Develop Bugs

[Q] Source textures

New here so if this is the wrong place for my question please move, thanks.
I've just got myself a UK Fire TV and I've started making an XBMC skin based on it by using the adbFIRE screenshot feature but this still involves a lot of guess work on colours and textures. So my question is can I get access to the Fire TV's source images somehow or are they available online anywhere?
Thanks.
PS I'm Hitcher over at XBMC forums.

HitcherUK said:
New here so if this is the wrong place for my question please move, thanks.
I've just myself a UK Fire TV and I've started making an XBMC skin based on it by using the adbFIRE screenshot feature but this still involves a lot of guess work on colours and textures. So my question is can I get access to the Fire TV's source images somehow or are they available online anywhere?
Thanks.
PS I'm Hitcher over at XBMC forums.
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From my experience getting the screensavers off the AFTV, I'm guessing you need a rooted device to get the files they use off the AFTV, and to probably even find them. I'm guessing they are in /data/data somewhere.

No root for UK models and I tried accessing that folder using XBMC's file manager but it's not available.

HitcherUK said:
New here so if this is the wrong place for my question please move, thanks.
I've just myself a UK Fire TV and I've started making an XBMC skin based on it by using the adbFIRE screenshot feature but this still involves a lot of guess work on colours and textures. So my question is can I get access to the Fire TV's source images somehow or are they available online anywhere?
Thanks.
PS I'm Hitcher over at XBMC forums.
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Click to collapse
May need just snip the screenshots and use the color dropper. Most images seem to have a slight gradient, but it may not be very noticeable.
You could try grabbing one of the system dumps or pre-rooted images scattered throughout the forums, extracting the Launcher, and try decompiling it if you want to get true sources, but that may be more trouble than it's worth.

elmerohueso said:
May need just snip the screenshots and use the color dropper. Most images seem to have a slight gradient, but it may not be very noticeable.
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Yeah, that's what I'm doing at the moment but it's not ideal when diffuses are used and there's no way of knowing the opacity of images, plus I can't simply hide the text when gradients are used.
elmerohueso said:
You could try grabbing one of the system dumps or pre-rooted images scattered throughout the forums, extracting the Launcher, and try decompiling it if you want to get true sources, but that may be more trouble than it's worth.
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If I knew how to I would.
Here's what I've done a couple of days -
EDIT: Cant post links yet so you'll have to work it out for yourselves.
youtu.be/GA5KT8KMz_I

HitcherUK said:
Here's what I've done a couple of days -
EDIT: Cant post links yet so you'll have to work it out for yourselves.
youtu.be/GA5KT8KMz_I
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That looks awesome. It looks like your selected and deselected text needs to be fixed (boxes seem to always show "Artist" deselected and "Genres" selected). Any chance you could post it github and perhaps invite others to help out?

elmerohueso said:
That looks awesome. It looks like your selected and deselected text needs to be fixed (boxes seem to always show "Artist" deselected and "Genres" selected). Any chance you could post it github and perhaps invite others to help out?
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They're just screen grab textures hence the text which is why I'm trying to get to the actual source files if possible to make things easier - transparency being the main one.
I prefer to work alone so I know what's what.
So can anyone with root have a dig in some of the unavailable folders for me?
Thanks.

HitcherUK said:
They're just screen grab textures hence the text which is why I'm trying to get to the actual source files if possible to make things easier - transparency being the main one.
I prefer to work alone so I know what's what.
So can anyone with root have a dig in some of the unavailable folders for me?
Thanks.
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I grabbed the newest pre-rooted image, extracted the Launcher apk, and grabbed the graphics ("drawable-xhdpi" folder) and sounds & fonts ("raw" folder) I could find. APK and zipped resources attached. I'm very much looking forward to see your skin progress!

That's awesome, thanks.
Is the Fire TV open source?

HitcherUK said:
That's awesome, thanks.
Is the Fire TV open source?
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Source code can be found at http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201452680, but I'm not sure how much of the code they actually released.

wamt to root my amazon fire tv

i just bought a amazon tv fire and want to root it but when i plug it in for the first time it wants to download a software update after finding my network..how do i get around that...i know its a series 3 and is rootable..are there any videos on how to root this device..any help would be appreciated thanks....

jackal2403 said:
i just bought a amazon tv fire and want to root it but when i plug it in for the first time it wants to download a software update after finding my network..how do i get around that...i know its a series 3 and is rootable..are there any videos on how to root this device..any help would be appreciated thanks....
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http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-setup-a-new-fire-tv-without-blocking-root/

jackal2403 said:
i just bought a amazon tv fire and want to root it but when i plug it in for the first time it wants to download a software update after finding my network..how do i get around that...i know its a series 3 and is rootable..are there any videos on how to root this device..any help would be appreciated thanks....
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don't let it update and dont use Wifi. Start it up and when you get the wifi selection option, give it the ethernet connection till you see the word checking for updates, as soon as you see it, remove the ethernet and you should see a login screen. Go ahead login and root/block updates and downgrade and then go back up. the link given above should help.

I just picked mine up from BB and got a big fat "NO" on the root serial number check on aftvnews. Does that mean there's no shot for me- or can I still hook it up without internet and see what's up?
edit: fired it up and saw the german language option which I guess means no root for me

Hag77 said:
I just picked mine up from BB and got a big fat "NO" on the root serial number check on aftvnews. Does that mean there's no shot for me- or can I still hook it up without internet and see what's up?
edit: fired it up and saw the german language option which I guess means no root for me
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return it back to bestbuy. Go looking for series 3. There are plenty out there. I just saw two of those series in Los Angeles Best Buy.

navigates said:
return it back to bestbuy. Go looking for series 3. There are plenty out there. I just saw two of those series in Los Angeles Best Buy.
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I thought about that- but I'm also wondering just how important is the extra storage space to me. Perhaps more than I think.. Also- the other problem is that they're actually pretty hard to find in stock around here. I had to order online and do store pick up just to make sure it would be there when I got there. Assuming I do visit some other stores and try to grab one- is there something I can see in the serial number which will tell me it's a series 3? I looked at the decoder on aftvnews I don't see anything about series, but there is a number that shows the revision.. Same thing as series? Thanks

Hag77 said:
I thought about that- but I'm also wondering just how important is the extra storage space to me. Perhaps more than I think.. Also- the other problem is that they're actually pretty hard to find in stock around here. I had to order online and do store pick up just to make sure it would be there when I got there. Assuming I do visit some other stores and try to grab one- is there something I can see in the serial number which will tell me it's a series 3? I looked at the decoder on aftvnews I don't see anything about series, but there is a number that shows the revision.. Same thing as series? Thanks
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The Serial number sould be 70900305 or 303. Get the point. ? Its still easily available here in the Los Angeles Area. It will require some effort but I'm sure you will get it. As for the benefits for root each one has their own advantages. For me these are to name a few.
1. Extra Space once I run out. I really don't think I'll need it.
2. USB Drive. This too I don't need as I use the network.
3. QuickSupport (TeamViewer) This is the most important as I can help fix my parents and family's firetv remotely as only with root you can get remote view.
4. md.emu and other emulators which are paid in google play. (Enjoy playing the nintendo and sega master system) to revive old days.
5. Custom Rom (around the corner) not needed now.
6. Kodi Icon on home screen. Nice to have but not needed.
7. Suspend and Restart in Kodi (Very useful features)
I'm sure here are others features that I've missed or don't know off but if given a choice, I'd rather spend the extra effort but get a rooted one. I have one extra rooted one in 'my doomsday bunker as I always have a feeling I may mess mine up or brick it up one day.

Thanks for the advice- so are you saying the 6th digit should be a 3 as in "series 3" or as aftvnews describe it "hardware revision"? I'm a little confused since their advice seems to indicate that factory software is based on the manufactured date which are the 9-12 digits..
Either way- I'm going to go around to a few more stores that may have them in stock and punch them into the decoder and see if I get lucky.. If not, I'm not terribly disappointed. With the unrooted unit I picked up earlier today I've managed to install Kodi, and "add the app" to home screen with the ikono TV / llama trick. Again, I'd love to have root and extra storage so I'll see what I can do- but this seems like it's gonna be a really solid device.. I tested some uncompressed high-bit rate stuff and it played flawlessly.. If only it could pass through HD audio- then it would just be darn near 100% perfect..

Hag77 said:
Thanks for the advice- so are you saying the 6th digit should be a 3 as in "series 3" or as aftvnews describe it "hardware revision"? I'm a little confused since their advice seems to indicate that factory software is based on the manufactured date which are the 9-12 digits..
Either way- I'm going to go around to a few more stores that may have them in stock and punch them into the decoder and see if I get lucky.. If not, I'm not terribly disappointed. With the unrooted unit I picked up earlier today I've managed to install Kodi, and "add the app" to home screen with the ikono TV / llama trick. Again, I'd love to have root and extra storage so I'll see what I can do- but this seems like it's gonna be a really solid device.. I tested some uncompressed high-bit rate stuff and it played flawlessly.. If only it could pass through HD audio- then it would just be darn near 100% perfect..
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yes. Don't follow the decoder. The decoder says the Series 2 is good as well but I couldn't get those to bypass the initial check. By Series 3 yes I mean the 6th digit 305 or 303 or 304 sets are good in my personal experience. I've done quiet a few. I also tried looking for you yesterday in my local best buy (91303) but they didn't have it in stock. Had you asked a few days earlier. I would have saved one for you instead of returning it. Next time I see a correct series, I'll pick up a few for the community incase someone needs them. . Good luck and let me know if you need any help.

Hey man- thanks for convincing me to stick with the idea of going after an old one! I drove to a BB a little further away and it was worth it. They had two, and one was a 3 series! I punched it up on the decoder also and it says it should be rootable- woohoo! I won't have a chance to know for sure until this evening when I can plug it in and play with it- but it looks like I'm good. Just need to make sure I follow the steps right and not let the darn thing update.

Hag77 said:
Hey man- thanks for convincing me to stick with the idea of going after an old one! I drove to a BB a little further away and it was worth it. They had two, and one was a 3 series! I punched it up on the decoder also and it says it should be rootable- woohoo! I won't have a chance to know for sure until this evening when I can plug it in and play with it- but it looks like I'm good. Just need to make sure I follow the steps right and not let the darn thing update.
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If you live close to 91303, I can help you out. If you aren't good at it, I can put up the firmwares till the bootmenu for you. If you want the files. PM me. I have all of them on my hdd. They all are available anyways but took me a while to collect them all. Finally if you want to send it in to me with shipping both ways, I'll do it for you. Either way congrats. but by knowing the times of your reply, you may be on the east coast
Remember its the ethernet trick of removal when checking for updates for series 3 and that is the only way now. Ensure you block on router first as well before you start. If you have mcaffee anti virus, ensure you disable it on your pc as tw_3.apk is detected as a virus. Keep all ducks in order. Its not hard if you know what your doing. You will have to downgrade and root again and block updates again before you go back up to prior to the bootmenu. After unlock, you can go to rbox' boot menu with recovery with the latest rooted firmware. Finally I suggest install google play with market helper 1.1 to make apps compatible. In the end use SDCard Pro which costs about 2.50 on google play to clean out the orphans and recover some captured disk land space.
Good Luck and its nice that you took that effort. Its totally worth it. When I first started doing this, I didn't know of the auto update to non root version and didn't block anything and lost my root. I since then sold my non rooted on ebay and repurchased it. I now have an extra in my bunker.

navigates said:
If you live close to 91303, I can help you out. If you aren't good at it, I can put up the firmwares till the bootmenu for you. If you want the files. PM me. I have all of them on my hdd. They all are available anyways but took me a while to collect them all. Finally if you want to send it in to me with shipping both ways, I'll do it for you. Either way congrats. but by knowing the times of your reply, you may be on the east coast
Remember its the ethernet trick of removal when checking for updates for series 3 and that is the only way now. Ensure you block on router first as well before you start. If you have mcaffee anti virus, ensure you disable it on your pc as tw_3.apk is detected as a virus. Keep all ducks in order. Its not hard if you know what your doing. You will have to downgrade and root again and block updates again before you go back up to prior to the bootmenu. After unlock, you can go to rbox' boot menu with recovery with the latest rooted firmware. Finally I suggest install google play with market helper 1.1 to make apps compatible. In the end use SDCard Pro which costs about 2.50 on google play to clean out the orphans and recover some captured disk land space.
Good Luck and its nice that you took that effort. Its totally worth it. When I first started doing this, I didn't know of the auto update to non root version and didn't block anything and lost my root. I since then sold my non rooted on ebay and repurchased it. I now have an extra in my bunker.
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Thanks dude. Before going over to the dark side with my iphone I had about 5 different android phones and rooted/rom'd every single one of em.. So although this seems maybe a little bit more involved I think I'll be alright- but your tips are much appreciated and I may hit you up on PM if I run into any troubles. What are your thoughts on the all-in-one tools/scripts here on the forums that will root, install CWM, etc?

Hag77 said:
Thanks dude. Before going over to the dark side with my iphone I had about 5 different android phones and rooted/rom'd every single one of em.. So although this seems maybe a little bit more involved I think I'll be alright- but your tips are much appreciated and I may hit you up on PM if I run into any troubles. What are your thoughts on the all-in-one tools/scripts here on the forums that will root, install CWM, etc?
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I really use a combination. I have a directory for downgrade and just follow through the instructions. I've saved up the files in the respective directories in my PC as \downgrade and then as \latest before the bootmenu and then \final with boot menu. (I know the naming is a little whacked but it works for me)
In the instructions they don't say to put the rom.zip in the folder so I manually put it. If you need all the files, I can package it up for you. We will have to figure out how to send it over to you. through teamviewer / dropbox or some other way.
as for automation scripts, I don't use any. I just have batch files to install all the apks. I also install google play and the llama automation scripts and then import it in Llama.
In the end I use adbfire only to restore the kodi backup which has all the nuances from helix and elmero's fixes. and then replace the icons of ikono.tv.
I haven't had the need to extend my drive but have a hub waiting for future if I need it.
* Don't forget to disable using the com = disable command.

Phew... Did it- man that was a heck of a process.. Had to do all the downgrade/upgrade/boot menu, etc etc etc but it's finally done and I'm all up to date! I could probably do it again in half the time now that I've done it once, but that first time was a real doozy.. I pretty much just stuck to the atvf guides. Thanks again for the tips / advice.

Hag77 said:
Phew... Did it- man that was a heck of a process.. Had to do all the downgrade/upgrade/boot menu, etc etc etc but it's finally done and I'm all up to date! I could probably do it again in half the time now that I've done it once, but that first time was a real doozy.. I pretty much just stuck to the atvf guides. Thanks again for the tips / advice.
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Great. Congrats !! Its surely not for the faint of heart. and most mess it up. Ensure you block the updates on the router and through pm disable.

[Q] Kodi Disappearing from Fire Stick?

Hello! I recently configured 5 Fire Sticks with Kodi for a friend. I have done this on a couple Fire TVs as well. I have never had any issues. But on 2 of his Fire Sticks, he is saying that Kodi completely disappeared. It is no longer listed in the Manage All Applications list. Has anybody heard of this? I am fairly certain that system updates will not remove user-installed apps. Maybe he turned off the developer options? Could that remove Kodi? Does anybody have nay ideas on how he might have "accidentally" removed it? Thank you!

i had the same thing happen to both my firesticks does anyone know the reson/s behind this please help asap.

jrellz13 said:
i had the same thing happen to both my firesticks does anyone know the reson/s behind this please help asap.
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No one will help you ASAP...

ASAP
ldeveraux said:
No one will help you ASAP...
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Seems a fair request to me.
As soon as possible, what's wrong with that?

alandmo said:
Seems a fair request to me.
As soon as possible, what's wrong with that?
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i think there is nothing wrong with that, but i think if someone knows, what happend with the kodi installations, there will help "asap" even without the "asap" in a help request.
I dont think, that kodi deinstalled/deleted it self or were deleted by an update, i never have any kind of this problem on any android device.
Maybe he deinstalled by exident, when he try to "force close" the app and selected the wrong button. Another possibility is a defect memory section, so that android think the apk is broken and wont list it anymore under the apps or the apk became corrupt cause of a powerlost when the app was running/loading.
But i think a reinstallation is done quick and when the apps wont vanished again it will be a unsolfed mystery why it gone the first time ^^

did you find a cure for this???
jrburke99 said:
Hello! I recently configured 5 Fire Sticks with Kodi for a friend. I have done this on a couple Fire TVs as well. I have never had any issues. But on 2 of his Fire Sticks, he is saying that Kodi completely disappeared. It is no longer listed in the Manage All Applications list. Has anybody heard of this? I am fairly certain that system updates will not remove user-installed apps. Maybe he turned off the developer options? Could that remove Kodi? Does anybody have nay ideas on how he might have "accidentally" removed it? Thank you!
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Did you find a way round this mate?

kirkydman said:
Did you find a way round this mate?
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The only solution I've found thus far is to factory reset the fire stick and reinstall/restore kodi via adbfire. The problem is Kodi no longer is listed as an application.. ANYWHERE. I've pushed settings.apk and it's not listed there. All the files are still in place and viewable via es file explorer, yet the apk doesn't even show up using ADBfire to uninstall. I'd wager this was intentionally done by amazon to curb piracy on their devices. It's way too specific and all other apps including firestarter remain intact.

soundahfekz said:
The only solution I've found thus far is to factory reset the fire stick and reinstall/restore kodi via adbfire. The problem is Kodi no longer is listed as an application.. ANYWHERE. I've pushed settings.apk and it's not listed there. All the files are still in place and viewable via es file explorer, yet the apk doesn't even show up using ADBfire to uninstall. I'd wager this was intentionally done by amazon to curb piracy on their devices. It's way too specific and all other apps including firestarter remain intact.
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My other apps went with it, its only when you update to the 5.0.5, but im reading on other forums peoples Kodi isnt disappearing.
My app data all stayed there too, once i factory set it and downloaded Kodi through ES file explorer (you have to open web browser it wont let you download it direct) its fine now.

I'm new to the whole kodi on fire stick thing and I experienced same thing but on my device (1st gen) kodi was still listed when I went to uninstall it. All I did was to manually reinstall kodi using es explorer and restart firestarter app.

Old thread but for future people that run into this problem go down to apps it should be in there still if not sorry this was my fix when it happened for me maybe just lucky.. But in main screen in fire stick go down to the apps icon and move te toggle to right hope this helps !! Good luck guys run into several issues and always find answers online so hope to return favor to someone !!! Good luck

[Q] FireTv useing Rom Collection Browser/Advance launcher

Looking to see if someone can help me out seting up my new FireTv with some old school games and what not... I see there is some folks that have done it on here and looking for some quick help... so if there is any high speed folks ready to help a Afghanistan Army vet out let me know please you can email me [email protected]... Thanks

sandog12 said:
Looking to see if someone can help me out seting up my new FireTv with some old school games and what not... I see there is some folks that have done it on here and looking for some quick help... so if there is any high speed folks ready to help a Afghanistan Army vet out let me know please you can email me [email protected]... Thanks
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Exactly what are you having trouble with?

FireTv
dismissthesky said:
Exactly what are you having trouble with?
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setting up the advance launcher on kodi to find and play the roms ... I installed the launcher but the setup to play the roms in another story and from what i have read its kinda tuff to set up to play off a ext hdd

sandog12 said:
setting up the advance launcher on kodi to find and play the roms ... I installed the launcher but the setup to play the roms in another story and from what i have read its kinda tuff to set up to play off a ext hdd
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I've never used Advance Launcher, but RCB is pretty straightforward. Load roms and emulators on to Fire TV -> import rom collection -> follow instructions. If the external HDD is recognized and mounted by the FTV then you shouldn't have any additional problems than you'd encounter if the roms were located on the internal storage. You just have to make sure that you point RCB in the right rom directory.
Honestly the easiest way to set it up is to start RCB once so that it creates a basic settings.xml and then manually text edit settings.xml with whatever arguments your setup requires. Then it's just a matter of pressing "import games" and waiting for a year for the FTV to finish scraping and downloading. This step is a great thing to do before bed just because it can take forever depending on the size of the collection.

I loaded the APK for retro arc on the firetv it self it gives a option to move it to the ext hdd.. wasn't sure if it was ok to move it but i would rather have it on the ext drive when i load the other apk can i load them st8 to the ext or do i have to sideload them and then move them alsois there a guide on how to edit the xml files and what the settings are? Thanks man for help

sandog12 said:
I loaded the APK for retro arc on the firetv it self it gives a option to move it to the ext hdd.. wasn't sure if it was ok to move it but i would rather have it on the ext drive when i load the other apk can i load them st8 to the ext or do i have to sideload them and then move them alsois there a guide on how to edit the xml files and what the settings are? Thanks man for help
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I'm not sure I understand, but yeah, as far as I know moving emulators to external storage is fine. The guide you want to follow is this. I personally wouldn't recommend retroarch. It works, but can be a serious pain to configure. Most of them aren't free, but I'm a big fan of this guy's emulators, along with epsxe and Mupen64.

Ok... Do you need both advance launcher and RCB? what do you use to push/pull the xml files or do you know where I can just get a xml file that most of the editing is done or close to working the less I have top screw up the better...

I have a question guys...after the initial SCRAPE....and you want to change something - how can I pull up the menu shown here:
https://romcollectionbrowser.googlecode.com/files/screen_contextmenu_1202.jpg
its easy to do on PC, but not on the FIRE (I am finding)

After 5.0.5.1 Updrade My Kodi Icon is Gone

We all know with 5.0.5.1 firestarter disappears but we can all see 3rd part apps we've loaded. The problem is that does happen with Kodi. I've even tried to sideload the APK. I can see it in my manage applications screen but not in the main App Library. Anyone know what I could do?

I solved this... I basically needed to remove the old Kodi version (that was pulled from the Amazon app store) in their app portal. Once I did that the Kodi icon started showing up

rocket31337 said:
We all know with 5.0.5.1 firestarter disappears but we can all see 3rd part apps we've loaded. The problem is that does happen with Kodi. I've even tried to sideload the APK. I can see it in my manage applications screen but not in the main App Library. Anyone know what I could do?
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rocket31337 said:
I solved this... I basically needed to remove the old Kodi version (that was pulled from the Amazon app store) in their app portal. Once I did that the Kodi icon started showing up
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Click to collapse
Same boat as you kind of, I can see Kodi in my "Recents" section & Manage Applications but it does not appear in "Apps" section. I don't have the old Kodi version in the Amazon App portal to delete. Not sure what is going on.

Same here. Accidentally removed it from the Recent Apps section and now I can't get it back no matter how many times I launch it from Settings. Any ideas?

cg2006 said:
Same here. Accidentally removed it from the Recent Apps section and now I can't get it back no matter how many times I launch it from Settings. Any ideas?
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Do you guys see it in the standard App section? I'd just launch it from there.

Was finally able to get it back by following these guidelines: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-get-kodi-to-show-up-on-the-home-screen-of-a-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/

Which method did you do? I made the same mistake and I can't get it back.

Hooners96 said:
Which method did you do? I made the same mistake and I can't get it back.
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I went through them one after another as suggested and the one that worked for me was "Deregister and register your Fire TV".
No have Kodi in my "Recents" & "Apps" sections.

cg2006 said:
Was finally able to get it back by following these guidelines: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-get-kodi-to-show-up-on-the-home-screen-of-a-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went through all the ideas in that article, including doing a factory reset and still cannot get Kodi to show up.
Gen 1 Fire TV
Canadian Amazon Account linked to Canadian Credit card (Could this be a problem??)
Anyone else have ideas?