Guys, I am getting my $50 Fire Tablet tomorrow and plan on using it for many secondary tasks, not my main tablet or device. I am trying to figure out which process to go with to add the Play Store and perhaps remove the Ads. I would prefer, I guess, to not block OTA updates or root. I saw the One Click option, but it says that it will disable updates. Which process should I go with to just install the Play Store and perhaps remove ads? My preference would be not to block OTAs. Much Appreciated!!
If you're getting it tomorrow, then it's a $40 tablet Go ahead and download/run the one click tool on your computer. You'll see there is an OPTION for disabling OTA updates. Be aware that an OTA update from 5.0.1 to 5.1.1 makes installing custom ROMs more difficult. You really might want to reconsider blocking them in case Amazon decides to make life harder still, but the choice is yours.
Percussionking, I assume you are referring to the one click utility at the link below?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/root-playstore-busybox-optimize-flash-t3281804
Also, just to confirm there is an option to not block OTAs?
Is there also a choice to not root?
I'm using http://www.rootjunky.com/amazon-fire-5th-gen-supertool/
Looking at the batch file, installing Play Store and removing ads do not require root.
Thank you! Just to confirm this works with 5.1.1 on the $50 tablet?
Also, is there a way to unblock OTAs after they are initially blocked?
Related
Hi,
just received Kindle Fide HD from Amazon (NOT the newest one) and am unsure what order to set the device up in (excuse the grammar!)
Do I register it with Amazon on my account, then pay to remove ads, then root it to allow access to Google Play store?
Or if I root it first, does that remover the ads automatically, then register with Amazon?
Can I use the device without registering with Amazon? How do I know which method to use to rrot it and set up Google Play - there seem to be many varieties of rooting available on this forum...
Advice for newbie gratefully accepted.
Thanks
Nibbos
I recommend registering it for now, root it with binary's root, and once you have root you can disable the ads by renaming a file instead of paying 20$. Here's binary's root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1886460
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running CM10.1 Tablet UI using xda-developers app
Nibbos said:
Hi,
just received Kindle Fide HD from Amazon (NOT the newest one) and am unsure what order to set the device up in (excuse the grammar!)
Do I register it with Amazon on my account, then pay to remove ads, then root it to allow access to Google Play store?
Or if I root it first, does that remover the ads automatically, then register with Amazon?
Can I use the device without registering with Amazon? How do I know which method to use to rrot it and set up Google Play - there seem to be many varieties of rooting available on this forum...
Advice for newbie gratefully accepted.
Thanks
Nibbos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use it without registering if you want to put a custom ROM on it. If not, then you can't.
LinearEquation said:
You can use it without registering if you want to put a custom ROM on it. If not, then you can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on whether or not you want to use Amazon's services, such as the Kindle reading experience. If you do, you must register the Kindle. Disabling the lock screen ads (and the lock screen itself) is easy. Once I get my Kindle out of it's bricked state (I'm waiting for a pair of breakout boards to come in the mail), I'm thinking of creating some flashable zips to do this automatically.
Ph0enix_216 said:
It depends on whether or not you want to use Amazon's services, such as the Kindle reading experience. If you do, you must register the Kindle. Disabling the lock screen ads (and the lock screen itself) is easy. Once I get my Kindle out of it's bricked state (I'm waiting for a pair of breakout boards to come in the mail), I'm thinking of creating some flashable zips to do this automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can just flash an Amazon zip and register it that way. I keep an Amazon nandroid to flash should I need to.
I would like to keep my root and launcher and play store, but I have updates blocked. I would also like whatever the new updates will hold. Can it be updated and re rooted?
As with most manufacturers, updates will come out whenever they feel like it, if at all. :laugh:
No way to say if a future update will block root or not. It is possible.
Has anyone tried using NetGuard or another firewall to prevent Amazon services from phoning home?
I have 5.3.1.0 on my Fire, so no root. But fortunately NetGuard doesn't need root.
I'm trying to find exactly which packages to block and allow to make sure Amazon can't update my OS, and preferably also block ads, while allowing the Play Store.
The problem I have been running into is that NetGuard lumps some services/apps together, so if I try to enable, for example, Android Contact Storage, it also enabled all of the Amazon contact related options, including all the social media connectors.
I haven't found a combination that allows me to login to Google but prevents system updates.
Has anyone successfully done this? I'd love some tips or maybe even an export of your NetGuard config.
S.Mayer said:
Has anyone tried using NetGuard or another firewall to prevent Amazon services from phoning home?
I have 5.3.1.0 on my Fire, so no root. But fortunately NetGuard doesn't need root.
I'm trying to find exactly which packages to block and allow to make sure Amazon can't update my OS, and preferably also block ads, while allowing the Play Store.
The problem I have been running into is that NetGuard lumps some services/apps together, so if I try to enable, for example, Android Contact Storage, it also enabled all of the Amazon contact related options, including all the social media connectors.
I haven't found a combination that allows me to login to Google but prevents system updates.
Has anyone successfully done this? I'd love some tips or maybe even an export of your NetGuard config.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This approach has proven unreliable on various Amazon device going all the way back to 2nd gen Tate:
- you can't block the relevant OTA services without root
- blocking by IP is only a temporary fix as Amazon rotates addresses
Despite claims to the contrary no local 'firewall' can be 100% effective without root access.
Davey126 said:
Despite claims to the contrary no local 'firewall' can be 100% effective without root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info. Just to be 100% sure, are you aware that NetGuard functions as a local VPN service, rather than using iptables? When connected to a VPN, the device should be sending all traffic that way. Whether it does or not, I can't actually say.
S.Mayer said:
Thank you for the info. Just to be 100% sure, are you aware that NetGuard functions as a local VPN service, rather than using iptables? When connected to a VPN, the device should be sending all traffic that way. Whether it does or not, I can't actually say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was aware but good to ask the question. A VPN *should* capture all traffic. Whether it does on FireOS is the $64K question. To my knowledge there are no widespread reports of VPN effectiveness blocking Amazon OTA updates, but that could simply reflect the limited number of attempts. Until recently VPNs were rather difficult to understand/implement for most non-technical users.
so despite following the instructions here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/root-stop-updates-5-3-2-1-maybe-delete-t3669951
my new 7" tablet (which was on 5.3.3.0) updated by itself overnight to 5.4.4.0.
good news was that i got all the debloat and google apps install done before the update. so at this point the tablet is gtg (for me).
my question, though, is - while the launcher and apps all seem to be working fine right now (have nova launcher installed with the home button hijack) should i be concerned that at some point they'll stop working?
obviously i'm assuming that if at any point i have to factory reset i'll lose everything but wondering if at this point things may begin shutting down or anything since the software updated.
thanks for the info!!
byproxy said:
so despite following the instructions here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/root-stop-updates-5-3-2-1-maybe-delete-t3669951
my new 7" tablet (which was on 5.3.3.0) updated by itself overnight to 5.4.4.0.
good news was that i got all the debloat and google apps install done before the update. so at this point the tablet is gtg (for me).
my question, though, is - while the launcher and apps all seem to be working fine right now (have nova launcher installed with the home button hijack) should i be concerned that at some point they'll stop working?
obviously i'm assuming that if at any point i have to factory reset i'll lose everything but wondering if at this point things may begin shutting down or anything since the software updated.
thanks for the info!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A future FireOS update could break current customizations. To prevent that install a VPN based software firewall and block network access to 'devicesoftwareota.apk'. Other methods of blocking updates are dubious as you discovered. But hey, everyone is an expert.
Davey126 said:
A future FireOS update could break current customizations. To prevent that install a VPN based software firewall and block network access to 'devicesoftwareota.apk'. Other methods of blocking updates are dubious as you discovered. But hey, everyone is an expert.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks! any software suggestions? i do have a PIA account but not sure if will work to block a specific apk.
byproxy said:
thanks! any software suggestions? i do have a PIA account but not sure if will work to block a specific apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a paid product (AdGuard) but there are several well regarded software firewalls in the Play Store. @dragonfire has some experience here. Also look at Opera Max which effectively can do the same thing.
Hello People...
Well i got a second hand 5th gen kindle from CEX, luckily its on 5.3.2.1 and from memory, I know this cant be rooted, but can disable or block apps, I blocked the updates, adverts, added google store and bits, and used a option that deleted all bloat except settings and photos, good i thought.....but
I actually miss the store, book store, prime video to name a few, but trying to re-install them from other sites gives errors, adb pushing or installing gives an error too, and trying to install them via google play just show that they are not available....
looking on manage all applications, all the apps that debloated show 'not installed for user' now....can i get them back or do i have to factory reset???
biggary said:
Hello People...
Well i got a second hand 5th gen kindle from CEX, luckily its on 5.3.2.1 and from memory, I know this cant be rooted, but can disable or block apps, I blocked the updates, adverts, added google store and bits, and used a option that deleted all bloat except settings and photos, good i thought.....but
I actually miss the store, book store, prime video to name a few, but trying to re-install them from other sites gives errors, adb pushing or installing gives an error too, and trying to install them via google play just show that they are not available....
looking on manage all applications, all the apps that debloated show 'not installed for user' now....can i get them back or do i have to factory reset???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, a factory reset is the only known method for 'unhidding' apps that reside in the system partition on an unrooted device.
OK then mate, never mind.... My fault lol.... Do you think its worth upgrading kindle, or keeping on this firmware?
biggary said:
OK then mate, never mind.... My fault lol.... Do you think its worth upgrading kindle, or keeping on this firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Newer builds (5.4 series) have more robust Alexia support and possibly a few more security patches. In your shoes I'd stay on 5.3.2.1 until there is a need to update.