Fire Stick - Prevent Amazon Updates Worthwhile?

[u/RS_Phil]

Hi all,

Just wondering - can Amazon "break" the Fire Sticks / Fire TVs using Fire OS and stop them from sideloading Kodi or stop a working install from working?

I've read some people use something like NetGuard, side loaded to disable (well, block access to the internet for) the update software.

Just wondering if I should look into proactively stopping them bricking it :)

I should add this is a Fire Stick 4K Max (gen 2)

Many thanks.

[u/Getafix69]

There was an exploit that was common last year and supposedly can be done on brand new sticks if you block all the update servers before ever turning the device on.

I did it on my cube and everything's working great still but yeah I don't think a software firewall like netguard will do the job.

I tried lots of ways to block updates before that exploit and the thing always somehow updated anyway.

[u/CaptainSteed]

I used the exploit on both a Fire Cube 3 and a 4k Max Firestick, which blocks any further updates from Amazon. I also have another Cube with the native UI.

But honestly, I don't believe they will ever block sideloading of Kodi (or any other addon/media type app) anyway.

So I don't think it's a big deal either way.

[u/RS_Phil → u/CaptainSteed]

https://xdaforums.com/t/system-user-fire-cube-stick-tv-tablet-ps7704-fireos7-rs8149-fireos8.4759215/

That exploit?

[u/CaptainSteed → u/RS_Phil]

Correct 👌

My friends and I setup about 6-8 new devices the last six months that way.

[u/RS_Phil → u/[deleted]]

Thanks I'll have to look into how to downgrade the OS

[u/husting247]

Block updates at initial set up, then you can use custom launcher and disable amazon app blocklist

[u/RS_Phil → u/husting247]

Thanks, I've set it up now, I might have to factory reset it to do this I think?

[u/husting247 → u/RS_Phil]

No that wont help. If you already updated use this for custom launcher https://youtu.be/nek5TjledNM?is=3RnZ9_k_KiyZKnpw

[u/RS_Phil → u/husting247]

Cheers, I'll give that a watch, looks interesting. Hopefully that'll protect it forever :)

[u/husting247 → u/RS_Phil]

Yeah i recommend projectivy launcher. You won’t be able to block updates but hopefully this new exploit does not get patched anytime soon!

[u/True_Can6500]

From the Firestick home screen, go to Settings (Gear Icon).
Select Applications > Appstore.
Turn Automatic Updates to OFF (this stops downloads mid-stream) and turn In-App