How to root Kindle FireWhen the Kindle Fire HD was announced, a number of developers initially suggested the device might be hack-resistant, since it was shipping with locked bootloaders.  (What the heck is a bootloader, you ask? Here’s a good, non-techy explanation.)

As it happens, though, Amazon’s new tablet has already been rooted, and you can find how-to instructions on a few different tech sites. If you’re in need of a how-to guide that’s relatively jargon-free and easy-to-follow, take a look at the instructions posted earlier today by Redmond Pie.

You can also scroll down to check out a 15-minute how-to video from REV TV.

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: It’s important to note that if you even attempt to root your Kindle Fire HD, you’ll most likely be voiding your warranty. There’s also the very real possibility that you may end up permanently damaging your device. (I should also point out that I haven’t attempted to get root access on a Kindle Fire HD myself.) Neither TeleRead, the Consumer Technology Publishing Group, nor NAPCO or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates will be held responsible if you damage your device while following the Redmond Pie guide or the REV TV video. Proceed at your own risk!

If any of you do decide to give this a shot, however, we’d love to hear about the results—positive or negative.

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{Video} How to Root the Amazon Kindle Fire HD Tablet

4 COMMENTS

  1. Why would you pay $199 for a Kindle Fire HD and then risk voiding the warranty for an end result that is essentially a Nexus 7? Why not pay the extra $50 and get a 16GB Nexus 7 that is, more or less, a blank slate for the kind of stuff people claim to want? You will also be sure to get the latest version of Android that way, since Google will want to make sure its flagship hardware is sporting its flagship software. You can install the Kindle for Android software and read your Amazon e-books. “Problem” solved!

  2. I like playing games, getting apps, and reading, which kindle would you recommend me to buy? I was thinking about either a Kindle Fire or a Kindle Paperwhite 3G I want it to have internet everywhere also, which is a better choice?? Thanks!! I appreciate your comments!

  3. Aren’t Amazon Prime book loans device-agnostic? If I borrow a book, can’t I read it on my both my Kindle and my Nexus 7? I don’t understand the question. If you mean Amazon Prime Video, I don’t think you can watch it on a rooted Fire HD, which is kind of my point: if you want a Jelly Bean tablet, buy one instead of going through the rigamarole depicted above and risking bricking your tablet.

    Alyssa, given your interests, the Fire HD seems to be the best choice by a significant margin. The Paperwhite, which I have ordered, seems set to be a great e-reader but little else, which is fine by me. For games AND apps plus games, the Fire HD is the only workable choice.

    I also own a Nexus 7 and the latest version of Play Books, Google’s reading app, has added a dictionary which was its biggest shortcoming. It’s better for web-surfing and has many more apps and games.

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