I ordered a new Fire TV stick and it should arrive on Monday. What are the first things to do once it get it to make sure I don't have issues later on rooting? Do I avoid any and all updates? Is the latest firmware safe to upgrade to? Do I root right away even if I'm not sure if I will need it? Your help is greatly appreciated.
Please have a look at the below site before you power it on. It should explain everything to get you started.
http://www.aftvnews.com/start/
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Hello Folks!
I just got a Kindle 8.9 with firmware 8.1.3 out of the box and did not enable the Wi-Fi yet because I don't want stinky Amazon update on it.:, however I cannot use it until I root it.
I've rooted many Tabs and phones before but I need some help here. I see some threads going on with root directions but I confess I am lost each way is the right way for my case.
Should I just stay on 8.1.3 root and apply the OTA block script or should I go for 8.1.4 or even 20 or 30?
Or instead, root and install a second boot loader and leave it prepared for a mature version of CM10?
I've rooted the first gen kindle not long ago but I think fix the ADB drivers on my PC because the HD does not show up on device manager, only as MTP.
Please point me out to the right rooting thread and the OTA block thread.
Thank you!!
Never mind...I found a way and I have my Kindle rooted.
I bought a Fire from PC World yesterday, after several frustrating hours discovering that there's not much hope of it being rooted I had a look on Ebay, I've seen several rooted ones that seem to be quite good value, but they are in the states.
I have absolutely no intention of using my Amazon account on them, I only really want it for XBMC and all the rooted goodness and I'm sure there'll be a killer app that makes a rooted fire a very hot property indeed.
Question is, will a US fire TV work OK over here ?
Anyone know.
Thanks in advance.
Yes, it will work fine out of the box, apart from needing a US to UK plug adapter. Only things to be aware - you'll need to block updates so the box does not update to a firmware that removes root (which it will eventually try to do). And, if you want to update to a newer firmware manually and keep root, then you will need to use a custom recovery and a pre-rooted firmware update file. Manual updates is probably not vital though if you are only using it for XBMC.
Some useful guides over at aftvnews.com. First one may not be relevant if you're buying pre-rooted.
How to determine Fire TV Software Version and Rootability on First Setup Screen
How to block OTA update for Amazon Fire TV and keep Root Access
How to update a Rooted Amazon Fire TV to the Latest Version Without Losing Root
So, I've just started to set up my new AFTV - F'ware version 51.1.0.1 user 510055620
and I've blocked updates with my Router. I'm DEFINITELY not a Techee, and only just managed to install Kodi.
I'm running a VPN to access Netflix from Australia, but haven't yet managed to sideload Netflix ( i've previously had it running on Apple TV) I've sideloaded Kodi Helix 14.0 . I don't anticipate needing to root, and doubt if I could handle the learning curve anyway.
My questions:-
(1) Should I update Firmware and thus forego the ability to root, (which I don't anticipate ever needing to do) or, should I keep running with the old Firmware? If not, what advantages would the newer Firmware provide?
At this early stage, I anticipate only needing Kodi & Netflix.
(2) If I stay with old Firmware (51.1.0.1), what version of Netflix should I sideload?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
jonandi said:
So, I've just started to set up my new AFTV - F'ware version 51.1.0.1 user 510055620
and I've blocked updates with my Router. I'm DEFINITELY not a Techee, and only just managed to install Kodi.
I'm running a VPN to access Netflix from Australia, but haven't yet managed to sideload Netflix ( i've previously had it running on Apple TV) I've sideloaded Kodi Helix 14.0 . I don't anticipate needing to root, and doubt if I could handle the learning curve anyway.
My questions:-
(1) Should I update Firmware and thus forego the ability to root, (which I don't anticipate ever needing to do) or, should I keep running with the old Firmware? If not, what advantages would the newer Firmware provide?
At this early stage, I anticipate only needing Kodi & Netflix.
(2) If I stay with old Firmware (51.1.0.1), what version of Netflix should I sideload?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should definitely should root aftv. This gives you more freedom to do what you want with fire tv, example use usb as external hard drive, install Google play store, ect. If you update youre fire tv with amazon latest updates You will not be able to root.
Follow this guide root your firetv http://www.aftvnews.com/start/, read first before you start and follow steps carefully. The end process will guide you hoe to upgrade to prerooted firmware if you wish too.
FYI when you push update Firmware to aftv over Wi fi with adb it takes a long time, mine took over 40 min. The guide does not mention this so be patient. Double check each step and adb commands some folks have bricked there fire tv by not following steps in order.
Thanks
jonandi said:
I'm DEFINITELY not a Techee, and only just managed to install Kodi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you've managed to block the updates so far, you're more techie than you admit.
The Fire TV is the first of many Android devices I own and have owned that I have not rooted. With what's available today, I don't feel the need. I can install and run everything I want to. So there's the real question:
What, if anything, do you want to do with it that would require root?
wellersl said:
If you've managed to block the updates so far, you're more techie than you admit.
The Fire TV is the first of many Android devices I own and have owned that I have not rooted. With what's available today, I don't feel the need. I can install and run everything I want to. So there's the real question:
What, if anything, do you want to do with it that would require root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the prompt replies, guys. I guess the main advantage of rooting would be the ability to play files from an external drive plugged into the USB Port. But, then again, that capacity MAY (?) come with a future F'ware update ( I wish!). Currently I use this facility on my smart TV with an external drive. In the meantime, I'm still in limbo sitting on my update restricted AFTV, but leaning toward biting the bullet & updating firmware.
jonandi said:
Thanks for the prompt replies, guys. I guess the main advantage of rooting would be the ability to play files from an external drive plugged into the USB Port. But, then again, that capacity MAY (?) come with a future F'ware update ( I wish!). Currently I use this facility on my smart TV with an external drive. In the meantime, I'm still in limbo sitting on my update restricted AFTV, but leaning toward biting the bullet & updating firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on that, I'd say leave it rooted. There is aftermarket demand for pre-rooted Fires. The point is, you could *easily* replace that one with a new un-rooted one and possibly come out ahead. And you reminded me -
Never *never* buy something based on what you *think* will happen with it in the future. I'm still sitting on a good blu-ray player that was *supposed* to become a "smart" good, blu-ray player with a firmware update that never happened. :cyclops:
wellersl said:
Based on that, I'd say leave it rooted. There is aftermarket demand for pre-rooted Fires. The point is, you could *easily* replace that one with a new un-rooted one and possibly come out ahead. And you reminded me -
Never *never* buy something based on what you *think* will happen with it in the future. I'm still sitting on a good blu-ray player that was *supposed* to become a "smart" good, blu-ray player with a firmware update that never happened. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root the device! Plus they may never give user the option to use USB but instead come out with Amazon Fire TV 2 with 16gb, 32gb or future updates might block you from side loading apps, who know what future updates will bring.
thank you
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.*.*.*????
Click to expand...
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.
Hello, all I just dug up my old first gen Fire tv and I'm wondering in on 51.1.3.0 and I've researched a bit I guess I can't get root or anything on that version but is there a way to upgrade to a rootable version of 5.0? I looked around there are questions like this but they usually end up hardware rooting, that's an option but I'm just curious if I can go the soft route first. thanks in advance have a great day!!
ive tried kingroot and my fire tv 1g got root... im on 51.1.4.3... u can try that... but i have no clue what the next steps are... i want to install those prerooted fws 2 but i dont know if theres twrp for this firmware nor if its possible to update to any firmware above somehow... could someone help us out?
itakucrysis said:
ive tried kingroot and my fire tv 1g got root... im on 51.1.4.3... u can try that... but i have no clue what the next steps are... i want to install those prerooted fws 2 but i dont know if theres twrp for this firmware nor if its possible to update to any firmware above somehow... could someone help us out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go, guide contains everything you need:
http://www.aftvnews.com/start/
i know that site, theres no guide for my firmware and im unsure if i can use another without brick... is it safe? which one can i use?
ups, http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-twrp-custom-recovery-on-a-rooted-fire-tv-1/