I have a fair amount of searching and not found a workable solution. I personally don't use it but the wife refuses to use anything but VZ Navigator. Problem is as I understand it rooted roms don't contain certain GPS-related files required for VZ Navigator to work. I believe it has something to do with aGPS drivers. Does anyone know how to get it to work on a rooted Inc 2? As a corollary question if I do get it to get work will I thus have f'd up Google Maps/Nav/GPS?
Thanks.
gospodinwizard said:
I have a fair amount of searching and not found a workable solution. I personally don't use it but the wife refuses to use anything but VZ Navigator. Problem is as I understand it rooted roms don't contain certain GPS-related files required for VZ Navigator to work. I believe it has something to do with aGPS drivers. Does anyone know how to get it to work on a rooted Inc 2? As a corollary question if I do get it to get work will I thus have f'd up Google Maps/Nav/GPS?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google navigation is free and works rooted or not. I know that's not the answer you are looking for, but it beats the hassle to get VZ Navigator to work.
I totally agree which is why I don't bother myself with VZ Navigator.....but the more important hassle to me is trying to explain AGAIN to my wife why VZ Navigator doesn't work and how to use Google Nav. She's not particularly tech-savvy. (e.g. wireless router = "that Netgear white box thingy")
Have you tried GPS Status & Toolbox from the Play Store? Free app that I used to use on my D3, which had absolutely terrible GPS in my opinion. It can download aGPS data.
Smack a ***** and show her Google maps/navigation.
Hello,
I have a Kindle 8.9 that has been rooted.
Everything works fine except that I have lost all location services. Google maps works, but it cannot locate my position. It always says that location is unavailable at this moment
The strange part is that I installed Opera browser as someone suggested and lo and behold, location is found when I access google maps via the Opera browser.
There was a thread related to this a while back, and to my knowledge, it was never solved.
Anyone got any ideas of how to fix this ?
thanks
OS Version may make a difference
I'm rooted 8.3.1; seems to play nicer with google services. When rooted 8.1.4 (what it arrived with at the time) location services did not play with google--it showed my position in Colorado when I'm in Arizona. Mapquest should track you though. Maps likely won't with that OS version.
Granted, I don't have TWRP installed, so I've not gone far down the rabbit trail. You've got a few options:
- Update to the latest OS (8.3.1)
Easy peasy. You're already comfy rooting. Download from Amazon, hook your KFHD to the PC, drop the update .bin file in, disconnect, update, reroot using b1nary sony method (ten minutes max), install busybox ... okay, bit of a wrinkle there. I have a busybox installer installed prior to the update. It'll be there after--just root and reinstall busy box. Then use kindle fire first aid to install google play store. All told maybe 20 minutes. Your GPS should track then. Do all the kfhd's have gps? I'm not sure, don't think so. If you've LTE, it does, and you should be tracking like a boss.
Fyi, after updating and rerooting, clear data on the Amazon apps (kindle, vod, silk) if you want to use them. You'll have to redownload your books/media ... if I don't do that, I can't see any of my books 'n stuff.
- you could give SteriROM 1.2 a shot, seems GREAT for a simple all-in-one kinda solution. That'll upgrade you OS to 8.3.0.
Either way, upgrading is a good thing.
4iiiidnerd said:
I'm rooted 8.3.1; seems to play nicer with google services. When rooted 8.1.4 (what it arrived with at the time) location services did not play with google--it showed my position in Colorado when I'm in Arizona. Mapquest should track you though. Maps likely won't with that OS version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes indeed i am still running 8.1.3. Dont know if there are enough compelling reasons for me to upgrade. Any thoughts ?
I am a newbie, and rooting was a serious pain in the ass. It took me days to figure everything out and by now I have forgotten how I did it
I was interested if there was a patch I could apply to 8.1.3 instead of upgrading and re-rooting.
thanks
belgiumsucks said:
yes indeed i am still running 8.1.3. Dont know if there are enough compelling reasons for me to upgrade. Any thoughts ?
--8.1.4?
I am a newbie, and rooting was a serious pain in the ass. It took me days to figure everything out and by now I have forgotten how I did it
--I understand "set & forget", but there is no unrooting update. You're going to have to familiarize yourself with the process, get comfy with it. It really DOESN'T take much, but you do have to make that initial investment.
I was interested if there was a patch I could apply to 8.1.3 instead of upgrading and re-rooting.
Yeah, no such patch.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not aware of gps working with google maps on 8.1.4. Use a different nav app, mapquest, if you're sticking with it.
Otherwise you'll want to use Lizzard30's SteriROM 1.2. It'll upgrade you, it's more stable, and it's actually fairly easy.
Hey all,
Verizon LG G3, just purchased a couple of days ago. I'm beginning to notice some apps that simply aren't available on the App store. Most notably, ESPN Sportscenter. Anyone know why, and how to fix? I read somewhere that it could potentially be because the app isn't compatible with the Quad HD screen?
The app itself is highly likely to work fine, the issue will be that the Play Store entry will need to be updated by the dev effectively ticking a new box to say that it works on the resolution of the G3.
That is all they need to do.
Best way to do this is to email to ask them to do it, although you might find that larger companies just ignore you, but we have to try.
I had the same problem with MS Office so I looked on the internet for the apk and it installed works fine.
Same thing happened with the DNA, but much more apps. It'll take a few months for some.
Hello all!
I purchased the Fire Phone (32GB) two months ago when there was the liquidation sale to get rid of the stock, and I jumped on one! For the value, even at the $120 or so I paid for it (not including the free Prime membership), there aren't any (if at all) phones with a Snapdragon 800, 2GB RAM and not gigantic (looking for a phone that's 4.5" to 4.7"). After unboxing it, and playing around for a few minutes, I put it back and haven't touched it since.
I was hoping there would be more ROM development. I've used Cyanogenmod in the past and loved it (previously had Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 all with Cyanogenmod), but I don't think the experience would be the same on the Fire Phone since Cyanogenmod is not officially supported. I read about the camera issues (somewhat important to me) and would hate to jump into flashing a ROM that has so many problems. I use Google Wallet/NFC from time-to-time as well. Finally, I want to use Tasker, and although I already purchased the app in the Google Play store, I want to be able to use it on my Fire Phone and would have to repurchase it, but I need features that require root access (do I have root access or can I easily root it?).
The apps I mostly use are: Viber, Whatsapp, Chrome, Snapchat, Instagram, Tasker, Instwogram, Google Maps (absolutely necessary as I drive quite a bit), Gmail, Google Drive/Sheets/Docs, Flashlight (wish it were a built-in widget like it was in Cyanogenmod), and Twitter. I don't mind keeping the Fire OS if all the above apps work flawlessly. I could care less about the Fire OS theme, because most of my usage is within other apps which I'd assume are identical between the Google Play store and Amazon Fire Store. With that being said, would I have any issues with any of the above apps? Do I even need Cyanogenmod or SlimKat? Would be experience be better with either of the latter ROMs instead?
Finally, does anyone know if hot spotting is allowed? I have Cricket and my Cricket-branded 1st gen Moto G LTE does not allow hotspotting. I know the Cyanogenmod allowed it. I don't expect to do it often, however, it is nice to have that feature. Does anyone know if the non-carrier branded model directly from the Amazon store allows hotspotting?
Thanks for reading!
Tahleel
Based on the apps you're using, you should stick with Fire OS. The custom ROMs can't reach their full potential, because some of the important sources are not available (Camera HAL, NFC).
Therefore, in-app camera usage is a bigger issue:
Snapchat users are basically forced to use Casper as a replacement, because this app is able to access the camera without freezing / stopping.
WhatsApp Web also doesn't work because you won't be able to scan the QR code and lastly: no Fire OS = no NFC.
Periscope and Twitch streaming does not work on the Fire Phone, for now...
You could start with using an alternative Launcher like Nova (+ Tesla UnRead) or Google Now.
The 4.6.3 version and the latest AT&T version (4.6.5) of Fire OS support Google Play services.
You can root the device with Kingroot and replace it with Super-Su afterwards.
Twitch only works if you use the Amazon store version; I don't think the Play store version works still.
Bingo Bronson said:
Based on the apps you're using, you should stick with Fire OS. The custom ROMs can't reach their full potential, because some of the important sources are not available (Camera HAL, NFC).
Therefore, in-app camera usage is a bigger issue:
Snapchat users are basically forced to use Casper as a replacement, because this app is able to access the camera without freezing / stopping.
WhatsApp Web also doesn't work because you won't be able to scan the QR code and lastly: no Fire OS = no NFC.
Periscope and Twitch streaming do not work on the Fire Phone, for now...
You could start with using an alternative Launcher like Nova (+ Tesla UnRead) or Google Now.
The 4.6.3 version and the latest AT&T version (4.6.5) of Fire OS support Google Play services.
You can root the device with Kingroot and replace it with Super-Su afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the feedback! I just updated my Fire Phone and waiting for the final update (GSM - 4.6.3). Let's say if I wanted to update it to the AT&T version of 4.6.5, would I just download the image from Amazon, and drag and drop it into Internal Storage as they're stating on the site? I have Cricket, and while it runs on AT&T's network, I don't want the typical AT&T bloatware. Would it be advantageous for me and my app uses to update to AT&T 4.6.5? I'm sure I'll probably lose hotspotting (that is if I even have it now). Do you think it might be a better idea to hold off, and wait for the 4.6.5 GSM update (if ever), or dare I say Fire OS 5 update?
Thanks again!
Tahleel
tahleel said:
Thanks so much for the feedback! I just updated my Fire Phone and waiting for the final update (GSM - 4.6.3). Let's say if I wanted to update it to the AT&T version of 4.6.5, would I just download the image from Amazon, and drag and drop it into Internal Storage as they're stating on the site? I have Cricket, and while it runs on AT&T's network, I don't want the typical AT&T bloatware. Would it be advantageous for me and my app uses to update to AT&T 4.6.5? I'm sure I'll probably lose hotspotting (that is if I even have it now). Do you think it might be a better idea to hold off, and wait for the 4.6.5 GSM update (if ever), or dare I say Fire OS 5 update?
Thanks again!
Tahleel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went from 4.6.4 AT&T to 4.6.3 rooted. When I made the move I didn't do a factory reset. I noticed last weekend the phone was trying to connect to an attwifi network in the area. It was never able to connect. And, interestingly enough, I was not able to prevent it from trying to connect unless I disabled the wifi. I use StraightTalk (on AT&T's network).
I've recently started having issues with the GPS so I moved to 4.6.5 unrooted (using adb sideload) so that I could contact Amazon for help. I don't really see any differences between 4.6.3 and 4.6.5 except for the MyAT&T app, an AT&T Wifi app (which doesn't have a launcher icon), and the single APN setting for AT&T (IIRC 4.6.3 had APN settings for other networks).
Once I'm done dealing with Amazon's tech support and the GPS issue is resolved (or I get a new phone). I plan to go back to 4.6.3, factory reset, and root. 4.6.3 was working well for me, and I'm hoping the factory reset wipes the attwifi crap.
Thanks so much for your input! I just got some reassurance that 4.6.3 (GSM) is for me. I was second guessing myself as I was installing and reconfiguring all my Google Store apps last night if this was the right decision or if I'd have to do this all over again if I switched to 4.6.5 (AT&T).
I pay for additional data, but I don't have Hotspot in my Cricket Plan. I see that I have the option to create a WiFi Hotspot with my phone. If I use it occasionally (very occasionally, maybe when my home internet goes down or I'm travelling), will I be charged for it automatically? Or can they not tell the difference without major digging?
Thanks again!
From my experience with Cricket, they only control the Hotspot feature when you use a Cricket branded phone. So for instance, my Nexus 5 and my wife's Fire phone both can use Hotspot, but on my kid's Cricket Moto E, Hotspot does not work because we don;t pay extra for it.
I'm sure there are rules about not using it, but I do quite frequently, and I've not had any problems or warnings.
Using the amazon os and loading google play onto my 4.6.3, everything in the google play store has worked flawlessly. Any of the launcher works great ( i personally use smart launcher ), and google syncing stuff like games work perfectly. Once u have the play store you can grab google maps and it works great as well.
Using Tmobile my hotspot works without any need for modding settings nor any changing of any plans specifically for hotspot ( which is great i dont know how long i dont have to pay extra for wifi tethering for though ), and as im on the 10gb plan it comes int great when i want to do homework with the laptop where there isnt fast wifi.
My snapchat finally has the face filters too, something even pure google phones dont have yet! I am extremely happy with how this phone works out as the next closest thing in performance is a 250 dollar motoG 2015 or one plus X
I have cricket and I'm able to hot spot (4.6.3 rooted with sideloaded google services). There's a flashlight icon available as part of the notification panel (swipe down from the top), so I use that instead of a widget.
4.63
jbatacan said:
Using the amazon os and loading google play onto my 4.6.3, everything in the google play store has worked flawlessly. Any of the launcher works great ( i personally use smart launcher ), and google syncing stuff like games work perfectly. Once u have the play store you can grab google maps and it works great as well.
Using Tmobile my hotspot works without any need for modding settings nor any changing of any plans specifically for hotspot ( which is great i dont know how long i dont have to pay extra for wifi tethering for though ), and as im on the 10gb plan it comes int great when i want to do homework with the laptop where there isnt fast wifi.
My snapchat finally has the face filters too, something even pure google phones dont have yet! I am extremely happy with how this phone works out as the next closest thing in performance is a 250 dollar motoG 2015 or one plus X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. Sorry for a dumb question. My daughter has this phone and it's all messed up. Won't open apps, won't always send texts (hangs and says sending). Got a new SIM yesterday and same thing.
Where do I get 4.6.3 so I can reflash it and are there instructions anywhere?
Thanks!
avatar1961 said:
Hi. Sorry for a dumb question. My daughter has this phone and it's all messed up. Won't open apps, won't always send texts (hangs and says sending). Got a new SIM yesterday and same thing.
Where do I get 4.6.3 so I can reflash it and are there instructions anywhere?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this post.
I know lots of people (or probably most) still using Fire Phones probably flashed a newer custom OS to it, but I am still using the last Fire OS which I kind of like. Today, without me doing anything, the system seems to have "broken." The phone became de-registered from my Amazon account, and I learned how much the system was dependent on that registration (that's kind of like registering any Echo or Kindle device, etc). Now all my GUI settings are gone (the way I arrange my > 100 apps into folders) and worse, none of the apps that I got from Amazon's app store work.
And the settings for registering my device do not allow me to register to my existing Amazon account. I get an error message when I try to do it.
The only maybe-unique situation for me is, a few months ago I changed my Amazon password. Maybe for some reason the system needed that and it no longer matched. But a new registration is blocked. So others may not notice any issue if they have been using the same Amazon account including same password, since they first set up the device years ago.
The only fix I can think of is flashing a new OS on it, but in my mind that kind of defeats the purpose of having a Fire Phone. You can have the flashed OS on many devices, but only the Fire Phone can have this weird but kind of nice OS. I mean, making use of the bizarre extra cameras and all. It is a relic of a brief moment in time when Amazon sold its own phone....
This is not my primary phone. I just liked it for reading with the Kindle and other apps, and calling, texting, checking email, twitter (using the Talon app from GP store). Which reminds me, I should mention, only Amazon Store apps are not working. The apps I got from GP and F-Droid are fine.
One thing I'm thinking of doing is disabling the Amazon App Store and installing a side-loaded version that is meant for other androids. Then maybe when I sign into that, my Amazon apps (some of which I paid for....) will work again.
Just curious if anyone else had this issue, and if there is a way to salvage Fire OS on the phone, or if I should flash (and make use of all the hard work of people who worked out how to do that, etc). I'm not tossing this phone. It is very nice hardware that should work perfectly fine for basic things.