Kindle Fire HD

The Kindle Fire HD is a nice-looking device running a heavily modified version of IceCream Sandwich (Android 4.0.3) made by Amazon. This version is extremely locked down with many Android features missing and all google apps and features removed. Digging deeper, despite having an Android core the device cannot be booted into bootloader or recovery from a powered off state. In adition to this the original bootloader seems to be very unusual when it comes to fastboot commands so without a second bootloader bricks will often occur when trying to flash any software.

Root

Method 1 (Recommended)

Root Your Kindle Fire HD 2012 running version 7.5.1

Rooting your kindle is the first step towards getting a custom recovery, installing custom ROMs or even just getting the google play store. This method does require a computer, but is very reliable and is actually simpler overall. However if you don’t have access to a computer then my other method still works here. You can either follow these steps or watch the video below.

On your device go into settings (Swipe down from the top and press more) then scroll to “Security”. Set enable ADB to on a press ‘Ok’ on the warning. Go home on your device, make sure your kindle is NOT connected to the computer yet.
Download the Tekify – Root Kindle Fire HD .zip file on to your computer and extract it.
In the extracted folder you will find another folder and a file named “KindleDrivers”, double click this file and press install, when another window pops up press next and wait for the install to complete, once it is done you can click finish and close out the remaining window. Your computer is now ready to use ADB and Fastboot.
Once again in the extracted folder open the folder named “Root_with_Restore_by_Bin4ry_v33” inside is a number of items. Double click “RunMe” (not the .sh file) and a command prompt will open.

Plug your Kindle into the computer with a USB cable and press 3 on your keyboard followed by enter.
After a bit of script has run a message asking you to restore your data will appear on your Kindle, click “Restore my data”, don’t worry this will do nothing.
10 Seconds later your device will reboot, once it has booted up the lockscreen will be black and your device will be slow, this is normal.
Once your computer recognises the device again some more script will run and the window will close. Your device will also reboot one last time.
When your device is booted up you will have Root as well as an app called SuperUser installed.

Watch the video here.

Method 2 (No computer required)

Root Your Kindle Fire HD 2012 running version 7.5.1.
This awesome method can easily be carried out without the use of a computer and is therfore extremely easy to complete. Here are the written steps or alternative you can watch the video below.

Download ES File Explorer from the Amazon AppStore (Any File Manager Will Work however this is my prefered and reccomended one)
Enable Installisation of Applications from Unknown Sources. (Settings > Device > Allow Installation of Applications)
Download Key Root Master.apk onto your device.
Open ES File Explorer and navigate to the “Downloads” folder
Click on Key Root Master.apk, the tap “Install” and once it is done press “Open”
An app in a very different language will open. It’s fine just follow my steps.
Tap on “Mulai Root” (The Middle Option) and wait for the next popup (It will take a few seconds for it to do its thing)
On the next Popup press the Red Option (The One on the Left)
You will see a message saying something along the lines of “Network Links Failiure” This is normal.
You are now rooted, just go home and you have Root Access.
HOWEVER, you are left with some foreign SuperUser app that can’t be deleted. (Which unless you speak that language I would probably change)
To do this you need to download SuperSU.apk and install just as we did Key Root Master except tap “Done” instead of Open.
Back on ES File Explorer acces the menu on the left and press “Tools” and enable “Root Explorer”, you will most likely get a popup, make sure to press the option on the right (Beginning with a ‘P’)
Next Tap the word “Root Explorer” and then press “Mount R/W” and make sure both radio buttons are set to “RW” and select “Ok”
Now navigate to the System Folder of you device, to do so press the “/” symbol in the top left corner (Your device needs to be in portrait mode) then tap “System” and finally press “App”
Scroll Down to “SuperUser.apk” and delete it! (Hold down on it and tap delete at the bottom)
Now you are Rooted and have an English, reliable SuperUser app!

Watch the video here.

ROMs

ROM stands for “Read Only Memory”, it is a essentially all the files in the system partition. Installing a new ROM changes these files to give your device a new operating system. A custom ROM is a ROM that is not the Stock out of the box software. To install a custom ROM on this device a custom recovery is required, such as TWRP, find out how to get on here. Below are all the guides and Downloads to give your device a whole new look with an awesome custom ROM.

CyanogenMod 13 Unofficial

This unofficial build of CyanogenMod 13 for the Kindle Fire HD 2012 is a great ROM that still has some bugs since it is an unofficial port made by ‘transi1’, you can find the XDA post for this ROM here. Make sure you have at least 70% battery before flashing this ROM.

Download the CM13 and Gapps for 6.0 onto your device
Reboot into Recovery, if you don’t have one learn how here.
Make a backup just in case something goes wrong and you need to restore to a previous state.
Click ‘Wipe’ and swipe to factory reset, this MUST happen (This does not wipe your Internal Storage don’t worry)
Then press ‘Install’ and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the CM13 and tap it.
Swipe to confirm flash, this will take a while DO NOT cancel.
After it is done DON’T press reboot system or you will have no Google Apps and you will experience errors.
Click ‘Home’ and then once again ‘Install’
Select the ‘gapps 6.0′ file and once again wait. Once done press reboot system
First boot up may take a while however if it takes more than 10 minutes hold the power button till your device goes off and try turning it on again.
If it still won’t boot go back to recovery and restore your backup
If everything works then enjoy your new ROM!

Watch the video here.

Candy 5

Candy 5 (Now 5.1) is an awesome ROM for the Kindle Fire HD. It has many features such as built in perfomence settings when developer options are enabled. Candy 5 is based on CM12 (Cyanogen Mod 12) however is modified to suit the Kindle Fire HD. Make sure you have at least 70% battery. You can find the official Xda Thread on this ROM here. Follow the instructions below or alternatively watch the video. Don’t forget to Contact me if you have any problems.

Download the Candy 5 ROM and Gapps for 5.1 onto your device, you can also try flashing the Sweetner Pack for more customisation (optional)
Reboot into Recovery, if you don’t have one learn how here.
Make a backup just in case something goes wrong and you need to restore to a previous state.
Click ‘Wipe’ and swipe to factory reset, this MUST happen (This does not wipe your Internal Storage don’t worry)
Then press ‘Install’ and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the Candy 5 ROM and tap it.
Swipe to confirm flash, this will take a while DO NOT cancel.
After it is done DON’T press reboot system or you will have no Google Apps and you will experience errors.
Click ‘Home’ and then once again ‘Install’
Select the ‘gapps 5.0′ file and once again wait, this time press ‘Reboot System’ once it is done.
First boot up may take a while however if it takes more than 10 minutes hold the power button till your device goes off and try turning it on again.
If it still won’t boot go back to recovery and restore your backup
If everything works then enjoy your new ROM!

Watch the video here.

Omni 5.1

Omni 5.1 (Android 5.1) is an awesome ROM for the Kindle Fire HD. Omni 5 is a ROM is based on CM12 (Cyanogen Mod 12) however is modified to suit the Kindle Fire HD. Make sure you have at least 70% battery. As a quick warning do not try to overclock the CPU on this ROM as it will cause your device to totally frezze up after a couple of minutes of use, if you don’t know what I am talking about don’t worry. You can find the official Xda Thread on this ROM here. Follow the instructions below or alternatively watch the video. Don’t forget to Contact me if you have any problems.

Download the Omni 5.1 ROM, Gapps for 5.0 and Update SuperSU onto your device
Reboot into Recovery, if you don’t have one learn how here.
Make a backup just in case something goes wrong and you need to restore to a previous state.
Click ‘Wipe’ and swipe to factory reset, this MUST happen (This does not wipe your Internal Storage don’t worry)
Then press ‘Install’ and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the Omni 5.1 ROM and tap it.
Swipe to confirm flash, this will take a while DO NOT cancel.
After it is done DON’T press reboot system or you will have no Google Apps and you will experience errors.
Click ‘Home’ and then once again ‘Install’
Select the ‘gapps 5.0′ file and once again wait. Once again go ‘Home’ otherwise you will not have root access.
Click ‘Home’ and then ‘Install’ for the final time.
Select Update SuperSU.zip and press reboot system once it is done flashing.
First boot up may take a while however if it takes more than 10 minutes hold the power button till your device goes off and try turning it on again.
If it still won’t boot go back to recovery and restore your backup
If everything works then enjoy your new ROM!

Watch the video here.

Stock ROM

Here is a recovery-flashable version of the stock Amazon OS. This version is a rooted 7.4.3 ROM that can be flashed in a custom recovery such as TWRP to restore you device to a Stock ROM. Your device will automatically update to the latest version so don’t worry (However will remove root). Flashing this will not restore full stock Firmware and therefore your custom recovery will remain. If your device is bricked or you want to restore full stock firmware then you will need to refer to this tutorial.

Download Stock Amazon OS 7.4.3 onto your device.
Reboot into recovery mode.
Press ‘Wipe’ and then swipe to confirm (This does not wipe your Internal Storage don’t worry)
Once done press ‘Back’ and then ‘Install’
Find The Stock Amazon OS.zip file and tap it.
Swipe to Install and once done you can press ‘Reboot System’
If you get a popup saying you need root DO NOT do this even if you want root access.
Wait for your device to boot, it may take a while first time.
You can now set up your device on Stock Amazon OS

Recovery

So you’ve rooted your Kindle Fire HD and you can’t wait to get installing loads of custom ROMs! All you need now is a custom recovery, well here’s how to get TWRP on your device easily and effeciently without bricking your device or using a computer. You can either follow the written tutorial below or watch the video. If you have any problems/question feel free to contact me.

Download ES File Explorer from the Amazon AppStore (Any File Manager Will Work however this is my prefered and reccomended one).
Enable Installisation of Applications from Unknown Sources. (Settings > Device > Allow Installation of Applications).
Download the these three files onto your device: FireFlash.apk, KFHD7 Freedom Boot.img and either KFHD7 TWRP 2.7.0.0.img or KFHD7 TWRP 2.8.3.0.img (It doesn’t matter which one however 2.8.3.0 is obviously the latest version).
Install FireFlash.apk and open it up.
Grant the app Root Acces if necessary.
Under the ‘Bootloader’ heading tick the ‘Flash kfhd7-u-boot-prod-7.2.3.bin’ this is required or your device will be bricked.
Under ‘Boot Partition’ click ‘Not Flashed’ and find where you downloaded the files.
Select ‘kfhd7-freedom-boot-7.4.6.img’ (This is the correct one even though we are on a later version).
Still under the ‘Boot Partition’ heading tick ‘Apply Stack Overide’.
Under the heading ‘Recovery Partition’ once again click ‘Not Flahed’.
This time select the other file (‘kfhd7-twrp-2.7.0.0-recovery.img’ the number will be different depending which version of TWRP you downloaded).
Make sure to tick ‘Disable Recovery Auto Update’ .
Now at the bottom under the heading ‘Exexute’ press ‘Flash, Install Script’
Once this has finished (DO NOT CANCEL IT) tap ‘Reboot Into Recovery’ and wait for your device to boot into TWRP.
I would strongly reccomend making a backup once in TWRP.
Finally you can boot into TWRP from a powered off state by pressing the ‘Power Button’ as normal and then holding just the volume up button until you enter recovery.

Click Here to start installing new ROMs on your Kindle Fire HD

Watch the video here.

Google Play Store

So you’ve rooted your kindle fire HD and you really want access to all the google playapps and games, music youtube and more. This tutorial will teach you how to get these awesome feature on your rooted kindle fire HD. If your not yet rooted foun out how here. Follow the written turoial or watch the video below. If you have any problems or question you can contact me through Twitter, YouTube or the Contact Page.

Download the following files and transfer them to you Kindle Fire. Then using a file explorer app on your Kindle (I recommend ES File Explorer) install them in this order: Google Services Framework, Google Login Service, and Google Play Services.
Download the files Vending.apk and Google Play Store 4.1.10 and transfer it to your Kindle Fire HD (Don’t install these!).
Copy the Vending.apk to your the system/app folder. If you are using ES File Explorer be sure to go into ‘Tools’ option under ‘Root Explorer’ then ‘Mount R/W’ and set both setting to RW (see picture below). Once the file is copied to the system/app folder then tap to install.
That’s it, now you have the Play Store on your Kindle Fire and you should see it under the app section. Open the app and add your Google account info. After this we are going to upgrade to the latest Play Store.
Now using the File Explorer navigate to where you originally transferred the Google Play Store 4.1.10 and install it (do not move to system/app folder). It will ask to replace an existing application and you will choose okay to proceed. This will now install the latest Play Store and you are done. I would reccomend a reboot at this point.