How to Install CyanogenMod on the Amazon Kindle Fire X (1st Gen) ("otterx")
This guide will walk you through the process of taking the Kindle Fire X (1st Gen) from stock to having a custom recovery image and the ability to flash the latest version of CyanogenMod.
Note: DISCLAIMER
Modifying or replacing your device's software may void your device's warranty, lead to data loss, hair loss, financial loss, privacy loss, security breaches, or other damage, and therefore must be done entirely at your own risk. No one affiliated with the CyanogenMod project is responsible for your actions. Good luck.
Contents
Installing OtterX U-Boot and TeamWin Recovery (TWRP) on Kindle Fire X (1st Edition)
If the Kindle Fire X already has OtterX U-Boot and TWRP for OtterX installed you may skip this section.
THIS IS A ONE TIME BOOTLOADER INSTALLATION TO ENABLE OTTERX MODE AND BOOT MENU RECOVERY ENTRY
WARNING: This bootloader is ONLY for the Kindle Fire 1st Edition. Not to be used by ANY other Kindle Fire.
Step 1: This process will COMPLETELY ERASE the contents of your device.
MAKE SURE TO PULL ANY MEDIA YOU WISH TO KEEP OFF THE DEVICE BEFORE PROCEEDING.
Step 2: Test your fastboot driver installation by doing the following:
For those using the stock Kindle Fire bootloader still, a fastboot cable is needed for this procedure. This cable is a special USB cable with a powered pin that normal USB cables do not have.
- Power down your device if necessary
- Type the following command into a cmd/terminal window on your PC:
fastboot getvar product
- Should return with:
< waiting for device >
- If you need to, connect your fastboot cable to the Kindle at this time
- Reboot the device
- Your terminal window should show something like:
product: kindle
If you have any problems with these initial steps try downloading Amazon's USB drivers for the Kindles and then repeat the above till you see the desired response.
Step 3: Download the files you will need to install OtterX bootloader & TWRP OtterX recovery:
- OtterX Bootloader (for 1st Edition ONLY):
otterx-u-boot_v2.05.bin
md5sum241a3fd1edad0a0d95886ddeb4693e1c
VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DOUBLE CHECK THE MD5SUM ON THIS FILE. IF ITS CORRUPTED AND YOU APPLY WITH FASTBOOT, YOUR DEVICE WILL BE HARD TO RECOVER. - OtterX TWRP Recovery:
otterx-twrp-2.7.1.0-recovery.img
md5sumec8e8a67492d5fd06494f854bb59b2ae
Step 4: Use fastboot to apply bootloader file
- Using the same process as Step 2, put the device in fastboot mode
- On your PC open a shell command window and make sure you're in the same directory as where you saved the OtterX bootloader and TWRP files from Step 3
- Enter the following command:
fastboot flash bootloader otterx-u-boot_v2.05.bin
- You should see:
finished. total time: <some time here>
Step 5: Set the device to OtterX partition layout
INSTRUCTIONS TO BE FILLED IN HERE
Step 6: Use fastboot to apply TWRP recovery
- Using the same process as Step 2, put the device in fastboot mode
- On your PC confirm that you are still in a shell command window cd'd to the same directory as where you saved the OtterX bootloader and TWRP files from Step 3
- Enter the following command:
fastboot flash recovery otterx-twrp-2.7.1.0-recovery.img
- Then to enter recovery:
fastboot oem recovery
Step 7: Using TWRP recovery, format system, userdata and cache and reboot back into TWRP recovery.
INSTRUCTIONS TO BE FILLED IN HERE
Installing CyanogenMod from recovery
- Make sure your computer has working adb.
- Download the CyanogenMod build package for your device that you'd like to install to your computer.
- Optional: Download 3rd party applications packages, like Google Apps which are necessary to download apps from Google Play.
- Place the CyanogenMod
.zip
package, as well as any optional.zip
packages, on the root of/sdcard
:- Using adb:
adb push filename.zip /sdcard/
- Note: You can copy the
.zip
packages to your device using any method you are familiar with. Theadb
method is used here because it is universal across all devices and works in both Android and recovery mode. If you are in recovery mode, you may need to ensure/sdcard
(sometimes called Internal Storage) is mounted by checking its status in the Mounts menu. If you have booted regularly, USB debugging must be enabled.
- Using adb:
- If you are not already in recovery, boot to recovery mode now.
- During bootloader splash screen (typically a gray Kindle logo), press Power to open the boot menu, and then press Power again (as a short press) to move to the Recovery Boot menu item. Then, LONG press the Power button to make this selection.
- In Team Win Recovery Project, select menu choices by tapping on the appropriately labelled button.
- Optional (Recommended): Select the Backup button to create a backup.
- Select Wipe and then Factory Reset.
- Select Install.
- Navigate to
/sdcard
and select the CyanogenMod.zip
package. - Follow the on-screen notices to install the package.
- Optional: Install any additional packages you wish using the same method (if you are installing multiple packages, install CyanogenMod first and then install any subsequent packages on top of it).
- Once installation has finished, return to the main menu and select Reboot, then System. The device will now boot into CyanogenMod.
Helpful Tip