Question 2017 Fire Tablet downgrade Alexa

[Dracolich]

Hello, new member here. I have an issue with the Alexa app on my 2017 Fire HD7. It runs OS 5.7.1.0 which I understand is based on Android 5.1. A few months ago I replaced the microsd card and now when I open the app all of my devices are gone, but the favorites and routines are still there, and when I try to add a device it tells me the app needs to be updated. I've tried numerous times clearing the cache and data but I still cannot add devices. The settings shows the last system update was in 2023 and the Alexa app is version 2.2.461117, and according to the apk websites I use is for Android 6.0+. I have an apk for 2.2.418281 that should work on Android 5.1 but I can't get it to install - can't find an option to uninstall the installed version. I also have the 2.2.461117 version on a Chromebook that runs Android 9 and all of my devices are listed and working from it so it's not a network problem. Is there any other way to downgrade the Alexa version? Or other tricks to try to get my devices back in the installed version?

 

[VidJunky]

Welcome to Android Central forums. I imagine Amazon is like all the others with uninstallable pre-installed apps. It shouldn't have upgraded to a version that mismatches what your system is running, did you force an update or root the device? If not and this was some kind of automatic update, it's the version it should be. With Android you can go to the the app page at the Play Store and find the option to uninstall the most recent update for apps that are not able to be uninstalled. Maybe Amazon's Fire offerings work the same. Go to the Amazon App Store page for Alexa and see if you find the option to uninstall the most recent update.

As far as why you can't install an older version is because there's a newer version already installed. I would imagine the APK you found was for people who don't have the Alexa app on some device at all or for those who rooted their device and need to add Alexa again.

Check the app page and let us know what your find.

 

[Dracolich]

Thank you for such a thorough reply. I figured that is why my apk would not install, because the installed version is newer. My tablet is not rooted and I don't recall forcing any updates other than a older 2.2 version that worked for a long time.

I checked the Amazon App Store app but could not find a page for the Alexa app. After a while I tapped the hamburger icon and checked the Library. There I found a list of downloaded/installed apps, and the Alexa app was version 2.2.656185. So, somehow there was some mix up in installed versions. There I also found the options to delete from the device and from the cloud. I did those and the app was back to the original version 1.0.192.4. Now I upgraded it to 2.2.418281 from the apk and it opens with none of the devices, routines, or favorites.

I am at work now and will have to wait until this evening to try adding my devices.