Clean "Wipe" of FireTV - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi folks,
I've read an article on AFTVnews about Factory Resetting the Fire TV and I have been meaning to do that for some time now (An app I love, Mobdro, just force closes on me for some reason since last month and the devs can't help me at all) but the drawbacks (disabling ADB, turning OTA updates back on again) is scaring me a bit.
Is there any other way to completely wipe my FireTV of all data/cache/system files/ etc but keep my OS, ADB enabled, rooted, and OTA updates disabled (can't block from router, using pm.disable currently). Also, is there any other complications that may arise if I wipe it out. Like for example, busybox and towelroot will get removed.
My FireTV has the latest pre-rooted rom, it has recovery installed and I think the bootloader is partially unlocked
Thanks in advance

Related

How to unroot a Fire TV completely?

I can't seem to find a definitive answer to this. For a variety of reasons I would like to uproot my Fire TV. It currently has Busybox, Clockwork Mod, Su, Towelroot installed. It also has Amazon updates blocked. Is the process as simple as installing the latest firmware, after unlocking Amazon updates. That is, will the update take care of removing anything added to the unit by me ( Busybox for example)?
Thanks...philip
Sent from my Fire HDX.
AFTVnews has a guide on returning to stock:
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-revert-an-amazon-fire-tv-back-to-stock-recovery-and-stock-software/
kraqh3d said:
AFTVnews has a guide on returning to stock:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I had read that excellent guide before. It requires ClockworkMod and retains root if you select an appropriate firmware. This doesn't seem to restore a Fire TV to the state it was bought. For instance, ClockworkMod would still be there and perhaps even Amazon update blocking.
I should have been clearer with my intent. I would like to know how to restore a Fire TV to the state that it came when purchased. That is, I want to know how to remove any traces of me having touched it!
Sent from my Fire HDX.
If you want to unroot it, Id sell the one you have rooted ( since they are becoming like ghosts now ) and buy one with the money profited.
pmcdunnough said:
I can't seem to find a definitive answer to this. For a variety of reasons I would like to uproot my Fire TV. It currently has Busybox, Clockwork Mod, Su, Towelroot installed. It also has Amazon updates blocked. Is the process as simple as installing the latest firmware, after unlocking Amazon updates. That is, will the update take care of removing anything added to the unit by me ( Busybox for example)?
Thanks...philip
Sent from my Fire HDX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very easy to unroot & get it back to stock with the AFTV Utility app. You don't need CWM. But I feel like a traitor telling you how... :crying: Sell or exchange the unit with someone stuck with a unrootable one. Make them pay for shipping for both units. Don't kill the root...
Let me know if you still want me to give you the step-by-step...
Y314K said:
It's very easy to unroot & get it back to stock with the AFTV Utility app. You don't need CWM. But I feel like a traitor telling you how... :crying: Sell or exchange the unit with someone stuck with a unrootable one. Make them pay for shipping for both units. Don't kill the root...
Let me know if you still want me to give you the step-by-step...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to make you feel bad, but it it's any consolation I sold a rooted Chromecast to someone who would make better use of it ( at the same price as an unrootable Chromecast). So, although I understand that this is a bit difficult, I would really appreciate the step-by-step process. I am currently running CWM, latest rooted firmware, busybox free, su, Amazon updates blocked. I would like them all gone via the process and the unit back to stock.
Thank you,
Philip
mroneeyedboh said:
If you want to unroot it, Id sell the one you have rooted ( since they are becoming like ghosts now ) and buy one with the money profited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not in it for any profit. Just like trying out different media players. They kind of come and go on a regular basis. But I do get the logic behind your suggestion.
The ability to return something to stock is important for everyone even if it were just a warranty issue ( not the case here though). I've seen quite a few threads on the subject for tablets and phones, just not the Fire TV.
The current Fire TV is pretty open as shipped. This is very different than the Apple TV situation or Chromecast where rooted units became priced at unbelievable levels. The main advantage of rooted FTV's seems to be centered around the USB port or turning it into an XBMC box with the Amazon GUI hidden.
Philip
pmcdunnough said:
Sorry to make you feel bad, but it it's any consolation I sold a rooted Chromecast to someone who would make better use of it ( at the same price as an unrootable Chromecast). So, although I understand that this is a bit difficult, I would really appreciate the step-by-step process. I am currently running CWM, latest rooted firmware, busybox free, su, Amazon updates blocked. I would like them all gone via the process and the unit back to stock.
Thank you,
Philip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NP... Also Linux sideloading is coming too... Along with custom kernels, overclocking, Rom's, etc... But they will all need rooot...
So what you do with the APP is...
Make sure you keep the update IP's blocked in your router if you want to root in the future.
Using the latest AFTV Utility Change Recovery to "recovery-stock-51.1.0.img"
This will kill root & it should restart the FTV to Stock Recovery. If not you can hit "Reboot to Recovery" in the app.
From the Stock Recovery do a Factory Reset & also a "clear cache" only. Then reboot the FTV & enjoy the startup video again.
You can do the Factory Reset from the Menu/System too. But you won't be able to clean the cache from there. The Factory Reset is what actually gets rid of any installed apps.
Then you should now have a back to stock AFTV. And you can choose to update to a non-rootable FW. Once you stop blocking the IP's...
You can find how to manually tell it to update in the System Menu.
I"ve never actually booted in the stock recovery so not sure what it looks like and if it has the same options as CWM. But if it doesn't you can go into Menu/System and do the Factory Reset from there.
You can clear cache & do Factory Reset from stock recovery..
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Also to correctly close command promps with this app you sometimes need to hit CTRL+C to be able to input EXIT to close it.
NOTE: Since you mention you had CWM already... Here is a post that would help you wipe stuff thru CWM & Factory reset before unrooting thru the recovery shot.. WIll come out with an alternative way to fully clear cache's & format stuff in the future... ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/q-cwm-factory-reset-leaves-stuff-t2928521 ) The jest of it is you never format system unless you are ready to flash FW again before any reboot thru CWM.
pmcdunnough said:
Thanks. I had read that excellent guide before. It requires ClockworkMod and retains root if you select an appropriate firmware. This doesn't seem to restore a Fire TV to the state it was bought. For instance, ClockworkMod would still be there and perhaps even Amazon update blocking.
I should have been clearer with my intent. I would like to know how to restore a Fire TV to the state that it came when purchased. That is, I want to know how to remove any traces of me having touched it!
Sent from my Fire HDX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated in the first sentence of that guide, it will "revert back to the stock recovery and stock software". In other words, ClockworkMod would be gone. Following that guide and doing a factory reset afterwards would leave the Fire TV in a fully stock state without root and without the update blocking.
AFTVnews.com said:
As stated in the first sentence of that guide, it will "revert back to the stock recovery and stock software". In other words, ClockworkMod would be gone. Following that guide and doing a factory reset afterwards would leave the Fire TV in a fully stock state without root and without the update blocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had read the guide. I think I was confused by the meaning of stock recovery. I kept thinking that CWM would still be there as well as my modifications. My misunderstanding. Sorry about that.
Well now I have two ways to proceed. I guess applying both will guarantee I will never again be root
Philip
Sent from my Fire HDX.
pmcdunnough said:
I had read the guide. I think I was confused by the meaning of stock recovery. I kept thinking that CWM would still be there as well as my modifications. My misunderstanding. Sorry about that.
Well now I have two ways to proceed. I guess applying both will guarantee I will never again be root
Philip
Sent from my Fire HDX.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both AFTVNews great guide & the AFTV Utility method are doing the exact same thing... You only need to choose one that you are most comfortable with. Specially since you can't unroot twice. All you would be doing by doing it twice is installing stock recovery on top of stock recovery...
Edited the instructions for your specific purpose.
kraqh3d said:
AFTVnews has a guide on returning to stock:
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-revert-an-amazon-fire-tv-back-to-stock-recovery-and-stock-software/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since XBMC/KODI is now an official app and the icon shows up on the home screen I don't feel the need to be rooted and have all the extra stuff installed. I followed this guide on both of my FTV's, worked great I'm back to stock like I wanted to be with the latest software installed. Netflix is updated and working great, it was stuck on an older version before. Best of all the 5ghz band stays connected now (2.4ghz was strong but 5ghz would not stay connected) and buffering on 1080p files is non existent.
My only issue now is that on one of my FTV boxes when I check for updates it throws an update error, I think I may have forgotten to "enable OTA updates" in the fire tv utility app before I removed SU, xposed, towel root, clockworkmod etc.. All router level update DNS blocks have been removed and my other FTV can scan for updates with no problem (I did remember to enable OTA updates in the fire tv utility app for this box). I can install apps, I'm just getting that error message when I scan for an update to the FTV software.
Am I screwed now? Will I not be able to get OTA updates in the future? Perhaps I need to do a factory reset to enable them?
Both are on:
51.1.4.3_user_514020320 stock software
51.1.3.0_user_513011520 stock recovery
Thanks in advance!
MxChris said:
Since XBMC/KODI is now an official app and the icon shows up on the home screen I don't feel the need to be rooted and have all the extra stuff installed. I followed this guide on both of my FTV's, worked great I'm back to stock like I wanted to be with the latest software installed. Netflix is updated and working great, it was stuck on an older version before. Best of all the 5ghz band stays connected now (2.4ghz was strong but 5ghz would not stay connected) and buffering on 1080p files is non existent.
My only issue now is that on one of my FTV boxes when I check for updates it throws an update error, I think I may have forgotten to "enable OTA updates" in the fire tv utility app before I removed SU, xposed, towel root, clockworkmod etc.. All router level update DNS blocks have been removed and my other FTV can scan for updates with no problem (I did remember to enable OTA updates in the fire tv utility app for this box). I can install apps, I'm just getting that error message when I scan for an update to the FTV software.
Am I screwed now? Will I not be able to get OTA updates in the future? Perhaps I need to do a factory reset to enable them?
Both are on:
51.1.4.3_user_514020320 stock software
51.1.3.0_user_513011520 stock recovery
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you left updates disabled, a factory reset will clear it.

Both of my FTVs are crashing with Kodi

I have two FTVs both running old 51.1.1.0. Both of them have Kodi 14.2 and both crash shortly after I launch Kodi. They were both working fine and then both stopped working the same day. I thought there may have been an update, but that didn't happen. I can't figure it out and I'm really frustrated with these boxes. I'm ready to sell them and get something better. I can't even update them. Every way I try to update fails.
Any suggestions?
madtork said:
I have two FTVs both running old 51.1.1.0. Both of them have Kodi 14.2 and both crash shortly after I launch Kodi. They were both working fine and then both stopped working the same day. I thought there may have been an update, but that didn't happen. I can't figure it out and I'm really frustrated with these boxes. I'm ready to sell them and get something better. I can't even update them. Every way I try to update fails.
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to provide a lot more info regarding your boxes. I am assuming your boxes are rooted or you blocked updates in your router because this is a very old firmware and if so you will not be able to update them over the air without enabling OTA updates.
Start here and read before you do anything (you can still keep root and update to latest OS3 s/w): http://www.aftvnews.com/start/
bula1ca said:
You have to provide a lot more info regarding your boxes. I am assuming your boxes are rooted or you blocked updates in your router because this is a very old firmware and if so you will not be able to update them over the air without enabling OTA updates.
Start here and read before you do anything (you can still keep root and update to latest OS3 s/w): http://www.aftvnews.com/start/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They both are rooted. I'm just trying to update Kodi. I thought it would be best to keep the old firmware. I've used the Windows utility app to try and install the new version of Kodi as well as the fire installer on an android phone. Nothing seems to work. This is the way I've always done it. Let me know what other information I can provide.
Not sure why you want to keep an older firmware (newer versions bring fixes and improvements) but that is up to you. Have you installed something on both units that lead to the system crash? It is very weird that both units stopped working at the same time. Have you try to clean cache (not data) and run kodi again? If this does not work do a back up, uninstall kodi, reset firetv, reinstall whatever version of kodi you like and run it (do not restore you back up yet) if all is good (opens up) exit kodi and restore your back up. If it still does not open then something got corrupted in your data files and you will have to reinstall everything from scratch.
bula1ca said:
Not sure why you want to keep an older firmware (newer versions bring fixes and improvements) but that is up to you. Have you installed something on both units that lead to the system crash? It is very weird that both units stopped working at the same time. Have you try to clean cache (not data) and run kodi again? If this does not work do a back up, uninstall kodi, reset firetv, reinstall whatever version of kodi you like and run it (do not restore you back up yet) if all is good (opens up) exit kodi and restore your back up. If it still does not open then something got corrupted in your data files and you will have to reinstall everything from scratch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried clearing cash. The reason I didn't take an OTA update for firmware is because I thought I couldn't root the newer versions.
madtork said:
I've tried clearing cash. The reason I didn't take an OTA update for firmware is because I thought I couldn't root the newer versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still update to latest firmware (using rbox prerooted images). Follow link I posted above and read, read, read before you do anything.
I think the same as bula1ca write down here.
First update to the last availible prerooted rom. Read it here how to do: http://www.aftvnews.com/start/
Another question from my side is: Why did you use kodi 14.2.
kodi 16 jarvis is availible and you can use it as launcher too with a pythin script here from the board.
Feel free to ask your question but please read enough before
Greetings by Idijt

FTV 1 - How to cancel an update that wants to run??

I have a rooted AFTV1 with RBox's boot menu and root installed. I had all Amazon updates blocked via my router's firewall, but when I did a firmware upgrade on it.......it reset my configuration and the FTV was exposed to the update servers. When I realized this, I went to my FTV and it said that it was ready to install an update with a countdown. I was indeed lucky I caught it, and I immediately pulled the power. I was wondering how I should proceed to prevent this update that had been downloaded from running? Will a re-flashing of Rbox's pre rooted rom through the boot menu delete the Amazon update or where are the update files held (located) so I can find and delete them before they have a chance to execute?
I did power back on to be sure the boot menu was still there, but I don't want to fully boot this box again until I know how to prevent losing root & open bootloader for good. I know I should have disabled the update service in the firetv as a backup, but hindsight is 20/20. Thanks in advance.
This fellow deleted his.
HTML:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/firmware-update-5-0-5-1-t3351203#6
Adaptel said:
I have a rooted AFTV1 with RBox's boot menu and root installed. I had all Amazon updates blocked via my router's firewall, but when I did a firmware upgrade on it.......it reset my configuration and the FTV was exposed to the update servers. When I realized this, I went to my FTV and it said that it was ready to install an update with a countdown. I was indeed lucky I caught it, and I immediately pulled the power. I was wondering how I should proceed to prevent this update that had been downloaded from running? Will a re-flashing of Rbox's pre rooted rom through the boot menu delete the Amazon update or where are the update files held (located) so I can find and delete them before they have a chance to execute?
I did power back on to be sure the boot menu was still there, but I don't want to fully boot this box again until I know how to prevent losing root & open bootloader for good. I know I should have disabled the update service in the firetv as a backup, but hindsight is 20/20. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the boot menue installed correct and running a pre-rotted image it should fail installation. Rbox build in stock image installation protection in his released pre-rooted images.
bula1ca said:
If you have the boot menue installed correct and running a pre-rotted image it should fail installation. Rbox build in stock image installation protection in his released pre-rooted images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a post on AFTVnews that says that is not the case.
HTML:
http://www.aftvnews.com/twrp-custom-recovery-will-not-reject-a-stock-amazon-update/
2WhlWzrd said:
There is a post on AFTVnews that says that is not the case.
HTML:
http://www.aftvnews.com/twrp-custom-recovery-will-not-reject-a-stock-amazon-update/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are confused, bud. This tread is about a Firetv 1st gen.
Post from AFTVnews is referring to a rooted Firetv 2 not 1 what I posted was regarding 1st gen Firetv. FYI rbox fixed recovery for FireTv2 as well in his latest TWRP release.
Adaptel said:
I have a rooted AFTV1 with RBox's boot menu and root installed. I had all Amazon updates blocked via my router's firewall, but when I did a firmware upgrade on it.......it reset my configuration and the FTV was exposed to the update servers. When I realized this, I went to my FTV and it said that it was ready to install an update with a countdown. I was indeed lucky I caught it, and I immediately pulled the power. I was wondering how I should proceed to prevent this update that had been downloaded from running? Will a re-flashing of Rbox's pre rooted rom through the boot menu delete the Amazon update or where are the update files held (located) so I can find and delete them before they have a chance to execute?
I did power back on to be sure the boot menu was still there, but I don't want to fully boot this box again until I know how to prevent losing root & open bootloader for good. I know I should have disabled the update service in the firetv as a backup, but hindsight is 20/20. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have ClockworkMod installed, the update should fail to install. That said, to be extra safe, I would boot into ClockworkMod and then connect to the device via ADB to have access to the file system. Then, with ADB shell, look for a .bin file in /cache or in /sdcard/Android/data/com.amazon.device.software.ota/files/
If you find one, delete it with the "rm" command.

Want to upgrade my rooted fire TV Gen 2

I got a Fire TV Gen 2 rooted Firmware is 5.04 536116920. I need to upgrade the firmware and want to keep root Mainly because of the the Netflix glitch. I tried to follow the the guide http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-upda...tv-to-the-latest-version-without-losing-root/ but I am getting nowhere
I do not think I got ClockworkMod installed but even for this I got permission error Chmod seems to be applied but no luck!
guliver365 said:
I got a Fire TV Gen 2 rooted Firmware is 5.04 536116920. I need to upgrade the firmware and want to keep root Mainly because of the the Netflix glitch. I tried to follow the the guide http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-upda...tv-to-the-latest-version-without-losing-root/ but I am getting nowhere
I do not think I got ClockworkMod installed but even for this I got permission error Chmod seems to be applied but no luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Head over to AFTVnews.com again and look for his guide on fire tv 2.
You probably be best to install TWRP recovery and then the latest pre rooted ROM. Making sure after all steps you wont update it. As soon as your back into the os run the command to block updates.
Another good suggestion is to make a backup (preferably to micros sd card for space reasons) as soon as you can. Then after you have everything setup.
I just updated my fire tv 2 earlier today very simple to do when you have TWRP. The pre rooted roms are linked in his guide also.
The link you have been looking for is not what is used.
sconnyuk said:
Head over to AFTVnews.com again and look for his guide on fire tv 2.
You probably be best to install TWRP recovery and then the latest pre rooted ROM. Making sure after all steps you wont update it. As soon as your back into the os run the command to block updates.
Another good suggestion is to make a backup (preferably to micros sd card for space reasons) as soon as you can. Then after you have everything setup.
I just updated my fire tv 2 earlier today very simple to do when you have TWRP. The pre rooted roms are linked in his guide also.
The link you have been looking for is not what is used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you got it right I Finally updated to 5.2.1.0 and added TWRP following this guide http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-root-the-amazon-fire-tv-2 for a while I was scared since the amazon app was saying update in progress I even rebooted several time to prevent it and stop my rooter but everything is fine and I added the "pm disable com.amazon.device.software.ota"
I Just need to install fire starter if it is working with this version
I just updated today from the out-of-box (i think 5.0.1) version that I rooted to the latest images from April 2016 (TWRP as well), and firestarter has been lost for me. I ran a suggested adb line to enable the app (apparently the OS blocks firestarter by name, and has the ability to blacklist/block apps like that without OTA updates). Even though the app showed back up, it's functionality is lost. I've tried firestopper as well, but the FireOS seems to break the homebutton detection, which is why I used the app. Fortunately, I enjoy the new FireOS ability to double-tap home button and see a list of apps, which is where Kodi actually shows up for me, since it won't show in the Recent Apps. Good luck, just wanted to post my anectdote!

Fire Stick 4k crashes when starting stream (prime/netflix)

My Fire Stick 4K (with unlocked bootloader and TWRP installed, using the official non-rooted image with enabled auto-updates) was working fine until a few weeks ago. Since then I experience the following behavior. When I start a video on Prime I get no video, only some seconds audio then the whole stick crashes and restarts. Similar with Netflix, it crashes consistently after the netflix logo intro of the Netflix app. Playing a video file via Kodi is still working fine without issue though.
As I did not make any active changes when this behavior started, it looks there might be an issue with the updates that got installed automatically. Maybe a codec issue? Has anyone else experienced that?
I tried already the basic things like re-installing the apps, cleaning the caches/data. I tried even a factory reset of the whole stick, but nothing of that helped. I was thinking of installing a custom image, but not sure if I am on the right track here. Any help would be appreciated.
edit: after looking further I found the "tz firmware fix", which seems to be related to this. What I don't get is why this is not installed automatically. Is TWRP preventing this? So basically I got the latest OS but not the "latest" (if that term fits here) TrustZone? Obviously my knowledge on this whole thing is rather limited.
edit2: now that I found the relevant posts in the other threads I think I understand the issue much better (seems I used the wrong keywords in my search before posting this thread). If I understood everything correctly, I assume the following happened:
- OTA installed official 6.2.8.1
- automatic tz update did not work as I already have TWRP, which is a good thing as this prevents blowing the efuse
- however having the old tz leads to broken prime/netflix (or DRM content in general)
- simply updating the tz would make DRM work again, but burn the efuse, hence I should make sure that I use an update that also removes the burn-the-efuse part
my conclusion would be:
1) install latest rbox' Prerooted Stock Image [6.2.8.1_r2] as this includes the updated tz (and hopefully avoid blowing the efuse)
2) and maybe this time disable OTA to avoid similar unwanted scenarios in the future
If anyone could confirm my reasoning... would be highly appreciated.
Lei_Wulong said:
my conclusion would be:
1) install latest rbox' Prerooted Stock Image [6.2.8.1_r2] as this includes the updated tz (and hopefully avoid blowing the efuse)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, thats fine
Lei_Wulong said:
disable OTA to avoid similar unwanted scenarios in the future
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is very important just after (or infront) the tz update.
If you forget it, the next OTA update (installed via twrp) burns your fuse...
Only way to update is via rbox.
Thanks for your reply. First part (installing rooted image) went fine. I followed this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...root-and-install-addons-firestick-4k.4015273/
But during disabling OTA updates, when you need superuser access (via su), I made the mistake of not reacting fast enough to grant the access. It seems there was a popup to react to within 10 sec or so, which I missed as the TV was not directly in sight. When I try "su" again I get a direct "permission denied" without any means to grant it.
Code:
mantis:/ $ su
Permission denied
13|mantis:/ $
A simple restart did not resolve this. Is this decision permanently saved? Can I re-trigger this somehow?
Lei_Wulong said:
A simple restart did not resolve this. Is this decision permanently saved? Can I re-trigger this somehow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ofcourse
You need to open the App Magisk Manager, then open the SU tab and grant SU access to Shell.
Then disable updates...
Never mind, somehow Magisk was not there, hence there is no surprise that it does not ask anymore. Re-installed the image, re-registered the account, disabled OTA. All good.

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