people to use, and eventually get around to making a UI for it. For now, you'll have to configure it manually. Create a file called key_bindings.xml and make it look like this: Code: <?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8' standalone='yes' ?> <map> <string name="KEYCODE_F1">org.chromium.content_shell_apk</string> <string name="KEYCODE_F2_LONG">com.pandora.android.gtv</string> </map> You can have as many entries as you like. You can find the KEYCODE names listed here: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/view/KeyEvent.html To set up a long press key put _LONG at the end of the key name. The other part is the package name you wish to start, org.chromium.content_shell_apk is Netflix. Then just adb push key_bindings.xml /sdcard/ and reboot. And it should start whatever app you specified when pressing that button. Do note that the button will not longer do whatever else it used to do. So if you bind ENTER to something, it will not longer function normally. By default, long press on home will launch the recents dialog. If you set up KEYCODE_HOME_LONG, it will override that behavior. Starting with 51.1.5.0, Amazon provides a shortcut menu on home long press. If you would like to retain this functionality, you can use this key_bindings.xml file (Thanks to @Firef0xx819): Code: <?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8' standalone='yes' ?> <map> <string name="KEYCODE_HOME_LONG"></string> </map> Please let me know if you have any issues. One problem I know of is that it doesn't seem to show up in the list of applications, so if you want to uninstall it you need to use adb, ssh, or a terminal using the command pm uninstall rbox.xposed.firetvmods Source code: https://github.com/androidrbox/RboxFireTvMods/ Changelog and Downloads: 1.4: Added HideLauncherAds 1.3: Fix HideAmazonMenuItems for 51.1.4.0. 1.2: Allow KeyBindings to support long press keys 1.1: Added HideAmazonMenuItems, KeyBindings, and RecentsOnMenuLong 1.0: Initial version
Awesome. XBMC is now my launcher!
elmerohueso said: Awesome. XBMC is now my launcher! Click to expand... Click to collapse how? I have Xposed installed and have installed and activated the module ... how do I choose xbmc as the launcher?
I assume it's because he repackaged or recompiled the apk to include the launcher intent.
I found a handy app on the Play Store that allows XBMC to act as a launcher without having to make any modifications to the XBMC .apk. I just sideloaded it after installing/activating the Xposed module, and now pressing the home button takes me to XBMC right away. Seems to work perfectly so far, although I haven't yet tested what happens when there is more than one launcher installed. Play Store link for XBMC Launcher: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.blunden.xbmclauncher Evozi APK Downloader link: http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/?id=se.blunden.xbmclauncher
I've installed xposed, and the module. The module is activated, but I have no alternate launcher on bootup, or when I press home.
treqie said: I've installed xposed, and the module. The module is activated, but I have no alternate launcher on bootup, or when I press home. Click to expand... Click to collapse I believe you need to launch that alternate launcher first.
Shinyhead said: I believe you need to launch that alternate launcher first. Click to expand... Click to collapse And where might that be, exactly? There's nothing in Applications, the module has been loaded and activated.. but there's nothing in xpose itself that points me to anything launchable.
treqie said: And where might that be, exactly? There's nothing in Applications, the module has been loaded and activated.. but there's nothing in xpose itself that points me to anything launchable. Click to expand... Click to collapse I used FiredTV launcher as my alternate launcher. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2782307
treqie said: And where might that be, exactly? There's nothing in Applications, the module has been loaded and activated.. but there's nothing in xpose itself that points me to anything launchable. Click to expand... Click to collapse You need to install another launcher, the xposed module isn't a launcher itself. Install the XBMC Launcher linked above by essdee. I just restarted my FireTV and it worked right away.
I get "sorry, cannot open" when I try to launch! What am I doing wrong? I've installed using ADB and shell. Both give me the same result when I try to launch.
You have to install Xposed which is linked in the first link, then open Xposed and 'install' it, reboot when asked then open Xposed, go to Modules and using a mouse check the appropriate module's checkbox on the right.
..
JJ-KwiK said: So, which launchers have been tried/tested so far? There are a couple a TV themed launchers on Google Play. I wonder if any of those would work... Click to expand... Click to collapse I tried TV Launcher, but it's not free. Now I'm using XBMC as my launcher.
..
Apex launcher Apex launcher works after using Xposed module. Some Apex features don't work, but I figured out how to link activities to shortcuts with custom icons in the Apex launcher. So I have shortcuts for AFTV launcher, Applications (native app manager under settings), Controllers (native under settings), and Network (navite under settings/system). Fire TV boots directly to Apex launcher. Home button returns to Apex launcher always. Placed XBMC shortcut first on Apex so its easy to launch XBMC from anywhere by pressing home then enter. Near perfect. Thanks for the module rbox. Just curious.... I haven't seen any posts about this so I was surprised to find all of my installed apps in a generic five icon wide grid launcher format under Apps, in between Games and Photos, in the AFTV launcher. Is this normal?
htpcforall said: Just curious.... I haven't seen any posts about this so I was surprised to find all of my installed apps in a generic five icon wide grid launcher format under Apps, in between Games and Photos, in the AFTV launcher. Is this normal? Click to expand... Click to collapse That is weird. I know you mentioned in the other post you didn't install the Amazon app store. Quite strange. If you read through that post you saw I am working on an addition to this module that basically does the same thing, without breaking everything else like the app store does. I never saw anything that would hint that this was built in functionality to the launcher itself though.
htpcforall said: Apex launcher works after using Xposed module. Some Apex features don't work, but I figured out how to link activities to shortcuts with custom icons in the Apex launcher. So I have shortcuts for AFTV launcher, Applications (native app manager under settings), Controllers (native under settings), and Network (navite under settings/system). Fire TV boots directly to Apex launcher. Home button returns to Apex launcher always. Placed XBMC shortcut first on Apex so its easy to launch XBMC from anywhere by pressing home then enter. Near perfect. Thanks for the module rbox. Just curious.... I haven't seen any posts about this so I was surprised to find all of my installed apps in a generic five icon wide grid launcher format under Apps, in between Games and Photos, in the AFTV launcher. Is this normal? Click to expand... Click to collapse This sounds pretty nice, any chance we can get a screenshot of what your default home screen looks like now?
servo386 said: This sounds pretty nice, any chance we can get a screenshot of what your default home screen looks like now? Click to expand... Click to collapse i think the biggest issue with i had with apex was it isnt fully remote friendly, for me on a htpc i would like full control with the remote myself. its suprising that there arernt any good TV launchers out there already.
htpcforall said: Apex launcher works after using Xposed module. Some Apex features don't work, but I figured out how to link activities to shortcuts with custom icons in the Apex launcher. So I have shortcuts for AFTV launcher, Applications (native app manager under settings), Controllers (native under settings), and Network (navite under settings/system). Fire TV boots directly to Apex launcher. Home button returns to Apex launcher always. Placed XBMC shortcut first on Apex so its easy to launch XBMC from anywhere by pressing home then enter. Near perfect. Thanks for the module rbox. Just curious.... I haven't seen any posts about this so I was surprised to find all of my installed apps in a generic five icon wide grid launcher format under Apps, in between Games and Photos, in the AFTV launcher. Is this normal? Click to expand... Click to collapse I'm installed the same method as described in the xbmc wiki: 3.3 Xposed and rbox module (Requires root) So everything went well, until I wanted to go back to the vanilla firetv homescreen. It says that if I exit xbmc with the button on the bottom, it should return me to that screen. Nope, it just restarts reboots xbmc. First how do I fix this and second, how can I remove the apks to get rid of this if it's not what I am looking for? I tried using adbfire app in osx, I chose uninstall apk, and pasted the same .apk that I installed with but it says that there isn't one of that name...
[Q] Blocked from getting into any of the Settings Tabs
I can reboot my Amazon Fire TV right into XBMC but when I exit XBMC and try to go into Settings and then Applications, nothing happens.... Any Ideas?
peter_d4 said: I can reboot my Amazon Fire TV right into XBMC but when I exit XBMC and try to go into Settings and then Applications, nothing happens.... Any Ideas? Click to expand... Click to collapse Uninstall the XBMC auto launcher, install FireDtv launcher. then move the XBMC icon to the top left corner so it's the first app your remote hits. You will then no longer have any problems with the XBMC being launched first and the trouble that can bring in some circumstances.
nyder said: Uninstall the XBMC auto launcher, install FireDtv launcher. then move the XBMC icon to the top left corner so it's the first app your remote hits. You will then no longer have any problems with the XBMC being launched first and the trouble that can bring in some circumstances. Click to expand... Click to collapse Trouble? My xbmc is always auto launched and tied to my home button. Never caused a single issue and super convenient. Just curious. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
In XBMC use the default (Confluence) skin. Go to Programs. Enter and go to Android Programs. Find KFTV Launcher. Highlight and use the Menu button on the remote to make it a Favorite. You can now access the FTV home screen from XBMC
jmerrilljr2 said: In XBMC use the default (Confluence) skin. Go to Programs. Enter and go to Android Programs. Find KFTV Launcher. Highlight and use the Menu button on the remote to make it a Favorite. You can now access the FTV home screen from XBMC Click to expand... Click to collapse This Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
[Q] What launcher for my purposes? FiredTV?
I have Gotham with Xposed and rbox. My FTV is rooted. I read the wiki but have some confusion. Would FiredTV still show the default Amazon menu for a second, or would it be better because I'm rooted? I want something like FiredTV that will show my sideloaded apps on boot up, but I would like to avoid the "blink" of showing the default menu for a second. Is FiredTV the best or should I pick something else? I want the first screen to let me choose from my favorites. XBMC, Amazon's menu, or a few other apps. If possible I want to "pin" my favorite Amazon-supported apps there (I want to put Pluto.TV's Fire TV app.) Thanks for any help.
dreamy said: I have Gotham with Xposed and rbox. My FTV is rooted. I read the wiki but have some confusion. Would FiredTV still show the default Amazon menu for a second, or would it be better because I'm rooted? I want something like FiredTV that will show my sideloaded apps on boot up, but I would like to avoid the "blink" of showing the default menu for a second. Is FiredTV the best or should I pick something else? I want the first screen to let me choose from my favorites. XBMC, Amazon's menu, or a few other apps. If possible I want to "pin" my favorite Amazon-supported apps there (I want to put Pluto.TV's Fire TV app.) Thanks for any help. Click to expand... Click to collapse with exposed and firedTV you wont see the blink of the amazon menu, but it is accessable via an icon in firedTV you can add and remove icons with firedTV, everything installed should show up automatically. imo its the best solution since it works fully with a remote with a new version on the way with some nice improvements.
Installed a few mins ago. It's very good so far.
Amazon Apps on Nova Launcher
I've read in several different places that people use Nova Launcher with the Fire TV. Since I've already purchased Nova Launcher Prime, I figured this would be a particularly good option for me. The problem I'm running into is that I can't launch most of the Amazon apps. If I try Amazon Video, the screen just flashes and then goes back to the app drawer. If I tried Appstore or Amazon Music, I get "permission denid" (Amazon FreeTime, oddly enough, works just fine, as does the Fire TV App Tutorial, but I don't need either of those ). My Fire TV is rooted, and running the latest firmware version. Has anyone else seen this, and if so, do you have a solution? I can't find any mention of it by searching the web, which makes me think it might be an issue introduced with recent firmware versions. It occurred to me it might have something to do with root: when I rooted my daughter's Kindle Fire, we couldn't watch Amazon videos on it without turning root off temporarily. I can't find a way to turn off root temporarily using SU on the Fire TV, though--there's no way to launnch SuperSU from Settings, and attempting to launch it from the Nova app drawer does nothing.
Given this problem, I abandoned Nova Launcher and tried several other things. XBMC/SPMC is nice, but it doesn't give easy access to Android apps, without some finagling (I'll install the non-launcher version of SPMC so that my wife can browse TV). I've seen mentions of several launchers for Google TV or Android set top boxes, but most of those can't be found anymore, or they don't work on the Fire TV. However, I eventually was able to make Nova work, by adding a shortcut to the Fire TV Launcher on a home screen: when adding something to a home screen, select "Shortcuts", then "Activities". There are several paths to the Fire TV home screen, the simplest probably being the "Home" activity under "KFTV Launcher"--there's also at least one under "Android System" (the one ending in "ChooserActivity"), and another somewhere else I can't remember. Once I put the shortcut in place, I edited the icon, using the green one for Amazon Instant Video. Interestingly, even using the Activities Shortcuts method, you can't go directly into videos, music, etc.--you get a "Permission denied". Of course, to make Nova work as the launcher, I'm using rbox's mods package, which includes support for an alternate launcher: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786618
OK...so the above solution isn't completely unproblematic: if any apps are open (including apps opened directly from Nova--even sideloaded apps), opening the Fire TV Launcher goes to those apps. The only way I've been able to get back to the menu (other than hitting the "Back" button a lot) is to go into System Settings from Nova Launcher. What I probably need is an app that'll force stop KFTV--but that's ugly and time-consuming. Any suggestions? EDIT: That was easy. When creating app shortcuts on the Nova home screen, I hadn't seen a KFTV Launcher app--but it's there, called "Home", and that one always goes to the KFTV home menu.
how to close all apps
Have you been looking how to close apps running in background without having to go deep in settings to close Pandora or iheart Radio and other apps or going all the way to settings and force closing individual apps? Suggestions: Use another launcher, place a shortcut to close all running apps. Post here what you find works best for you.
bumpaudio said: Have you been looking how to close apps running in background without having to go deep in settings to close Pandora or iheart Radio and other apps or going all the way to settings and force closing individual apps? Suggestions: Use another launcher, place a shortcut to close all running apps. Post here what you find works best for you. Click to expand... Click to collapse If you find an app that you can create a shortcut to for purposes you stated, please post back here. Otherwise, someone suggested a pretty good app called "fast reboot" it's in playstore. I've been using it a couple of days and it's helped with some performance issues. Basically you just click and it simulates a reboot, stopping and restarting processes. Not sure if that's related to what you want but thought I'd share.
Just back out of the app and it will close. Hit the back button on the remote til the app closes or hit menu and see if there is an exit button for the app. If you still need an app try Fancy Switcher, it works well on the Fire TV
close fire stick apps.
porkenhimer said: Just back out of the app and it will close. Hit the back button on the remote til the app closes or hit menu and see if there is an exit button for the app.... Click to expand... Click to collapse Unfortunately, "backing out of an app" does not actually close an app on the Fire Stick, Fire Stick 4k or Fire TV Cube. The apps actually continue to run in the background, using up both memory and processing power. Only a "Force Close" will actually close an app. An app like "Background Apps & Process List" will reveal all of the apps that continue running in the background even after you've backed out of them using the remote. You can then manually go into Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, click on the individual applications you want to actually close, and perform a "force stop" on each one you'd like to close. Background Apps & Process List had been able to allow you to force close apps directly from it's interface, but it lost the ability to do this with one of the Fire OS updates recently. The developer said he's working on getting it fixed and reuploaded when I contacted him a few days ago. In the meantime, both Task Killer or Task Manager can help automate and speed up the process of shutting down unwanted apps that continue to run in the background, showing you the running background apps in a list when they open, providing you with a checkbox for the ones you'd like to close, and a "Kill Selected Tasks" button. These both work fine on my Fire Stick 4k, though I'm still searching for an app that will perform this same function for the Fire Cube (2nd Gen).