dumbtv, a script that strips ads and tracking from a TV

A set of ADB scripts and a small launcher that remove ads, telemetry and unwanted apps from a Fire OS television, with every change reversible. It runs from another machine and needs no root.

Build sheet

Device page: Fire TV Edition television →
Device: Fire TV Edition TV
OS tested: Fire OS 7.7.1.7
Method: ADB over network
Root: Not required

Can I build this?Beginner · AI 5/5 · $0

Difficulty: Beginner
AI-buildability: 5/5
Time: A weekend
Cost: $0

Parts

Fire TV Edition television

Tools

ADB (Android Debug Bridge)computer on the same network

Starter prompt

Based on "dumbtv, a script that strips ads and tracking from a TV" on Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/dumbtv-a-script-that-strips-ads-and-tracking-from-a-tv

I have a Fire TV Edition TV with developer mode enabled and ADB reachable over the network. Write a shell script that lists installed packages over adb, disables a list of ad, telemetry and voice-assistant packages from a text file, and can restore the original state from a snapshot taken before the first run. Keep every change reversible and ask before removing any app.

Estimates based on the original write-up. How AI-buildability is scored. The maker built this with AI tools: more vibe-coded builds. Building with an AI assistant? Connect it to Afterware (free MCP server).

Story

dumbtv is a set of scripts that run over ADB from another computer to change a television's software. The README says it was tested end to end on a Fire TV Edition TV running Fire OS 7.7.1.7. It disables about 65 packages tied to ad tracking, telemetry, experiments and Alexa, and removes a set of ad-funded streaming apps after the user confirms each one.

A configure script asks, app by app, which apps to keep. A snapshot taken before the first run lets restore.sh put back package state, app permissions, network rules and settings. DNS filtering runs on the TV through personalDNSfilter, and a small launcher replaces the home screen with one that shows only the user's apps and HDMI inputs.

The project is explicit about its limits. It does not replace the operating system, unlock the bootloader or survive a factory reset. The repository also keeps a catalog of which TV models have been tested and which dialogs blocked automation.

Resources · 5

Project repository Launcher README Latest release personalDNSfilter HaGeZi DNS blocklists