Develop Bugs

Chance of root for 51.1.4.1?

Hi,
I thought about rooting my firetv and while checking the firmware version I noted that this thing apparently updates itself without asking... (I didn't use it for a while and thought it might still be on a rootable firmware).
I now took some precautions and blocked the update servers to prevent any further updates. But yeah, I'm on a firmware version that currently is unrootable and was wondering: Is there any chance someone will root this firmware? Are there any people actively working on finding exploits on the firetv or are they happy with their already rooted devices?
Regards,
Hidden

Hidden92 said:
Hi,
I thought about rooting my firetv and while checking the firmware version I noted that this thing apparently updates itself without asking... (I didn't use it for a while and thought it might still be on a rootable firmware).
I now took some precautions and blocked the update servers to prevent any further updates. But yeah, I'm on a firmware version that currently is unrootable and was wondering: Is there any chance someone will root this firmware? Are there any people actively working on finding exploits on the firetv or are they happy with their already rooted devices?
Regards,
Hidden
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, depend on what use you have for the FireTV, root is not necessary unless you want to do more than just use XBMC/Kodi. About people finding root for FireTV, you just have to wait. Most devs are busy porting Lollipop to old phones. Once somebody has free time, a root will be found for the FireTV. This is not the Apple TV 3rd generation, which is in root limbo for almost 3 years already.

i'd be doubtful on someone ever finding a software root for the fireTV specifically, there really isnt anyone actively developing anything for the FTV except rbox, if it gets rooted via software again.. its going to be an exploit developed for a different phone that just happens to work on the Firetv i bet.

Towelroot was developped after a bounty was set-up... maybe we could try the same thing ? I would find it ok to reward someone (and maybe amazon would see we want root / USB access...)

ChriKn said:
Towelroot was developped after a bounty was set-up... maybe we could try the same thing ? I would find it ok to reward someone (and maybe amazon would see we want root / USB access...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there was a bounty already.. it was paid out to jcase for root in the early days.. he chose to keep it private.. its possible towelroot was based on that same exploit but i dont know myself. Root on the newest firmware wont do much but allow you to enable USB support. Any custom recovery or custom firmware will not be possible with the current stuff we have available from rbox so i doubt anyone is going to put in too much effort into finding a new exploit.

nhumber said:
there was a bounty already.. it was paid out to jcase for root in the early days.. he chose to keep it private.. its possible towelroot was based on that same exploit but i dont know myself. Root on the newest firmware wont do much but allow you to enable USB support. Any custom recovery or custom firmware will not be possible with the current stuff we have available from rbox so i doubt anyone is going to put in too much effort into finding a new exploit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The root jcase had was a vulnerability in Android. Towelroot was a vulnerability in the kernel.
*IF* there ever is a new software root method for the FireTV, I would probably start up my work with Safestrap again. I did manage to get it somewhat working before I abandoned it for the bootloader unlock method.

vi6s said:
To be honest, depend on what use you have for the FireTV, root is not necessary unless you want to do more than just use XBMC/Kodi. About people finding root for FireTV, you just have to wait. Most devs are busy porting Lollipop to old phones. Once somebody has free time, a root will be found for the FireTV. This is not the Apple TV 3rd generation, which is in root limbo for almost 3 years already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rbox said:
The root jcase had was a vulnerability in Android. Towelroot was a vulnerability in the kernel.
*IF* there ever is a new software root method for the FireTV, I would probably start up my work with Safestrap again. I did manage to get it somewhat working before I abandoned it for the bootloader unlock method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rbox. Thats interesting. I wanted to give my parents a rooted device as the one I gave them was rooted but not blocked with updates. Therefore I purchased another one from amazon for 69 and thankfully got lucky. If root come out, then I'll have an extra as a backup.
With Root, there are a few things I personally like.
1. Google Play. Can buy emulators
2. Google Music
3. Power Options on Xbmx.
Currently I believe there is a hardware rooting method that has been released.

Forgive my ignorance...but I just bought a Fire TV yesterday with the hopes of being able to play movies off of my external HD by rooting it, installing XBMC, and side loading Stick Mount. What sort of options do I have now that I'm stuck on 51.1.4.1?

GNEXUZ said:
Forgive my ignorance...but I just bought a Fire TV yesterday with the hopes of being able to play movies off of my external HD by rooting it, installing XBMC, and side loading Stick Mount. What sort of options do I have now that I'm stuck on 51.1.4.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait for root...
If you hook that drive up to another computer, you can probably share it from there. Without root, the FireTV USB is useless for storage.
I recently picked up a rootable FireTV from a local BestBuy, so they are still out there in the USA.

the fire tv i just got from amazon the other day was rootable it was on 51.1.01 so i would say if the one u have isnt rootable to return it and get another. make sure to block the updates so it wont update when u turn it on.

[Q] Should I update Firmware?

So, I've just started to set up my new AFTV - F'ware version 51.1.0.1 user 510055620
and I've blocked updates with my Router. I'm DEFINITELY not a Techee, and only just managed to install Kodi.
I'm running a VPN to access Netflix from Australia, but haven't yet managed to sideload Netflix ( i've previously had it running on Apple TV) I've sideloaded Kodi Helix 14.0 . I don't anticipate needing to root, and doubt if I could handle the learning curve anyway.
My questions:-
(1) Should I update Firmware and thus forego the ability to root, (which I don't anticipate ever needing to do) or, should I keep running with the old Firmware? If not, what advantages would the newer Firmware provide?
At this early stage, I anticipate only needing Kodi & Netflix.
(2) If I stay with old Firmware (51.1.0.1), what version of Netflix should I sideload?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

jonandi said:
So, I've just started to set up my new AFTV - F'ware version 51.1.0.1 user 510055620
and I've blocked updates with my Router. I'm DEFINITELY not a Techee, and only just managed to install Kodi.
I'm running a VPN to access Netflix from Australia, but haven't yet managed to sideload Netflix ( i've previously had it running on Apple TV) I've sideloaded Kodi Helix 14.0 . I don't anticipate needing to root, and doubt if I could handle the learning curve anyway.
My questions:-
(1) Should I update Firmware and thus forego the ability to root, (which I don't anticipate ever needing to do) or, should I keep running with the old Firmware? If not, what advantages would the newer Firmware provide?
At this early stage, I anticipate only needing Kodi & Netflix.
(2) If I stay with old Firmware (51.1.0.1), what version of Netflix should I sideload?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should definitely should root aftv. This gives you more freedom to do what you want with fire tv, example use usb as external hard drive, install Google play store, ect. If you update youre fire tv with amazon latest updates You will not be able to root.
Follow this guide root your firetv http://www.aftvnews.com/start/, read first before you start and follow steps carefully. The end process will guide you hoe to upgrade to prerooted firmware if you wish too.
FYI when you push update Firmware to aftv over Wi fi with adb it takes a long time, mine took over 40 min. The guide does not mention this so be patient. Double check each step and adb commands some folks have bricked there fire tv by not following steps in order.
Thanks

jonandi said:
I'm DEFINITELY not a Techee, and only just managed to install Kodi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you've managed to block the updates so far, you're more techie than you admit.
The Fire TV is the first of many Android devices I own and have owned that I have not rooted. With what's available today, I don't feel the need. I can install and run everything I want to. So there's the real question:
What, if anything, do you want to do with it that would require root?

wellersl said:
If you've managed to block the updates so far, you're more techie than you admit.
The Fire TV is the first of many Android devices I own and have owned that I have not rooted. With what's available today, I don't feel the need. I can install and run everything I want to. So there's the real question:
What, if anything, do you want to do with it that would require root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the prompt replies, guys. I guess the main advantage of rooting would be the ability to play files from an external drive plugged into the USB Port. But, then again, that capacity MAY (?) come with a future F'ware update ( I wish!). Currently I use this facility on my smart TV with an external drive. In the meantime, I'm still in limbo sitting on my update restricted AFTV, but leaning toward biting the bullet & updating firmware.

jonandi said:
Thanks for the prompt replies, guys. I guess the main advantage of rooting would be the ability to play files from an external drive plugged into the USB Port. But, then again, that capacity MAY (?) come with a future F'ware update ( I wish!). Currently I use this facility on my smart TV with an external drive. In the meantime, I'm still in limbo sitting on my update restricted AFTV, but leaning toward biting the bullet & updating firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on that, I'd say leave it rooted. There is aftermarket demand for pre-rooted Fires. The point is, you could *easily* replace that one with a new un-rooted one and possibly come out ahead. And you reminded me -
Never *never* buy something based on what you *think* will happen with it in the future. I'm still sitting on a good blu-ray player that was *supposed* to become a "smart" good, blu-ray player with a firmware update that never happened. :cyclops:

wellersl said:
Based on that, I'd say leave it rooted. There is aftermarket demand for pre-rooted Fires. The point is, you could *easily* replace that one with a new un-rooted one and possibly come out ahead. And you reminded me -
Never *never* buy something based on what you *think* will happen with it in the future. I'm still sitting on a good blu-ray player that was *supposed* to become a "smart" good, blu-ray player with a firmware update that never happened. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root the device! Plus they may never give user the option to use USB but instead come out with Amazon Fire TV 2 with 16gb, 32gb or future updates might block you from side loading apps, who know what future updates will bring.
thank you

Buying aftv

Gonna buy one due to the fact my fire stick is defective.. What steps should I take before opening it up and I would like to root it.. But is it worth it or did the latest updates make the device little better.. And will I be able to root?

By now, it might be best to run a serial number check before buying if root access is required. http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-serial-number-decoder/

Axecaster said:
By now, it might be best to run a serial number check before buying if root access is required. http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-serial-number-decoder/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just ran serial says not root able

ROADKING17 said:
Just ran serial says not root able
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd assume even a non-rooted box would still be much more responsive than the stick. I own a few sticks and a few rooted boxes. I enjoy using the box more than the stick, fwiw. The stick is more portable, though.

Axecaster said:
I'd assume even a non-rooted box would still be much more responsive than the stick. I own a few sticks and a few rooted boxes. I enjoy using the box more than the stick, fwiw. The stick is more portable, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the major factors between rooted and non rooted. With the new updates did it make it more of a better device?

ROADKING17 said:
What are the major factors between rooted and non rooted. With the new updates did it make it more of a better device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooted allows manual custom updates instead of automatic Amazon updates. Custom recovery. Google Play Store can be added. Typical root stuff like ad blockers, VPNs, root-based utility apps. The rootable units had unlockable bootloaders, which readied them for any future custom ROM builds.
Some of the root features that stock updates added included external storage recognition, and a restart feature. Others might better know the differences, as I'm still back on a rooted ROM from the end of October.

Axecaster said:
Rooted allows manual custom updates instead of automatic Amazon updates. Custom recovery. Google Play Store can be added. Typical root stuff like ad blockers, VPNs, root-based utility apps. The rootable units had unlockable bootloaders, which readied them for any future custom ROM builds.
Some of the root features that stock updates added included external storage recognition, and a restart feature. Others might better know the differences, as I'm still back on a rooted ROM from the end of October.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok cool so should I block any future updates or just leave as is as mine is brand new stock

An urootable android device stays stock.

Rooted Gen 1 FireTV - I don't really use Root, am I missing anything updating to 5.0?

So I rooted my 1st Gen FireTV as soon as I got it, and I think I'm on the very first Firmware. I had blocked OTA updates and as far as I know have never updated. that being said, I don't think I've ever done much that actually used the Root functionality. The only thing I really do is use Kodi 15.1 annnnndddd thats it.
I do own an Amazon Echo, and saw that Alexa is now part of the new FTV update. Not sure if I can link them together and just boss my FTV around via the Echo or not, but I like the idea of more / updated functionality from my FireTV
Soooo thoughts? Am I missing anything great by updating and giving up Root? I have seen that I could update with pre-rooted firmware but then I would have to install CRM / Recovery, then do incrimental upgrades after installing a Bootmenu, etc. That seems like a lot of stuff I need in place and a lot of points of failure or bricking for something I'm not sure I even need =/
If so, what would you suggest is the easiest way to re-enable OTA updates? I was going to ADB and use pm enable com.amazon.dcp Thanks for any advice, by the way, I'm pretty new at this.

Well OK then =/

Well, like many things, the answer is up to you.
If you have no need for root then you have no need to for root.
I like, many others, prefer the option of having root, recovery and unlocked bootloaders.
If you don't use anything Amazon and only use it for Kodi then root will give you the ability to freeze the FireTV Launcher have Kodi set as Home.
Installing recovery and a updated pre-rooted ROM isn't too difficult and you've done the 'hard' part by having root already.
Update wise, unless you want to be running the latest versions then yes you'll have to on top of it otherwise you can just update to the current version and be done with it.
You can check back every now and then to see what the additional updates from Amazon fix or what features it adds and decide then if you want to update.

Advice on firetv v1 about updating firmware...

Hi all,
I've decided to get out another firetv box that i initially purchased over a year ago and wanted to set it up with a bogus amazon account.
So far so good, ... sorted out the account, followed the instructions from aftvnews to pull the lan when required to bypass the initial setup.
email & password and all done.
Now I have just a couple of things i need help with please chaps.....
I know that 51.1.4.0 is not compatible with kodi (in any form).... although I believe that spmc may work on it.
Would it be possible to update a firetv with an original firmware from http://www.aftvnews.com/software/ to the first version that allowed kodi to run.
The reason I ask is that, that first fix by amazon still showed no advertising.
It would be much better if i could root it but as far as I know root is not available for my unit, I tested the serial number over at http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-serial-number-decoder/
and this is what it said:
Rootable: No
Likely Software Version: 51.1.4.0
Manufactured: By Foxconn on 10/7/2014
Hardware Revision: 03
Unit Revision: 09
Condition (New or Refurbished): New
So seeing as I cannot root is there a way to install somehow just the firmware update that i need without removing my opendns blocks.
What would be my best choice please chaps...

Kodi worked fine on my fire tv1 without root and works fine after update and the after root.
Why dont you let it update ( it wiill update if connected and not blocked) and root it ?

wouldn't it make sense to update it to 5.0.5 and root it with kingroot?
Then it would work with Kodi.
I don't think there would be a way to update it other than to have it communicate with amazon and pull the update from them as you don't currently have root access.

slackbladder said:
Hi all,
I've decided to get out another firetv box that i initially purchased over a year ago and wanted to set it up with a bogus amazon account.
So far so good, ... sorted out the account, followed the instructions from aftvnews to pull the lan when required to bypass the initial setup.
email & password and all done.
Now I have just a couple of things i need help with please chaps.....
I know that 51.1.4.0 is not compatible with kodi (in any form).... although I believe that spmc may work on it.
Would it be possible to update a firetv with an original firmware from http://www.aftvnews.com/software/ to the first version that allowed kodi to run.
The reason I ask is that, that first fix by amazon still showed no advertising.
It would be much better if i could root it but as far as I know root is not available for my unit, I tested the serial number over at http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-serial-number-decoder/
and this is what it said:
Rootable: No
Likely Software Version: 51.1.4.0
Manufactured: By Foxconn on 10/7/2014
Hardware Revision: 03
Unit Revision: 09
Condition (New or Refurbished): New
So seeing as I cannot root is there a way to install somehow just the firmware update that i need without removing my opendns blocks.
What would be my best choice please chaps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you think KODI does not work under 51.1.4?
Kodi works with all s/w versions rooted or un-rooted. BTW if you update to OS5 you will not be able to use DNS within the box. Will need to use set-up DNS through your router as one option.

Thanks for the replies chaps.... but i'm sure that kodi/variants will not work on 51.1.4.0_user_514005520,...
You can sideload it but it will never work.
That is the same firmware I had on my first box I got over a year ago,...
http://www.aftvnews.com/xbmc-kodi-incompatible-with-fire-tv-software-version-51-1-40_user_514005520/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/xmbc-fc-uk-aftv-t2917248
---------------
Routers out of the question to block updates... that's why I'm using opendns to block updates.
So it's obvious that trying to somehow install an update of my choice is out of the question.... it's either 5.0.5 or nothing. that's fair enough.
But I'm curious about kingroot.... especially as when and if I update then I have the problem of “Self destruct” eFuse added to kernel which gets triggered if an older bootloader is used".
I haven't found anyone yet who couldn't get root due to there particular model of firetv and have used kingroot. Surely kingroot will brick a firetv due to the efuse problem.
(I thought that's where the hardwired method of root came in).
I read that one cannot replace kingroot with supersu as that would also be a major faux par.
Also read that Rbox is working on a "custom recovery" but that still leaves me wondering,.... If the Efuse is triggered then that means one cannot unlock the bootloader... leaving one with a bricked firetv wouldn't it.?
Or does kingroot work in a totally different way to towelroot.
Thanks again for the replies chaps.... the more info I get the clearer it becomes.
One last thing.. I've also notices a lot of talk about firestarter no longer working under 5.0.5... and that adbfire will no longer communicate with a firetv to sideload,... and that ES file explorer is the only way to go.
But then again, maybe that's just chitchat from amazon.... cos you can bet your life they read every single post put on the net.

slackbladder said:
Thanks for the replies chaps.... but i'm sure that kodi/variants will not work on 51.1.4.0_user_514005520,...
You can sideload it but it will never work.
That is the same firmware I had on my first box I got over a year ago,...
http://www.aftvnews.com/xbmc-kodi-incompatible-with-fire-tv-software-version-51-1-40_user_514005520/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/xmbc-fc-uk-aftv-t2917248
---------------
Routers out of the question to block updates... that's why I'm using opendns to block updates.
So it's obvious that trying to somehow install an update of my choice is out of the question.... it's either 5.0.5 or nothing. that's fair enough.
But I'm curious about kingroot.... especially as when and if I update then I have the problem of “Self destruct” eFuse added to kernel which gets triggered if an older bootloader is used".
I haven't found anyone yet who couldn't get root due to there particular model of firetv and have used kingroot. Surely kingroot will brick a firetv due to the efuse problem.
(I thought that's where the hardwired method of root came in).
I read that one cannot replace kingroot with supersu as that would also be a major faux par.
Also read that Rbox is working on a "custom recovery" but that still leaves me wondering,.... If the Efuse is triggered then that means one cannot unlock the bootloader... leaving one with a bricked firetv wouldn't it.?
Or does kingroot work in a totally different way to towelroot.
Thanks again for the replies chaps.... the more info I get the clearer it becomes.
One last thing.. I've also notices a lot of talk about firestarter no longer working under 5.0.5... and that adbfire will no longer communicate with a firetv to sideload,... and that ES file explorer is the only way to go.
But then again, maybe that's just chitchat from amazon.... cos you can bet your life they read every single post put on the net.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well somehow I missed that. Sorry to say but you have a lot of misunderstood info here:
- firestarter works with 5.0.5 however some other apps do not i.e. Lama
- ADB works as well
- the process of rooting with kingroot does not brick your unit, removing it by instlling supersu-me does
- Updating to 5.0.5 and rooting using kingroot method will not trigger eFuse.

Thanks for the reply bula1ca,
Only just finished reading about the update to firestarter.... But what about the EFuse? I cannot seem to find anything about the Efuse which stopped a lot of users rooting in the first place.
Does anyone know if kingroot has somehow managed to solve the Efuse problem.
Has anyone here used kingroot on what was a previously unrootable firetv box because of the Efuse problem?
thanks chaps
slackbladder..

slackbladder said:
Thanks for the reply bula1ca,
Only just finished reading about the update to firestarter.... But what about the EFuse? I cannot seem to find anything about the Efuse which stopped a lot of users rooting in the first place.
Does anyone know if kingroot has somehow managed to solve the Efuse problem.
Has anyone here used kingroot on what was a previously unrootable firetv box because of the Efuse problem?
thanks chaps
slackbladder..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many including myself.....and no worry recovery will be available as well, from what I know rbox will release it soon. Whatever you decide to do just do not try to remove kingroot with supersu-me.
BTW eFuse did not stop rooting, Amazon updates blocked rooting method available at the time.

So I don't need to worry about this info here: http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tvs-efuse-explained-rooted-devices-not-at-risk-of-bricking/
Because it seems that its only about boxes that were able to be rooted...
And I was sure that my uk unit was not rootable...
Hence my posting of aftvnews serial decoder information:
Rootable: No
Likely Software Version: 51.1.4.0
Manufactured: By Foxconn on 10/7/2014
Hardware Revision: 03
Unit Revision: 09
Condition (New or Refurbished): New
I'm finding this very confusing....
Strangely enough, I had an upgrade from my service provider.. I stupidly forgot to turn off my working firetv box and it got updated to 51.1.6.3,.... I thought that was OS5,...
If you look on http://www.aftvnews.com/software/ and then look at the second part down it says this:
Fire OS 5.0 Developer Preview – First Version (Which I believe to be Lollypop 5.1)
but when I used firestarter and looked at my settings it says the unit is running 51.1.6.3 and that I'm still on 4.2.2 (Which I do believe is Jellybean).
I really thought that my working unit was on OS5 when it got updated but obviously I was wrong, or the website at aftvnews is wrong.... unlikely.
So if I do update the new box, and it does take the 5.0.5 update... I sideload kingroot (I don't really want to use the PC version of kingroot) and then run it..
Hope that last bit makes sense...

slackbladder said:
So I don't need to worry about this info here: http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tvs-efuse-explained-rooted-devices-not-at-risk-of-bricking/
Because it seems that its only about boxes that were able to be rooted...
And I was sure that my uk unit was not rootable...
Hence my posting of aftvnews serial decoder information:
Rootable: No
Likely Software Version: 51.1.4.0
Manufactured: By Foxconn on 10/7/2014
Hardware Revision: 03
Unit Revision: 09
Condition (New or Refurbished): New
I'm finding this very confusing....
Strangely enough, I had an upgrade from my service provider.. I stupidly forgot to turn off my working firetv box and it got updated to 51.1.6.3,.... I thought that was OS5,...
If you look on http://www.aftvnews.com/software/ and then look at the second part down it says this:
Fire OS 5.0 Developer Preview – First Version (Which I believe to be Lollypop 5.1)
but when I used firestarter and looked at my settings it says the unit is running 51.1.6.3 and that I'm still on 4.2.2 (Which I do believe is Jellybean).
I really thought that my working unit was on OS5 when it got updated but obviously I was wrong, or the website at aftvnews is wrong.... unlikely.
So if I do update the new box, and it does take the 5.0.5 update... I sideload kingroot (I don't really want to use the PC version of kingroot) and then run it..
Hope that last bit makes sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are very confused.
Your box is still on OS3 @ latest s/w revision released (http://www.aftvnews.com/software/). and in this stage it is not rootable yet. You have two options: either let it upgrade to OS5 by itself and root it with kingroot or block updates and wait for rbox to release recovery and a way to upgrade to OS5 manually.

Well I removed the opendns block, waited a couple of minutes and checked for updates... nothing happened at first, tried again, still nothing,.. third time lucky, box reads that there is an update available.
First update went to 51.1.6.3 user 516012020,.... it took about 15 minutes to update, then rebooted, took a further 5 minutes.
I then checked again and this time an update to OS 5.0.5 (537174420)... after another reboot it took about another 10 minutes going through "optimizing system storage and applications"... I would think if I had kodi or anything else sideloaded that's where it might have caused a problem, (I'm guessing).
Then had an update come through for the remote.
So now I'm wondering what to do, because it feels like "toss a coin in the air, and hope I'm lucky with kingroot". Can anyone tell me what would be the worst case scenario that could happen when using kingroot.
Thanks for reading chaps..
slackbladder.
---
Sorry bula1ca, I never knew you replied.
I'm just thinking about sideloading kodi now,.... I'm sure I read somewhere that with the new update sideloaded apps appear on the homescreen,... So would I still need firestarter or not.?

You don't "need" firestarter with 5.0.5 it shows side loaded apps on the home screen in the apps section.

Thanks for that Ludacrisvp...
I was about to use "Install APK" with adbfire,.... To Install isengard 15.2,.... But I remember reading somewhere that one could use the "ADB Shell" and a command to clean up (remove the apk) once it has been run. I may be getting this mixed up with installing to an ipad, as I'm trying to remember something from months ago...

Kodi Jarvis 16.0 is the latest stable version that should be what you are using.
You can push the APK to the device then install it using File Explorer, or similar but then you'll have apk files floating about to clean up later.
Best idea would be to use adb to install the APK in a single step, it will transfer the APK and install it and clean up the data too.
ADBFire is handy if you're new to using ADB.

Thanks for the advice Ludacrisvp....
hhmmm not to sure about Jarvis yet.. maybe in a month or two. At the moment my Isengard isn't broken so there's no need to fix it.
Anyway I used adbfire and installed the apk for isengard. and ran it to go threw the setup procedure.
I then replaced the box running 5.0.5 with my box running 51.1.6.3 and using adbfire again did a backup. This took about 45 minutes.
A total of 1.24gb.
I then replaced that with the 5.0.5 box and did a restore, this was a painfully long experience... another 45 minutes.
I then ran Isengard under 5.0.5 and all was well, my setup was exactly the same,... Initially I was expecting problems due to the OS upgrade but it was fine,.. only thing missing was my personal wallpaper, so I pushed it to "SDcard", came out of settings on kodi and wallpaper appeared.
Now I don't know if this is my imagination but I tested iplayer and youtube and the video replay quality seemed grainy.... even though i had iplayer on best quality. And I tried a few videos that I've watched previously on youtube so I knew they were HD quality.
I'd like to test this 5.0.5 on a new TV to see if this would make any difference.
also when I rebooted the 5.0.5 box I had a short message appear saying something about reconfiguring installed software.... I've never seen that before and a loud crackle noise as the box was booting.
I'm just wondering about updating my unit that I've been using all the time with the old firmware on it,.... If I did would it be best to reset the unit to factory settings,... I'm just thinking because of kodi and firestarter and llama being on there would they cause a problem to the upgrade.