Develop Bugs

[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...

Nova Launcher

I originally posted this in reply to the HD Widgets post but thought it should have its own thread under Nova Launcher:
I can confirm Nova Prime and HD Widgets work on my rooted AFTV with Rbox's mods. Was using Fired TV until I read the posts about HD Widgets. No comparison. Now have an App Drawer, a Dock if I want it, and the ability to Drag icons around to reorder. Can't change wallpaper. Icons are resizable, can be dragged mid-grid and number Rows and Columns is adjustable. Icons and Labels can be edited. Haven't got around to trying Gestures and other features like Folders.
I installed Nova through Google Play. Don't know if can be installed from the Amazon Appstore.

schneid said:
I originally posted this in reply to the HD Widgets post but thought it should have its own thread under Nova Launcher:
I can confirm Nova Prime and HD Widgets work on my rooted AFTV with Rbox's mods. Was using Fired TV until I read the posts about HD Widgets. No comparison. Now have an App Drawer, a Dock if I want it, and the ability to Drag icons around to reorder. Can't change wallpaper. Icons are resizable, can be dragged mid-grid and number Rows and Columns is adjustable. Icons and Labels can be edited. Haven't got around to trying Gestures and other features like Folders.
I installed Nova through Google Play. Don't know if can be installed from the Amazon Appstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some screenshots would be good once you have it setup close to an ideal setup... Maybe you can use the Amazon FireTV Utility App to take them. Also I am guessing you have the Google Store & all the dependencies installed for it to work correctly...
Some one told me of another Launcher that works & should be very good for the FireTV but have only installed it on a FireTV Stick but haven't had time to set it up. I have just made sure it boots.

Y314K said:
Some screenshots would be good once you have it setup close to an ideal setup... Maybe you can use the Amazon FireTV Utility App to take them. Also I am guessing you have the Google Store & all the dependencies installed for it to work correctly...
Some one told me of another Launcher that works & should be very good for the FireTV but have only installed it on a FireTV Stick but haven't had time to set it up. I have just made sure it boots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try to take some screenshots. Thanks for the AFTV UA tip to take them. I went with Nova as I own it and am used to it. it is overkill so maybe something simpler would be better.
Yes, all four Google Play apps installed.

Nova Prime Launcher ScreenShots
ScreenShots of Nova Launcher Prime running on AFTV.

I have it working well too. I've tried everything I can think of to get wallpaper working. It's a no-go. It seems Amazon must've completely removed that functionality from the FTV. No launcher has it working.

xm41907 said:
I have it working well too. I've tried everything I can think of to get wallpaper working. It's a no-go. It seems Amazon must've completely removed that functionality from the FTV. No launcher has it working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is supposed to work in FiredTV but not for me.

schneid said:
It is supposed to work in FiredTV but not for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The entire wallpaper settings has been removed. I installed the settings.apk found elsewhere in this forum to get bluetooth keyboards working and if you try to go under display - wallpapers, its dead. Setting a wallpaper through quickpic or other such app does nothing either. I'm content with a black background though, considering all the advantages.

Do Amazon Prime videos still work doing this?

schneid said:
ScreenShots of Nova Launcher Prime running on AFTV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man.. That looks good with the black background... Not bad at all.
1. Is there a shortlink to go back into the FTV Original UI ?
2. Have you setup LLama or some other prog like it to auto boot into Nova Launcher at bootup ?
3. Do you expand the storage. You seem to have ton of apps installed. Wonder how your storage space doing ?
4. Do you have the Settings.apk installed ? Wonder what APK might need to be installed to get the wallpapers working..
xm41907 said:
I have it working well too. I've tried everything I can think of to get wallpaper working. It's a no-go. It seems Amazon must've completely removed that functionality from the FTV. No launcher has it working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RIght.. But there might be something we can install to get that back... I'm hoping..

krawhitham said:
Do Amazon Prime videos still work doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you freeze the stock FTV launcher, then no. I've stumbled upon a way to keep it in place and still use NOVA as the launcher. I'm going to be pulling together a post with video about my system setup soon.

schneid said:
It is supposed to work in FiredTV but not for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not a FireTV wide UI WallPaper but it's done from within the FiredTV App...
xm41907 said:
The entire wallpaper settings has been removed. I installed the settings.apk found elsewhere in this forum to get bluetooth keyboards working and if you try to go under display - wallpapers, its dead. Setting a wallpaper through quickpic or other such app does nothing either. I'm content with a black background though, considering all the advantages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that sucks.. Wonder if some other launcher might handle wallpapers from within itself like FiredTV... But the black background should keep the speed up. And it doesn't look bad at all...
krawhitham said:
Do Amazon Prime videos still work doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good ?... I am guessing you can change back to the FireTV UI to get it work.

1. Is there a shortlink to go back into the FTV Original UI ?
Yes. See screen shots. Top left icon. Called "Home" in apps. "Home" key does it too.
2. Have you setup LLama or some other prog like it to auto boot into Nova Launcher at bootup ?
No. Rbox Mods do this. I boot into
3. Do you expand the storage. You seem to have ton of apps installed. Wonder how your storage space doing ?
Everything works so not worried so far.
4. Do you have the Settings.apk installed ?
Yes.
Wonder what APK might need to be installed to get the wallpapers working..
i don't have a clue but don't care that much.

krawhitham said:
Do Amazon Prime videos still work doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do for me. just have to use "Home" app which loads the original AFTV launcher. "Home" key goes back to Nova.

I use nova on my phone and really like it. My only concern is the fact it's made for touch. Does the aftv stock remote control everything here? (Minus customizations of course) Aftv remote is all I have. Wukong app works pretty well but would rather be able to just use the regular remote.

KLit75 said:
I use nova on my phone and really like it. My only concern is the fact it's made for touch. Does the aftv stock remote control everything here? (Minus customizations of course) Aftv remote is all I have. Wukong app works pretty well but would rather be able to just use the regular remote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once setup you can move around with the Arrow keys and use the Select, Exit, and Home buttons. To configure it, you really need a "mouse" That can be a USB mouse, a trackpad, or a phone app. My go to device is a Logitech K400 keyboard:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Built-In-Multi-Touch/dp/B005DKZTMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420720596&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+k400
I ave also used DroidMote on my phone. You need the client and server:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videomap.droidmoteclient
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videomap.droidmoteserver
For day-to-day use I use my Logitech Harmony ONE remote along with Flirc that feeds IR commands via USB to the AFTV.
If you have money to blow, get a Harmony Ultimate Home:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-915-000237-Ultimate-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFCBE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420721028&sr=8-2&keywords=B00N3RFC4G|B00N3RFC4Q|B00N3RFCBE
I thought about it but in my opinion, Harmony setup is hard, and I did not want to go through the pain when my ONE works fine provided you use a Flirc which is also a pain..

schneid said:
Once setup you can move around with the Arrow keys and use the Select, Exit, and Home buttons. To configure it, you really need a "mouse" That can be a USB mouse, a trackpad, or a phone app. My go to device is a Logitech K400 keyboard:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Built-In-Multi-Touch/dp/B005DKZTMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420720596&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+k400
I ave also used DroidMote on my phone. You need the client and server:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videomap.droidmoteclient
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videomap.droidmoteserver
For day-to-day use I use my Logitech Harmony ONE remote along with Flirc that feeds IR commands via USB to the AFTV.
If you have money to blow, get a Harmony Ultimate Home:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-915-000237-Ultimate-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFCBE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420721028&sr=8-2&keywords=B00N3RFC4G|B00N3RFC4Q|B00N3RFCBE
I thought about it but in my opinion, Harmony setup is hard, and I did not want to go through the pain when my ONE works fine provided you use a Flirc which is also a pain..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm gonna try to set it up tomorrow. I have a mouse and keyboard but only use it for certain apps once in a great while and cwm. By all accounts the harmony is awesome but I'd rather put money elsewhere for now. I might pickup a melee f10 pro.
Some people think aftv has a smooth simple GUI, but I think its a mess! Especially the way prime movies and TV are thrown in everywhere. Llama's not a must but there are WAY too many clicks occurring to get to xbmc. That dev deserves great praise. But nova might be a much better option overall. Thanks again!

xm41907 said:
I have it working well too. I've tried everything I can think of to get wallpaper working. It's a no-go. It seems Amazon must've completely removed that
functionality from the FTV. No launcher has it working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are wrong about the wallpapers not working. I tried over 100 launchers and some of them do have wallpapers that work by default. Nobody probably took time to try any launchers besides the popular launchers so they assumed if the wallpaper did not work on them that they would not work on any launcher, but they do on more than 10 launchers that I know of. I am not gonna do all the work for anyone, but I will share three launchers that the wallpaper works on, squarehd launcher, chameleon launcher and honeycomb launcher. all the lanchers that the wallpaper work on seem to be old launchers, and as I said over 10 launchers I have found work, but most all of them were made by the same developer and are the same just have a different name, so basically there are really around six launchers that the wallpapers work on. if we can find someone that can figure out what the three launchers above share in common then we can probably find out why the other launchers wallpapers do not work. I have not ried, but I am also thinking that old versions of some of the more popular launchers may work as well, but I do not have any old apk files to try.

Forgot to mention in my last post that Buzz Launcher also works. Wallpapers are displayed by default. Also, the latest update works and it is updated frequently. You might have a problem getting past the first screen, cause you have to activate the launcher with a two finger swipe, but you do not really need to swipe, just take your mouse cursor to the top of the screen and click once and its the same as a two finger swipe.

porkenhimer said:
you are wrong about the wallpapers not working. I tried over 100 launchers and some of them do have wallpapers that work by default. Nobody probably took time to try any launchers besides the popular launchers so they assumed if the wallpaper did not work on them that they would not work on any launcher, but they do on more than 10 launchers that I know of. I am not gonna do all the work for anyone, but I will share three launchers that the wallpaper works on, squarehd launcher, chameleon launcher and honeycomb launcher. all the lanchers that the wallpaper work on seem to be old launchers, and as I said over 10 launchers I have found work, but most all of them were made by the same developer and are the same just have a different name, so basically there are really around six launchers that the wallpapers work on. if we can find someone that can figure out what the three launchers above share in common then we can probably find out why the other launchers wallpapers do not work. I have not ried, but I am also thinking that old versions of some of the more popular launchers may work as well, but I do not have any old apk files to try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was referring to the use of the native android wallpaper function, not that no launcher has the ability to project a wallpaper on the FTV. Yes, there are quite a few launchers that have built-in wallpaper functionality, such as Firedtv, the only FTV specific launcher available. Of the ones you mentioned, I'm only familiar with Chameleon and from what I recall, it used it's own wallpaper system.

porkenhimer said:
Forgot to mention in my last post that Buzz Launcher also works. Wallpapers are displayed by default. Also, the latest update works and it is updated frequently. You might have a problem getting past the first screen, cause you have to activate the launcher with a two finger swipe, but you do not really need to swipe, just take your mouse cursor to the top of the screen and click once and its the same as a two finger swipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I played a little around with the Buzz Launcher and it looks like a very decent launcher with a lot options and themes. I like it so far, however I can't make any of the widgets to work. Any advice on how to make them work? I tried "HD Widgets" and Play Store Widgets. Also, any suggestion on how to get rid of the annoying "Two-finger Swipe Down" Notification? It keeps coming back after closing an app or when the launcher starts.

Launcher

Guys ,
I am looking for a simple clean launcher, I must have tried most of the known apps and nothing is working properly for me..I am looking for something similar to the stock one only without the carousel !!
I come from an iPhone background and I just want a clean launcher where I can put my apps in folder without all the rest of the crap !
1. Clean Android look
2. I can set my own damn wallpaper
3. Adv free
4. Weather and time widget
Regards
Mohammad

Nova Launcher with Dashclock widget. You have to make Nova a system app to get widgets to work...which means you have to be rooted. I understand there are a few launchers that can display widgets without being a system app, but IIRC none of them were "close to stock".

Give Cheetah launcher a try. its excessively theme able or u can set it up to look stock. Iv had a blast using mine, switching themes and stuff pretty regularly.

I have tried at least around 20 launchers. Unfortunately I was not able to get widgets to work on the majority of them out of the box. Based on other posts, I gather there might be a way to, however.
So far, Go Launcher Z seems to be the best for my needs. There is some extra stuff in the free version (especially towards the bottom of the App drawer), but It has been working very smoothly without issue for several months. I also found that Vire, Lucid, and Cheetah work fairly well.

jbatacan said:
Give Cheetah launcher a try. its excessively theme able or u can set it up to look stock. Iv had a blast using mine, switching themes and stuff pretty regularly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at it's Play store page it seems Cheetah Launcher install Clean Master and some "1 Touch Boost" bloatware?

Next Launcher + Next Notification - The Best !

This is top 1 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.pierrox.lightning_launcher_extreme
Feel free to edit icons, wallpapers everything you want.
BTW i really like this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ginlemon.flowerpro
But there is no homescreen.

DePingus said:
Looking at it's Play store page it seems Cheetah Launcher install Clean Master and some "1 Touch Boost" bloatware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine does not have those installed. I even checked the running apps and downloaded apps. It has those functions through the launcher but nothing is added as seperate pieces of bloat. I would give all these options a try as there are different strokes for different folks, but i enjoy cheetah for its speed and easy themes.

Nova Launcher HELP
I have seen this over and over about using Nova launcher with the Fire Phone. "You have to make Nova a system app to get widgets to work" Can someone please describe how this is done so I can use widgets.
Thanks.

rahjer said:
I have seen this over and over about using Nova launcher with the Fire Phone. "You have to make Nova a system app to get widgets to work" Can someone please describe how this is done so I can use widgets.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From a post made by @hmoobguy, @DePingus confirmed that if your phone is rooted and you move the launcher's apk from /data/app to /system/priv-app and reboot, widgets will work. Use ES File Explorer to move com.teslacoilsw.launcher (Nova Launcher's "Package Name").

Thank you
jack9955 said:
From a post made by @hmoobguy, @DePingus confirmed that if your phone is rooted and you move the launcher's apk from /data/app to /system/priv-app and reboot, widgets will work. Use ES File Explorer to move com.teslacoilsw.launcher (Nova Launcher's "Package Name").
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apearently the above post is the one that I did not find and take note of. Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!
Widgets are now working. :good:

I nstalled Nova yesterday and arranged my apps and so on it, I kind of like it but I miss the Fire stock launcher (it kind of grew on me) so now I am using both Nova and stock launcher without any root and using home switcher, I could care less about widgets to tell you the truth so thats no reason for me to root it.
I am waiting for for Fire OS 5 before, if I like it then good and if not then I will root and customize it.

Google Now launcher works great and allows your own wallpaper and widgets with no ads.

Google Now Launcher problem
firephoner said:
Google Now launcher works great and allows your own wallpaper and widgets with no ads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After installing Google Now Launcher from the Play Store I get an Update Google App message stating that it requires a new version. This then defaults to the Amazon Appstore that says it's not available. Is there a workaround for this? Thanks
I'm running FireOS 4.6.3 and the Play Store works fine for other needs.

robert370 said:
After installing Google Now Launcher from the Play Store I get an Update Google App message stating that it requires a new version. This then defaults to the Amazon Appstore that says it's not available. Is there a workaround for this? Thanks
I'm running FireOS 4.6.3 and the Play Store works fine for other needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried updating it directly from the Play Store? Open the Play store, click on the hamburger (upper left), then My Apps, then Update. I've noticed the Amazon App Store tries to update apps that were loaded from the Play Store and it often doesn't work.

Thank you very much for all this great info. I must have tried 20+ different launchers including Vire, Buzz, Google now etc. each had some issues on my Fire phone so I ended up settling for Turbo Launcher EX. Really beautiful and fast:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cooeeui.brand.turbolauncher&hl=en
Also a new launcher that I recently discovered TSF Launcher 3D looks amazing and runs great on my Amazon Fire:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tsf.shell&hl=en
PS: I am using also Home Switch to be able to easily go back to Amazon’s fire home (carousel) if I ever need to:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.uk.captainstu72.homeswitch&hl=en

Use the Google Now launcher. The widgets work, you can choose the wallpaper, no ads and it has weather and time widgets.
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Free mobile app

Just noticed that nova launcher prime is on sale - it's just 10p in the UK. Also, vire launcher has just been updated to work again on fire as they broke it a couple of months ago with a previous update.

Google now looks stock(of course) and has full functionality as far as I can see, no root involved. Widgets and wallpaper change work.

Permanently setting 3rd party default launcher with gestures

Don't know if everyone has this issue, but I've installed Nova and every time I rebooted my first home action went to the pixel launcher instead of Nova. After each reboot I was having to launch Nova, go into settings and set it as the default launcher again to make it work right. Freezing the pixel launcher disables the recent apps.
Doing some digging I found something that solved this for me. It has something to do with the broadcast receivers the pixel launcher is requesting.
I used SD maid to disable all of the pixel launchers broadcast receivers and it works great.
Hope this helps someone save some time as it wasn't straightforward to search for.

Never had this issue and I've been using nova since day one. And gestures work perfectly

Doesn't Nova break QuickSwitch recents though?

I've not had issues using the native gestures together with Nova Launcher. QuickSwitch works too. What I did was set the default launcher as Nova Launcher from the Pixel Settings app, doing it from Nova Launcher settings doesn't seem to make it stick for some reason.

madscribblerz said:
Don't know if everyone has this issue, but I've installed Nova and every time I rebooted my first home action went to the pixel launcher instead of Nova. After each reboot I was having to launch Nova, go into settings and set it as the default launcher again to make it work right. Freezing the pixel launcher disables the recent apps.
Doing some digging I found something that solved this for me. It has something to do with the broadcast receivers the pixel launcher is requesting.
I used SD maid to disable all of the pixel launchers broadcast receivers and it works great.
Hope this helps someone save some time as it wasn't straightforward to search for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you do this in SD Maid?

airmaxx23 said:
How did you do this in SD Maid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to the receiver manager, clicked the three dots in the upper right, checked other and they showed up.
I also found that if I wait a bit after the home screen comes up before using it it doesn't have the weird launcher behavior. So it might have been a matter of waiting long enough for initialization too.

madscribblerz said:
I went to the receiver manager, clicked the three dots in the upper right, checked other and they showed up.
I also found that if I wait a bit after the home screen comes up before using it it doesn't have the weird launcher behavior. So it might have been a matter of waiting long enough for initialization too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not seeing Receiver Manager, is it only in the Pro version?

madscribblerz said:
I went to the receiver manager, clicked the three dots in the upper right, checked other and they showed up.
I also found that if I wait a bit after the home screen comes up before using it it doesn't have the weird launcher behavior. So it might have been a matter of waiting long enough for initialization too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your using Nova with root, you likely didn't wait long enough. Had the same issue as you here and there. If I waited a minute, was fine :good:

airmaxx23 said:
I'm not seeing Receiver Manager, is it only in the Pro version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe, I do have pro.

Badger50 said:
If your using Nova with root, you likely didn't wait long enough. Had the same issue as you here and there. If I waited a minute, was fine :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Badger, happy to see you here.
You mention root being a factor - does hiding root from Nova help?

madscribblerz said:
Thanks Badger, happy to see you here.
You mention root being a factor - does hiding root from Nova help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You too bruh! I don't hide root from Nova. I use it for the lockscreen swipe up gesture, and other accessibility features

What about lawn chair with quick switch and gestures?

@Badger50, I just got my Pixel 4 XL. Does using native gesture navigation work well with Nova now?

Ghisy said:
@Badger50, I just got my Pixel 4 XL. Does using native gesture navigation work well with Nova now?
---------- Post added at 11:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------
[/COLOR @Badger50, I just got my Pixel 4 XL. Does using native gesture navigation work well with Nova now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be perfectly honest, I have no idea my friend. I don't like gesture navigation whatsoever. I'm a 3 button fan. Sorry I couldn't help

@Badger50 Oh I see, that's unfortunate! I guess I'll just give it a try and see what happens. Thanks anyway.

Ghisy said:
@Badger50 Oh I see, that's unfortunate! I guess I'll just give it a try and see what happens. Thanks anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked fine for me but I've moved to FNG for the customization options.

wgrant said:
It worked fine for me but I've moved to FNG for the customization options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to use FNG on Oreo but I moved to Vivid NG on Pie. It works better for me.
I might keep on using it on my Pixel 4 XL but I want to give the stock gestures a chance. Only if I can use them with Nova though.

Ghisy said:
I used to use FNG on Oreo but I moved to Vivid NG on Pie. It works better for me.
I might keep on using it on my Pixel 4 XL but I want to give the stock gestures a chance. Only if I can use them with Nova though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does work perfectly with Nova now.

madscribblerz said:
It does work perfectly with Nova now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean stock Google gestures?

Ghisy said:
You mean stock Google gestures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep.

ATV Launcher thread

ATV Launcher is (as far as I know) the only one Launcher for android tV which has such lot of customization options.
Would like to see if there are other users of this launcher.
Would like to know which apps widgets works on this Launcher.

I am using it on my Android TV, excellent launcher, a few widgets working.

I got only weather widget working (beside the included ones).
Would like to have:
-calendar widget
-network speed widget

New user..., "ALL new users prevented from posting outside links in their messages..."
Copy&Paste this link...
**=tt
h**ps://postimg.cc/cKqCKxHy
Weather & Spotify widget
TV TCL 50P8M 50" 4K - Android TV 9

I'm using it on my Nokia TV without any widgets for now, I'd say ATV and HAL launchers are best for now available on play store. I heard Wolf Launcher also good one, I'm thinkig to try it once.
But I have one problem in my TV, there's no settings to make ATV or any other launcher as default launcher. Clicking on home button also not asking to make it default. ATV launcher is working as any other app instead of a launcher.

ReX-Hell2heAven said:
I'm using it on my Nokia TV without any widgets for now, I'd say ATV and HAL launchers are best for now available on play store. I heard Wolf Launcher also good one, I'm thinkig to try it once.
But I have one problem in my TV, there's no settings to make ATV or any other launcher as default launcher. Clicking on home button also not asking to make it default. ATV launcher is working as any other app instead of a launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow this link and you going to solve your problem as I did...
https://www.techdoctoruk.com/tutorials/use-wolf-launcher-on-tivo-stream-4k-1-click/

gia2efarmoges said:
Follow this link and you going to solve your problem as I did...
https://www.techdoctoruk.com/tutorials/use-wolf-launcher-on-tivo-stream-4k-1-click/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont know why, I cannot install any of the launchers from this link.
Tcl 50A10 android tv 9 firmware v389

doganmanis said:
Dont know why, I cannot install any of the launchers from this link.
Tcl 50A10 android tv 9 firmware v389
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just follow the Tutorial step by step nothing else

DallasCZ said:
ATV Launcher is (as far as I know) the only one Launcher for android tV which has such lot of customization options.
Would like to see if there are other users of this launcher.
Would like to know which apps widgets works on this Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the "ATV launcher". I make themes for it.

DallasCZ said:
I got only weather widget working (beside the included ones).
Would like to have:
-calendar widget
-network speed widget
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Is the name of this weather widget?

WEATHER LIVE

ATV Launcher is mix-apps so basic and easy used for me.

mai55 said:
I use the "ATV launcher". I make themes for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know this old , but do u have any themes for it ?
Thanks !

mai55 said:
I use the "ATV launcher". I make themes for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is so impressive! Respect. Is it possible to make a script that will take a standard ATV launcher install and grant the binding for using widgets and include a collection of useable widgets?

DallasCZ said:
I got only weather widget working (beside the included ones).
Would like to have:
-calendar widget
-network speed widget
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got "Calendar Widget Month + Agenda" from the play store working great. I set them as 2 separate transparent widgets.

brisel said:
What Is the name of this weather widget?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got "transparent clock & weather" working. It has about a dozens different widgets.

ReX-Hell2heAven said:
I'm using it on my Nokia TV without any widgets for now, I'd say ATV and HAL launchers are best for now available on play store. I heard Wolf Launcher also good one, I'm thinkig to try it once.
But I have one problem in my TV, there's no settings to make ATV or any other launcher as default launcher. Clicking on home button also not asking to make it default. ATV launcher is working as any other app instead of a launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used launcher manager, a app routinely used with Wolf launcher to get the system prompt when you push home button for which launcher do you want to use. However when I picked ATV and set always, all the application icons on ATV turned to ghosted rectangles with no labels. Used launcher manager to get back to system launcher but home button was screwy to the point I uninstalled both ATV and launcher manager. Back to square zero.

doganmanis said:
Dont know why, I cannot install any of the launchers from this link.
Tcl 50A10 android tv 9 firmware v389
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I discovered the nivea version of launcher manager is for version 9.

RG GEIGER said:
I used launcher manager, a app routinely used with Wolf launcher to get the system prompt when you push home button for which launcher do you want to use. However when I picked ATV and set always, all the application icons on ATV turned to ghosted rectangles with no labels. Used launcher manager to get back to system launcher but home button was screwy to the point I uninstalled both ATV and launcher manager. Back to square zero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's happened to me but rebooting the device resolved it, only seems to happen when first setting it with launcher manager.

Does anyone have ATV pro? I purchased it for the additional features which seem good, but I have issues that the free version doesn't have. I set widgets off on both versions and with the free version if I press up when on the top row of apps, no app is selected, which I like. But with the pro version, it stays stuck on the top row. Also there is an issue with selecting files despite giving permissions. So if I want to customise an app icon with my own image, the file picker shows up blank with nowhere to navigate to. The same issue happens when trying to set a wallpaper. These issues don't happen with the free version. I tried contacting the developer via Google Play listing, but looks like my email is bouncing back. It's the same on both my devices - Chromecast with Google TV and MeCool KM9 Pro.