Database Develop

[Q] Emulator

Well, my HTC screen is Crack, and its gonna be awhile till i get a new replacement. But i would like to access the settings to enable the 'Internet Sharing' as i could use it for my tablet at least. Any idea if there is an emulator that enables me to connect the phone? I tried google, but it shows emu for the wp8 os itself, not connections between phone and pc.

Nothing that will let you change stuff like that. You could in theory sideload an app that launches the relevant Settings screen, then launch it using the Visual Studio debugger (though that requires being able to unlock the phone, at the least), but that wouldn't actually put you in a position to toggle the option on the Settings screen. There's no way to control the phone remotely from your PC beyond the stuff that fascilitates sideloading, app debugging, file sync, and changing the phone name. Well, and Find My Phone, but that won't help here.

Dang it, guess stuck with this. oh well. thanks you.

AutoTools - Supercharge Tasker!

Awesome developer Joao have (yesterday) released a brand new app called AutoTools to his big AutoApps-library. It´s supposed to be a ``supercharged Tasker´´. For example it has it´s own ``secure settings´´ very similar to the old original Secure Settings-app it self that stopped development a couple of years ago. And wait for it... it does NOT require root!
There are though warnings that claims the functions will not work on all phones and also to enable ``secure settings´´ you need to connect the phone to a PC and install a specific software etc. (all info is in the app).
I have not yet dived into all the functions myself but only checked it briefly. But this is exactly what Tasker needs And who else to bring it than Joao, he is really brilliant :good:
Read more HERE and take a look at the really informative Youtube video.

About the ``Secure settings´´ function.
AutoTools Secure Settings
This allows you to change settings on your device that you normally wouldn't be able to with Tasker
NO ROOT is needed for this action
Examples
Turn GPS on when in Google Maps, turn it off otherwise (No Root!)
Change Animation Speed with a Quick Tile on Android 7 and Above
Change input keyboard depending on situation
Set Screen Orientation
To use this, AutoTools needs to be granted permission to change secure settings on your device
How to grant AutoTools the Secure Settings permission
Enable Developer Mode: Go to Android Settings -> About Phone and look for the Build Number option. Touch it multiple times until developer mode is enabled.
Enable USB Debugging: Go to Android Settings -> and look for the Developer Options option. In there, enable the USB debugging option.
Install ADB on your PC: Check here for a quick way to do it.
Connect device to PC: Connect your device to a PC and look on your phone. A prompt should show up asking you to allow your phone to be debugged by your PC. Accept this.
Grant permission: Open a command line on your PC and write
adb shell pm grant com.joaomgcd.autotools android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
Congratulations, AutoTools should now be able to use the "Secure Settings" action!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://joaoapps.com/AutoApps/Help/...utotools.activity.ActivityConfigsettings.html
Warning info inside the app claims that ``mobile data´´ only will work on 25% of all devices, but I can confirm that it works on my S7 edge. Also power saver mode and GPS ''battery saver/high accuracy/off'' works as a charm.

Auto Tools been out for a hot minute…

snej81 said:
but I can confirm that it works on my S7 edge. Also power saver mode and GPS ''battery saver/high accuracy/off'' works as a charm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And airplane mode?

You can toggle the Air Plane Mode by shell code, if you can't with that...

cottino said:
And airplane mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried it and got some strange results lol. Airplane mode enables (icon lights up) and mobile data turns off BUT cell connection is still up and I can make calls and send texts. So you could say that I get ``almost airplane mode...´´.
I read about some Marshmallow bug though for third party apps writing system settings even with permissions, could be what causing this.. https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=194376

loogielv said:
Auto Tools been out for a hot minute…
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has been out as a Beta app for a long time. It was released to the public a few days ago :-}

For Airplane Mode ( I don't have root), I use AutoInput to open up the notifications shade, then simulate a press of the airplane mode button. Works perfect

This is a lifesaver coming from Tasker + Secure Settings and System Module+ enabled which is not functioning with Marshmallow for GPS until I found someone talking about this app. Confirmed working with Marshmallow on LG G5 I'm very happy as soon as I saw it worked, I just bought the full version. This was the only issue I had as I like to use Waze often in my car and one or two less clicks is just another annoyance I didn't need :laugh:

can someone help me, I don't know how to install ADB, I'm running windows 10 home on my laptop,

Do i still need to do the adb command part if i'm rooted?

PAULRYAN52 said:
can someone help me, I don't know how to install ADB, I'm running windows 10 home on my laptop,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you found the answer, but Google recently released an installer for just the tools like adb and fastboot: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools.html

I found out in the end

[Plugin] Remote Adb Shell

Hi everyone!
I just created my first Tasker plug-in. This plug-in enables you to send an adb shell command to any other device on the network that has adb over wifi enabled. I for example use it to turn my androidtv on or off by sending it the command "input keyevent POWER". You can also open specific activities in apps for example or simulate touch input.
Please read the description before using it and don't hesitate to leave feedback/bug reports/tips! This is my first app ever published so I still have a lot to learn.
You can download it for free from the play store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ADBPlugin
Edit: It's now also available on XDA Labs! You can find it here

First update is live!
This includes proper (cat)logs and Tasker errors if something went wrong, so if you run in any problems, you can now tell me . It also plays a lot nicer with the Tasker timeout system.

@Humpie
Thanks for this plugin. I allready made a project for my sony android tv. Start apps and controll media play.
But to make the plugin better I have some featur requests:
It would be nice to be able to work with tasker variables. e.g input text "%mytext".
Another feature reqest would be to get a output variable for commands with output like adb shell pm list packages.

MartelKombat said:
@Humpie
Thanks for this plugin. I allready made a project for my sony android tv. Start apps and controll media play.
But to make the plugin better I have some featur requests:
It would be nice to be able to work with tasker variables. e.g input text "%mytext".
Another feature reqest would be to get a output variable for commands with output like adb shell pm list packages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips! Will definitely add variable support and I'll also have a look at output variables. They are visible in the logs already, but not yet to tasker.

Why can't we use the built-in code Acton in Tasker? Is there a difference?

loogielv said:
Why can't we use the built-in code Acton in Tasker? Is there a difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact there is, since android 4.something google removed adb from android devices, so you can't perform adb commands from your phone, well aside from my plugin that is.
There would however be no difference if your remote device did have Tasker and you programmed it so that a certain action does something with code. However, you would have to figure out a way to contact that device etc...

Second update! The Plugin now has Tasker variable support!
(enjoy @MartelKombat btw I'm still thinking about how to implement your other request!)

I doont understand. I can type the code, but i do have to remove the "adb sell" part of the code but it's good to go… is that not what this plugin does?

Humpie said:
Thanks for the tips! Will definitely add variable support and I'll also have a look at output variables. They are visible in the logs already, but not yet to tasker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Humpie said:
Second update! The Plugin now has Tasker variable support!
(enjoy @MartelKombat btw I'm still thinking about how to implement your other request!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any news on the output variable? I have high hopes since you mentioned you already see the output in the logs...
Thanks a lot for this plugin! It makes an unrooted phone much easier to control!

How to run root commands on an unrooted device with this plugin
I just wanted to share how I use this plugin, just to give others an example of what this nice plugin is capable of.
Recently, I bought a new device and for now, I have no intention of rooting it. Coming from a rooted OnePlus One, this means some of my Tasker profiles do not work as expected anymore and I have to find workarounds.
On LineageOS (and CyanogenMod before that), we have the option to display left/right cursor arrows in the navigation bar when typing text. I always loved this feature, since placing the cursor in the right position by tapping will always be a hit&miss game. Since my new device (S7 Edge) has no onscreen navigation bar, I was searching for a replacement solution to move the cursor. I came up with the idea that it would be quite handy to use the volume buttons for this. So, the idea was the following:
IF the keyboard is shown THEN use the volume keys to move the cursor (and suppress any volume changes, if possible).
It took me a while to figure out how to determine whether the keyboard is out (solution: install another keyboard and intercept the "change input method" notification as a trigger). Suppressing the volume keys' usual behaviour was easy (AutoInput -> Key Suppress) but the final step turned out to be quite difficult: How to move the cursor?
After doing some extensive research, I always came to the same point: "not possible without root". Damn.
But then, this plugin came in. The keyword "remote" in its name might suggest that you can use this plugin only to act from one device to another, but that's not true. Actually, you can use this plugin to run adb commands on the same device.
What does that mean? It means that you can run an adb shell command like "adb shell input keyevent xy" on your phone WITHOUT ROOT. In my case, I can run "input keyevent 21" and "input keyevent 22" to move the cursor. So, how can we do that?
Prerequisites:
Connect your device via ADB to a PC (google it if you don't know how) and run the command "adb tcpip 5555". That's it, you can disconnect your device now.
Then in Tasker, create an action with this plugin and type in the following:
IP Address: localhost
Port: 5555
ADB Shell Command: input keyevent POWER
Hit the play button to test this action. If you've done everything right, your screen will turn off.
Congrats, you just executed a command on an unrooted device which usually requires root privileges!
Important:
The only downside is, the tcpip setting does not survive a reboot, so you have to set the port 5555 again via PC after rebooting the device.
I hope I explained the important part well enough. If that's not the case, don't hesitate to quote me and I'll answer here.

digitalpig82 said:
Any news on the output variable? I have high hopes since you mentioned you already see the output in the logs...
Thanks a lot for this plugin! It makes an unrooted phone much easier to control!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry for my absence, really busy with school etc. (honestly, I also completely forgot, I hope you can forgive me). I'll try to look into it soon (this week or the next) and see how far I get. I really like that you like my plugin! I just found out myself last week that I can let unrooted phones send shell commands to themselves using my plugin, so I'm glad to see you found it out as well! (I used it for snapchat to simulate volume key presses, which is also possible without root indeed: https://www.reddit.com/r/tasker/comments/699sav/project_share_handsfree_snapchat_picture_and/ It also works for other camera apps that require you to hold the button to film, like whatsapp etc)
Edit: I hope it pleases you to hear that today I started working on it again. I already have the responses bundled in a list in Java, now I just need to parse them to Tasker

loogielv said:
I doont understand. I can type the code, but i do have to remove the "adb sell" part of the code but it's good to go… is that not what this plugin does?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you have to remove the "adb shell" part since all my plugin does is access the adb shell part. This means commands like adb pull etc won't work, that requires a different type of connection, that for now I can't achieve with Tasker. But running any remote shell command should be fine (like how you would run it if you were directly running the commands from a terminal on your phone)

digitalpig82 said:
I just wanted to share how I use this plugin, just to give others an example of what this nice plugin is capable of.
Recently, I bought a new device and for now, I have no intention of rooting it. Coming from a rooted OnePlus One, this means some of my Tasker profiles do not work as expected anymore and I have to find workarounds.
On LineageOS (and CyanogenMod before that), we have the option to display left/right cursor arrows in the navigation bar when typing text. I always loved this feature, since placing the cursor in the right position by tapping will always be a hit&miss game. Since my new device (S7 Edge) has no onscreen navigation bar, I was searching for a replacement solution to move the cursor. I came up with the idea that it would be quite handy to use the volume buttons for this. So, the idea was the following:
IF the keyboard is shown THEN use the volume keys to move the cursor (and suppress any volume changes, if possible).
It took me a while to figure out how to determine whether the keyboard is out (solution: install another keyboard and intercept the "change input method" notification as a trigger). Suppressing the volume keys' usual behaviour was easy (AutoInput -> Key Suppress) but the final step turned out to be quite difficult: How to move the cursor?
After doing some extensive research, I always came to the same point: "not possible without root". Damn.
But then, this plugin came in. The keyword "remote" in its name might suggest that you can use this plugin only to act from one device to another, but that's not true. Actually, you can use this plugin to run adb commands on the same device.
What does that mean? It means that you can run an adb shell command like "adb shell input keyevent xy" on your phone WITHOUT ROOT. In my case, I can run "input keyevent 21" and "input keyevent 22" to move the cursor. So, how can we do that?
Prerequisites:
Connect your device via ADB to a PC (google it if you don't know how) and run the command "adb tcpip 5555". That's it, you can disconnect your device now.
Then in Tasker, create an action with this plugin and type in the following:
IP Address: localhost
Port: 5555
ADB Shell Command: input keyevent POWER
Hit the play button to test this action. If you've done everything right, your screen will turn off.
Congrats, you just executed a command on an unrooted device which usually requires root privileges!
Important:
The only downside is, the tcpip setting does not survive a reboot, so you have to set the port 5555 again via PC after rebooting the device.
I hope I explained the important part well enough. If that's not the case, don't hesitate to quote me and I'll answer here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So...is it possible to create a version of the plugin that runs locally and doesn't disappear on a reboot?

kenkiller said:
So...is it possible to create a version of the plugin that runs locally and doesn't disappear on a reboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to be able to create such a think but I don't think Google would allow it since it's a big security flaw to have adb opened to the world at all time without notifying the user. Some devices however have a debug over wifi function hidden in the developer options (like the nvidia shield android tv), there you can just enable it and it will probably survive a reboot.
However what I would advise to do if this option is not available, is to create a .bat file on your desktop containing "adb tcpip 5555". That way after a reboot you can just plug in your phone, click the bat file and be done!

Humpie said:
I would like to be able to create such a think but I don't think Google would allow it since it's a big security flaw to have adb opened to the world at all time without notifying the user. Some devices however have a debug over wifi function hidden in the developer options (like the nvidia shield android tv), there you can just enable it and it will probably survive a reboot.
However what I would advise to do if this option is not available, is to create a .bat file on your desktop containing "adb tcpip 5555". That way after a reboot you can just plug in your phone, click the bat file and be done!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm....But there's this custom nav bar app where it allows users to grant it adb shell permissions, and the permission survives over reboots. Auto tools and Securetask relies on the same process as well.
I guess what we're asking for is something that's not as encompassing as your plugin. Me, I just want to execute the power command without root in a way that respects smart lock, which is possible now with your app but doesn't survive a reboot, or with the custom nav bar app, which survives a reboot, but restricts me to using it in a tiny button on the nav bar, as the dev doesn't seem interested in exposing the commands to external usage.
---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 AM ----------
We discussed it in this part here....
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...avigation-bar-customize-t3590967/post72212488

kenkiller said:
Hmm....But there's this custom nav bar app where it allows users to grant it adb shell permissions, and the permission survives over reboots. Auto tools and Securetask relies on the same process as well.
I guess what we're asking for is something that's not as encompassing as your plugin. Me, I just want to execute the power command without root in a way that respects smart lock, which is possible now with your app but doesn't survive a reboot, or with the custom nav bar app, which survives a reboot, but restricts me to using it in a tiny button on the nav bar, as the dev doesn't seem interested in exposing the commands to external usage.
---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 AM ----------
We discussed it in this part here....
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...avigation-bar-customize-t3590967/post72212488
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems this app uses specific android permissions to be able to send events etc. However my plugin has no direct access to the android system (only by using the adb bridge), so granting my plugin these permissions won't help. What however would help is if I could find a way to enable adb over wifi using only some permissions... I have no clue whether this is possible though as the app would have to call service.adb.tcp.port 5555 for itself and that needs root or an adb connection (so it still requires a laptop XD). I'm still trying though.

Humpie said:
It seems this app uses specific android permissions to be able to send events etc. However my plugin has no direct access to the android system (only by using the adb bridge), so granting my plugin these permissions won't help. What however would help is if I could find a way to enable adb over wifi using only some permissions... I have no clue whether this is possible though as the app would have to call service.adb.tcp.port 5555 for itself and that needs root or an adb connection (so it still requires a laptop XD). I'm still trying though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. It's just that it's so close yet so far, heheh.... I guess I'll have to reboot only when home.

kenkiller said:
No worries. It's just that it's so close yet so far, heheh.... I guess I'll have to reboot only when home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found out it is in fact possible to have wireless adb survive a reboot! However it requires a build.prop edit.
in \system\build.prop "service.adb.tcp.port=5555" needs to be added at the end of the file and then after a reboot adb over wifi will still be enabled (at least it was in my case).
The downside is that this modification can't be done via adb without root unless you have a custom recovery like TWRP and run adb while having that opened and /System/ mounted.
I'm trying to create a zip that modifies the build.prop how it should be modified, but I don't think it's possible to run it through a non-custom recovery...
Edit: I added my .bat file for modifying the build.prop adding that line. It uses an adb connection that requires more rights than what android allows when booted, but should probably work if you are able to access adb from recovery and you are of course booted in recovery mode (using recoveries like TWRP or even some stock manufacturer ones).

Update 4.3 is live!
As requested you can now access the output from the console directly in Tasker.
I tried to order everything neatly in a list, with each line in the console being an item in the list, but this does mean that the initial "device\sdcard $" et cetera get added as an item as well.
But since I didn't want to cut off anything important I just kept it that way. You can just modify the list in any way you want (AutoTools has some handy Array handling tools built in).
I also added some hints in the main screen just for fun.
If you run into any strange behaviour, bugs or have tips, please tell me!
digitalpig82 said:
Any news on the output variable? I have high hopes since you mentioned you already see the output in the logs...
Thanks a lot for this plugin! It makes an unrooted phone much easier to control!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enjoy

Since most people are using my Plugin locally instead of remotely, I'm thinking of renaming it to just 'ADB Shell [Tasker]'. It would make it simpler when googling it. What do you think?

XZ1c not detected by ADB and questions about Immersive Fullscreen mode

I'm using the Minimal ADB and Fastboot program from this thread since it's easier for me to use https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317790
First two attached files are for my ADB question, the last three are about Immersion
I'm attempting to enable GSam Battery Monitor's extra stats like I did with my Z3c and my S6 Active, as well as
the Custom Nav Bar app for media controls in my navbar and eventually figuring out how to theme my phone using Andromeda. I believe I did everything correctly, but every time I type "adb devices" to see my phone it doesn't show as connected. My USB debugging is on. Maybe I have my drivers in the wrong folder for this to work? Worked fine when I had my Z3c and S6A.
Also related to using ADB, I want to know if it's fully possible to force Immersive full screen for all apps, including launchers, as there's a portion of the screen being taken away by a digital bezel, and as we saw with the 18:9 screen ratio trend in 2017, bezels are going out. There's a thread in the Pixel 2 XL forum asking if it's possible with Nova Launcher, which what I use, but it goes nowhere. I know that there's multiple apps in the Play store that can force your phone into Immersive mode as seen in my phone screenshots, but they leave an unsightly gap where the navbar used to be.

CMT 1412-4444 'Fours' said:
I'm using the Minimal ADB and Fastboot program from this thread since it's easier for me to use https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317790
First two attached files are for my ADB question, the last three are about Immersion
I'm attempting to enable GSam Battery Monitor's extra stats like I did with my Z3c and my S6 Active, as well as
the Custom Nav Bar app for media controls in my navbar and eventually figuring out how to theme my phone using Andromeda. I believe I did everything correctly, but every time I type "adb devices" to see my phone it doesn't show as connected. My USB debugging is on. Maybe I have my drivers in the wrong folder for this to work? Worked fine when I had my Z3c and S6A.
Also related to using ADB, I want to know if it's fully possible to force Immersive full screen for all apps, including launchers, as there's a portion of the screen being taken away by a digital bezel, and as we saw with the 18:9 screen ratio trend in 2017, bezels are going out. There's a thread in the Pixel 2 XL forum asking if it's possible with Nova Launcher, which what I use, but it goes nowhere. I know that there's multiple apps in the Play store that can force your phone into Immersive mode as seen in my phone screenshots, but they leave an unsightly gap where the navbar used to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have installed ADB, but did you get the drivers specific to the mobile?
It is possible that drivers from a previous mobile are still on your machine and can interfere. Try from a different PC if you can.
System UI tuner has some options about making all applications immersive. But you do need to be able to run some ADB commands to get this to work.

Didgesteve said:
You have installed ADB, but did you get the drivers specific to the mobile?
It is possible that drivers from a previous mobile are still on your machine and can interfere. Try from a different PC if you can.
System UI tuner has some options about making all applications immersive. But you do need to be able to run some ADB commands to get this to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have those drivers saved on my laptop, yes. Is there a specific place I'm supposed to save them to after unzipping them?

Update: figured it out. Used the guide on the full Android Developer site and it was a matter of getting the driver to actually update. Got the ADB command to work with GSam monitor but i cant get it to work with UI tuner :/ I'll just ask in the thread for it why despite typing "adb shell pm grant xyz.paphonb.systemuituner android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS" like the on-screen instructions say does nothing.
Edit: I'm dumb, I spelled a word wrong. Glorious full screen at last.

Question Can anyone supply me with a NON-ADB , and NON FRP related method to crash the Android-Setup app?

Basically i need something that can be ran via terminal emulator, or a third party app that i can install which will crash the setup that happens after a factory reset.... Reason is my setup is corrupted, and until it sends a completed flag to my phone, all preloaded apps, as well as many functions in settings are disabled, and also the phone does not activate the MTP protocol so i cannot use adb, because the phone hasnt released the block of it. My setup crashes approx 7 seconds after i touch the screen to start going thru it. I can use trickery to allow me to NEARBY SHARE apk files, and more trickery to load them... but that is as far as the phone will permit. So i really just need a solid method to BREAK or CRASH the android setup, or a command that will have permissions capable of "Config_Settings_Device_Setup_Complete=1" or something to that sort. Remember i am limited to Termux and Terminal Emulator...

beatbreakee said:
Basically i need something that can be ran via terminal emulator, or a third party app that i can install which will crash the setup that happens after a factory reset.... Reason is my setup is corrupted, and until it sends a completed flag to my phone, all preloaded apps, as well as many functions in settings are disabled, and also the phone does not activate the MTP protocol so i cannot use adb, because the phone hasnt released the block of it. My setup crashes approx 7 seconds after i touch the screen to start going thru it. I can use trickery to allow me to NEARBY SHARE apk files, and more trickery to load them... but that is as far as the phone will permit. So i really just need a solid method to BREAK or CRASH the android setup, or a command that will have permissions capable of "Config_Settings_Device_Setup_Complete=1" or something to that sort. Remember i am limited to Termux and Terminal Emulator...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have no access to ADB or apps of any kind and no other access to the device then no I don't think you can..
If your device isn't working then why not just flash a payload.bin via Fastboot enhance and get your device working again

dladz said:
If you have no access to ADB or apps of any kind and no other access to the device then no I don't think you can..
If your device isn't working then why not just flash a payload.bin via Fastboot enhance and get your device working again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am on a Oneplus 10Pro ORIGINALLY T-Mobile branded NE2217... They disabled Hardware Key combinations for Fastboot, and FastbootD .... only recovery and edl are still active! But lemme clear up a few things.....
I CAN INSTALL apps.... certain ones will not open after install, mainly any Web Browser, 3rd party search, file manager, or email client... no app that can reach out to the Internet...
WHAT I CAN LOAD is apps like Terminal Emulator, Termux, Launchers, the plain "FIles" file manager, and many more. I can access the shelf in the black screen, and thru it i can jump into the crippled Settings app, followed by "Home Screen Settings", and when i change the orientation of the app list, (vertical, horizontal), it takes me to a handicapped Home screen.. looks completely normal, but EVERY icon says "cannot find package" when clicked. i managed to force Terminal Emulator, and Termux to install and open. I can do others, provided it is something that is readily availble somewhere.
In the About Phone tab, when i go to version number, and start tapping build, it does nothing... because its locked out, just like all the apps are.... Everything normal is in some kind of perpetual hold state, that will only release when , "Android_Config_Status_User_Complete = 0" changes to "1".
This is why i need a System UI crash to take down the setup app... then i can go enable USB DEBUGGING, run the command to get back to FastBoot, and use the tool to flash a payload. But til i can break the hold, i am limited severely in what the device will allow me to do.

If you can root your device and run su in termux you can uninstall the setup apk.
Actually they may not work if you can't get into Fastboot...
Tbh I'd send it back...T mobile strikes again...