Develop Bugs

Uninstalled XBMC but now XBMC launcher app keeps me from accessing KFTV Home

I was trying to fix xbmc by uninstalling, I have xbmc launcher auto loading xbmc but now that I uninstalled it is stuck on a black screen giving me a message that it can't find xbmc. I can't load anything else now. Help, what can I do?

Zorak27 said:
I was trying to fix xbmc by uninstalling, I have xbmc launcher auto loading xbmc but now that I uninstalled it is stuck on a black screen giving me a message that it can't find xbmc. I can't load anything else now. Help, what can I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is you need to do a factory restore. First post here tells you how:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2799779
And here is my recommendation. Do NOT use XBMC as a launcher for your AFTV. While that saves you 1 click, the bad points seem to out weigh that bit of laziness. Use FiredTV as the laucher, move xbmc so it's the first icon.
good luck.

Is it not possible that you install XBMC via adb and then restart?

The problem is the launcher prevents the FTV from rebooting so ADB isn't going to help. You need to boot into recovery and then do a factory restore. Guide here: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-unbr...nd-factory-reset-the-amazon-fire-tv/#more-898
I did this myself. Duh.
There is a newer version of XBMC Launcher available from Google Play (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-unbr...nd-factory-reset-the-amazon-fire-tv/#more-898) which fixes this issue.
See What's New for info.

jmerrilljr2 said:
The problem is the launcher prevents the FTV from rebooting so ADB isn't going to help. You need to boot into recovery and then do a factory restore. Guide here: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-unbr...nd-factory-reset-the-amazon-fire-tv/#more-898
I did this myself. Duh.
There is a newer version of XBMC Launcher available from Google Play (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-unbr...nd-factory-reset-the-amazon-fire-tv/#more-898) which fixes this issue.
See What's New for info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blonde question of the day: if I have SPMC installed (which replaced the AFTV launcher as default) will I be able to install this launcher for the dreaded day when I mess up SPMC and can't get into a launcher? Ie...will it still install and possibly prompt me to chose a default launcher (again)?
I assume this would be similar to deleting the default preference in Settings.

Ipse_Tase said:
Blonde question of the day: if I have SPMC installed (which replaced the AFTV launcher as default) will I be able to install this launcher for the dreaded day when I mess up SPMC and can't get into a launcher? Ie...will it still install and possibly prompt me to chose a default launcher (again)?
I assume this would be similar to deleting the default preference in Settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well SPMC comes in two flavors -- with or without the built in launcher.. If you want to use the XBMC launcher you need to have the non-launcher version of SPMC installed. Otherwise when you use your Home button the system gets confused.
When you launch the XBMC Launcher, you get a screen asking you to select which flavor of XMBC is your default. That way you can toggle back and forth with no issues, as long as SPMC is the non-launcher version.

jmerrilljr2 said:
Well SPMC comes in two flavors -- with or without the built in launcher.. If you want to use the XBMC launcher you need to have the non-launcher version of SPMC installed. Otherwise when you use your Home button the system gets confused.
When you launch the XBMC Launcher, you get a screen asking you to select which flavor of XMBC is your default. That way you can toggle back and forth with no issues, as long as SPMC is the non-launcher version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah...now it makes sense. I must have taken for granted that SPMC only comes with built in launcher - I checked the semperpax page and see the difference.
Probably should try and change my install at some point, because I resisted putting the custom recovery (I just don't want to mess up Netflix SHD+DD....) therefore I have no system backup, just SPMC backup.

Zorak27 said:
I was trying to fix xbmc by uninstalling, I have xbmc launcher auto loading xbmc but now that I uninstalled it is stuck on a black screen giving me a message that it can't find xbmc. I can't load anything else now. Help, what can I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm probably too late, but it it's getting to the point of saying it can't find XBMC, then ADB should be up. Simply uninstall XBMC Launcher via adb using "adb uninstall se.blunden.xbmclauncher".
nyder said:
And here is my recommendation. Do NOT use XBMC as a launcher for your AFTV. While that saves you 1 click, the bad points seem to out weigh that bit of laziness. Use FiredTV as the laucher, move xbmc so it's the first icon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What bad points? It looks like the OP's problem was caused by a bug in a third party app (which appears to have since been fixed), not by XBMC itself. If you run my XBMC build or SPMC, both of which have launcher capabilities built in, you won't have this issue.

elmerohueso said:
I'm probably too late, but it it's getting to the point of saying it can't find XBMC, then ADB should be up. Simply uninstall XBMC Launcher via adb using "adb uninstall se.blunden.xbmclauncher".
What bad points? It looks like the OP's problem was caused by a bug in a third party app (which appears to have since been fixed), not by XBMC itself. If you run my XBMC build or SPMC, both of which have launcher capabilities built in, you won't have this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bad points like:
XBMC takes up a bit of memory, so you can't always launch other apps (mostly games currently take up the big memory) from XBMC and if you are using it's launcher, then you are a bit sol there.
XBMC messing up and the launcher still takes you to it.
Uninstall XBMC without uninstalling the launcher messes you up (though I heard they fixed that, but people don't always upgrade to the latest version when it's not automatic).
You are missing out on other crap your AFTV can do if you just go into XBMC all the time.
Though I guess if you are a dev of an XBMC app, you might be more into selling the idea that the AFTV is a great XBMC machine and that is all you need it for.
But I understand, people just want it for a XBMC player, and they probably install the software and then leave it alone because it works. I don't blame them. Somethings when I get it to work, that is good enough. But that doesn't change my opinion that using a launcher to just load up the 1 program is silly and at the least, handicaps your system.
But tbh, I haven't used a xbmc launcher, so i don't know the specifics. What happens if you exit of out XBMC, does it just load it back up, or does it send you to the original amazon launcher? If the former, then crappy design, if it's the latter, then cool, that at least would clear up one or two of my bad points.
Okay, here's a bad point: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/blocked-getting-settings-tabs-t2907505
Sounds to be that maybe a xbmc launcher wasn't really thought out by those who programmed it. Still going to say there isn't any bad points?

nyder said:
Bad points like:
XBMC takes up a bit of memory, so you can't always launch other apps (mostly games currently take up the big memory) from XBMC and if you are using it's launcher, then you are a bit sol there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to run into this every now and then, but some tweaking and setting my FTV to automatically reboot nightly seems to have cleared up the issue.
nyder said:
XBMC messing up and the launcher still takes you to it.
Uninstall XBMC without uninstalling the launcher messes you up (though I heard they fixed that, but people don't always upgrade to the latest version when it's not automatic).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The XBMC Launcher app is quite different from having XBMC with launcher intent built in.
If you have the XBMC Launcher app, that app itself is actually acting as your home launcher, and it then calls XBMC to launch. The OP's problem (and the issue in the other thread) is that the XBMC Launcher app had a bug where it would still try to act as the launcher and would freak out if it couldn't find XBMC (to the credit to that app's developer, that bug has been fixed).
If you have a build of XBMC that has launcher intent built in, there's no additional app needed, and there's no chance of a similar problem.
nyder said:
You are missing out on other crap your AFTV can do if you just go into XBMC all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still access the FTV launcher through the Apps/Programs menu in XBMC. Every other app is also accessible in XBMC's Apps/Program menu. So no, you're not missing out on "other crap". It's still there and easily accessible.
nyder said:
But that doesn't change my opinion that using a launcher to just load up the 1 program is silly and at the least, handicaps your system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What handicapped these systems was (an old version of) the XBMC Launcher app itself, not XBMC. Not even a version of XBMC with built-in launcher intent.
nyder said:
But tbh, I haven't used a xbmc launcher, so i don't know the specifics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't knock it 'till you try it. If you use XBMC a lot, I'd recommend trying XBMC for Fire TV (mine) or SPMC (made by Koying of team XBMC). No matter which version you run, though, you might like some of the tweaks in my XBMC repo.

elmerohueso said:
I used to run into this every now and then, but some tweaking and setting my FTV to automatically reboot nightly seems to have cleared up the issue.
The XBMC Launcher app is quite different from having XBMC with launcher intent built in.
If you have the XBMC Launcher app, that app itself is actually acting as your home launcher, and it then calls XBMC to launch. The OP's problem (and the issue in the other thread) is that the XBMC Launcher app had a bug where it would still try to act as the launcher and would freak out if it couldn't find XBMC (to the credit to that app's developer, that bug has been fixed).
If you have a build of XBMC that has launcher intent built in, there's no additional app needed, and there's no chance of a similar problem.
You can still access the FTV launcher through the Apps/Programs menu in XBMC. Every other app is also accessible in XBMC's Apps/Program menu. So no, you're not missing out on "other crap". It's still there and easily accessible.
What handicapped these systems was (an old version of) the XBMC Launcher app itself, not XBMC. Not even a version of XBMC with built-in launcher intent.
Don't knock it 'till you try it. If you use XBMC a lot, I'd recommend trying XBMC for Fire TV (mine) or SPMC (made by Koying of team XBMC). No matter which version you run, though, you might like some of the tweaks in my XBMC repo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the offer to try it, but no. I'm happy with my FireDTV launcher. I'm happy NOT running XBMC at the start, and I'm happy knowing that even if I uninstall XBMC (which i've done recently, to put in the kodi version), my system will still work right.
Anyways, I said my piece, I'm done with it. Hopefully we won't get many more post about the old launcher messing up peeps systems.

Thanks for all the useful info everyone, I ended up doing a factory reset, reroot, then installed a fresh xbmc. I was unable to connect to adb until the factory reset. Sticking with fired tv for now.

Best version of kodi for fire TV stick?

Hi guys
I have ordered a fire TV stick which should be here today for the upstairs TV and wondered what version of kodi runs best and what everyone else running? I use an Intel nuc as my main kodi device with version 15 beta 1 and that works really well. I did previously have an Amazon fire TV a few months ago and ran spmc. Is spmc still the one to go for?
Cheers

rob77 said:
Hi guys
I have ordered a fire TV stick which should be here today for the upstairs TV and wondered what version of kodi runs best and what everyone else running? I use an Intel nuc as my main kodi device with version 15 beta 1 and that works really well. I did previously have an Amazon fire TV a few months ago and ran smpc. Is smpc still the one to go for?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some swear by spmc (latest) and some will say there's really no reason anymore to use spmc on android devices. You'll get different answers. I don't use my ftvs that much but tried both and honestly they both worked fine for me.
You know you can install both, right? So maybe setup helix and spmc (haven't tried isengard but I'd wait on that) then judge for yourself.
Btw--mine is running helix 14.2 and I'm not experiencing issues but your results could be different.

Thanks KLit75
I installed spmc in the end. It works well just cannot get it to show up in recent apps using the guide on here. Weirdly it showed up okay on my fire TV just won't on the stick.

Mine shows up on both my sticks, did you sync your account?
Sent from my LG-D852 using XDA Free mobile app

Yeah I tried syncing and unsyncing lots of times but it just would not show up. I also tried deleting spmc from my amazon account and then buying it again. Could it be that I have spmc 14.2 installed and the version on the Amazon app store is a different version?

rob77 said:
Yeah I tried syncing and unsyncing lots of times but it just would not show up. I also tried deleting spmc from my amazon account and then buying it again. Could it be that I have spmc 14.2 installed and the version on the Amazon app store is a different version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are they different? If so that might be the reason. I use llama through adbfire. It accomplishes the same thing and its easy.

The one on the app store is version 13.4.0. Or so it says on the Amazon page.
Yes I am using llama as well now. I have it set to load instead of ikonoTV and have replaced the icon with spmc. Works really well

Dont use Kodi, use SPMC. Its the same exact app however i hae never experienced an ounce of buffering or any other bugs using it. Its in the play store and ull have to sideload it obviously but if u want a bug free xbmc experience thats the way to go

I'll have to try SPMC. I've been having loads of trouble with Helix 14.2

truckmann said:
I'll have to try SPMC. I've been having loads of trouble with Helix 14.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u do try SPMC when u open it for the first time ull get a message saying that u r missing the .obb file and it will close. I have uploaded the .obb file to my cloud storage and u can download it here.....
https://mega.co.nz/#F!NMY3XAQA!osUKjZn0jZ9OBE8ecrTIAw
once its downloaded ull need to paste it in /sdcard0/android/obb/com.sempax.spmc Once u do that SPMC will open and ull be good to go

NinjaPerv said:
If u do try SPMC when u open it for the first time ull get a message saying that u r missing the .obb file and it will close. I have uploaded the .obb file to my cloud storage and u can download it here.....
https://mega.co.nz/#F!NMY3XAQA!osUKjZn0jZ9OBE8ecrTIAw
once its downloaded ull need to paste it in /sdcard0/android/obb/com.sempax.spmc Once u do that SPMC will open and ull be good to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I saw that and copied your files just in case, but I didn't end up needing them. I loaded the latest SPMC on and it opened just fine. I even got it to sync with Amazon and show up on my recent apps section without any issues. Unfortunately I also found that my Fire TV Stick is a piece of crap and won't stay connected to my network so I couldn't really test out how it plays.
I suspect most of the issues I've been having with Kodi stem from the Stick's inability to stay connected to my router. Last night it was so bad it wasn't even usable. It couldn't even get into the settings without it fighting me since they are locked with a pin that needs to verified via Amazon and it couldn't stay connected to get the verification. I contacted Amazon support and they are sending me a replacement due to arrive tomorrow. Hopefully it will work properly.

truckmann said:
I'll have to try SPMC. I've been having loads of trouble with Helix 14.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For 5 days I've been running isengard. Made the switch because it's compatible with fire TV skin
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=207475
For an alpha skin, it sure hasn't been acting like it. I've had no serious problems. Occasionally it will crash on launch. I fix this by clearing cache just once. (For some reason I find if I try to hit clear cache more than one time it won't launch. But that's really common.
You also might want to rethink your setup. I install addon installer and only get the addons I use.
I'm running isengard on all my aftvs and I see no difference between that and helix/spmc which is a good thing because I wasn't experiencing many problems with either.

i havnt had any connection issues at all with my fire stick. r u sure its not ur router or router configuration?

NinjaPerv said:
i havnt had any connection issues at all with my fire stick. r u sure its not ur router or router configuration?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure, but the old Fire TV stick continually got worse until it was unusable and it was the only device having issues. I have a replacement now and so far it's been working better.
---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 PM ----------
KLit75 said:
For 5 days I've been running isengard. Made the switch because it's compatible with fire TV skin
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=207475
For an alpha skin, it sure hasn't been acting like it. I've had no serious problems. Occasionally it will crash on launch. I fix this by clearing cache just once. (For some reason I find if I try to hit clear cache more than one time it won't launch. But that's really common.
You also might want to rethink your setup. I install addon installer and only get the addons I use.
I'm running isengard on all my aftvs and I see no difference between that and helix/spmc which is a good thing because I wasn't experiencing many problems with either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. I think I'll go ahead and try Isengard.

Can rooted Fire TV 2 launch directly to Kodi?

I recently rooted my Fire TV 2 and wanted to have it launch straight to Kodi like my original Fire TV does (using either Elmerhueso version or SPMC). Just found out that Xposed isn't yet available for Fire TV 2 since there is no custom recovery yet.
Does that mean this feature isn't yet available? I know about Firestarter but would prefer to go straight to Kodi rather than having a bunch of apps on the screen first. Thanks.

It maybe an option once Rbox gives us the recovery/custom rom which shouldnt be too far away now? But at the moment NO we cant.... But there is an option in Firestarter that once launched it will boot to any app you choose, so say you choose Kodi then once your Fire Tv device boots up after a little while (about roughly 5-10seconds) it will start to boot Kodi. For now this should surfice for what you what until the new stuff starts getting created after custom rom & recovery is released.
Hope this helps mate

deanr1977 said:
It maybe an option once Rbox gives us the recovery/custom rom which shouldnt be too far away now? But at the moment NO we cant.... But there is an option in Firestarter that once launched it will boot to any app you choose, so say you choose Kodi then once your Fire Tv device boots up after a little while (about roughly 5-10seconds) it will start to boot Kodi. For now this should surfice for what you what until the new stuff starts getting created after custom rom & recovery is released.
Hope this helps mate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the idea. Is it worthwhile then for me to do anything else with my newfound root? The main thing I like the Fire TV for is to use Kodi so I'm guessing until we get Rbox's method there isn't anything else worthwile for me to do. I did disable updates.

ks-man said:
Thanks for the idea. Is it worthwhile then for me to do anything else with my newfound root? The main thing I like the Fire TV for is to use Kodi so I'm guessing until we get Rbox's method there isn't anything else worthwile for me to do. I did disable updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a wired console or pc controller around the house you could install an emulator or 2 & play some old console games? Look in the Q&A section of this Fire TV thread & your see my compatible sideloaded apps & accessories thread if you need it & it will save you some time trying out different apps or accessories to see if they work or not?
Have fun & press that thanks button If this helped you
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

ks-man said:
I recently rooted my Fire TV 2 and wanted to have it launch straight to Kodi like my original Fire TV does (using either Elmerhueso version or SPMC). Just found out that Xposed isn't yet available for Fire TV 2 since there is no custom recovery yet.
Does that mean this feature isn't yet available? I know about Firestarter but would prefer to go straight to Kodi rather than having a bunch of apps on the screen first. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uses titaium backup and freeze kftv launcher, after that you can switch the launcher.
obviously make sure you have another launcher already installed before you freeze kftv

mejdam said:
uses titaium backup and freeze kftv launcher, after that you can switch the launcher.
obviously make sure you have another launcher already installed before you freeze kftv
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I wouldn't wanna be the guinea pig doing that for the first time! Does this really work for the AFTV2?
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

deanr1977 said:
Wow I wouldn't wanna be the guinea pig doing that for the first time! Does this really work for the AFTV2?
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant remember if the official Kodi apk has the launcher intent or not to allow it to be set as default, I know SPMC does though but thats a little outdated I think as most of the Android specific changes were merged into the main Kodi branch.
I only quickly had a play the other week as its boxed back up till rbox's custom ROM and recovery.
I think I had to freeze the Kindle Launcher and use: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.blunden.xbmclauncher&hl=en to launch Kodi as default.
Be warned though, freezing KL will also stop a lot of other things working like the FTV settings page etc and you'll need to unfreeze to access them.
Better off waiting for Xposed and hopefully rbox kindly ports his modules to allow alternative launchers without freezing.

Dude360 said:
I cant remember if the official Kodi apk has the launcher intent or not to allow it to be set as default, I know SPMC does though but thats a little outdated I think as most of the Android specific changes were merged into the main Kodi branch.
I only quickly had a play the other week as its boxed back up till rbox's custom ROM and recovery.
I think I had to freeze the Kindle Launcher and use: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.blunden.xbmclauncher&hl=en to launch Kodi as default.
Be warned though, freezing KL will also stop a lot of other things working like the FTV settings page etc and you'll need to unfreeze to access them.
Better off waiting for Xposed and hopefully rbox kindly ports his modules to allow alternative launchers without freezing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I use on my 1st gen Fire TV to get launcher capabilities. I'm still on an old version (13.2 I think) but it appears he has updated it to 15.2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2790392

I have used an app called autologin. works on rooted and non rooted devices. allows you to launch multiple apps with begining delay and delay between apps. easy to configure. I set it on firetvstick with 12 sec delay after statrup (firestarter) then 5 sec between apps (kodi)

ks-man said:
This is what I use on my 1st gen Fire TV to get launcher capabilities. I'm still on an old version (13.2 I think) but it appears he has updated it to 15.2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2790392
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah this was the mod I was talking about (launcher intent). This is what the Xposed module will allow but without using a modded apk.
Nothing wrong with using elmerohueso builds but be aware you wont be able to use Firestarter to update Kodi as the modded apk has been signed differently. To update you'll have to use adb to sideload the new apk everytime theres an update.
Theres several ways to achieve Kodi as a launcher but like most things on the AFTV, for every upside theres also several downsides...
rp201 said:
I have used an app called autologin. works on rooted and non rooted devices. allows you to launch multiple apps with begining delay and delay between apps. easy to configure. I set it on firetvstick with 12 sec delay after statrup (firestarter) then 5 sec between apps (kodi)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not heard of that one but Ill take a looksy, especially if it works on unrooted!

How to freeze Amazon Launcher and use another one?

I have a ftv v2 with root and recovery. I want to change the default Launcher and use kodi instead.
Can i just freeze aftvlauncher and use xbmclauncher to use kodi? Will firestarter work normally if i set it to launch with 2 home button presses?
I am afraid to freeze aftvlauncher and don't be able to start any app. Bricking my ftv.
Thanks

Why freeze aftv launcher ? Just let firestarter/Kodi launch at startup and let the avtf launcher run in background...doesn't matter I think, you will not really recognize it...

KillerJoeBR said:
I have a ftv v2 with root and recovery. I want to change the default Launcher and use kodi instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using the XBMC Launcher. This launcher works to perfection on a rooted first generation Fire TV. Not sure if it will work when updating to OS 5. May have to wait for a new release of [MOD][XPOSED]Fire TV Mods by rbox. I'll probably not update to OS 5 until I know for sure that this launcher will work with it.

I've disabled the stock launcher, along with some other things, details in this thread there are side effects of disabling the stock launcher but I'm ok with them:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/root-disabling-apps-services-bloat-t3325333
I can't say for certain if XBMC Launcher will work or not (not tried using it). I know you can't have the standard Kodi 16 as a 'launcher' as you cannot choose it from the launcher selection window you get when the AFTV launcher is disabled.
---------- Post added at 04:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:48 PM ----------
Spotti said:
Why freeze aftv launcher ? Just let firestarter/Kodi launch at startup and let the avtf launcher run in background...doesn't matter I think, you will not really recognize it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason behind disable / freeze is that it will stop the launcher from consuming resources.
May not be entirely needed on AFTV2 but on the Stick (and maybe AFTV1) I'm sure it would help.

Ludacrisvp said:
I've disabled the stock launcher, along with some other things, details in this thread there are side effects of disabling the stock launcher but I'm ok with them:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/root-disabling-apps-services-bloat-t3325333
I can't say for certain if XBMC Launcher will work or not (not tried using it). I know you can't have the standard Kodi 16 as a 'launcher' as you cannot choose it from the launcher selection window you get when the AFTV launcher is disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer. I saw your post but i thought it was a bit extreme. I only need to access kodi with the home button and firestarter with 2 presses so i can stop kodi when it sometimes freezes.
I used xbmclauncher before with FTV v1 OS3 and it worked great. But i didn't see anyone saying if it works with OS 5.X so i'm afraid of testing it myself. And i think it needs the rbox module to work and its outdated but i guess is still working? Rbox says it will update his module so i guess i should wait.

KillerJoeBR said:
Thanks for your answer. I saw your post but i thought it was a bit extreme. I only need to access kodi with the home button and firestarter with 2 presses so i can stop kodi when it sometimes freezes.
I used xbmclauncher before with FTV v1 OS3 and it worked great. But i didn't see anyone saying if it works with OS 5.X so i'm afraid of testing it myself. And i think it needs the rbox module to work and its outdated but i guess is still working? Rbox says it will update his module so i guess i should wait.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Configure firestarter to start your "launcher" or Kodi with a single click. Set it to launch firestarter with a double click. You really can't brick doing this. If you find out you can't get back into the default Fire TV launcher for any reason, just side-uninstall firestarter via adb.

I had some issues when setting Kodi as launcher using XBMCLauncher on my Stick.
Kodi didn't seem to like it and moving back and forth to other apps like iPlayer etc it would reset its settings and act like it'd been reverted to default until I FC'd it. When it froze it could get itself into a loop as well as because it hasn't closed properly it try to 'launch itself again (if that makes sense)
I found it better to set Firestarter as Launcher, single click, start on boot and set Kodi as double click. Put Kodi in top left of app drawer as well so its always close if you click back to FireStarter by accident.
This way you always have FireStarter to fall back on if Kodi crashes.
You can also edit the Kodi keymap to have the 'Back' button on the Home screen open something else like favorites so that you don't accidentally back out of Kodi when navigating menus etc.
(Not knocking XBMCLauncher at all, I use it on my OUYA for exactly this and it works fine, just noting issues I've had on the AFTVS for others)

Dude360 said:
I had some issues when setting Kodi as launcher using XBMCLauncher on my Stick.
Kodi didn't seem to like it and moving back and forth to other apps like iPlayer etc it would reset its settings and act like it'd been reverted to default until I FC'd it. When it froze it could get itself into a loop as well as because it hasn't closed properly it try to 'launch itself again (if that makes sense)
I found it better to set Firestarter as Launcher, single click, start on boot and set Kodi as double click. Put Kodi in top left of app drawer as well so its always close if you click back to FireStarter by accident.
This way you always have FireStarter to fall back on if Kodi crashes.
You can also edit the Kodi keymap to have the 'Back' button on the Home screen open something else like favorites so that you don't accidentally back out of Kodi when navigating menus etc.
(Not knocking XBMCLauncher at all, I use it on my OUYA for exactly this and it works fine, just noting issues I've had on the AFTVS for others)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input. Did you disable amazon launcher while doing this?
Enviado de meu SM-T320 usando Tapatalk

KillerJoeBR said:
Thanks for your input. Did you disable amazon launcher while doing this?
Enviado de meu SM-T320 usando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, froze using Titanium.
One thing to be aware of is if your using another/freezing AFTVLauncher and use the Android dialog to set the new Launcher as 'default' then there is no way to reset this like in normal Android. Theres no option in Amazon Settings or anywhere else in the GUI.
I think thees a way using SQL or by installing another Home Launcher which will prompt the Android dialog again.

Dude360 said:
I think thees a way using SQL or by installing another Home Launcher which will prompt the Android dialog again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or maybe unfreezing the amazon launcher and deleting the other one?
Anyway I have another question. Do you set firestarter with adb detection? Cause I am afraid if activate this and something goes wrong I won't be able to access the firetv using wifi adb? Is that correct? And also does firestarter works without adb detection while also not having the amazon launcher?
Thanks again

KillerJoeBR said:
Or maybe unfreezing the amazon launcher and deleting the other one?
Anyway I have another question. Do you set firestarter with adb detection? Cause I am afraid if activate this and something goes wrong I won't be able to access the firetv using wifi adb? Is that correct? And also does firestarter works without adb detection while also not having the amazon launcher?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, unfreezing AFTVLauncher will do it but you have to be able to get to Firestarter to launch it, not good if everything is frozen
If I remember, FireStarter has the launcher intent so if its the only launcher available, Android will default to that anyway.
So, if its the default Launcher, you wont need to use adb detection as it will use the Home button and start on boot anyway.

Is it possible to set Firestarter as a default launcher without disabling a stock one? If so -- how?

I use Fs on fire tv on os5 and it works fine. Just setup your single and double click home buttons.

Kodi as home launcher

A question for all the Android experts here I'm wondering if it would be possible to modify Kodi to identify as a home launcher. It seems like it could be. Something similar to the OpenELEC fork with a custom settings screen. Just curious to know.

I imagine this could fit nicely with the LineageOS build.

brentonv said:
A question for all the Android experts here I'm wondering if it would be possible to modify Kodi to identify as a home launcher. It seems like it could be. Something similar to the OpenELEC fork with a custom settings screen. Just curious to know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is possible. It has been done, you don't need a modified Kodi. I believe it can be done with launcher hijack, probably easier if you root.

Sorry it's been years since I used the Hijack Launcher. I'm fairly certain it's just a home button redirection to a secondary home screen. What I'm talking about is using Kodi as the only home screen. This should be a significant performance increase for FireTv devices.

brentonv said:
Sorry it's been years since I used the Hijack Launcher. I'm fairly certain it's just a home button redirection to a secondary home screen. What I'm talking about is using Kodi as the only home screen. This should be a significant performance increase for FireTv devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you root, you can disable the home launcher. To use Kodi as a rom, it would require a base OS, openelec is linux base. What fire device are you using?

OpenELEC is just an example of how it is a Kodi fork with system settings integrated (wifi etc). I am not saying to use OpenELEC. I am asking if Kodi can be modified as a home launcher. Pretty sure it's just an ID code given to the app.

And yes then if you disable the home launcher it would default to Kodi. That's the idea. Some settings can be made available with the FireTv Configurator app but I'm not sure how compatible that is these days.

If Kodi were forked as a launcher with some basic Android settings then whichever device on first run it should ask if it is to be the default launcher without root required. That would be awesome.

Hold on just found this on xda. All 76 pages. [LAUNCHER] XBMC/Kodi for Fire TV. Seems a bit dated but this is the idea.

@elmerohueso

brentonv said:
Hold on just found this on xda. All 76 pages. [LAUNCHER] XBMC/Kodi for Fire TV. Seems a bit dated but this is the idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brentonv said:
@elmerohueso
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's dated, but it still works. I used it recently on the Kodi 18.5 and it's working on my rooted FTV.
Edit: I put the 18.5 APK I'm using with my past versions at https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=17034.

Thanks man you're awesome. Any tips on what else to install with it? Settings apps etc. And would you run this over Amazon home screen or have you tried the LineageOs build?

I'm pretty sure on LineageOs it would pull the system settings app directly into Kodi's Android apps section. Will give it a go?

Thread moved to appropriate forum.
Always make sure to ask questions in Q&A Forum of your device, if it exists. Otherwise ask it in General Q&A Forum.
Thanks.

@elmerohueso thanks so much for this it behaves exactly as I expected. On reboot it asks which default launcher to use and android settings show up in the CV add-ons page. Just one thing when it boots it says web server failed to start. I assume this is because it's booting too early and it's a problem for me because I need the webserver. Did you have any ideas on this?

brentonv said:
Thanks man you're awesome. Any tips on what else to install with it? Settings apps etc. And would you run this over Amazon home screen or have you tried the LineageOs build?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I run it over the FTV launcher. I'm not running Lineage.
---------- Post added at 06:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------
brentonv said:
@elmerohueso thanks so much for this it behaves exactly as I expected. On reboot it asks which default launcher to use and android settings show up in the CV add-ons page. Just one thing when it boots it says web server failed to start. I assume this is because it's booting too early and it's a problem for me because I need the webserver. Did you have any ideas on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure. I haven't had the issue running on rooted FTV ROM.

elmerohueso said:
I run it over the FTV launcher. I'm not running Lineage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah ok? So you don't replace/disable the FTV launcher? How is that different to a normal Kodi install? I've installed your Kodi and selected it as primary home launcher so there is no Amazon home screen it just boots direct to Kodi and if you quit Kodi it just relauches.
This is exactly what I want just need to work out how to delay web server. Can you please enable web server and test on your setup. I might just need root but so far not required.