So I just bought a new AFTV and am trying to root it but for whatever reason I can't seem to find a working download link for towelroot. Towelroot.com isn't working whenever I click on the red logo and I have tried using google but that's no good either. Can anyone help. Btw I'm new to xda developers and have tried looking around the forums for an answer but couldn't find one so I apologize if this is something that has come up before.
You need to check your FW version first and make sure that you have a rootable version.
Most likely though, if you didn't at the least block updates before turning the unit on, then it probably updated to the latest un-rootable FW.
Depending on where you live and/or where you bought your AFTV it may have come with un-rootable FW, so towelroot is not going to help you.
My FM is rootable. I blocked any incoming updates from amazon. Running FM 51.1.0.1_user_510055620. Just trying to download towelroot.
KingR8 said:
My FM is rootable. I blocked any incoming updates from amazon. Running FM 51.1.0.1_user_510055620. Just trying to download towelroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aftvnews.com has excellent guides and links to rooting and more.
Here you go....
Related
Hey there,
just got my Fire TV today (German Edition) and I would like to know if I have anything to do before I set it up...I want to root it later when it is possible.
So should I avoid any updates or something like that?
0x001 said:
Hey there,
just got my Fire TV today (German Edition) and I would like to know if I have anything to do before I set it up...I want to root it later when it is possible.
So should I avoid any updates or something like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just made a firetv for a friend yesterday but I'm in the US so not sure if its the same but this is what i did.
I started the firetv and got the update. it auto updated first to an old rootable firmware. and said there is a new update.
I installed towelroot and rooted it and disabled the updates.
then follow the instructions here to get the latest firmware that is rootable. worked perfectly for me.
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-clockworkmod-custom-recovery-on-the-amazon-fire-tv/
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-a-custom-rom-image-on-the-amazon-fire-tv/
0x001 said:
Hey there,
just got my Fire TV today (German Edition) and I would like to know if I have anything to do before I set it up...I want to root it later when it is possible.
So should I avoid any updates or something like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The German version comes with 51.1.3.0 which is currently not rootable. So the best you can do is block updates (there are tons of threads here on how to do it with DNS and whatnot) and hope a bug is found in the version you currently have.
Hi,
I thought about rooting my firetv and while checking the firmware version I noted that this thing apparently updates itself without asking... (I didn't use it for a while and thought it might still be on a rootable firmware).
I now took some precautions and blocked the update servers to prevent any further updates. But yeah, I'm on a firmware version that currently is unrootable and was wondering: Is there any chance someone will root this firmware? Are there any people actively working on finding exploits on the firetv or are they happy with their already rooted devices?
Regards,
Hidden
Hidden92 said:
Hi,
I thought about rooting my firetv and while checking the firmware version I noted that this thing apparently updates itself without asking... (I didn't use it for a while and thought it might still be on a rootable firmware).
I now took some precautions and blocked the update servers to prevent any further updates. But yeah, I'm on a firmware version that currently is unrootable and was wondering: Is there any chance someone will root this firmware? Are there any people actively working on finding exploits on the firetv or are they happy with their already rooted devices?
Regards,
Hidden
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Click to collapse
To be honest, depend on what use you have for the FireTV, root is not necessary unless you want to do more than just use XBMC/Kodi. About people finding root for FireTV, you just have to wait. Most devs are busy porting Lollipop to old phones. Once somebody has free time, a root will be found for the FireTV. This is not the Apple TV 3rd generation, which is in root limbo for almost 3 years already.
i'd be doubtful on someone ever finding a software root for the fireTV specifically, there really isnt anyone actively developing anything for the FTV except rbox, if it gets rooted via software again.. its going to be an exploit developed for a different phone that just happens to work on the Firetv i bet.
Towelroot was developped after a bounty was set-up... maybe we could try the same thing ? I would find it ok to reward someone (and maybe amazon would see we want root / USB access...)
ChriKn said:
Towelroot was developped after a bounty was set-up... maybe we could try the same thing ? I would find it ok to reward someone (and maybe amazon would see we want root / USB access...)
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Click to collapse
there was a bounty already.. it was paid out to jcase for root in the early days.. he chose to keep it private.. its possible towelroot was based on that same exploit but i dont know myself. Root on the newest firmware wont do much but allow you to enable USB support. Any custom recovery or custom firmware will not be possible with the current stuff we have available from rbox so i doubt anyone is going to put in too much effort into finding a new exploit.
nhumber said:
there was a bounty already.. it was paid out to jcase for root in the early days.. he chose to keep it private.. its possible towelroot was based on that same exploit but i dont know myself. Root on the newest firmware wont do much but allow you to enable USB support. Any custom recovery or custom firmware will not be possible with the current stuff we have available from rbox so i doubt anyone is going to put in too much effort into finding a new exploit.
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Click to collapse
The root jcase had was a vulnerability in Android. Towelroot was a vulnerability in the kernel.
*IF* there ever is a new software root method for the FireTV, I would probably start up my work with Safestrap again. I did manage to get it somewhat working before I abandoned it for the bootloader unlock method.
vi6s said:
To be honest, depend on what use you have for the FireTV, root is not necessary unless you want to do more than just use XBMC/Kodi. About people finding root for FireTV, you just have to wait. Most devs are busy porting Lollipop to old phones. Once somebody has free time, a root will be found for the FireTV. This is not the Apple TV 3rd generation, which is in root limbo for almost 3 years already.
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Click to collapse
rbox said:
The root jcase had was a vulnerability in Android. Towelroot was a vulnerability in the kernel.
*IF* there ever is a new software root method for the FireTV, I would probably start up my work with Safestrap again. I did manage to get it somewhat working before I abandoned it for the bootloader unlock method.
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Click to collapse
rbox. Thats interesting. I wanted to give my parents a rooted device as the one I gave them was rooted but not blocked with updates. Therefore I purchased another one from amazon for 69 and thankfully got lucky. If root come out, then I'll have an extra as a backup.
With Root, there are a few things I personally like.
1. Google Play. Can buy emulators
2. Google Music
3. Power Options on Xbmx.
Currently I believe there is a hardware rooting method that has been released.
Forgive my ignorance...but I just bought a Fire TV yesterday with the hopes of being able to play movies off of my external HD by rooting it, installing XBMC, and side loading Stick Mount. What sort of options do I have now that I'm stuck on 51.1.4.1?
GNEXUZ said:
Forgive my ignorance...but I just bought a Fire TV yesterday with the hopes of being able to play movies off of my external HD by rooting it, installing XBMC, and side loading Stick Mount. What sort of options do I have now that I'm stuck on 51.1.4.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait for root...
If you hook that drive up to another computer, you can probably share it from there. Without root, the FireTV USB is useless for storage.
I recently picked up a rootable FireTV from a local BestBuy, so they are still out there in the USA.
the fire tv i just got from amazon the other day was rootable it was on 51.1.01 so i would say if the one u have isnt rootable to return it and get another. make sure to block the updates so it wont update when u turn it on.
Successfully rooted my FT 51.1.1.0 but following the guides, indicate I should downgrade to 51.1.0.2.
I tried twice unsuccessfully.
Question: Do I really need to downgrade? I never watch hulu or net flix, EVER.
tia
I do notice a slow response to the remote after a few clicks. Not sure what caused this, and what could fix it since it freezes for a minute or two.
Downgrade?
How did you downgraded it?
What guides? Once rooting is successful, I'm not sure why you would want to downgrade. I'd think that the next step is to install the custom recovery and install the pre-rooted version of the most current firmware. At least that's what I've always done.
AFTV v54.*.* doesn't allow to root the device....Can I downgrade the firmware to version v51.*.*.*????
kosackks said:
AFTV v54.*.* doesn't allow to root the device....Can I downgrade the firmware to version v51.*.*.*????
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Click to collapse
Unfortunately if you can't root you you can't downgrade. You need custom recovery for that. You should go over to aftvnews and check out the guides.
Personally, if it were me I'd go to aftvnews and I think they keep a running list of serial numbers. If youre in the US, return the aftv to staples or bestbuy and check the serials. In recent trips to bestbuy I've found lots of bare shelves for both the box and the sticks but I wish you luck!
If root is that important to you, they can still be had on ebay prerooted for a higher price but last time I looked I was surprised to see they were still considerably cheaper than the atv 2 that just stopped receiving development.
Thanks for your Answer KLit75.
I'm sorry to be "newbie", but I'm curious without knowledge, my question is: Can I flash the AFTV Stick (any version) with OpenELEC?
Ironically I had the exact same situation as this. I figured it out yesterday.
I would provide links and all, but I am not able to do that currently.
So for now, these are the steps I had to take in a basic list.
I will start out by saying I had the earliest software made. I don't remember all of the specific numbers. I was attempting to upgrade to the latest pre rooted rom.
I had to "downgrade" to the version above mine (51.1......0.2 or something)
I had to flash CWM
Fully unlock boot loader
Install 51.1....4.... Something prerooted software
Install boot menu (Required in the versions newer than the 51.1.4....)
THEN upgrade to the latest pre rooted rom.
I saw barely any help online for this, seeing as most people do not have to use that extra step of updating the software a bit to even use CWM.
do not use the CWM recovery with the 51.1.0 software. It will brick it.
The reason I had to go from the version before the latest, was because you can't go from that early version to the latest. You also need to install the boot menu if upgrading to a recent one.
It took several hours to do. With transferring files and many more things. This is without any error. So you can just imagine if you get stuck on one part. It's back to root one.
It takes a lot of patience and courage! I was afraid of losing root for many hours.... Not that fun. But it was kind of worth it. The mouse cursor is broken for me. So that is unfortunate with the new update.
I am using a firetv box that was rootable from the start to be clear.
GOOD LUCK!! It IS NOT worth it if you have not went through hours of debugging with android before. Trust me.
AFTV Stick With OpenELEC
I'll give a try to this, may be on weekend. Anyway thank you for your tips, I'm thinking the same way you've explained before.
Same thing, It's not that I can spend AFTV Stick's doing this , but I believe It should be much better with OpenELEC on it.
Best Regards to you all.
My FireTV is running the latest firmware. Is there anything I can do to it or do I have to wait for a new root exploit?
IamaznX said:
My FireTV is running the latest firmware. Is there anything I can do to it or do I have to wait for a new root exploit?
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Click to collapse
Not at this time. If you're in the US you might consider exchanging it for another one. Go to aftvnews and use there serial number checker. But I haven't been keeping up with that. They were easy to find a couple of months ago. That might no longer be the case now.
A coworker gave me a rooted (towelroot) fire TV sw version 51.1.0.1_user_510055620. After I hooked it up to my WiFi and registered it with my account there's no apps on it and it won't allow me to download Netflix. What is my next step? How do I get this thing up and running?
PrO... said:
A coworker gave me a rooted (towelroot) fire TV sw version 51.1.0.1_user_510055620. After I hooked it up to my WiFi and registered it with my account there's no apps on it and it won't allow me to download Netflix. What is my next step? How do I get this thing up and running?
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Click to collapse
Do you know if CWM is installed? Im thinking the netflix available on Amazon is incompatible with your old firmware.
Basically, i youre going to want to update to one of rbox's prerooted firmware versions. Its not hard but you do need to follow the guides carefully. Best bet is to go to aftvnews. He breaks it down really well.
I'm not sure. How do I check? I also need to update the xbmc to kodi (I've started to search!)
So far I've only been able to unlock the bootloader but I can't push the recovery.img for some reason. I hope there's an easier way by now. Lol
PrO... said:
So far I've only been able to unlock the bootloader but I can't push the recovery.img for some reason. I hope there's an easier way by now. Lol
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Click to collapse
just follow this guide up to the point of your existing software and then update to the latest custom rom by rbox.
http://www.aftvnews.com/start/