Troy put out several Amazon Fire “hacks” over the Summer that we could do to our Fire TV Sticks or Cubes that block future Fire OS software updates and prevent Amazon from blocking your favorite apps.
Since then, Amazon has patched up the ability for us to “hack” our devices but there may still be a way. See if anyone responds here if there is still a way to do it. I’ve stopped pay attention since my 3 Fire TV Cubes are hacked and work fine. Apologies I couldn’t help more.
This happened to my 4k Max a couple weeks ago, but it’s on a tv that only gets used a couple times a week. When it stops working completely I’ll replace it but I was able to reinstall TiviMate and remove unused apps is turned off.
I’m in Canada - all 3 of my firestick 4k Max - Stremio and CinemaHD (with all still working great with real debrid).
Have you installed the hack to block Amazon updates? If you don’t, Cinema HD will eventually stop working.
True, but at some point, we may have to say goodbye to the Amazon hardware and look elsewhere!
Hi I wanted to re-post this I did not see any interest in this but it has been working. I do not get this launch anyway screen on Cinema HD and other side loaded apps from Amazon. The only thing I have noticed is when I add shows to my watch list it will not add those shows to that watch list which sucks maybe something to do with syncing with those blocks. But as of me adding these URL blockers for updates I am still on the same version of update on my fire TV cube 3rd gen Fire OS 7707 (PS7707/5376 SO IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO DO IT BEFORE THEY TAKE AWAY THAT LAUNCH ANYWAY. My original post was:
Hi guys I went into Google search for blocking Amazon fire TV updates and this is what I got.
I tried it and it worked on my router.
I know Troy has a video on YouTube with the hack that no longer works unless you buy a fire device without its updates on it.
I have a TP link AXE 5400 I believe AX21 model. I went into parental controls under home shield not paid and added these URLs listed below and then added the devices I wanted to add it to like firecube 3rd gen. Saved and checked for updates and it listed after checking now update error. After a while it cleared back to check for updates and did the same thing after checking. So this Hack will work on fire TV cube and probably all of their other devices so your apps will not be taken off and blocked by Amazon. I think they may find a new way who knows. But who the thought that Google would give me this information under AI Thanks Google. Cheers guys.
"AI Overview
To block Amazon Fire TV updates via your router’s settings, you should add the following URLs (domains) to your block list or use a service like Pi-Hole or AdGuard Home for network-wide DNS filtering: 
URLs to Block
Recently checking that search on Google they have a lot less URLs now I think they’ll have to be checked every so often in case some are added. By Amazon
amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net
amazoneu-ota-prod.amazon.com (for EU region devices)
How to Implement the Block
Access your router settings: Log in to your router’s administration panel through a web browser. The exact process varies by manufacturer.
Find the filtering/blocking section: Look for settings related to “Access Restrictions,” “Website Filtering,” “Blocked Websites/URLs,” or “Parental Controls.”
Add the URLs: Enter the domains listed above into the blocking list. You may need to add them one by one. Ensure you block them using DNS filtering if your router supports it, as many consumer routers can’t block specific HTTPS addresses otherwise.
Apply and save: Save your changes and, if necessary, restart your router and the Fire TV device.
Verify the block: On your Fire TV, go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates. It should fail to find an update, display an error, or spin indefinitely. 
Note:
Blocking these URLs might also affect other Amazon services if you block broad domains like amazon.com. The list above is specific to update servers to minimize interference with other services like Prime Video.
If an update was already downloaded before you set up the blocks, it might still install. In this case, you may need to perform a factory reset without an internet connection initially and then apply the blocks.
An alternative method involves using a firewall app (like AdGuard or Rethink DNS) on the Fire TV device itself to block specific system apps related to updates (e.g., com.amazon.device.software.ota), which can be more reliable than router-level blocking in some cases. "
Google Search)%2C%20which%20can%20be%20more,-reliable%20than%20router
:Update Dec 16 2025
Yesterday Amazon forced a system update on my cube I don’t think they like it that I’ve blocked updates in my router.
Last few days system has been either locking up or losing internet connection while on my side loaded APK apps have to do a restart to restore everything. I kind of thought they would have another way to get into the system so I might end up just having to do an update take all those URLs off of my router and hope for the best I guess they still have the launch anyway but when that goes out I’ll be going over to my onn box that I haven’t used in a long time. Probably upgrade to the pro so I can control my TV and add any APKs I would like. For as long as that will last would probably be longer than Amazon streamers.
I’ve tried to resolve with cube but have no problem after restart and not using IPvanish or kill switch or cinema or Teatv
I think Amazon is just blocking me from using them after some period of time it is consistent these problems only with those apps and VPN. Hope I’ve helped
Because they want people to buy Prime and pay..
One of my people I help with cord cutting called me with a message on his firestick. It said Warning one or more of your apps including kodi and cinema is contaminated with pirated content, delete now. I never saw that before so I told him to factory reset and toss the thing in the trash it’s worthless. I’m working on a Formuler box for him now so no bigge. Just wondered if anyone got that message before.
Who is Fredrick and how did he know your firestick was using pirated content?
I think what @Masterofmydomain is trying to say is that you need to edit your title to say “Firestick.”
why in the world with the new onn boxes freely available? is anyone still trying to deal with firesticks? makes no sense….even the 20US ones work great with projectivity launcher…it’s golden
Hello, we’ve been talking about this a lot lately.
Here are two articles. One explains what they are doing and the other provides a solution.
My question is how do they know which app are using, especially if you’re using a VPN?
Does that mean VPNs are not working like we thought?
Just putting it out there…
They have a database of apps they are blocking and look at the app name or signature of the app within the code and that’s why the App Cloner tutorial is working that I posted a few weeks ago.
Amazon can detect the apps installed on your Fire TV device — including sideloaded ones — even when you’re using a VPN, because this detection happens at the device level, not over the network.
A VPN encrypts and routes your internet traffic through a remote server, hiding your IP address and network activity from your ISP or third parties. However, it doesn’t prevent the Fire TV from making authenticated connections to Amazon’s own servers. Those connections are tied to your logged-in Amazon account and is required for it to work properly, so Amazon knows it’s your device regardless of the VPN.
I would call him back and tell him not to do that there’s nothing wrong with it Amazon is forcing that to pop up and from what I’ve read it allows you to launch anyway. Before with I believe flix vision that I had only said uninstall. My cinema is still working and I do not get the alert as of yesterday.
My fault. It was supposed to say firestick.
I personally believe he accidentally turned Surfshark off while beetv was playn in the background. He’s almost 80 and he makes mistakes. I’m moving him off Amazon to a Formuler box as we speak.
That’s funny!!
Lol, I know. I was just having some fun.
