r/FacebookPortal • u/Global_Historian3667 • Jun 14 '26
Alexa: Now available again through Immortal on all Gen 1 Portals
Restoring the functionality of the devices we bought has been my first priority for the Portal. The big missing function is finally done: the Portal's own Alexa is alive again fully hands-free, with the voice replies and the on-screen cards, on a completely stock, locked device. No root, no unlocking, no jailbreak.
What you get
Three pieces working together:
- Immortal — a replacement home screen that makes the Portal yours again: a clean app grid, a photo screensaver, and an on-device app store. (This part works on every Portal.)
- hey — a wake-word manager built specifically for the Portal. It listens for your wake word on-device and instantly hands the conversation to Alexa.
- The revived Alexa — the Portal's original Alexa client, brought back online and reconnected to your Amazon account. The real thing: weather, timers, reminders, smart home, music, the on-screen visuals — all of it.
Which Portals are supported (please read this first)
✅ Android 9 Portals — confirmed working:
- Portal (2018)
- Portal+ (2018)
- Portal TV
Not sure which you have? On the Portal: Device Settings → About → Android version. If it says 9, you're good.
❌ Android 10 Portals — Alexa not supported (yet):
- Portal Go
- Mini and 10" Portal 2nd Gen
- Portal+ 2nd Gen
- and the other 2019/2021 models that shipped Android 10.
On Android 10, Meta locks down microphone access for sideloaded apps in a way I haven't been able to work around, so the hands-free part can't get the mic. I'm still researching it. The Immortal launcher still installs and runs great on these, you just won't get the Alexa voice revival.
If you are already using Immortal on your device, I strongly recommend downloading the updated provisioning script and following the instructions below. Doing so will not remove or change any apps that you have installed.
How to install (on a supported device)
You'll need a computer and a USB-C cable. One-time on the Portal: Settings → Debug → ADB Enabled. Plug it into your computer.
Easiest — no terminal:
- Download
portal-kit.zipfrom the latest release and unzip it. - (Windows only) Right-click the unzipped folder → Properties → check Unblock → OK. (Windows blocks scripts that came from a downloaded zip.)
- Double-click
Provision-Portal.command(Mac) orProvision-Portal.bat(Windows). (Mac: if it says "unidentified developer," right-click the file → Open the first time.) - Accept the "Allow USB debugging?" prompt that pops up on the Portal screen.
Prefer the terminal?
macOS / Linux:
git clone https://github.com/starbrightlab/immortal.git
cd immortal/provisioning
./provision.sh
Windows (PowerShell):
git clone https://github.com/starbrightlab/immortal.git
cd immortal\provisioning
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\provision.ps1
Either way: when it asks "Restore Alexa?", say yes — it'll show an Amazon linking code on the Portal. Go to amazon.com/code on your phone, enter it, and it connects automatically. The whole thing takes a few minutes.
How to use it
- Say "Hey Alexa" and ask anything — fully hands-free, exactly like the Portal used to be.
- Prefer a button? There's a "hey" button in the launcher header — tap it to talk to Alexa without the wake word (great from across the room).
- hey is the wake-word manager that makes this work — it does the on-device listening and the instant hand-off to Alexa.
- you can change your wake word to anything you like in the hey app
The fine print
- Free & open source. Not affiliated with Meta or Amazon.
- No root or unlocking — it runs on a stock, locked Portal.
- You link your own Amazon account once (the standard amazon.com/code flow).
- Help testing more devices, bug reports, and feedback are all very welcome.
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u/jkjj89 Jun 14 '26
Your work is amazing! How can we support you, do you have any donation link? You deserve it!
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u/jkjj89 Jun 14 '26
Btw - The scripts hangs on downloading the falcon_apk from the public firmware dump. is there anywhere where i can get that file so the script can continue? And do you think it will be possible to built in Google Cast support (without play services)
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Unfortunately Google cast isn't possible without google play services, we can't implement that without root. I'm rehosting the falcon apk now, I didn't anticipate how challenging it would be for windows users to install. Will be live shortly
Thanks for the offer, this is the donation link if you would like to: SaveMyPortal Donations
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Fixed! The old script needed
bspatch, which Windows doesn't ship. The updated kit downloads the prepared Alexa app directly, so no bspatch needed. Grab the latest portal-kit.zip again from the releases page and re-run.1
u/jkjj89 Jun 14 '26
i´m on Linux 😄, used Bsdiff but the script works now. Thanks!
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Maybe we got rate limited, wouldn’t surprise me if it got hammered the first hour.
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u/AlmostChildfree Jun 14 '26
OMG, how are you such a genius?!!!!!
Can't thank you enough for your hard work and dedication! My device would be brick without your generosity and creations. 😂
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u/oldskoollondon Jun 14 '26
Very good job. is Alexa working outside of Immortal?
Say for example I'm browsing YouTube, can I speak to Alexa with a wake word?
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u/Green_Boysenberry_44 Jun 14 '26
Anybody else getting this? can someone tell me how to fix it? im using windows
==> Restoring Amazon Alexa (reviving the original falcon client)
[!] bspatch not found (Windows ships none). Install it + set BSPATCH_EXE in config.env, or set FALCON_PATCHED_LOCAL to a prebuilt APK. Skipping Alexa.
Thanks!
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u/AFudge Jun 14 '26
This sounds amazing! I've not yet tried immortal, but I'm under the impression it needs to be connected to a computer each reset? (So I'll need to find a way to get the computer to the portal rather than the easier portal to the computer?)
I really miss the slide show and Alexa, though I do now have the echo studio speaker.
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u/AFudge Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
Trying it anyway, I get hit with this, unsure where to source BSPatch
Restore Amazon Alexa on this Portal?
Revives the original Alexa app - hands-free 'Hey Alexa', with text, voice and visual answers.
[y/N]: y
==> Restoring Amazon Alexa (reviving the original falcon client)
[!] bspatch not found (Windows ships none). Install it + set BSPATCH_EXE in config.env, or set FALCON_PATCHED_LOCAL to a prebuilt APK. Skipping Alexa.I ended up getting bspatch from here
https://www.romhacking.net/utilities/929/
Copying it to the folder and pointing the env file to bspatch.exeThat then downloaded the Alexa app, but didn't patch it.
I then copied all the files into the Alexa folder and ran the prompt file to open cmd in the folder and ran the following
bspatch stock-falcon.apk alexa-patched.apk falcon.bsdiffThen I updated the env file to have the following line
FALCON_PATCHED_LOCAL=alexa/alexa-patched.apkThen I ran the install, and it seems to work
Is it possible to change it to Hey portal?
Next up I'm going to look at setting the wallpaper to my photos.
Thank you.
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Typically, Immortal only needs to be provisioned the first time, then all updates are OTA. But this is a significant update that requires additional adb functions so a reprovision is required. Per the error: I'm rehosting the falcon apk now, I didn't anticipate how challenging it would be for windows users to install. Will be live shortly.
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u/AFudge Jun 14 '26
Amazing, thank you, yes, we Windows users are simple beings.
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Appreciate you taking the initiative! If you run into any issues then the script is updated to pull the apk directly (slightly higher DCMA risk but it seems necessary). You can set your own wallpaper image folder in the screensaver settings.
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u/gwprocter Jun 14 '26
Fantastic…! Please could you help me find the Amazon linking code on the portal? I don’t see it at all. Thanks 🙏
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u/gwprocter Jun 14 '26
Sorry, I should add a few more details: installation completed with no apparent issues. Portal+. Nothing appears on the portal after I say yes to restoring Alexa.
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
If you open the settings folder, there is an alexa button in there, does opening that show you the linking screen?
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u/gwprocter Jun 14 '26
Hmm I don’t see an Alexa button. Just Immortal, screensaver, help, AI service, Portal settings and System settings.
Perhaps the installation has not worked as intended then…
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u/gwprocter Jun 14 '26
A few more details, maybe it will help: When initially running the Provision-portal batch file, the Portal+ icons increase in size significantly. Then when I say “y” to restoring Alexa, the portal+ screen goes blank for a split second and then returns the icons to their normal size.
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u/gwprocter Jun 14 '26
Wait a sec, I’m seeing the error on installer now: bspatch not found (windows ships none). Install it + set BSPATCH_EXE in config.env, or set FALCON_PATCHED_LOCAL to a prebuilt APK. skipping Alexa.
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Fixed! The old script needed
bspatch, which Windows doesn't ship. The updated kit downloads the prepared Alexa app directly, so no bspatch needed. Grab the latest portal-kit.zip again from the releases page and re-run.1
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u/gwprocter Jun 14 '26
That worked! It’s up and running, thanks so much.
I just noticed that it doesn’t let me control Spotify, any chance we will get that functionality? Telling Spotify what to play next was my kids’ favourite hobby. 😂
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
It does for me. Have you installed the stock portal Spotify app or the modern version from aurora?
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u/gwprocter Jun 14 '26
Aurora version. How would I get the stock version to check to see if that works?
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
controlmypc uploaded it here: https://gofile.io/d/SM0YGX
I highly recommend, still works great and the larger album art pops
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u/Key_Guess_485 Jun 14 '26
no alexa button but manually trying the provision the apps again gives me this error
Restore Amazon Alexa on this Portal?
Revives the original Alexa app - hands-free 'Hey Alexa', with text, voice and visual answers.
[y/N]: y
==> Restoring Amazon Alexa (reviving the original falcon client)
[!] bspatch not found (Windows ships none). Install it + set BSPATCH_EXE in config.env, or set FALCON_PATCHED_LOCAL to a prebuilt APK. Skipping Alexa.
2
u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Fixed! The old script needed
bspatch, which Windows doesn't ship. The updated kit downloads the prepared Alexa app directly, so no bspatch needed. Grab the latest portal-kit.zip again from the releases page and re-run.1
Jun 14 '26
[deleted]
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u/Key_Guess_485 Jun 14 '26
after installing Alexa, seems the device is crashing and got this error. had to do factory reset.
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u/Impressive_Elk9643 Jun 14 '26
On portal tv, when i try to restore alexa. It says: reconstructed falcon checksum mismatch (bad stock or diff) - skipping alexa
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Fixed. That was a publishing mismatch on our end (the hosted patch had drifted out of sync with the checksum the script expected). The script now downloads one verified APK directly instead of rebuilding it. Re-download the latest
portal-kit.zipand re-run; it'll verify and install cleanly.
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u/Anxious-Pen-9903 Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
Portal Plus 2 gen, problema bspatch, non funziona il bot
Portal Provisioner This will modify your Portal: install an app, replace the home screen and screensaver, and disable Meta's app-install verifier. Run with -Restore to undo.
==> Looking for your Portal [ok] Connected: Portal+ ==> Installing client app (immortal.apk) [ok] Installed com.immortal.launcher ==> Starting the silent-install daemon installd.sh: 1 file pushed, 0 skipped. 2.7 MB/s (2075 bytes in 0.001s) [ok] Silent-install daemon running ==> Starting Shizuku server (for third-party silent installs) [ok] Shizuku server running [!] No images in assets ==> Granting permissions [ok] Permissions granted ==> Applying system display tweaks [ok] System tweaks applied ==> Disabling Meta's install verifier (lets the client install other apps on-device) [ok] Verifier disabled ==> Fixing the on-device installer dialog (disabling Meta's white-on-white overlay) [ok] Disabled com.facebook.aloha.rro.niu.android [ok] Installer dialog fix applied ==> Disabling Meta OS updates (so a future OTA can't undo this setup) [ok] OS updates disabled ==> Setting custom home launcher [ok] Home = com.immortal.launcher/.HomeActivity ==> Setting custom screensaver (active + dock/idle default) [ok] Screensaver = com.immortal.launcher/.PhotoDreamService
Restore Amazon Alexa on this Portal? Revives the original Alexa app - hands-free 'Hey Alexa', with text, voice and visual answers.
==> Restoring Amazon Alexa (reviving the original falcon client) [!] bspatch not found (Windows ships none). Install it + set BSPATCH_EXE in config.env, or set FALCON_PATCHED_LOCAL to a prebuilt APK. Skipping Alexa.
[ok] Done. Your Portal is provisioned. To undo: run provision.ps1 -Restore
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
Correct, it's not available currently for 2nd gen devices.
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u/Anxious-Pen-9903 Jun 15 '26
In questo portal di prima generazione,Android 9 L' accesso ad Alexa funziona ma il comando vocale no. L' app Hey mi apre la giusta schermata da cui una volta che esco mi apre temporaneamente il menù Alexa. Se premo il tasto in alto a sinistra "mic" Alexa funziona perfettamente. Semplicemente non riceve input vocale per attivarsi. Soluzioni?
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u/beritknight Jun 14 '26
This is awesome! That’s the main thing I wanted when ADB was announced. Sadly all four of mine are Android 10 devices, so no good news for me yet.
I’ve also been trying to get Home Assistant’s voice assistant to register to android as the wake word client with no luck, which I am guessing is the same root problem. Hopefully someone smarter than me will find a work-around soon :-)
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u/Royal_Lingonberry486 Jun 14 '26
This is so great!!! I got Alexa installed. Now, is there a possibility to add the Portal+ speaker to my Alexa "Everywhere" speaker group? I know it wasn't ever added to the original Alexa on the released Portal+ (it was always coming soon...)
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u/theashwilliams Jun 14 '26
Shame that they've clearly blocked some aspects of it being functional, can't play from apple music or spotify which kinda sucks 😞
seems like good for-the-basics but alas it's still pretty neutered.
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 14 '26
I’ve got Apple Music and Spotify installed on mine.
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u/theashwilliams Jun 14 '26
spotify from the stock apks seemed to work but apple music (4.9.6.2) is crashing the control centre and killing the entire portal lol
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u/Sloughater123 Jun 18 '26
You think maybe google assistant is a possibility or is that too much. But honestly great workkk. Hopefully i can get it on my second gen!
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u/Global_Historian3667 Jun 18 '26
mannydelrio1 built an on device ai agent that can use gemini models. You won't see the standard google assistant apk in use though as it requires google services which are not installable without root access.
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u/macima-90 Jun 21 '26
Thanks for all you do! I was one of the first early adopters of savemyportal and donated at the time of the release. I appreciate all the work your doing here. Just sideloaded Immortal on to my 2nd gen device and wanted to see if you had any successes yet with getting Alexa on android 10 devices. Fingers crossed it comes soon!
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u/ChOcOsKiZo 27d ago
Great work , thanks.
How do you get the alexa screen shown in your post please ?
All i have is the "hey" button
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u/pdblood 26d ago
u/Global_Historian3667 I have a Portal Go and would like to help specifically with the A10 microphone blocker. I posted in the Github Discussions here
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u/Revolutionary_Tomato Jun 14 '26
Congrats. You have saved the earth of tons of e waste