When you install an Android operating system on your Kindle Fire, existing content on the device is erased; therefore, before proceeding with this operation, it is always worth making a backup copy. After resetting the tablet, you can install the two necessary files. When you turn it on again, the Kindle Fire runs on the Android operating system.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Download the Necessary Files
Step 1. Go to the "download.cyanogenmod.org" site
Inside you can find the ROM file you need to download. ROMs are custom Android operating systems; they are created by users (not by smartphone manufacturers) and shared online. Since Android is an open-source application, anyone has access to its code and can customize it. You can browse this site from either your computer or your Kindle. If you choose to download the files to your computer, you will then need to connect the tablet to transfer them to its SD card.
Step 2. Click on "Kindle Fire (1Gen, custom bl) (otterx)"
This option is located in the left sidebar and after selecting it you are taken to a page with different operating systems suitable for the first generation Kindle Fire.
Step 3. Find and click on the compressed (zip) file:
"cm-11-20140916-SNAPSHOT-M10-otterx.zip". Contains the basic components of an Android operating system. You must download it before you can access its content; the download process begins instantly.
The file is located under the "CyanogenMod Build" column
Step 4. Access the Cynogenmod "Google Apps" wiki
Alternatively, you can follow this link. The website provides users with a basic organized collection of Google Apps which is the standard on Android devices.
Step 5. Scroll down the page to "Older Releases"
Step 6. Locate the "CM 11" small "" version
This is the version of the file compatible with the first generation Kindle Fire and with the Android operating system that you downloaded in the third step; by downloading an incompatible file you are unable to complete the procedure.
Step 7. Click on "AFH" located to the right of "Download"
This option is found in the corresponding "Package" column; the download process begins immediately.
Step 8. Transfer the files to the Kindle device's SD card
You can skip this step if you downloaded them directly to your tablet.
Part 2 of 4: Download the Team Win Recovery Project Software
Step 1. Go to the Google Play store
Step 2. Type "TWRP" or "Team Win Recovery Project" in the search bar and press the ↵ Enter key to view all results containing the term "TWRP"
The "Team Win Recovery Project Manager" software should be at the top of the list; it is a program that allows Android users to install a third-party firmware on their devices and back them up.
Step 3. Select "TWRP Manager" and click the Install button
Remember that you need to root the Kindle Fire before downloading the application.
Step 4. Launch the TWRP application
Step 5. Choose "Otter" from the device list
This is the alternative name for the first generation Kindle Fire. If you remember, the file you downloaded in the third step also contained the word "Otter".
Step 6. Select "Install Recovery"
The file is automatically downloaded to your device.
Part 3 of 4: Erasing the Kindle Fire
Step 1. Turn the tablet off and on again
The round button for switching on and off is located on the lower edge; press and hold to turn off the tablet and then turn the device back on immediately, in order to restart it.
Step 2. Wait for the blue and white "Kindle Fire" logo to appear
This indicates that the tablet is restarting.
Step 3. Press and hold the power button
Step 4. Wait for "Recovery" to appear at the bottom of the screen
The writing indicates that the tablet is ready to enter recovery or "recovery" mode.
Step 5. Release the power button
In this way, activate the reset settings and open the TWRP application.
Step 6. Tap "Wipe"
By doing so, a screen with a cursor appears.
Step 7. Slide the slider from left to right to factory reset the tablet
This allows you to delete all contained data.
Make a backup copy of the device contents before proceeding with this step
Step 8. Tap the "Back" button to return to the TWRP main menu
Part 4 of 4: Install Android on the Kindle Fire
Step 1. Tap the "Install" button
This feature is found in the TWRP Manager application main menu.
Step 2. Find the ROM file and click on it
In this way, the download procedure begins immediately.
Step 3. Move the slider from left to right to activate the "Confirm Flash" function
This allows you to root the tablet and modify its existing operating system.
Step 4. Tap the "Back" button
Step 5. Access the Google Apps file and select it with one click
The download process starts automatically.
Step 6. Select "Reboot System"
This step may take a few minutes.
Step 7. Wait for the tablet to restart
The Kindle Fire should now be active with the Android operating system.
Advice
- You can use TWRP software to create a backup copy of your existing operating system. This way, if a problem occurs or you make a mistake after installing the Android ROM, you can restore the device to the original operating system.
- Always make a copy of the data and library on the Kindle Fire before installing a ROM; the "flashing" procedure deletes all the data present in the device memory.
Warnings
- This article is for information and demonstration purposes only.
- Changing, deleting, and replacing Kindle Fire ROM on a flash memory violates the device's terms of use and voids Amazon's warranty.
