Some of you choose to use an alternate Android launcher on your Amazon Fire TV instead of the default homescreen. This can be a beneficial decision if you’re one who often uses a variety of sideloaded apps. One thing that had always been missing from alternate launchers on the Fire TV was the ability to change the launcher’s wallpaper. Today that changes, because XDA Forum member schybiorz has figured out a way to enable wallpapers and forum member superkoal has packaged the modification into a simple to install Xposed module. The module enables both static and live wallpapers, as well as widgets.
Guide
- If you haven’t done so yet, install and setup the Xposed Framework on your Fire TV by following this guide.
- Download a pack of 3 required APKs from here (mirror)
- Download the WallpaperEnabler APK from the bottom of this XDA post
- Extract the 3 required APKs you downloaded (com.android.systemui.apk, com.android.wallpaper.apk, and com.android.wallpaper.livepicker.apk) and sideload them onto your Fire TV
- Sideload the WallpaperEnabler.apk you downloaded onto your Fire TV
- Launch “Xposed Installer” on your Fire TV
- Select “Modules”
- Check the box to the right of the WallpaperEnabler module. (You will need a mouse connected to your Fire TV for this.)
- Restart your Fire TV
- When your Fire TV reboots, you should now be able to open your favorite alternate launcher and change its wallpaper. Be sure to send thanks and/or donate to schybiorz and superkoal if you appreciate their work.
@AFTVnews
Gr8 post.. btw can u make a guide on installing Nova Launcher and setting it up. Cheers !
This looks cool, oh boy I wish I could root my fire TV :(
Go to play store
Download APK Extractor
Extract Nova Launcher
Upload somewhere to cloud/copy to your PC
use ADBFIRE to install extracted APK
Result: nova launcher on your FTV
Thanks.. but how do i configure to have the Nova Launcher as my startup instead of the FTV default screen.
Got root ?
Download luancher hijack v3 no root required just google that name in your downloader app on your FTV
Awesome — what launcher is that in the screenshot by the way?
Squarehome Launcher (Tablet)
Does it support navigation with native remote control?
yes,
setup via mouse, but then afterwards its fully controllable. one note to this launcher. can’t get normal widgets to work with it. but apex launcher or nova launcher are also working superb
It’s SquareHome Tablet edition
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.squarehome
I’m still testing a few other things aswell ^-^
if you wan’t to buy me a beer
Paypal chybiorz@freenet.de
Why would you post a donation link for posting a link lol?
it’s not for the link, it’s for my findings ^-^
but nevermind, can’t edit my text.
I already posted which launcher it is without “finding donation links” I also posted it long time ago on XDA lol
Dude he’s the guy who made the wallpapers possible on the firetv lmao
Its not for the link dude. Read the name of the guy who made wallpapers possible on the firetv!
Has anyone put together a list of launchers that work well with FTV and specifically ones that don’t require rooting but can still intercept the home key?
look at XDA for aftvlauncher helper. It sort of does this without root.
Excellent! Thanks so much for this. I read the post on xda but it seemed a little confusing and others seemed to be having issues. You really broke it down well!Thanks again!
Forgive me as I haven’t played with many launchers, but doesn’t this also require rbox tv mods to use it as your main launcher?
Or is there something else in the guide I missed? Thanks.
Hi AFTVNews,
Thank your for all your guides. I’ve used almost all of them and succeded in all with no problem!
I was able to activate the rbox mods on Xposed using Limitless Remote without needing a physical mouse as it was suggested on XDA forum.
Just sideload Limitless Remote Service to the FireTV and start the service. Then connect with the Limitless Remote on your tablet or cell using the mouse module and you have full mouse function!!!
Important: Make sure to sideload the Limitless Remote Service version 2.2.5 to the FireTV, since the 2.0.0 version that is on GooglePlay does not work.
Good luck!
Hi Guys
I’ve installed xposed framework on my rooted fire tv and followed instructions, however I get to step 4 trying to sideload com.android.systemui.apk with adb, i’m getting an error-
Failure {INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE]
I’ve installed the other 2 apks- com.android.wallpaper.apk, and com.android.wallpaper.livepicker.apk along with WallpaperEnabler.apk but just can’t get com.android.systemui.apk sideloaded.
Any thoughts?
Arcticmonkey, I just tried it and ran into the same problem.
So looks like this nice trick only works with Firetv1. It worked great with nova prime launcher on that, but on firetv2 it appears as a black screen.
it’s a shame since all the other apk files installed ok. But looks like we need the android system ui apk that is compatible with our Android 5 based Firetv2s.
On a sidenote: firestarter allows backgrounds so that’s a good alternative if you need pretty backgrounds.
something new?? i have fire stick tv 2nd no root for this and i have tvlauncher3.. i want to set cusyom wallpapers