FireTV Stick Developer Options? - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So friend gave me a FireTV Stick, brand new (Fire OS 5.2.6.3 (606754020), Fire TV Home Version 6.0.0.6-127).
Little desire to deal with Amazon, need to enable USB Debugging & ADB. Gotten as far as Fire App on Phone to bypass Registration to get to Settings-Device-Options, held Center/Down to Enable X-Ray, Developer Options Hidden Menu etc, but can not find any way to Access USB Debugging or ADB to enable them. When you enable Developer Options, only thing it does is give option clear Recorded Metrics whatever. Enabled it, rebooted, disabled it rebooted, re-enabled etc etc, only option I get is to clear recorded metrics.
Tried several diff ways, nothing can recognize it ADB as I can't enable it, tried USB to PC, it recognizes FireTV Stick, can see whats on the Drive or SD Card, but again, can't send files to it without USB Debugging. Rooted every Android Toy I own, not new to this, but has me stumped.
How do you enable USB Debugging or ADB to a FireTV Stick with latest OS without ever Registering it? As far as Normal stuff, it hooks to Network fine (behind Firewall & VPN), but won't Update, why if you go with the Fire App on phone, you can "pair" and get as far as Option to Access Hidden Developer Options etc, but no USB Debugging or ADB Enable Option is there.
Never messed with one, was more a sort of Gag Gift for a favor he owed me, so said why not, lets see what all the fuss over these things is, I wanna tinker with it.

You can always de-register the device from your Amazon dashboard after setting it up for the first time.
I remember reading in another post, someone describing the exact same situation.
Using the app to skip registration and discovering there was no option to enable adb debugging.
Sounds like they may have fixed that.

I noticed in 5.2.6.3 the same security feature Amazon has implemented to detour people from buying and selling blacklisted devices. I have spent more time than I would like to admit trying to find a loophole, but without the ability to enable abd and unknown sources it seems impossible. I hate to say this but Amazon has it locked down and if anyone could figure it out they would have to someone on xda but no one I know has jad a clue. I don't condone theft one bit, but love a challenge and this one has me stumped.

Well, part of the fun, lol. Voice in my head keeps saying the Fire App, has to be a way, but not seeing it as yet. Did read where someone built a special HDMI setup and over loaded the OS, prompting a a "bootloader" screen and got in that way somehow, but far beyond me and said the parts to build it were like $150, let alone knowing what to solder to what etc, beyond my capabilities.

matafact said:
Well, part of the fun, lol. Voice in my head keeps saying the Fire App, has to be a way, but not seeing it as yet. Did read where someone built a special HDMI setup and over loaded the OS, prompting a a "bootloader" screen and got in that way somehow, but far beyond me and said the parts to build it were like $150, let alone knowing what to solder to what etc, beyond my capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly its fun and has also become consuming trying to find any way to get past each screen lol. I heard the same voice in the past and it worked lol. Now with these 5.2.6.3 2nd gen firesticks I have no way to get to Dev options and with the 4k firesticks it says my login is incorrect to Amazon, and as I previously mentioned I am pretty much out of ideas. Overload HDMI huh? Sounds interesting. Well back to the drawing board for now and If I learn anything I will let you know.

Well, Fire App in my head, dont know why, just keeps coming back to me. Not a programmer, not a Droid, Hacker type, but thinking this way, feel free to tell me Nope, won't work and this is why.
How does it pair with FTV Stick etc? Not Bluetooth etc, so how does it connect? Possible to take Fire App and tinker with code, add some/modify code or a script etc to modify it and get further into FTV OS 5?
Or thinking again, don't know, but seems with a Laptop on say WiFi Network, just like Droid, Iphone, with a Virtual Machine, know Virtual Box you can set up about any Android setup ya want.
So setup a Virtual Machine, tinker with Fire App in some way, and if Laptop can connect to FTV , well, just idea in my head that must be away to get around it, or at least with a Laptop would open many more options to try & beat it. Havent tried this yet, just keeps floating around in my head, may not even connect to a Virtual Machine, maybe over weekend I'll tinker with that a bit.
Somebody who programs etc would know far more on topic, but same idea keeps bouncing around in my mind. Could be dead wrong, maybe they have that locked down to, but guys here, well, how many "can't hack" toys have they already beat, lol.

matafact said:
Well, Fire App in my head, dont know why, just keeps coming back to me. Not a programmer, not a Droid, Hacker type, but thinking this way, feel free to tell me Nope, won't work and this is why.
How does it pair with FTV Stick etc? Not Bluetooth etc, so how does it connect? Possible to take Fire App and tinker with code, add some/modify code or a script etc to modify it and get further into FTV OS 5?
Or thinking again, don't know, but seems with a Laptop on say WiFi Network, just like Droid, Iphone, with a Virtual Machine, know Virtual Box you can set up about any Android setup ya want.
So setup a Virtual Machine, tinker with Fire App in some way, and if Laptop can connect to FTV , well, just idea in my head that must be away to get around it, or at least with a Laptop would open many more options to try & beat it. Havent tried this yet, just keeps floating around in my head, may not even connect to a Virtual Machine, maybe over weekend I'll tinker with that a bit.
Somebody who programs etc would know far more on topic, but same idea keeps bouncing around in my mind. Could be dead wrong, maybe they have that locked down to, but guys here, well, how many "can't hack" toys have they already beat, lol.[/QUOTE=matafact;78395384]
I wish I knew how to use tasker. Im a newbie but your ideas are great and have me thinking the remote app is the key, but it is a task I do not know how to execute.
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Related

Ouya Not Booting Properly

SO I have attempted to contact Ouya over the past few months with ZERO response. I'm hoping someone here can help.
So first up. I have no Internet where my Ouya is located. It had internet when I first got it and worked fine without it.
I have an Ouya and it worked flawlessly up until it would no longer get to the main splash screen. It kept asking for a wifi connection that HAD to have internet. Never did that before.
Then a few days later it would no longer boot properly. It now just sits at the little Ouya circle forever. We attempted to wait 3 days before giving up and shut it off. When I plug in a USB keyboard and attempt a ALT + PNT SCN + i the ouya just freezes.
Anyone able to help me out?
EDIT: I want to point out that I can connect the Ouya to my Windows 8 system and see all the files on the console.
airwa1kin7 said:
SO I have attempted to contact Ouya over the past few months with ZERO response. I'm hoping someone here can help.
So first up. I have no Internet where my Ouya is located. It had internet when I first got it and worked fine without it.
I have an Ouya and it worked flawlessly up until it would no longer get to the main splash screen. It kept asking for a wifi connection that HAD to have internet. Never did that before.
[..]
Anyone able to help me out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you havent installed adb yet => do it. After this you can use adb to start applications on your box. For beeing able to start an app it seems like you need to unzip the apk and look into the apps xml file to figure out the name of the method for starting it. (I really dont get it why there is no standard entry point for android apps?!) You can start system setup, an alternative launcher (Nova launcher works pretty) good and go into system settings for changing you wireless setup. Best is probably you hook youre box up somewhere with an 10Base-T Cable and configure the ethernet on the box.
Its said on the Ouya HP that this bug might result from a wrong clock setting. So you might want to check this before you do anything else. I had the same problem and did go away after hooking up my box via ethernet and reboot it a couple of times.
(I am pretty new to adb/ouya n stuff so there might be better solutions)
// Tycho

New to fire tv, need help rooting and I have questions

I have rooted a few phones here and there but this is the first time I will be trying to root a fire tv. I have the box, not the stick and so far from what I understand I will be able to root this version with the ethernet trick. That is all I know, I dont know how to perform this trick for one, let alone the steps I need to perform afterwards. Here is some information I have.
Hardware Revision: 03
Software Revision:02
Likely software: 51.1.0.1 or 51.1.0.2
I plugged it in and it said it was updating but I didnt let it get anywhere near finishing the software download before unplugging it and stopping it. So here are some questions. After I get root, will I have to flash a custom rom like I would a phone? Will I still be able to use the original apps like netflix or will I have to do everything through XBMC? Is there really a way to watch theatre release movies or is this just a scam people try to use to get money from others?
Same problem for me heres my thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/root-help-to-device-t3017428#post58541250 maybe you can find something there
xxxFoopaTroopahXXX said:
I have rooted a few phones here and there but this is the first time I will be trying to root a fire tv. I have the box, not the stick and so far from what I understand I will be able to root this version with the ethernet trick. That is all I know, I dont know how to perform this trick for one, let alone the steps I need to perform afterwards. Here is some information I have.
Hardware Revision: 03
Software Revision:02
Likely software: 51.1.0.1 or 51.1.0.2
I plugged it in and it said it was updating but I didnt let it get anywhere near finishing the software download before unplugging it and stopping it. So here are some questions. After I get root, will I have to flash a custom rom like I would a phone? Will I still be able to use the original apps like netflix or will I have to do everything through XBMC? Is there really a way to watch theatre release movies or is this just a scam people try to use to get money from others?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you got to the registration screen you should be good but I'd go to aftvnews and read the starters guide. Also, what made you stop? Most people go as fast as they can to get the process started fearing Amazon might find a way to update.
Your first step should've been to block Amazon domains on your router. Did you?
Since you got to registration screen, you should be able to check the exact firmware.
In all likelihood you'll need to downgrade (follow that guide closely) Youll need cwm and will be using rbox firmware. Everything looks identical to stock (Netflix, prime, Amazon apps) Unless you decide to change it.
But seriously, I'll bet you find this trickier than your phones so read closely. I bought my 2nd aftv last month and the process was way more complicated than it was in June. But pay attention and double check your steps and you'll be ok.
Go here and follow the root guide. WWW.aftvnews.com
Whatever you do do not let the update go thru. There, you will also be instructed how to block the update from your wifi router and also prominently disable the update going forward.
Newbie_from_NJ said:
Go here and follow the root guide. WWW.aftvnews.com
Whatever you do do not let the update go thru. There, you will also be instructed how to block the update from your wifi router and also prominently disable the update going forward.
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Click to collapse
Thanks I was just about to buy a fire tv from staples and was wondering does the firmware matter at this point
cpugeeker said:
Thanks I was just about to buy a fire tv from staples and was wondering does the firmware matter at this point
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Click to collapse
I just got a second unit yesterday - did the Ethernet unplug trick. USB storage is essential IMHO, so rooting is the only way to go.
I had the extra step of rolling back firmware, but it only took an extra 20 mins. I don't have a USB keyboard, so using putty on my laptop emulating a keyboard was also an extra step. I didn't do rboxs boot menu, don't really have a need yet?
Just unplug your internet from your router so you still can adb around on your local - no worries about updating while you fool around. Just make sure to have all the files local first - can block updates via adbfire or ftv toolbox whatever.
what are the advantages of rooting?
from what i understand without root we can stil install xmbc and playstore and apps
cpugeeker said:
what are the advantages of rooting?
from what i understand without root we can stil install xmbc and playstore and apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Main advantages are probably:
1. using the usb port for external storage since the ftv has such limited internal memory
2. being able to install the play store.
3. Enabling different launchers to react to the home button
This is tangential to the OP, but for me the remote management of an FTV is invaluable. I manage 6 FTVs now remotely with WebKey. Two days back, they send me 2 FTVs to upgrade (one old at the 51.1.1) and one brand new. They paid $15 bucks to ship and I paid the same for the return. Now, I don't have to pay that and avoid that cost (if not updating core OS/Bios stuff). That is a real dollar saving.
The point about Google Play is very true, not just for flexibility of installing, but also for using apps you already paid for (I would imagine that majority of paid apps do licence checking through Play infrastructure). That is a real dollar saving.
Using cheaper game controllers instead of buying OEM is a real dollar saving.
Creative uses of FTV like running a wireless router on it for non-intensive stuff is a real dollar saving. I am sure there are other creative ways to use it (with root) that talented people do without that information in public domain.
You need to extract real value out of your time to root. For some, its cost saving. For some, its ease of use. For some, it is the satisfaction of putting one over Amazon. For some, it is the value of learning about Linux/Android.
dbdoshi said:
This is tangential to the OP, but for me the remote management of an FTV is invaluable. I manage 6 FTVs now remotely with WebKey.
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Click to collapse
When you say manage remotely, do you mean remote control they way LogMeIn and TeamViewer work?
I am not aware of the two apps you mentioned. But Webkey is a true Remote Desktop for Android. Once you log in from a browser into your FTV (local or remote, HTTP or HTTPS), you see the exact screen of your FTV mirrored in your browser. And you interact with it as if you were sitting in front of it. Basically, what you see is what you get. Other added benefits are push/pull files, run apps with one click, a terminal emulator (all done through your browser) and a virtual text entry box that you can type in and send your blob of text to the FTV to whatever apps/controls are in focus and waiting for input.
downgrade help
Hey guys,
Hoping to get some help. New to Android and AFTV but I feel like I've made it pretty far. I'm stuck on downgrading my 51.1.1.0 Firmware to 51.1.0.2_user_510058520. I'm specifically confused on step 9 below... I make it that far and I don't know much about echo.. I type the line exactly as shown, after hitting enter, I get the command prompt again (no acknowledgment - success or error message, do I assume it worked?)
when I continue on to step 12 and try to push the update.zip file I get "cannot start update.zip : No such file or directory". I'm on a MAC so the c: instructions don't help me. How do I tell terminal where to get the update.zip file from?
Thanks guys.
dbdoshi said:
I am not aware of the two apps you mentioned. But Webkey is a true Remote Desktop for Android. Once you log in from a browser into your FTV (local or remote, HTTP or HTTPS), you see the exact screen of your FTV mirrored in your browser. And you interact with it as if you were sitting in front of it. Basically, what you see is what you get. Other added benefits are push/pull files, run apps with one click, a terminal emulator (all done through your browser) and a virtual text entry box that you can type in and send your blob of text to the FTV to whatever apps/controls are in focus and waiting for input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

FireTV Stick and Plex

Stupidly bought a FireTV Stick with the intention of putting it in the offpsrings room so they can watch stuff from my Plex server in their own rooms.
Installed Plex, it wants to activate, £3.99, fair enough, bought it, it then says I can't watch stuff until I activate it, so I try again and it just errors..
Plex forums are about as much use as a fart in a cullender, so ended up here..
Any root or custom ROM options for the stick so it actually becomes useful?
Same LAN network correct?
I've noticed that if Plex uses a WAN address it behaves differently and nags for money. If your on a local network and you've attached to the correct server than you should be good to go.
Maybe you've already done this but make sure you are connected to the correct server and on your local network. And also if the content is HD make sure you are using h.264 encoding. I've noticed the firetv stick struggles with MPEG2 HD.
I've got my Plex server locally with a static as well as the FireTV stick having a static IP, the problem lies in the fact that you cant get Plex to work for more than a minute, says it needs activating, charges you the £3.99 then when you try to play something it again says it needs activating, try to activate it a second time and it errors...
Might have to go down the sideloading Kodi or similar although I would prefer something that just launched straight in rather than having to go into Settings, Apps, Manage Apps then fire kodu up from there, hence the request for some sort of custom ROM...
Trig0r said:
I've got my Plex server locally with a static as well as the FireTV stick having a static IP, the problem lies in the fact that you cant get Plex to work for more than a minute, says it needs activating, charges you the £3.99 then when you try to play something it again says it needs activating, try to activate it a second time and it errors...
Might have to go down the sideloading Kodi or similar although I would prefer something that just launched straight in rather than having to go into Settings, Apps, Manage Apps then fire kodu up from there, hence the request for some sort of custom ROM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never had that problem, ate you in the uk? Works gangbusters in the us. I'm also plexpass, so maybe that's why...
Trig0r said:
I've got my Plex server locally with a static as well as the FireTV stick having a static IP, the problem lies in the fact that you cant get Plex to work for more than a minute, says it needs activating, charges you the £3.99 then when you try to play something it again says it needs activating, try to activate it a second time and it errors...
Might have to go down the sideloading Kodi or similar although I would prefer something that just launched straight in rather than having to go into Settings, Apps, Manage Apps then fire kodu up from there, hence the request for some sort of custom ROM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say much about plex. I tried it. It was good to very good, depending on my device, but kodi is better in my opinion. However, if that tedious navigation in getting to the app is really your only issue, you can use llama to put it right on the recent section, or boot right to it. Adbfire makes the setup simple. There's also firestarter that allows side loaded apps on the home screen.
I've been using Plex for years and I'm pretty regular on the forums, and I agree, the issue with the repeated activation requirement doesn't seem to fix itself. Here is the most complete thread on the subject (http://forums.plex.tv/discussion/151349/app-already-purchased-but-still-prompting-for-activation/p1), I seem to remember that the main suggestions are (1) do a factory reset on the stick, (2) contact Amazon, and (3) PM one of the Plex devs with your amazon account name and maybe the receipt info from the app purchase (I don't remember the details of that). Like ldeveraux I have a Plexpass membership, that seems to provide the magic to avoid the issue (but I'm not promoting the purchase, the price now is kind of high).
Kodi+PlexBMC+Amber Skin works very well and looks similar to Plex Home Theater, sideloading is pretty easy (http://sideloadfiretv.com/sideload-apps-amazon-fire-tv-windows), and I think it's just a better solution to avoid any issues with surround sound.
Firestarter (http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/themes-apps/app-root-home-launcher-replacement-app-t3118135) is an awesome app to easily access your sideloaded apps.
Ahh, llama might sort me out then if I can boot the stick straight to Kodi/XBMC, dont have a Plexpass here which might be why its working for you guys and not me..

Kodi addons not working on fire stick, avoid initial fire stick update

I've been using xda forums for a while now but never registered, now inevitably I have a problem.
Yesterday was asked by a friend if i could put Kodi on a firestick, never done it before but I thought what the hell I'll give it a go, read around and all easy enough. Now I have Kodi installed I've put TVaddons on there and used that to get all the usual stuff, Exodus, Phoenix, SALTS etc they work fine i.e. install and load fine all menus are there but non of them can find any sources, exodus wont even bring up TV or movie lists. like i said I've never done this before but I have Kodi working fine on my computer so thought it wouldn't be any different. I've tried clearing caches and sources, uninstalled reinstalled, downloaded exodus zip file just incase tvaddons was the problem and nothing I'm at a loose end. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.
Side note something I may be able to help with, i read recently (on here i think) that the fire stick will auto update on initial setup to the latest OS and to avoid this so you can root or for whatever reason, rather than plugging the stick into the provided power adaptor use one you have laying around or your computer, they don't provide enough power for the stick to be able to update. Hope that helps someone out there.
Are you sure you're connected to internet?
carpenter940 said:
Are you sure you're connected to internet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes I'm definitely connected to the internet haha.
just got a new fire stick and stopped the auto updates just in case it was that but still the addons don't seem to want to work my stick now running OS 5.0.5.1
everything installs fine, internet connections fine, addons go on fine they just dont work fine I'm at a loss
I installed Kodi for the first time the other day. Never used it before, still setting up. But I noticed the first few add ons I tried failed, like Exodus, All In One, DNA TV. None of them work. Figured it was me since I am new to Kodi. I figured it would be easy as installing and using them. Found TV guide. Tried 30 TV stations and none came on. I have a bunch to learn with Kodi. I have stock aftv1, lan connection. So its not just you.
I honestly don't know what was wrong with its but after what felt like a million uninstalls and re-installs i now have 2 working fire sticks with kodi running fine, don't think i will ever get to the bottom of the problem i was having the only thing i can suggest to anyone having similar issues is persistence, just keep reinstalling and eventually it seems to work, the only thing i can possibly think of is my internet connection has been playing up recently so maybe during the set up it disconnected and reconnected without me even noticing and messed up the setup other than that i have no idea.
Basically, Kodi isn't an organization which offers hardware at any level. It is an open source program or project, a group of volunteers who are committed to building a cool video player for various computers and mobile phones on such a large number of stages. It is basically planned to be utilized for video documents put away on your PC. It additionally empowers you to utilize additional items; these are straightforward contents which give you access to a wide range of content online. There are multiple solutions to fix this error.
Solution 1: Updating Graphics Card Drivers and installing DirectX.
Solution 2: Tweaking Kodi itself.
Solution 3: Installing Add-ons manually instead of Builds.
Solution 4: Clearing add-on cache. Solution 5: Using a VPN.
Here is the source link https://appuals.com/fix-kodi-not-working/ to follow and get the detail of each solution.

Casting issues/question

I tried to connect to a Fire Stick. I had edited that build prop previously and checked the 'enable wireless display'. The stick showed up, but it can't connect. Perhaps I'm missing a basic step. I was doing this at an Amazon pop-up store so I could have missed something simple.
I thought the hard part was going to be connecting my surface book but that connected easily- although the graphics were a bit lacking, but it did work.
My real goal is to find something that can show my screen- whether that's my surface book, my pixel xl, or someone else's iphone with only one device. I can't seem to find any device that can cast from anything and work easily. Any suggestions on something better then the fire stick or a way to get the fire stick to work?
Thanks!

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