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
Hi all. I bought a pre-rooted Fire TV today that came with Kodi and a bunch of other things installed. I'm new to Android and am a bit puzzled about something: the current firmware is 51.1.4.1 but that's unrootable....but my AFTV is definitely rooted and Amazon updates are turned off.
Can someone please elaborate on how my AFTV can be rooted but currently running an unrootable firmware?
Cheers
Sounds like you got used one from some local seller. He might have installed pre-rooted stock rom by rbox
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/development/prerooted-stock-images-t2882337
I bought it from a guy on eBay who sells a lot of these. I'm almost certain it was new but had been rooted and set up prior to sale in order to boost his profit. I originally purchased a brand new unopened unit from him but when I turned it on, I realised it had 51.1.4.1 firmware and couldn't root it.....so I contacted the guy and paid extra to get a rooted/set-up unit instead. He told me that his latest batch of AFTVs had the newer firmware and therefore couldn't be rooted, but he still had a few rooted units available (which is what I ended up getting). However, I'm still confused as to how the current firmware can be 51.1.4.1 but still be rooted?!?
Sorry for the noob question....my background until now has been iOS and I've been running jailbroken ATV 2s with XBMC. WIth iOS, if you upgrade from a jailbroken firmware to a non-jailbreakable firmware then you lose the jailbreak. I'm puzzled as to how my AFTV is essentially "jailbroken" but running a non-"jailbreakable" firmware version....that doesn't make sense to me.
EDIT: I just remembered that when my AFTV boots, Rbox's Boot Menu appears with Boot Kernel and Launch Recovery options. I'm going to have to do a lot more reading about all of this stuff. I guess I'm lucky in that I have a rooted AFTV but from what I understand so far, I'd lose root if I mucked around and tried to downgrade.
You,'ve got custom recovery so you can upgrade, d mowngrade , factory reset , etc. This is done through clockworkmod recovery. But...if you don't know what I'm talking about you should read aftvnews starter's guide.
Btw--you're good right where you're at. There's nothing to upgrade, and far as I know, no reason to downgrade.
Thanks KLit75, that makes more sense to me. I really appreciate your advice.
Hey Guys, I just got a brand new but never really updated hdx 8.9 4th gen. the firmware is currently 4.5.2. I am interested in Rooting and running CM or some other version of full android. Looks like the development is a bit older for this device and I'm having trouble finding an up to date guide on what to do to get this thing unlocked, rooted, and rom'd. any guidance would be appreciated.
First off keep it on 4.5.2, I don't know how new you can go and still have any hope of root. I don't believe there is any way to bootloader unlock a 4th gen, so CM will likely be impossible for the time being. The Chinese app KingRoot has seen success in rooting quite a few people's 4th gens, so I'd start there. I'm always wary of some of the extras KingRoot installs, so make sure to remove those after rooting & install SuperSU to control root access. If you really want to use 'full android' I'd suggest acquiring a 3rd gen or making the best of your 4th gen and getting a more stock launcher!
You can update to 4.5.5.1 and root with Kingroot. I have the 4th gen 8.9 and it already had 4.5.5.1 loaded. There is another forum here that details how to root but just google kingroot on the device and download the most current version. You should be able to root no problem. However, that is all you can do at the moment. Other forums here detail how to add Google Play to the device but I have not done so can't give advice there. DO NOT use Safestrap 4.01, will not work on 4th Gen device and no Roms are currently in play at the moment. Like you, I am also waiting on the devs here to determine how they will proceed with the 4th gen 8.9 hdx.
chin_bone said:
You can update to 4.5.5.1 and root with Kingroot. I have the 4th gen 8.9 and it already had 4.5.5.1 loaded. There is another forum here that details how to root but just google kingroot on the device and download the most current version. You should be able to root no problem. However, that is all you can do at the moment. Other forums here detail how to add Google Play to the device but I have not done so can't give advice there. DO NOT use Safestrap 4.01, will not work on 4th Gen device and no Roms are currently in play at the moment. Like you, I am also waiting on the devs here to determine how they will proceed with the 4th gen 8.9 hdx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rockon999 said:
First off keep it on 4.5.2, I don't know how new you can go and still have any hope of root. I don't believe there is any way to bootloader unlock a 4th gen, so CM will likely be impossible for the time being. The Chinese app KingRoot has seen success in rooting quite a few people's 4th gens, so I'd start there. I'm always wary of some of the extras KingRoot installs, so make sure to remove those after rooting & install SuperSU to control root access. If you really want to use 'full android' I'd suggest acquiring a 3rd gen or making the best of your 4th gen and getting a more stock launcher!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As 5.1.1 can be rooted suggest allowing the device to update as FireOS v5 is more palatable than v4 and plays nice with GAaps overlays. Future development is likely to require a Lollipop base; upgrading to v5 is a no-brainer for 4th gen devices.
Rooting is easy, unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery is the trickier part.
Hello,..
i got a fourth gen HDX 8.9 with 4.2 on it. Its rooted and OTA blocked. How can ich update tp 4.5.3? Where can i find the image?
Thanks
Hi all,
I've decided to get out another firetv box that i initially purchased over a year ago and wanted to set it up with a bogus amazon account.
So far so good, ... sorted out the account, followed the instructions from aftvnews to pull the lan when required to bypass the initial setup.
email & password and all done.
Now I have just a couple of things i need help with please chaps.....
I know that 51.1.4.0 is not compatible with kodi (in any form).... although I believe that spmc may work on it.
Would it be possible to update a firetv with an original firmware from http://www.aftvnews.com/software/ to the first version that allowed kodi to run.
The reason I ask is that, that first fix by amazon still showed no advertising.
It would be much better if i could root it but as far as I know root is not available for my unit, I tested the serial number over at http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-serial-number-decoder/
and this is what it said:
Rootable: No
Likely Software Version: 51.1.4.0
Manufactured: By Foxconn on 10/7/2014
Hardware Revision: 03
Unit Revision: 09
Condition (New or Refurbished): New
So seeing as I cannot root is there a way to install somehow just the firmware update that i need without removing my opendns blocks.
What would be my best choice please chaps...
Kodi worked fine on my fire tv1 without root and works fine after update and the after root.
Why dont you let it update ( it wiill update if connected and not blocked) and root it ?
wouldn't it make sense to update it to 5.0.5 and root it with kingroot?
Then it would work with Kodi.
I don't think there would be a way to update it other than to have it communicate with amazon and pull the update from them as you don't currently have root access.
slackbladder said:
Hi all,
I've decided to get out another firetv box that i initially purchased over a year ago and wanted to set it up with a bogus amazon account.
So far so good, ... sorted out the account, followed the instructions from aftvnews to pull the lan when required to bypass the initial setup.
email & password and all done.
Now I have just a couple of things i need help with please chaps.....
I know that 51.1.4.0 is not compatible with kodi (in any form).... although I believe that spmc may work on it.
Would it be possible to update a firetv with an original firmware from http://www.aftvnews.com/software/ to the first version that allowed kodi to run.
The reason I ask is that, that first fix by amazon still showed no advertising.
It would be much better if i could root it but as far as I know root is not available for my unit, I tested the serial number over at http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tv-serial-number-decoder/
and this is what it said:
Rootable: No
Likely Software Version: 51.1.4.0
Manufactured: By Foxconn on 10/7/2014
Hardware Revision: 03
Unit Revision: 09
Condition (New or Refurbished): New
So seeing as I cannot root is there a way to install somehow just the firmware update that i need without removing my opendns blocks.
What would be my best choice please chaps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you think KODI does not work under 51.1.4?
Kodi works with all s/w versions rooted or un-rooted. BTW if you update to OS5 you will not be able to use DNS within the box. Will need to use set-up DNS through your router as one option.
Thanks for the replies chaps.... but i'm sure that kodi/variants will not work on 51.1.4.0_user_514005520,...
You can sideload it but it will never work.
That is the same firmware I had on my first box I got over a year ago,...
http://www.aftvnews.com/xbmc-kodi-incompatible-with-fire-tv-software-version-51-1-40_user_514005520/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/xmbc-fc-uk-aftv-t2917248
---------------
Routers out of the question to block updates... that's why I'm using opendns to block updates.
So it's obvious that trying to somehow install an update of my choice is out of the question.... it's either 5.0.5 or nothing. that's fair enough.
But I'm curious about kingroot.... especially as when and if I update then I have the problem of “Self destruct” eFuse added to kernel which gets triggered if an older bootloader is used".
I haven't found anyone yet who couldn't get root due to there particular model of firetv and have used kingroot. Surely kingroot will brick a firetv due to the efuse problem.
(I thought that's where the hardwired method of root came in).
I read that one cannot replace kingroot with supersu as that would also be a major faux par.
Also read that Rbox is working on a "custom recovery" but that still leaves me wondering,.... If the Efuse is triggered then that means one cannot unlock the bootloader... leaving one with a bricked firetv wouldn't it.?
Or does kingroot work in a totally different way to towelroot.
Thanks again for the replies chaps.... the more info I get the clearer it becomes.
One last thing.. I've also notices a lot of talk about firestarter no longer working under 5.0.5... and that adbfire will no longer communicate with a firetv to sideload,... and that ES file explorer is the only way to go.
But then again, maybe that's just chitchat from amazon.... cos you can bet your life they read every single post put on the net.
slackbladder said:
Thanks for the replies chaps.... but i'm sure that kodi/variants will not work on 51.1.4.0_user_514005520,...
You can sideload it but it will never work.
That is the same firmware I had on my first box I got over a year ago,...
http://www.aftvnews.com/xbmc-kodi-incompatible-with-fire-tv-software-version-51-1-40_user_514005520/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/xmbc-fc-uk-aftv-t2917248
---------------
Routers out of the question to block updates... that's why I'm using opendns to block updates.
So it's obvious that trying to somehow install an update of my choice is out of the question.... it's either 5.0.5 or nothing. that's fair enough.
But I'm curious about kingroot.... especially as when and if I update then I have the problem of “Self destruct” eFuse added to kernel which gets triggered if an older bootloader is used".
I haven't found anyone yet who couldn't get root due to there particular model of firetv and have used kingroot. Surely kingroot will brick a firetv due to the efuse problem.
(I thought that's where the hardwired method of root came in).
I read that one cannot replace kingroot with supersu as that would also be a major faux par.
Also read that Rbox is working on a "custom recovery" but that still leaves me wondering,.... If the Efuse is triggered then that means one cannot unlock the bootloader... leaving one with a bricked firetv wouldn't it.?
Or does kingroot work in a totally different way to towelroot.
Thanks again for the replies chaps.... the more info I get the clearer it becomes.
One last thing.. I've also notices a lot of talk about firestarter no longer working under 5.0.5... and that adbfire will no longer communicate with a firetv to sideload,... and that ES file explorer is the only way to go.
But then again, maybe that's just chitchat from amazon.... cos you can bet your life they read every single post put on the net.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well somehow I missed that. Sorry to say but you have a lot of misunderstood info here:
- firestarter works with 5.0.5 however some other apps do not i.e. Lama
- ADB works as well
- the process of rooting with kingroot does not brick your unit, removing it by instlling supersu-me does
- Updating to 5.0.5 and rooting using kingroot method will not trigger eFuse.
Thanks for the reply bula1ca,
Only just finished reading about the update to firestarter.... But what about the EFuse? I cannot seem to find anything about the Efuse which stopped a lot of users rooting in the first place.
Does anyone know if kingroot has somehow managed to solve the Efuse problem.
Has anyone here used kingroot on what was a previously unrootable firetv box because of the Efuse problem?
thanks chaps
slackbladder..
slackbladder said:
Thanks for the reply bula1ca,
Only just finished reading about the update to firestarter.... But what about the EFuse? I cannot seem to find anything about the Efuse which stopped a lot of users rooting in the first place.
Does anyone know if kingroot has somehow managed to solve the Efuse problem.
Has anyone here used kingroot on what was a previously unrootable firetv box because of the Efuse problem?
thanks chaps
slackbladder..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many including myself.....and no worry recovery will be available as well, from what I know rbox will release it soon. Whatever you decide to do just do not try to remove kingroot with supersu-me.
BTW eFuse did not stop rooting, Amazon updates blocked rooting method available at the time.
So I don't need to worry about this info here: http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tvs-efuse-explained-rooted-devices-not-at-risk-of-bricking/
Because it seems that its only about boxes that were able to be rooted...
And I was sure that my uk unit was not rootable...
Hence my posting of aftvnews serial decoder information:
Rootable: No
Likely Software Version: 51.1.4.0
Manufactured: By Foxconn on 10/7/2014
Hardware Revision: 03
Unit Revision: 09
Condition (New or Refurbished): New
I'm finding this very confusing....
Strangely enough, I had an upgrade from my service provider.. I stupidly forgot to turn off my working firetv box and it got updated to 51.1.6.3,.... I thought that was OS5,...
If you look on http://www.aftvnews.com/software/ and then look at the second part down it says this:
Fire OS 5.0 Developer Preview – First Version (Which I believe to be Lollypop 5.1)
but when I used firestarter and looked at my settings it says the unit is running 51.1.6.3 and that I'm still on 4.2.2 (Which I do believe is Jellybean).
I really thought that my working unit was on OS5 when it got updated but obviously I was wrong, or the website at aftvnews is wrong.... unlikely.
So if I do update the new box, and it does take the 5.0.5 update... I sideload kingroot (I don't really want to use the PC version of kingroot) and then run it..
Hope that last bit makes sense...
slackbladder said:
So I don't need to worry about this info here: http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-fire-tvs-efuse-explained-rooted-devices-not-at-risk-of-bricking/
Because it seems that its only about boxes that were able to be rooted...
And I was sure that my uk unit was not rootable...
Hence my posting of aftvnews serial decoder information:
Rootable: No
Likely Software Version: 51.1.4.0
Manufactured: By Foxconn on 10/7/2014
Hardware Revision: 03
Unit Revision: 09
Condition (New or Refurbished): New
I'm finding this very confusing....
Strangely enough, I had an upgrade from my service provider.. I stupidly forgot to turn off my working firetv box and it got updated to 51.1.6.3,.... I thought that was OS5,...
If you look on http://www.aftvnews.com/software/ and then look at the second part down it says this:
Fire OS 5.0 Developer Preview – First Version (Which I believe to be Lollypop 5.1)
but when I used firestarter and looked at my settings it says the unit is running 51.1.6.3 and that I'm still on 4.2.2 (Which I do believe is Jellybean).
I really thought that my working unit was on OS5 when it got updated but obviously I was wrong, or the website at aftvnews is wrong.... unlikely.
So if I do update the new box, and it does take the 5.0.5 update... I sideload kingroot (I don't really want to use the PC version of kingroot) and then run it..
Hope that last bit makes sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are very confused.
Your box is still on OS3 @ latest s/w revision released (http://www.aftvnews.com/software/). and in this stage it is not rootable yet. You have two options: either let it upgrade to OS5 by itself and root it with kingroot or block updates and wait for rbox to release recovery and a way to upgrade to OS5 manually.
Well I removed the opendns block, waited a couple of minutes and checked for updates... nothing happened at first, tried again, still nothing,.. third time lucky, box reads that there is an update available.
First update went to 51.1.6.3 user 516012020,.... it took about 15 minutes to update, then rebooted, took a further 5 minutes.
I then checked again and this time an update to OS 5.0.5 (537174420)... after another reboot it took about another 10 minutes going through "optimizing system storage and applications"... I would think if I had kodi or anything else sideloaded that's where it might have caused a problem, (I'm guessing).
Then had an update come through for the remote.
So now I'm wondering what to do, because it feels like "toss a coin in the air, and hope I'm lucky with kingroot". Can anyone tell me what would be the worst case scenario that could happen when using kingroot.
Thanks for reading chaps..
slackbladder.
---
Sorry bula1ca, I never knew you replied.
I'm just thinking about sideloading kodi now,.... I'm sure I read somewhere that with the new update sideloaded apps appear on the homescreen,... So would I still need firestarter or not.?
You don't "need" firestarter with 5.0.5 it shows side loaded apps on the home screen in the apps section.
Thanks for that Ludacrisvp...
I was about to use "Install APK" with adbfire,.... To Install isengard 15.2,.... But I remember reading somewhere that one could use the "ADB Shell" and a command to clean up (remove the apk) once it has been run. I may be getting this mixed up with installing to an ipad, as I'm trying to remember something from months ago...
Kodi Jarvis 16.0 is the latest stable version that should be what you are using.
You can push the APK to the device then install it using File Explorer, or similar but then you'll have apk files floating about to clean up later.
Best idea would be to use adb to install the APK in a single step, it will transfer the APK and install it and clean up the data too.
ADBFire is handy if you're new to using ADB.
Thanks for the advice Ludacrisvp....
hhmmm not to sure about Jarvis yet.. maybe in a month or two. At the moment my Isengard isn't broken so there's no need to fix it.
Anyway I used adbfire and installed the apk for isengard. and ran it to go threw the setup procedure.
I then replaced the box running 5.0.5 with my box running 51.1.6.3 and using adbfire again did a backup. This took about 45 minutes.
A total of 1.24gb.
I then replaced that with the 5.0.5 box and did a restore, this was a painfully long experience... another 45 minutes.
I then ran Isengard under 5.0.5 and all was well, my setup was exactly the same,... Initially I was expecting problems due to the OS upgrade but it was fine,.. only thing missing was my personal wallpaper, so I pushed it to "SDcard", came out of settings on kodi and wallpaper appeared.
Now I don't know if this is my imagination but I tested iplayer and youtube and the video replay quality seemed grainy.... even though i had iplayer on best quality. And I tried a few videos that I've watched previously on youtube so I knew they were HD quality.
I'd like to test this 5.0.5 on a new TV to see if this would make any difference.
also when I rebooted the 5.0.5 box I had a short message appear saying something about reconfiguring installed software.... I've never seen that before and a loud crackle noise as the box was booting.
I'm just wondering about updating my unit that I've been using all the time with the old firmware on it,.... If I did would it be best to reset the unit to factory settings,... I'm just thinking because of kodi and firestarter and llama being on there would they cause a problem to the upgrade.
I bought a toy kindle fire 7" *5th gen 5.1.4 because it was just $50 and can run Boinc units and have netflix.
I read that you can't root that version yet, and was just wondering why? I'd love to hear some rationale on how people discover how to created new ways to root. Is this just some guy with a volt meter waiting for the correct signal or is it just about getting to PID 0 within the code?
More important than rooting (but probably requires root) is I would love to wipe the whole device and use it as an ARM linux learning tool.
Can I install a full (linux only and NOT dual boot) arm linux distro onto this device without needing to root it? (complete wipe). *5th gen 5.1.4
I'm willing to risk bricking the device.
Thanks in advance
Since 5.1.4 Update...
Our one just updated to 5.1.4 - it wasn't rooted, but I had put Google Play onto it from the PC, but because of the update, it now doesn't connect to Play Store. I was trying to root it today, but it fails every time when trying to reboot from the flashed img file. Apparently on 5.1.4 they've blocked any attempt to reboot from an img file (i.e. Amazon are now blocking the ability to root their 5th Gen devices whereas before they hadn't bothered, or turned a blind eye or whatever). So now we're stuck. My kid wants Google Play games (because Amazon Underground sucks).
I was wondering if resetting to factory settings and blocking updates would work, perhaps?
xdaenduser said:
I bought a toy kindle fire 7" *5th gen 5.1.4 because it was just $50 and can run Boinc units and have netflix.
I read that you can't root that version yet, and was just wondering why? I'd love to hear some rationale on how people discover how to created new ways to root. Is this just some guy with a volt meter waiting for the correct signal or is it just about getting to PID 0 within the code?
More important than rooting (but probably requires root) is I would love to wipe the whole device and use it as an ARM linux learning tool.
Can I install a full (linux only and NOT dual boot) arm linux distro onto this device without needing to root it? (complete wipe). *5th gen 5.1.4
I'm willing to risk bricking the device.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5.1.4 can be downgraded to 5.12
see [Index]Amazon Fire 7" - 5th Gen-2015
please post in the 5th gen forum, if you have more questions
http://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/help
Sent from my KFFOWI using XDA Labs