Install Android on Kindle Fire

When you install an Android Operating System (OS) on your Kindle Fire tablet, the device’s existing content is wiped. As a result, before you install a new OS on your tablet, it is always a good idea to backup your device. Once the device is wiped, you can install the two required files. When you turn back on the Kindle Fire, it will run the Android OS.

Steps

Downloading the Necessary Files

1. Navigate to download.cyanogenmod.org. This site contains the ROM file you must download. ROMs are customized Android Operating System (OS). They are created by users (not by smartphone manufacturers) and shared online. Since Android is an open-source type of application, anyone can have access to its code and customize it. You may access this site on your Kindle or a computer. If you choose to download these files on your computer, you will then have connect the Kindle to your computer and transfer them to your device’s SD card.
2. Click “Kindle Fire (1Gen, custom bl) (otterx)”. This option is located in the left sidebar. It will bring you to a page with a variety alternative OS systems suited for first generation Kindle Fires.
3. Find and click on this zip file: “cm-11-20140916-SNAPSHOT-M10-otterx.zip”. The zip file contains the basic components of an Android OS. You must download the file before you can access its contents. The download will begin instantly.
   • The file is located under the column “CyanogenMod Build”.
4. Navigate to Cynogenmod’s “Google Apps” wiki. Alternatively, click here. This website provides users with the basic Google App Suite. On Android devices, these apps come standard.
5. Scroll down the page to “Older Releases”.
6. Locate version “CM 11 “small””. This version of the file is compatible with your first generation Kindle Fire. It is also compatible with the Android OS you downloaded in Step 3. Downloading an incompatible file may result in failure.
7. Click “AFH” to the right of “Download”. This option is located in the corresponding “Package” column. The download will start instantly.
8. Transfer the files to your Kindle’s SD card. You may skip this step if you downloaded the files directly to your Kindle.

Downloading Team Win Recovery Project

1. Navigate to the Google Play store.
2. Type “TWRP” or "Team Win Recovery Project" into the search bar and press ↵ Enter. This will pull up results containing “TWRP”. The Team Win Recovery Project Manager should be one of the first results. This program is allows Android users to instal a third party firmware onto their devices and backup their content.
3. Select “TWRP Manager” and then click Install. Please note, you must root your Kindle Fire before downloading this app.
4. Launch the TWRP app.
5. Select “Otter” from the device list. Otter is an alternative name for the first generation Kindle Fire. If you recall, the file you downloaded in Step 3 also contained the word “Otter”.
6. Tap “Install Recovery”. The file will automatically download to your device.

Wiping Your Kindle

1. Turn off and on your Kindle Fire. The round power button is located on the bottom edge of the device. Press and hold the power button to turn off the Kindle and then turn it back on immediately. This will restart your device.
2. Wait for the blue and white “kindle fire” logo to appear. This indicates that the device is turning back on.
3. Press and hold the the power button.
4. Wait until the word “Recovery” appears at the bottom of the screen. This indicates that your device is ready to enter “Recovery” mode.
5. Release the power button. This will launch the Recovery setting and open the TWRP app.
6. Tap “Wipe”. This will bring you to a screen with a toggle.
7. Slide the toggle from left to right to restore your device to factory settings. This may erase all of your data.
   • Back up the content on your device before you take this step.
8. Tap “Back” to return to the TWRP app’s main menu.

Installing Android on Your Kindle

1. Tap “Install”. This option is located on the TWRP Manager App’s main menu.
2. Navigate to the ROM file and click on it. The file will start to download.
3. Swipe the toggle from left to right to “Confirm Flash”. This will root your device. This allows you to alter your device’s existing OS.
4. Tap “Back”.
5. Navigate to the Google Apps file and click on it. The file will start downloading automatically.
6. Tap “Reboot System”. This process may take awhile.
7. Wait for the Kindle to restart. The device should be running Android OS.

Tips

• You can use TWRP to create a backup of your existing OS. This way, if an error or problem occurs after installing the Android ROM, you can flash your device back to its original OS.
• Always backup the data and archive the books you have on your Kindle Fire first before installing a ROM. Flashing wipes out all the data on your device’s storage memory.

Warnings

• This article is for demonstration and instructional purposes only.
• Flashing, or changing, the ROM of your Kindle Fire is against the terms and agreements, and will void Amazon’s warranty on your device.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Sign Out of the Kindle App
• Operate the Amazon Kindle
• Print from Kindle
• Reset a Kindle Fire
• Get Instagram on Your Kindle Fire HD
• Archive a Book on a Kindle
• Create Your Send‐to‐Kindle Email Address
• Add a PDF to a Kindle
• Activate Voice on Kindle
• Close Apps on the Kindle Fire HD

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