About
On the Fire TV Stick 4K and 4K Max (2nd generation, 2023), our app can’t start by itself after a restart unless you allow “drawing over other apps” (SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW). Fire OS 8 has no screen for it, so you grant it once from a computer with a developer tool. Here’s how, step by step.
Get Started
Applies to: Fire TV Stick 4K 2nd generation (2023) and Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd generation (2023), with rounded corners.
Prepare the Fire TV
- Go to Settings → My Fire TV → About, select the device name (like Fire TV Stick 4K Max) and press it 10 times, until you see Developer Mode Enabled
- Go to Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options and turn on ADB Debugging
- Connect the Fire TV and your computer to the same Wi-Fi
- Note the Fire TV’s IP address: Settings → My Fire TV → About → Network
Grant the permission from a Mac
- Download platform-tools.zip file.
- Double-click the downloaded .zip file to unzip it.
- Open the folder, right-click the path bar at the bottom of the window and select Open in Terminal. If the path bar isn’t shown, right-click the folder itself > Services > New Terminal at Folder.
- Execute the following command to connect to your Fire TV Stick:
./adb connect <device-ip-here>, for example./adb connect 192.168.1.115 - A message pops up on the Fire TV asking you to trust the computer. Select Allow.
- To verify that the device is connected, run the command
./adb devices. You should see the device listed. - To grant the permission, run the following command:
./adb shell appops set dk.fadeit.play SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW allow - The permission is now granted.
Grant the permission from Windows
- Download adb.zip
- Unzip the file and open the folder.
- Click the address bar of File Explorer, delete the path there, type cmd and press Enter.
- A Command Prompt window opens in the current folder.
- Execute the following command to connect to your Fire TV Stick:
adb connect <device-ip-here>, for exampleadb connect 192.168.1.115 - A message pops up on the Fire TV asking you to trust the computer. Select Allow.
- To verify that the device is connected, run the command
adb devices. You should see the device listed. - To grant the permission, run the following command:
adb shell appops set dk.fadeit.play SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW allow - The permission is now granted.
FAQ
This is too complicated. What else can I do?
Return the Fire TV Stick and get an entry-level player like the onn. Google TV or the Google TV Streamer.
Why is this needed?
Since Android 10, apps that start by themselves need the “drawing over other apps” permission. Our app usually asks for it, but Fire OS 8 (Android 11) has no screen to allow it.
