Hey, I just bought a kindle fire hdx (the 7 inch model) and I have Fire OS version 4.5.5; Is there a way I can root my tablet to install apps from google play?
4.5.5 can not be rooted yet.
You should be able to downgrade to 3.2.8 and then update to 4.5.2 which is rootable with Kingroot. But the procedure is very risky, if not done 100% correctly the result will be a bricked HDX! And be sure to disable OTA (disable your WLAN and/or enable airplane mode!), so you won't get updated by Amazon at any time during the process! Note that you must have OTA active in Fire OS at certain times to be able to use the official Amazon update files, i.e. you can not use the rename apk method etc., therefore it'd be the best way to disable WLAN and/or enable airplane mode.
4.5.2 also gives you the possibility to use Safestrap and e.g. Nexus and/or CM11 (CM12 is NOT compatible!). CM11 can be used in secondary slots, too (i.e. no need to replace Fire OS in the stock slot then). Be sure to backup Fire OS stock slot and copy the backup to your PC before you flash anything.
If in doubt ask first, i.e. before you brick your HDX.
Thanks for the info, I'd rather wait for a solution since I'm not a fan of downgrading tablets (unless it's a nexus). I actually got tired of my Nexus Tablets charging port screwing up on me so I went through Amazon's route! I'm not kidding, I literally went through three nexus 7 tablets in under a year and they all crappy charging ports.
Hi, I have a Kindle Fire HDX 4th gen 8.9" running Kindle OS 4.5.5. I would like to turn it into a pure Android tablet. It looks like the development of procedure is still in work. Can I turn off auto updates or block OS updates so I can let development catch up to my OS. Currently, I just keep my wifi turned off. Does anyone know when a procedure for this Kindle will be ready? Thanks,
EDIT: Oops, you have a 4th gen, i.e. Saturn? Then the following does NOT apply - it's for Apollo only! Sorry, my bad.
You can downgrade to 3.2.8., update to 4.5.2, root,, disable OTA, and install Safestrap v4, then either use Nexus for Safestrap v4 (must be in stock slot, otherwise WLAN won't work, so backup your stock slot!) or CM11 for Safestrap v4(works in secondary slots, i.e. you could have both Fire OS with OTA disabled and CM11 at the same time if you want) - check this thread, @Davey126 basically pointed to all required info.
[Solved] Manual install CM11 & Original Thread: How to install CM 11.1 on Fire HDX 7?
Hello,
as I just managed to install CM 11 on my Fire HDX 7 (3rd Gen) (thanks a lot to @Cl4ncy, @Davey126 and @EncryptedCurse) I want to share the information I got during the process.
Note: This manual might be outdated if you read it. So check if there is a newer manual You could break your device if you dont do everything correctly. I am not responsible for breaking your device! If you have a question just ask! It could be that i forgot something.
When I started my Fire HDX 7" had Fire OS 4.5.5.
Note: CM 12 is not available yet for Safestrap v4. If you want CM 12 you need an unlocked bootloader. You can't do it if your version is above Fire OS 3.2.3.2. And you are not able to downgrade below 3.2.8 due to rollback protection by Amazon.
Some preperations:
- connect your Fire HDX to your PC (if your PC doesnt recognize your Fire HDX then install the USB drivers. If that doesn't work deinstall the actual Fire HDX driver and try it again.)
- copy every folder from the Fire HDX storage to your PC (backup music, ....)
- install (Holo Backup and click on every Backup Button (in my version there were 5 buttons))
- install minimal adb + fastboot
Download these files and save them on your PC:
- ES Explorer
- KingRoot
- Safestrap v4
- a Safestrap v4 compatible ROM (CM11 or Nexus v4)
- SuperSU if you want root - Download the .zip file from here: https://download.chainfire.eu/696/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip //Check if there is a newer Version
- GApps if you want the Google Apps (the right things should be already selected. If not select: ARM, 4.4, nano) -> the name should be sth like: "arm 4.4 nano 30 September 2015"
Thanks to @Davey126 and @Cl4ncy:
- Turn Wifi Off and flightmode on (you might need to enable Wifi, when you root your device with KingRoot)
- rollback to FireOS 3.2.8
// you do that by copying the file into the 'Internal storage folder' of your Fire HDX (not in a subfolder, just copy it where the DCIM, Document, Download, kindle, ... folder are.). Now wait a few minutes and go to Settings -> Device -> System Updates -> Tap Update
- upgrade to FireOS 4.5.2
// do it as before
- install ES Explorer and KingRoot with minimal ADB + Fastboot
- make sure that only the Fire HDX 7" is connected
- run this Code to see the connected devices
Code:
adb devices
- install the ES Explorer and KingRoot by using minimal ADB + Fastboot
- replace "C:\users\p-4\es.apk" with your own path and do the same for KingRoot
Code:
adb install C:\users\p-4\es.apk
- root with KingRoot or another method (i didn't find another one) //if it doesn't work directly just try it again (I tried it 10 times). If it still doesn't work just try another Wlan (that nothing gets blocked) or wait a week.
- block OTA (over-the-air updates) - only step#1 //you don't have to install the GApps because you will flash them with the ROM
- install Safestrap v4
- Copy the installation files (ROM, SuperSU, Gapps) to your Fire HDX into the /sdcard folder. (There the files won't get deleted if you wipe). If there folder isn't available then create one. But normally there should be one. Make sure you have your Fire HDX rooted. Only then you can see the folder with ES Explorer. In my case the "/sdcard" folder was the normal one, where i stored my Music, Documents, ... so had didn't have to do sth.
- Reboot
- Make a backup of the 'Stock-Slot'
- Copy the backup to your PC
- flash a Safestrap v4 compatible ROM to the ROM-Slot-1 , 2, 3 or 4 (currently CM11 or Nexus v4)
Safestrap v4 Tutorials:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6fPF5UZsWw) General Safestrap usage
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR0WXCITq2Q) Specifically how to install a custom ROM
Notes: If you use a secondary slot the biggest possible Data Size is 16GB and your battery won't last long. You have to charge the Fire HDX very often.. If you use the Stock Rom Slot you will have the whole storage of your device.
Congratulations you successfully installed CM11 if you did everything right.
But as I mentioned before the performance is not very good, because the ROM is installed on a secondary slot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To get the best performance and a very good battery life you have to install the ROM on the 'stock-slot'.
Thanks to @Cl4ncy and @Davey126 :
For that just:
- Reboot and go to the Safestrap Menu
- check if the installation files (ROM, Gapps, SuperSU) are in the "/sdcard" folder press "..." in the installtion menu to go up the path. There should be the "/sdcard" folder.
- Delete the secondary ROM-Slots
- Go into the Wipe Menu and Swipe to perform a factory reset (only a simple one - no advanced wipe)
- Go to install and add the ROM File
- add Gapps
- add SuperSU if you want root
- perform the flash
- if it was successfull Reboot otherwise DON'T Reboot. Just wipe again and flash the files again.
Note: If something went wrong with the stock-ROM don't reboot directly. Just install a ROM on a secondary slot and reboot then.
// The Original Post:
Hello,
since it is possible to download prime videos on any android device i would like to install Cyanogenmod 12.1 on my fire hdx 7.
I found this Cm 12.1 Port.
Is there a step by step manual how to install such a rom, because i never did that before and i have heard that if you do something wrong your device is broken.
Because I neither know how to get an unlock bootloader or what a TWRP is. Furthermore i also dont know how to flash the ROM.
In some forum posts i read, that it is possible to go from Cyanogenmod back to FireOS (unbrick). For now i dont want to go back from Cyanogenmod to FireOS, but i think it would be good to have such a possibility.
Do I have to take precautions for that?
And how do I make backups?
Info:
Kindle Fire HDX 7" (3. Generation): Fire OS 4.5.5
Thanks a lot
p-4
You can NOT use CM12 - all current builds require an unlocked bootloader. You can NOT unlock the bootloader of Fire OS versions above 3.2.3.2, thus you can NOT use CM12. You can also NOT use TWRP recovery.
Reason: Rollback protection by Amazon, preventing downgrading to Fire OS versions below 3.2.8
Good you asked first.
Your options would be to downgrade to 3.2.8, then update to 4.5.2, install Safestrap v4 and use either Nexus v4 for Safestrap v4 or CM11 for Safestrap v4.
@Davey126 gave a good overview here, so read all the info and ask before you brick your HDX! If you don't follow the procedure 100% correctly, you will brick your HDX! @tropicallazerbeams also linked to YouTube videos about Safestrap usage and installation of custom ROMs. Regarding the ROMs, read the installation requirements carefully!
Thanks for this answer
Cl4ncy said:
You can NOT use CM12 - all current builds require an unlocked bootloader. You can NOT unlock the bootloader of Fire OS versions above 3.2.3.2, thus you can NOT use CM12.
Good you asked first.
Your options would be to downgrade to 3.2.8, then update to 4.5.2, install Safestrap v4 and use either Nexus v4 for Safestrap v4 or CM11 for Safestrap v4.
@Davey126 gave a good overview here, so read all the info and ask before you brick your HDX! If you don't follow the procedure 100% correctly, you will brick your HDX! @tropicallazerbeams also linked to YouTube videos about Safestrap usage and installation of custom ROMs. Regarding the ROMs, read the installation requirements carefully!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this answer,
what is the difference between Nexus v4 and CM11. Which one should i install?
CM 11 for Safestrap v4? Because i want to get CM12?
Can I use TWRP with 4.5.2?
Thanks
p-4
p-4 said:
Thanks for this answer,
what is the difference between Nexus v4 and CM11. Which one should i install?
CM 11 for Safestrap v4? Because i want to get CM12?
Can I use TWRP with 4.5.2?
Thanks
p-4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can NOT use TWRP (see above), TWRP is available for Fire OS below 3.2.4 only. You must use Safestrap v4 (i.e. NOT Safestrap v3.72/3.75!).
I can't give you any recommendation, but you can try Nexus and CM11 after you installed Safestrap v4. You can even (depending on the size of your sdcard/storage) set up secondary slots and use dual boot with Safestrap installed.
But you should focus on downgrading to 3.2.8, then updating to 4.5.2, rooting, disabling OTA, and installing Safestrap first - that will be difficult and risky enough for the time being.
And note that CM12 is not an option for you. This could change in the future, but I wouldn't count on it.
And one other thing:
If you've Safestrap installed, NEVER use the factory reset in Amazon's stock recovery! You will most likely brick your HDX.
p-4 said:
Thanks for this answer,
what is the difference between Nexus v4 and CM11. Which one should i install?
CM 11 for Safestrap v4? Because i want to get CM12?
Can I use TWRP with 4.5.2?
Thanks
p-4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus is basically an AOSP-based ROM (i.e. stock, just like Google intended).
CM11 should be self-explanatory.
I was able to successfully downgrade to 13.3.2.8.
Can I now downgrade to 3.2.3.2 (from here) to be able to get an unlocked bootloader?
Because CM 12.1 would be really nice
But for CM11 I also need an unlocked bootloader, dont I? (click).
Or is it possible, after I installed CM 11, to upgrade to CM12? (Has Cyanogenmod an Over the Air update possibility?)
p-4 said:
I was able to successfully downgrade to 13.3.2.8.
Can I now downgrade to 3.2.3.2 (from here) to be able to get an unlocked bootloader?
Because CM 12.1 would be really nice
But for CM11 I also need an unlocked bootloader, dont I? (click).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can NOT downgrade below 3.2.8 due to rollback protection by Amazon (sorry I forgot to mention the reason, added it to my first reply above). Attempting to downgrade further will brick the HDX!
You can use the CM11 you linked to with either Safestrap v4 or an unlocked bootloader. You can NOT unlock (see above), thus you have to use it with Safestrap v4.
In order to install Safestrap v4 you must update to 4.5.2. Keep WLAN off/flight mode active! Kingroot probably requires a short moment of WLAN connection, be sure to enable flight mode right away, you don't want to get updated by Amazon to 4.5.5! After rooting disable OTA, then install Safestrap and make a backup of your Fire OS before you flash any custom ROM!
Cl4ncy said:
No, you can NOT downgrade below 3.2.8 due to rollback protection by Amazon (sorry I forgot to mention the reason, added it to my first reply above). Attempting to downgrade further will brick the HDX!
You can use the CM11 you linked to with either Safestrap v4 or an unlocked bootloader. You can NOT unlock (see above), thus you have to use it with Safestrap v4.
In order to install Safestrap v4 you must update to 4.5.2. Keep WLAN off/flight mode active! Kingroot probably requires a short moment of WLAN connection, be sure to enable flight mode right away, you don't want to get updated by Amazon to 4.5.5! After rooting disable OTA, then install Safestrap and make a backup of your Fire OS before you flash any custom ROM!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I successfully upgraded to 4.5.2.
Can I somehow install kingroot or es explorer without WLAN?
I got the apk on the device but I cant install it without es explorer, which I would download via the amazon app store. Can i enable Wifi for that time?
p-4 said:
I successfully upgraded to 4.5.2.
Can I somehow install kingroot or es explorer without WLAN?
I got the apk on the device but I cant install it without es explorer, which I would download via the amazon app store. Can i enable Wifi for that time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enable USB debugging, install Minimal ADB and fastboot, put the kingroot.apk into the adb directory, open a DOS box, change dir (cd) to your adb directory (e.g. enter cd\adb), then enter "adb install kingroot.apk" (without the quotes). This will install Kingroot on your HDX. Then do the same with ES Explorer.
The HDX must be connected to your PC by USB of course (should be obvious).
Thanks for that tip. Now i got these apps on my Fire HDX.
But Kingroot had some problems with the internet connection and now the Update Fire OS 4.5.4 is downloaded and could be installed. (Which i wont do).
Can I go ahead (with a better internet connection) to root the Fire HDX (it is not rooted yet). Or to I have to roll back to 3.2.8 and then update to 4.5.2 again?
p-4 said:
Thanks for that tip. Now i got these apps on my Fire HDX.
But Kingroot had some problems with the internet connection and now the Update Fire OS 4.5.4 is downloaded and could be installed. (Which i wont do).
Can I go ahead (with a better internet connection) to root the Fire HDX (it is not rooted yet). Or to I have to roll back to 3.2.8 and then update to 4.5.2 again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you're still on 4.5.2 you can try to root, just ensure 4.5.4 won't be installed. After successful root you can disable OTA, and delete the update file. Also ensure you have the latest Kingroot version - 4.50.902 I believe.
Now I tried to root the device with kingroot and a working internet connection but it failed :/
Is there an alternative method to root a kindle fire hdx.
I just tried the app rootGenius but i didnt understand what the app wants from me (the language is chinese or japanese).
Now i tried to root the Fire HDX 7 with 2 different apps. Do I have to reset the device? Or is uninstalling enough?
p-4 said:
Now I tried to root the device with kingroot and a working internet connection but it failed :/
Is there an alternative method to root a kindle fire hdx.
I just tried the app rootGenius but i didnt understand what the app wants from me (the language is chinese or japanese).
Now i tried to root the Fire HDX 7 with 2 different apps. Do I have to reset the device? Or is uninstalling enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure why it failed. Kingroot should work with 4.5.2 - you sure the 4.5.4 update didn't start?
Probably wasn't a good idea to try another root app. I'm afraid you can not unroot in Kingroot, because the root attempt was unsuccessful?
Don't try a factory reset by using Amazon's stock recovery yet. May be just try Kingroot again? I think there was another report where it required a second attempt.
Cl4ncy said:
I'm not sure why it failed. Kingroot should work with 4.5.2 - you sure the 4.5.4 update didn't start?
Probably wasn't a good idea to try another root app. I'm afraid you can not unroot in Kingroot, because the root attempt was unsuccessful?
Don't try a factory reset by using Amazon's stock recovery yet. May be just try Kingroot again? I think there was another report where it required a second attempt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first I tried the kingroot 3 times and it always failed. Then i tried the other method which failed at 93%. Then I tried kingroot again, and it failed.
Is there another possibility to root it?
p-4 said:
At first I tried the kingroot 3 times and it always failed. Then i tried the other method which failed at 93%. Then I tried kingroot again, and it failed.
Is there another possibility to root it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid no.
Kingroot fails always between 53% and 55%. Once I got over 60%.
Should I upgrade to 4.5.5. And downgrade to 4.5.2 again? And try the kingroot again?
Could i try this one: http://www.gizmag.com/how-to-root-kindle-fire-hdx/30513/ ?
Or will I break my device then?
p-4 said:
Should I upgrade to 4.5.5. And downgrade to 4.5.2 again? And try the kingroot again?
Could i try this one: http://www.gizmag.com/how-to-root-kindle-fire-hdx/30513/ ?
Or will I break my device then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an old root method not available for 4.5.x!
I'm not sure whether it's ok to update after a failed root attempt - again: you don't get any option to un-root in Kingroot?
You actually don't need to update 4.5.5 though, the 4.5.4 update would be enough, because you can downgrade to 3.2.8 from 4.5.4, too.
Keep flight mode active if you try it, so you won't get updated again. And keep the connection you must have during Kingroot as short as possible, so it won't download the entire 4.5.4 update again.
Cl4ncy said:
That's an old root method not available for 4.5.x!
I'm not sure whether it's ok to update after a failed root attempt - again: you don't get any option to un-root in Kingroot?
You actually don't need to update 4.5.5 though, the 4.5.4 update would be enough, because you can downgrade to 3.2.8 from 4.5.4, too.
Keep flight mode active if you try it, so you won't get updated again. And keep the connection you must have during Kingroot as short as possible, so it won't download the entire 4.5.4 update again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once I got the option to unroot but there i pressed FIX. At the moment I have WLAN the whole time active. 4.5.4 is already downloaded but not installed yet. I think i will upgrade to 4.5.4 now to downgrade and then do the whole stuff again.
p-4 said:
Once I got the option to unroot but there i pressed FIX. At the moment I have WLAN the whole time active. 4.5.4 is already downloaded but not installed yet. I think i will upgrade to 4.5.4 now to downgrade and then do the whole stuff again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, enable flightmode to avoid getting updated further to 4.5.5 then.
And good luck, I'm really not sure about this.
Does someone know if this root app works normally? (click)
After a few tries I can now locate to /system/priv-app/DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk but I am not able to rename this apk.
Can I also try these ways to root the Fire HDX 7" or will i brick my device then? (click)
//edit I just enabled wrong locations and it worked with kingroot
// edit now i got cm11 installed Can I also try other roms like CM12 and insert them in the Rom-slot 2? If it fails, my device isn't bricked, because i only have to restart and load rom-stock or rom slot 1, right?
The only big problem I noticed so far is the battery. After 8 hours in sleeping mode (only screen off) the battery status sank from 90% to 55%. How can I fix this problem?
Davey126 helped me fix my Kindle Fire HDX 7 that was stuck as No OS when I accidentally wiped and formatted it via twrp and now I am running Thor (Android version 4.4.4). I want to return my Kindle to the FireOS and I have tried flashing it via twrp but it says error updating binary in zip. I also tried the "full unroot" option in supersu and it just deleted SuperSU from my app list. I reflashed the Thor via twrp to get SuperSU back in case I needed it to unroot and return to FireOS 4.2.2.1. I am trying to get it back to stock because my WI-FI stopped working on it and I believe it is the antenna but not sure and when I went to Amazon for help they need my tablet's original serial number and other information and I can't access the things they need with it rooted and running Thor. I am hoping to get this fixed but I know they won't help me if they know it is rooted. If you could point me in the right direction for accomplishing this unroot I would be eternally grateful.
Heatherb90 said:
Davey126 helped me fix my Kindle Fire HDX 7 that was stuck as No OS when I accidentally wiped and formatted it via twrp and now I am running Thor (Android version 4.4.4). I want to return my Kindle to the FireOS and I have tried flashing it via twrp but it says error updating binary in zip. I also tried the "full unroot" option in supersu and it just deleted SuperSU from my app list. I reflashed the Thor via twrp to get SuperSU back in case I needed it to unroot and return to FireOS 4.2.2.1. I am trying to get it back to stock because my WI-FI stopped working on it and I believe it is the antenna but not sure and when I went to Amazon for help they need my tablet's original serial number and other information and I can't access the things they need with it rooted and running Thor. I am hoping to get this fixed but I know they won't help me if they know it is rooted. If you could point me in the right direction for accomplishing this unroot I would be eternally grateful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple terminology clarifications:
- "Thor" refers to the device type (7" third gen HDX) independent of ROM
- Your device is currently running Fire Nexus which is based on Android 4.4.x
Unfortunately, there is no (reasonable) way to return your device to pure stock. You can replace Fire Nexus with a special build of FireOS and remove root but it will always be 'custom'. Amazon bears part of the blame for this as they did not provide a mechanism for reloading FireOS on 3rd and 4th gen devices.
Your device is out of warranty. Amazon will not be able to help with a hardware problem even if you supplied the requested info. It's also unlikely the antenna would spontaneously go bad...especially given the way in which it is internally routed.
Can you provide more details on when WiFi stopped working? Guessing this is a setting/software issue although a hardware fault is not out of the question.
I have been on CM11 for years now and wish to revert back to FIRE OS. How can this be done? I looked around but didn't see how.
EDIT: I found how. Sorry to bother you.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/kindle-fire-hdx/help/return-hdx-7-c9r6qm-to-stock-kindle-t3544483