[Q] I think I've got it? (from root to rom) - Kindle Fire HDX 7" & 8.9" Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

From many many different threads and frankly confusing instructions I think I have puzzled together the following solid guideline for my kindle fire hdx from basic root to custom rom. Currently my firmware is 13.3.1.0.
Could someone take a look at this and tell me if I got this right or if I need to do stuff differently (or could do them better)? Don't assume that something is obvious, if it isn't written down, don't be shy to mention it. I would be ever so grateful .
Edit: I'm updating my experience as I move along the list and get more info just in case this might be useful to someone who is just as lost as I was in the beginning
Obligatory disclaimer: this is just a step-by-step guideline that worked for me. I'm not responsible if you chose to follow any of these steps and damage or brick your device.
Guideline:
-Download firmware version 3.2.3.2 and upgrade directly from any of the previous version by putting the file into the internal storage of the kindle, going to settings>device>system update on the kindle and installing the update from there.
-Root with Towelroot in the HDX toolkit downloaded from here (Edit: I got various error messages at this step but got it to work in the end. The 3rd post here shows what I did to get it working after getting error message 2 and 3 at various times)
-block OTA also with the tool in the HDX toolkit (is there a way to safely check that this worked? Edit: It worked )
-connect to wifi and install Flashify from the playstore (Edit: I ended up installing File Expert and flashify on another android device, backing up the flashify apk and sideloading it with ES File Explorer from the amazon app store to the kindle, I guess I could have also download the apk somewhere but I have trust issues.)
-download the img of TWRP 2.8.5.0. and put it in internal storage of kindle (had no problems)
-use flashify to save original stock recovery (had no problems)
-Use flashify to flash TWRP (had no problems)
- Boot into recovery mode via flashify to see if it worked (had no problems)
Now either A)
-download CM11 image and gapps and put the zip files on internal storage
-Edit: disconnect Kindle from USB afterwards
- go into TWRP recovery mode (by powering off kindle and then pressing power and volume at the same time)
- make backup of original stockrom under backups and save copy on your Computer
- wipe system, data, cache and dalvik cache under wipe/advanced (all except internal)
- flash cm11 image and gapps (under install and then find them in the files)
- reboot
-Edit: I had the wifi not connecting problem that some people have with CM11 but a reboot took care of it.
-Edit 2: I couldn't get the kindle app to work on CM11 (it wouldn't synch my books, the device wasn't recognized by amazon and it would crash every time I logged in.) so I ended up replacing it with the Nexus rom. If the chance of this happening doesn't bother you then CM11 seems to still be a good choice.
or B)
- download HDX thor nexus rom and gapps and put the zip files on internal storage
- go into TWRP recovery mode (by powering off kindle and then pressing power and volume at the same time)
- make backup of original stockrom under backups and save copy on your Computer
- wipe system, data, cache and dalvik cache under wipe/advanced (all except internal)
- Edit: disconnect Kindle from USB afterwards
- flash nexus rom and gapps (under install and then find them in the files)
- reboot
- Edit: I'm very happy with it, it works flawlessly. Since it's based on Jelly Bean I may try replacing it with another rom sometime in the future, but I'm in no hurry

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Mostly correct, you can update directly to 3.2.3.2 no need for incremental steps. The only way to know if ota blocker worked is to check for update but there's really no need, as soon as you've run towel root just disable WiFi as it won't be needed anymore.

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Where is unlock bootloader? As I know, you cannot flash TWRP without unlocking bootloader?!

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uhraman said:
Where is unlock bootloader? As I know, you cannot flash TWRP without unlocking bootloader?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash a cuber signed TWRP on a locked bootloader, as long as you're below 3.2.4.

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derpadoodle said:
You can flash a cuber signed TWRP on a locked bootloader, as long as you're below 3.2.4.
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Thanks for your replies! Is the method uhraman hinted at the better one?

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snorklm said:
Thanks for your replies! Is the method uhraman hinted at the better one?
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Click to collapse
Fully unlocking your bootloader is definitely worthwhile but it's quite a complicated endeavour and not required for running the current custom recoveries and ROMs. I'd recommend you stick with your current method and read up on the unlocking process once you're more conformable working with this device.

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derpadoodle said:
Fully unlocking your bootloader is definitely worthwhile but it's quite a complicated endeavour and not required for running the current custom recoveries and ROMs. I'd recommend you stick with your current method and read up on the unlocking process once you're more conformable working with this device.
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Could I bother you to give me a few examples on *why* it is worthwhile? Thanks!

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snorklm said:
Could I bother you to give me a few examples on *why* it is worthwhile? Thanks!
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Click to collapse
- more robust recovery options when recovery (TWRP) is damaged/inaccessible; better chance of reviving a bricked device
- some custom roms install/operate better with unlocked BL (technically should not be needed but sometimes seen in early builds)
- some DRM aware apps on custom roms work better with unlocked BL(eg: playstore, prime)
Guidance form derpadoodle is sound. Enjoy what you have achieved thus far; revisit BL unlock when you are more comfortable with device/technique.

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Davey126 said:
- more robust recovery options when recovery (TWRP) is damaged/inaccessible; better chance of reviving a bricked device
- some custom roms install/operate better with unlocked BL (technically should not be needed but sometimes seen in early builds)
- some DRM aware apps on custom roms work better with unlocked BL(eg: playstore, prime)
Guidance form derpadoodle is sound. Enjoy what you have achieved thus far; revisit BL unlock when you are more comfortable with device/technique.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the sound advice, I will probably never feel comfortable enough for that , especially because I haven't achieved much at all yet. I haven't even flashed TWPR yet.

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Yay, I did it. CM11 seems to be working as intended! Thanks again for everyone who replied and also to everyone who put so much work into making and improving all the tools and software necessary to make this kind of thing even possible, I appreciate it!

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What firmware were you on to begin your process mate... ?

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B3NJY said:
What firmware were you on to begin your process mate... ?
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I was on 3.0.5 when I got the device. Amazon didn't upgrade the firmware at all before sending it out, then I upgraded to 13.3.2.3. Why do you ask?

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Hmm, I have now noticed that the kindle app is not working properly. I can sign in (though every time I sign in or deregister my account the app crashes) but it's not synching any of my books. They don't show up at all. The device (named android device 2 in the kindle app settings) does also not show up under my devices on amazon. Anyone know what the problem could be because this is a bit frustrating. Is this a bug with CM11 or with the amazon app?

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snorklm said:
Hmm, I have now noticed that the kindle app is not working properly. I can sign in (though every time I sign in or deregister my account the app crashes) but it's not synching any of my books. They don't show up at all. The device (named android device 2 in the kindle app settings) does also not show up under my devices on amazon. Anyone know what the problem could be because this is a bit frustrating. Is this a bug with CM11 or with the amazon app?
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Can't say definitively but I would lean towards CM11 as all Amazon apps (kindle/prime/shopping/video) work fine with the Nexus ROM (v2.0.5) which is layered on the same hw/fw base as CM11. Don't get me wrong; CM11 (and the devs who adapted to the HDX) are great! But there may still be a few hiccups with native Amazon apps.

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Davey126 said:
Can't say definitively but I would lean towards CM11 as all Amazon apps (kindle/prime/shopping/video) work fine with the Nexus ROM (v2.0.5) which is layered on the same hw/fw base as CM11. Don't get me wrong; CM11 (and the devs who adapted to the HDX) are great! But there may still be a few hiccups with native Amazon apps.
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Thanks for the opinion! I couldn't find any solution to the problem anywhere online and therefore just finished replacing CM11 with the Nexus rom, now the kindle app works perfectly fine and I'm very satisfied with what I've got. I will keep an eye out on rom development but for now I'm resting on my laurels :victory:. Considering that I was helplessly lost when I first came to the board I'm very happy with how smoothly everything went. But I really needed that step-by-step list I made and the assurance from the pros that it was correct, otherwise I would have probably made a careless mistake :silly:. Maybe it will be useful to a few other newbies as well. Not sure I will ever dare to fully unlock the bootloader like some suggested I might want to do at a later point in time, but we will see . Thanks again for the help!

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snorklm said:
Thanks for the opinion! I couldn't find any solution to the problem anywhere online and therefore just finished replacing CM11 with the Nexus rom, now the kindle app works perfectly fine and I'm very satisfied with what I've got. I will keep an eye out on rom development but for now I'm resting on my laurels :victory:. Considering that I was helplessly lost when I first came to the board I'm very happy with how smoothly everything went. But I really needed that step-by-step list I made and the assurance from the pros that it was correct, otherwise I would have probably made a careless mistake :silly:. Maybe it will be useful to a few other newbies as well. Not sure I will ever dare to fully unlock the bootloader like some suggested I might want to do at a later point in time, but we will see . Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear everything is working well! My daily driver is on Nexus and I could not be happier. Everything works as it should. No need to unlock the bootloader unless you plan to do more modding. Enjoy your device!

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Nice. I think everybody needs this kind of guide. Whenever a question is asked it just kind of trails off most of the time.
I'm still working on the downgrade piece.

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johnwaters said:
Nice. I think everybody needs this kind of guide. Whenever a question is asked it just kind of trails off most of the time.
I'm still working on the downgrade piece.
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Agreed, I was overwhelmed by all the different threads and possibilities at first. I ended up approaching it like any other research project for a paper or presentation and dumped every solid (and recent) piece of good advice into Evernote and sorting it out there. But writing and updating guides (especially with the fast development I have observed) would be a lot of work, I understand completely why no one would volunteer to do it and everybody would rather answer questions on a case by case basis.

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First of all thank you very much! I was looking for something like this, since i am also new to rooting devices and this stuff...
I got a new fire hdx 7 with 13.3.02
I haven't tried anything yet, I am still reading threads and i got some questions here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/kindle-fire-hdx/general/update-1314-4-1-1-probably-sangria-t2901813
-> I can only find 3.2.3.2 here, which is the firmware u used? Or did you mean another one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2665683
-> the second link for hdx toolkit isnt working
How do i get the playstore on my device?
are there anywhere more informations regarding flashify? since i have no idea what this is...
thank you!

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dynein said:
First of all thank you very much! I was looking for something like this, since i am also new to rooting devices and this stuff...
I got a new fire hdx 7 with 13.3.02
I haven't tried anything yet, I am still reading threads and i got some questions here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/kindle-fire-hdx/general/update-1314-4-1-1-probably-sangria-t2901813
-> I can only find 3.2.3.2 here, which is the firmware u used? Or did you mean another one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2665683
-> the second link for hdx toolkit isnt working
How do i get the playstore on my device?
are there anywhere more informations regarding flashify? since i have no idea what this is...
thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thing you want to do is block OTA (over the air updates) or your device may be upgraded by Amazon to a level that gives you less options. Suggest using HDX Toolkit (here) to both root and block OTA. Then install twrp (here). From there you can opt to replace Fire OS will several different roms including Nexus, CM11 or CM12.
Flashify is an app that allows flashing recovery and roms from from within Android vs adb or a recovery environment. You can grab it from the Play store or another market. It's a dangerous tool; use with extreme caution.
Be aware that any of the above actions, if executed incorrectly, can permanently brick your device with little/no hope of recovery (guess that's the definition of permanent). Read, read and read some more before taking any action. Be sure to keep WiFi off on your device until OTA is blocked to prevent auto-updates.