Hi developers!
I just received a KF as a gift and I am considering whether to root it. I want to have Prime access for the streaming video and lending library services. I have seen that there are various ways to go about rooting, and various levels of rooting, all the way up to replacing the rom completely, but I have not seen a list comparing them with respect to keeping Prime access.
So, if my goal is to keep Prime access, what are my options, and what methods should I definitely avoid?
Thanks!
look at the KFU
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1399889
you can select temporary or permanent root
with permanent root you have to use voodoo OTA rootkeeper to retain prime access
While rooted, you can not use the Amazon Prime video streaming, and there may be a couple other Amazon-specific things that won't work, but I haven't bumped into them.
However, you can use tools such as OTA Rootkeeper to switch root off when you don't need it (which for me is all the time except when I want to install something that Amazon didn't want me to, such as Google Maps or Currents).
Even with Root off, if you've installed superuser (which is in the standard instructions), a tool such as ES File Explorer can elevate itself to superuser status and muck with the root-level file structure. (caution: all power tools can kill)
I don't fault Amazon for turning off streaming with Root turned on, as a rooted machine probably greatly simplifies the ability to capture DRM'd streams and keep them... but with the ease the machine is rooted, and once something's installed unrooted again, then like all DRM, it's pretty ineffective. I have no interest at all in breaking DRM, only in using my KF as more than just an Amazon media consumption tool.
Now that I've got Swype, the Android Market and Maps working, I don't see a need to keep Root on my slate... but I want to know that I can do it when I need it.
Amazon Video will not work on a custom ROM for the fire yet, but works fine rooted on the stock rom when using OTA.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
Related
I fell into the 6.2.1 trap before I got Google Android Market installed. As a result of a partial market installation, I get periodic errors about the android market that pop up and need to be forced closed. I plan to do a factory reset and return the device to the store then buy a new one with the original OS. I need to know what to do so I can get it working with Android Market OTA.
Since the tablet has only 6+ GB to play with, I don't want to load it with too many hacking type tools or other OS. I am interested in seeing how Titanium Backup works but I don't know if I want to keep the KF permananently rooted. My main goal is to have Android Market available and working wirelessly. I am also trying do decide whether to block the the OTA update from Amazon permanently or just until I get my basic Google apps installed. So my plan is:
Get a new Kindle Fire with old OS
Leave WiFi off
Root with Super One Click
Install Google Android Market
Disable rerouting to Amazon Market
Am I right assuming that once installed, Google Android Market will continue to function once Amazon updates me to the latest version?
I also want to make sure that I have Google Mail and Google Maps and I don't know if 6.2.1 unrooted prevents installing those. I like the ability of the 6.2.1 to get rid of junk on the carousel and the scrolling speed seems a little better now. Of course videos are playable with unrooted KF.
Am I missing any steps or are there other recommendations?
You should be able to install Google maps and Gmail onto a regular 6.2.1 KF without any problems.
I don't think there's a known method to block the update while keeping full online functionality.
The best thing at the moment is to install a premodded 6.2.1 update with root access so you can install the Market Place etc.
In anycase if you return the unit for a new one there could (and probably will) be another update in a few weeks. So far there's been an update every couple of weeks since it came out. Each time you lose root and are back to square one.
I'm waiting for someone more clever than me to find a workaround to get root access back on a 6.2.1...
PS - 6GB is a lot of room for installing apps! I wouldn't worry about running out of room unless you're filling up your KF with downloaded media.
oh and PPS - Amazon updates can easily stop the market place from working. The 6.2.1 update has stopped mine from working (because I had it installed in /system/app which is one of the folders replaced in the last update.)
Got new 6.0 KF - Bootstrapping Catch 22
So I returned the 6.2.1 version and got a new one with 6.0 still installed. Now I find that I have no way of loading any apps with the stock unit. The directories that show up on the device through the USB connection are very limited. I copied the root explorer app to the documents directory but naturally it does not show up.
Without having a file explorer app, I don't know how to proceed. If I turn on and register the Kindle, I am liable to get updated immediately. If I can just get to the Amazon store and get a file explorer app and then quickly turn off wireless I may luck out. Are there any other ways to get an app installed without having an app like root explorer or similar without having to first go to Amazon market?
6.2.1? I'm still on 6.2. What's the deal? Why did i not get the update?
Update - I was able to quickly register and bring in the root explorer app. I then turned off WiFi and found I was still at 6.0. Now to try to root it...
I have successfully re-rooted my KF using BurritoRoot process after 6.2.1 update killed my previous root. I now have a functioning root and am also able to temporarily unroot using Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper. I should mention that I have market successfully running as well as various google apps including Google Currents. I haven't installed the Kindle Fire Utility.
My question is: do I have a need for the Kindle Fire Utility on my device given the above information?? Also, despite having read through the Kindle Fire Utility thread, I don't understand the term "permanent root." Does this mean that one cannot temporarily unroot the device in order to, for example, stream Amazon video??
Thanks for any suggestions.
The Kindle Fire Utility does not get installed on your Kindle Fire. It is only a method of dealing with the rooting process. If you installed BurritoRoot, and have the Google apps, there is no benefit to using it unless you need to reload the drivers for USB access.
Thanks for your answer.
Two more questions. What about the need for TWRP?? Finally, is there a way to protect the root in the event of future Amazon Kindle Fire updates??
lstern said:
Thanks for your answer.
Two more questions. What about the need for TWRP??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP is a recovery system that allows you to do system level backups and restores of your device. With it, you can try different updates, and restore back to where you were etc...
From the TeamWin Page: http://teamw.in/project/twrp2
* Ability to save custom recovery settings
* Touchscreen driven with real buttons and drag-to-scroll
* XML-based GUI that allows full customization of the layout – true theming!
* Settings are saved to the sdcard and persist through reboots
* Ability to choose which partitions to back up and which to restore
* Ability to choose to compress backups – now with pigz (multi-core processor support for faster compression times)
Finally, is there a way to protect the root in the event of future Amazon Kindle Fire updates??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at this time. there are a number of suggestions that have been made like restricting which services and apps run, but there is nothing definitive.
The ability to reroot however using the current methods should be enough though.
OR you can change to something like CM7 and you won't get updates any longer, but there are some issues like the inability to use Amazon Prime (if you care for that) that don't work with that.
As many more people get Kindle Fires, more eyes will get put on these and solutions will show up.
Wonder how many Kindle Fires are being opened for Christmas this morning..
Not sure what is going on. I rooted the fire, install vendor.app and framework. I open market it has a difficult time with my gmail.account but after a few tries it authenticates successfully. At this point it tries opening the market and fails. I've tried reinstalling, revolting.
I will say that I have not tried root explorer as I cannot understand how to install it (amazon denies my purchasing it since it is not compatible with my device)
Could it be a rights issue? If I need root explorer how can I get it?
Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk
sideload dat ****
Maybe you should try another version of vending.apk and sideload the root explorer into your fire rather than getting it from amazon.
Then i guess you might need to use the root explorer to modify the permission of vending.apk to rw-r--r--
Easiest fix for this is downloading the Kindle Fire Utilities:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1399889
And once in, go to extras and install google hulabaloo.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20240542&postcount=8
I had so much trouble with the market and other versions of Vendor.apk myself on the stock KF rom and no matter what I did, I ended up with similar issues. Setting permissions isn't really hard at all (most require a chmod 644, which is user/owner read + write, all others just read), and I actually did get it to work just once before having to restore a backup because I screwed something completely unrelated up . If you keep at it, there's a good chance you'll get it right eventually, but I just installed CM7 and couldn't be happier.
I also had trouble at first but I found this videos method to work flawlessly and easily.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTkegVrnAvA
I got it to work. Hopefully this works for you as it was frustrating for me to have so many problems.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1450232
You are all awesome in my book!!! Thank you. I will keep at it and not give up.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk
success!!! thanks again
Trying to consolidate information I was looking for so it can help others. Please suggest additions and corrections.
What do I lose if I:
Root
- amazon VOD (including free Prime rentals)*
- your warranty (if you brick your Fire)
Install CM7
- everything from Root list
- carousel launcher
- Kindle owners lending library
- Kindle Fire Reader app (must use standard app instead)
- newsstand subscriptions (requires official reader app)
Install CM9
- everything from CM7 list
- netflix
- possible "sleep of death"
The "Silk" browser has been ported to use on non-stock Roms.
Other things I'm not yet sure about: the send-to-kindle program/email address, stability of CM9, etc. A similar list of what is gained by each could also be useful, as long as it is kept brief.
*afaik you can "unroot" at any time to re-allow this (use rootkeeper)
Updated 2/18/12
Silk now has a port that can be installed on other ROMS. Also about the warranty, in most cases, they don't cover if you brick the device but they do cover if the charge port, power button, etc breaks.
Thanks, I updated the OP with your info. :thumbup:
there are many to be listed, lockscreen, amazon market, etc.. is it necessary to create a thread like this?.
Please explain the Kindle Reader part for me. I was able to install KR on Nexus tablet and it shows my cloud books, wouldn't it work on a rooted Fire ?
I want to root Fire so that I could use Google Play and Swype, but it's a wife's device, primarily, and I don't want to screw it up for her. We don't have Prime, mainly getting library books.
Also, how easy is it to reload stock Amazon ROM ?
After rooting you can install OTA Root Keeper and temporarily disable root so you can watch Prime video. If you need root for some reason you just enable it again.
There is also a possibility to dual boot and have stock rom and some other one.
i earned a job in a store that consist of rooting kindle firesecond generation and the hd 7" and 8.9" tablets (all kindle fire tablets) and i dont know which of all is the most secure and efficient method i could use to dont make anything bad !!!!
persano said:
i earned a job in a store that consist of rooting kindle firesecond generation and the hd 7" and 8.9" tablets (all kindle fire tablets) and i dont know which of all is the most secure and efficient method i could use to dont make anything bad !!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read these ones carefully
<KFHD 7">
7.2.1/7.2.2
use Qemu tools
7.2.3
use Root Many Android And then Qemu tools
Root many Android works but sometimes the device becomes slower and choppy, Using Qemu next fixes this!
7.3.0
Use Root Many Android only
<KFHD 8.9">
All version 8.1.4 through 8.3.0
The root method hasn't changed because the bug in ics that allowed root was never fixed
Use root many android
<KF2>
As i understand it versions 10.2.4 through 10.3.0 are all rooted using this method
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2075959 (Read it carefully but basically you use Root Many Android then Qemu )
Normally i would tell you to use KFFirstAide to root everything, But since it's still in beta and you can't afford to make a mistake here, well... Don't!
Also give me some time i'll try to refine this post a bit, Make it easier for you.
And good luck with your new job :good:
Hmmm...
You may have to restore the devices first. After my first update(7.3.0), none of those methods worked anymore and I was getting a read-only error(Permission denied). The only way to root was to restore first. But because I couldn't access /data/ all my app data was wiped as I couldn't find a way to backup without root access. After the restore though both methods worked. I hope you don't have to root any device with the same problem I had. For me the choice was either root and loose my app data or not root, not be able to install custom recovery or custom launchers and keep my app data.