I have spent about 6 hours crawling through here looking for help, and found a few bits that were helpful, but nothing that solved my problem.
My Fire is just slow as hell and I can't stand it. The list of "problems" is way too long. I want to put CM7 on it so I can have a useful tablet rather than the POS that this thing is in stock form.
I would love a step by step guide for people (Me) who have zero computer skills. I managed to root my HTC EVO, which wasn't too hard, but the Fire is escaping me. I have done everything I have read I needed to do to root this but I can't figure out what is going on.
I have downloaded the Android SDK tools, and successfully put in whatever the alphabet soup is that you all refer to (ADB). I don't even know what ADB means, but I got the SDK manager and all the tools installed.
I downloaded the Kindle Fire Utility 0.9.1 and told my Fire to accept outside apps.
I followed the destructions and tried to install permanent root with superuser according to the Fire Utility, but it keeps saying ABD Status: Online ABD Rooted: NO.
I found a link to something that would check to see if it was actually rooted, but the app does not open in the Fire and does nothing on my computer.
When I tell the Utility to install permanent root with superuser I get this message repeatedly: "They system cannot find the path specified." I get that whenever I try to use the utility to do anything at all, yet it keeps telling me that whatever was installed successfully.
It says I have superuser access (in the utility) yet there is nothing different in the Fire. I can't use Titanium backup, I can't do anything "new" that I couldn't do before.
My Fire experience is pretty poor so far. Google searches are horrible, I try to type in a word and before I get to the second letter it brings up the most common Google search that was run using the first letter... and fills in the rest. I have to delete it all and start again. Often times I try to edit an email and it won't let me click anywhere I want. I try to open a link to a website and half the time it doesn't work. I can't go "Back" until I click the button 4-5 times. It is just stupid. This "tablet" is nothing more than a paperweight and I am pretty honked that Amazon screwed the pooch on this. Top it off with a SUPER slow internet browser that was touted as the greatest thing ever...
Anyway, sorry for the rant, I am just frustrated at this $200 piece of plastic crap. I need help (With the tablet, not mental help).
Where do I begin? Please understand that acronyms mean nothing to me since I am new at this... I need step by step directions for a beginner! I need to get from Kindle Fire POS operating system to CM7 or something like what every other Android runs so I can actually enjoy my tablet rather than get pissed off at it!
DavidV95 said:
I have spent about 6 hours crawling through here looking for help, and found a few bits that were helpful, but nothing that solved my problem.
My Fire is just slow as hell and I can't stand it. The list of "problems" is way too long. I want to put CM7 on it so I can have a useful tablet rather than the POS that this thing is in stock form.
I would love a step by step guide for people (Me) who have zero computer skills. I managed to root my HTC EVO, which wasn't too hard, but the Fire is escaping me. I have done everything I have read I needed to do to root this but I can't figure out what is going on.
I have downloaded the Android SDK tools, and successfully put in whatever the alphabet soup is that you all refer to (ADB). I don't even know what ADB means, but I got the SDK manager and all the tools installed.
I downloaded the Kindle Fire Utility 0.9.1 and told my Fire to accept outside apps.
I followed the destructions and tried to install permanent root with superuser according to the Fire Utility, but it keeps saying ABD Status: Online ABD Rooted: NO.
I found a link to something that would check to see if it was actually rooted, but the app does not open in the Fire and does nothing on my computer.
When I tell the Utility to install permanent root with superuser I get this message repeatedly: "They system cannot find the path specified." I get that whenever I try to use the utility to do anything at all, yet it keeps telling me that whatever was installed successfully.
It says I have superuser access (in the utility) yet there is nothing different in the Fire. I can't use Titanium backup, I can't do anything "new" that I couldn't do before.
My Fire experience is pretty poor so far. Google searches are horrible, I try to type in a word and before I get to the second letter it brings up the most common Google search that was run using the first letter... and fills in the rest. I have to delete it all and start again. Often times I try to edit an email and it won't let me click anywhere I want. I try to open a link to a website and half the time it doesn't work. I can't go "Back" until I click the button 4-5 times. It is just stupid. This "tablet" is nothing more than a paperweight and I am pretty honked that Amazon screwed the pooch on this. Top it off with a SUPER slow internet browser that was touted as the greatest thing ever...
Anyway, sorry for the rant, I am just frustrated at this $200 piece of plastic crap. I need help (With the tablet, not mental help).
Where do I begin? Please understand that acronyms mean nothing to me since I am new at this... I need step by step directions for a beginner! I need to get from Kindle Fire POS operating system to CM7 or something like what every other Android runs so I can actually enjoy my tablet rather than get pissed off at it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go this is my step by step video and trouble shooting guide to help a non experienced end-user such as yourself pull this off without a hitch... It is confirmed working and very easy to follow... If it helped please remember to hit the thanks button in that threas so that it might have the chance to get stickied for others to find easily...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1417234
Hello,
I have some questions about rooting my Kindle Fire that I just recently purchased.
I have read some of the forum posting's about rooting the KF and it's just giving me a headache trying to sort all the info out so I thought I would just ask.
I strictly use Google Mail (contacts/address book), Google Calendar & Google Reader for 99% of the things I do/need on the web so I need this functionality on the KF, I prefer the apps vs. the web versions.
I'm ONLY looking to root the KF to add these apps. I'm not interested in custom rom's (outside of maybe a custom launcher) or tweaking/fiddling with anything else.
What is the easiest (current) way to root the Kindle Fire to date?
- Does rooting REQUIRE to screw around with the boot loader/ROM or anything else that might cause me to end up with a $200 paperweight that I can't afford to replace?
If anyone can point me in the right direction with instructions 'n such please feel free to respond.
Thanks in advance
I'm using twa_priv's Jelly Bean ROM with SGT7 enhancements on my (first-generation) Kindle Fire, and wanted to install and use WhatsApp on this device.
Not having an Android phone, I found that the instructions here worked well: use Bluestacks on my PC to help get the needed code to install and start up WhatsApp. But when I actually tried to enter a chat on WhatsApp, the application kept crashing.
After seeing that someone else was having the same problem, and looking through the logcat.txt, I figured out that the crash has something to do with a bitmap/image operation in WhatsApp. That led me to a workaround, and now I can use WhatsApp on my Kindle Fire running CM10.
The relevant setting is found in Settings -> Chat preferences -> Wallpaper. I simply set it to "No wallpaper" (it's the conversation, not the background, that matters to me!). But I found it also works if I choose an image somewhere in my filesystem ("Android System"); selecting "WhatsApp" prompts me to download the WhatsApp Wallpaper package, which I don't really care to do. Just don't set it to "Default" -- that's what leads to the app crashing.
This workaround works using WhatsApp Messenger 2.8.4930. Hope this helps others!
Update for WhatsApp 2.9.2871
With the latest version of WhatsApp as of this writing (2.9.2871) running on twa_priv's version of the CM10.1 port, I no longer have to set the chat wallpaper to "No wallpaper" to avoid a crash when entering chats. I'm not sure whether it's because of a fix in CM10.1 or in WhatsApp, but that's one less workaround needed. Hurray!
ezekiel_quacks said:
With the latest version of WhatsApp as of this writing (2.9.2871) running on twa_priv's version of the CM10.1 port, I no longer have to set the chat wallpaper to "No wallpaper" to avoid a crash when entering chats. I'm not sure whether it's because of a fix in CM10.1 or in WhatsApp, but that's one less workaround needed. Hurray!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have recently bought a kindle fire and was hoping to use whatsapp on it. I was pleased to find the recent messages re this, however I am a middle-aged grandmother and I'm sorry but they may just as well be written in an alien language from another planet! Is there any way instructions can be given to me that I could easily follow? Thank you for any help.
you can use Whatsapp if you are willing to use a custom ROM...
mario's mum said:
I have recently bought a kindle fire and was hoping to use whatsapp on it. I was pleased to find the recent messages re this, however I am a middle-aged grandmother and I'm sorry but they may just as well be written in an alien language from another planet! Is there any way instructions can be given to me that I could easily follow? Thank you for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before I attempt to do so, I'd have to first ask some preliminary questions:
1. Which version of the Kindle Fire are you using? My instructions were based on my experiences on the first generation Kindle Fire, so if you have something different, then I'm not 100% sure this will work for you.
2. Are you running the default software/firmware for the Kindle Fire?
3. If so, are you willing to install a custom firmware (like the various kinds being discussed on these forums), or would you prefer to stick with the default firmware? Installing a custom firmware ("flashing a custom ROM") is not for the technologically faint of heart, even though it's in practical terms not that difficult.
I'm not sure if my instructions will work with the default ("stock") firmware on any version of the Kindle Fire. But depending on your answers, I might still be able to offer some pointers...
ezekiel_quacks said:
Before I attempt to do so, I'd have to first ask some preliminary questions:
1. Which version of the Kindle Fire are you using? My instructions were based on my experiences on the first generation Kindle Fire, so if you have something different, then I'm not 100% sure this will work for you.
2. Are you running the default software/firmware for the Kindle Fire?
3. If so, are you willing to install a custom firmware (like the various kinds being discussed on these forums), or would you prefer to stick with the default firmware? Installing a custom firmware ("flashing a custom ROM") is not for the technologically faint of heart, even though it's in practical terms not that difficult.
I'm not sure if my instructions will work with the default ("stock") firmware on any version of the Kindle Fire. But depending on your answers, I might still be able to offer some pointers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you,
1. How can I find this out? I've looked on the box and the two small leaflets that came with it and all I can see is Model Number D01400? I have literally just bought it.
2. I presume I am running the default/firmware as I haven't made any changes or downloaded anything - would you agree?
3. I'm willing to give anything a go - as long as I can understand what I am supposed to be doing and also as long as it is not going to cause any lasting damage.
Actually I think I should not have bought the kindle and what I wanted was an android tablet - my mistake. But if by installing anything you suggest this would enable me to download Whatsapp - and any other app that Amazon does not seem to allow - then I would be happy. Is this what may be achieved?
Thanks again, sorry I'm not good at all this technical stuff!
mario's mum said:
Thank you,
1. How can I find this out? I've looked on the box and the two small leaflets that came with it and all I can see is Model Number D01400? I have literally just bought it.
2. I presume I am running the default/firmware as I haven't made any changes or downloaded anything - would you agree?
3. I'm willing to give anything a go - as long as I can understand what I am supposed to be doing and also as long as it is not going to cause any lasting damage.
Actually I think I should not have bought the kindle and what I wanted was an android tablet - my mistake. But if by installing anything you suggest this would enable me to download Whatsapp - and any other app that Amazon does not seem to allow - then I would be happy. Is this what may be achieved?
Thanks again, sorry I'm not good at all this technical stuff!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swipe down from the top of the screen. And press more, from there go to the device section, What does the software version say?
read the beginner's guide first
mario's mum said:
Actually I think I should not have bought the kindle and what I wanted was an android tablet - my mistake. But if by installing anything you suggest this would enable me to download Whatsapp - and any other app that Amazon does not seem to allow - then I would be happy. Is this what may be achieved?
Thanks again, sorry I'm not good at all this technical stuff!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, let me be the first to say that I admire your courage, at least! :good: You need to understand, though, that you probably have to do more than just install some app -- this is more like completely replacing the operating system (e.g., Windows) on your PC with another one (e.g., MacOS X). If you make it through these minefields, you'll effectively have a pretty fully functional Android tablet, but it's generally more for the technically minded (i.e., geeks) to attempt and maintain.
Maybe a good first step would be for you to go here and read through a Beginner's Guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1552547. If that's too intimidating, then you probably won't be able to get to the point where I can help you install Whatsapp on your Kindle Fire.
ezekiel_quacks said:
Well, let me be the first to say that I admire your courage, at least! :good: You need to understand, though, that you probably have to do more than just install some app -- this is more like completely replacing the operating system (e.g., Windows) on your PC with another one (e.g., MacOS X). If you make it through these minefields, you'll effectively have a pretty fully functional Android tablet, but it's generally more for the technically minded (i.e., geeks) to attempt and maintain.
Maybe a good first step would be for you to go here and read through a Beginner's Guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1552547. If that's too intimidating, then you probably won't be able to get to the point where I can help you install Whatsapp on your Kindle Fire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello again, thanks for that - but after reading what you've said I don't think my courage extends that far! Anyway, not just so I can Whatsapp when I've got it on my phone. I'm hoping I'll get used to the kindle in time - while I save up for what I really wanted in the first place!
Thanks again.
might be just as well...
mario's mum said:
Hello again, thanks for that - but after reading what you've said I don't think my courage extends that far! Anyway, not just so I can Whatsapp when I've got it on my phone. I'm hoping I'll get used to the kindle in time - while I save up for what I really wanted in the first place!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may find that the Kindle Fire, other than its awkward launcher, may fit the bill just fine as you get used to it. Try browsing the Amazon App Store, and you will probably find most of the apps you'd regularly use on a generic Android tablet. As for Whatsapp, you can't really run it with the same account on more than one device at the same time anyway, so it might be just as well that you only use it on your phone. :cyclops:
ezekiel_quacks said:
You may find that the Kindle Fire, other than its awkward launcher, may fit the bill just fine as you get used to it. Try browsing the Amazon App Store, and you will probably find most of the apps you'd regularly use on a generic Android tablet. As for Whatsapp, you can't really run it with the same account on more than one device at the same time anyway, so it might be just as well that you only use it on your phone. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh that's made me feel a bit better about the Whatsapp!, and you're right I am getting used to it. Thanks for your advice.
Aplogies for bumping an old thread
I have a rooted Kindle Fire (first generation).
I would like to install WhatsApp Messenger on it. I don't have a CUSTOM-ROM. This is rooted without any customizations.
Is there something I can do, to get this started? Any pointers in the right direction are appreciated.
Well, it's been over a year since my original post, and I no longer run Whatsapp on my Kindle Fire now, so I can't be sure what works now. But I'd suggest you follow the links in the first post on this thread for starters, and see if that gets you anywhere.
My son has a Fire HD 8 tablet that thanks to you all, I have installed LineageOS 7.1.2 on. It runs great now, but we'd like to install an application that is only available in the Amazon App store and designed to run only on stock FireOS. I think the app would run perfectly fine on the tablet with Lineage installed, but unfortunately the Amazon App store no longer recognizes the tablet as a Fire tablet and therefore blocks our ability to download the app.
Is there some sort of workaround that could be tried here? I've read about people modifying build.prop to spoof the device type and run "unsupported" apps, so perhaps that is the route we'd take here? I'm just sort of stumped here and really don't want to go buy another fire tablet just so we can run stock fire os for his game.
The apps in question are the Osmo kids learning series. Any help would be very much appreciated.
*edit - i have searched for .apks of the app online that would allow me to manually install, but i have been unable to turn any up.
ChrisULM said:
My son has a Fire HD 8 tablet that thanks to you all, I have installed LineageOS 7.1.2 on. It runs great now, but we'd like to install an application that is only available in the Amazon App store and designed to run only on stock FireOS. I think the app would run perfectly fine on the tablet with Lineage installed, but unfortunately the Amazon App store no longer recognizes the tablet as a Fire tablet and therefore blocks our ability to download the app.
Is there some sort of workaround that could be tried here? I've read about people modifying build.prop to spoof the device type and run "unsupported" apps, so perhaps that is the route we'd take here? I'm just sort of stumped here and really don't want to go buy another fire tablet just so we can run stock fire os for his game.
The apps in question are the Osmo kids learning series. Any help would be very much appreciated.
*edit - i have searched for .apks of the app online that would allow me to manually install, but i have been unable to turn any up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get Amazon Appstore for Android on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/get/amazonapp
Hello everyone! I'm sure this has been discussed in part in other threads, but I want to see what the best way to do this is (if it's possible), and how to do it.
I have a stock Amazon HD 8 (10th generation) tablet running 7.3.26 (November 1th 2022). I can get the Amazon Fire Toolbox to run fine on it, and it enables me to download and run an app from the Google App store that isn't available on the Fire store. My issue is I'm going to be giving hand this tablet (and a couple others like it) off to other people where I want them to be able to only open this app, and not access anything else on the tablet. Is there a way to set up a "child" profile or something like that on this tablet so only the one app could be accessed? Does it involve rooting? If someone can point me in the right direction (and hopefully link instructions) as well, I would greatly appreciate it.