Common questions and answers about Kindle jailbreaking, troubleshooting, and modding.
A: Soon - hopefully. There is no ETA given, and side projects, such as KPM (Kindle Package Manager), KindleForge (GUI for KPM), Sh_Integration in C, New jb.sh must be finished too. The in-development jailbreak supports 5.16.4 - 5.18.3 in theory, 5.18.4 patches the jailbreak and will not be supported for a while. No, there is nothing you can do at this time.
A: Only if you are jailbroken first. See kindlemodding.org/firmware-and-flashing/downgrading/#downgrading.
A: You are likely on an MTP kindle. You can manually fill your kindle with junk files. github.com/bastianmarin/Kindle-Filler-Disk/tree/main/MTP.
Note: Ensure to delete any .partial.tmp.bin files or something of that sort when completing this step to prevent updates if you are susceptible to them.
A: Drag the .bin file to the root of your kindle and press update your kindle in settings. This works functionally the same.
Note: Ensure to delete any .partial.tmp.bin files or something of that sort when completing this step to prevent updates if you are susceptible to them.
A: You have an incorrect .bin file. Ensure you are using the correct/compatible KUAL edition (try the other) or software update.
A: Run the 'Run Hotfix/Bridge' scriptlet.
A: You may still be jailbroken! search for ;log and if it says something along the lines of "no args passed", you are still jailbroken, reinstall mrpi & kual and run hotfix, it should work.
A: You have the incorrect KOReader version. Refer to this table to find out which version you need:
kindle-legacy: K2, DX, K3 (and all variants)
kindle: K4, K5, PW1
kindlepw2: PW2 and newer models running firmware <= 5.16.2.1.1
kindlehf: Any Kindle device running firmware >= 5.16.3
A: Create an empty file named "DISABLE_CORE_DUMP" (no extension) in the kindle root.
A: Fill up your kindle with junk files, either manually or with the filler script, forget networks, and enable aeroplane mode. kindlemodding.org/jailbreaking/prevent-auto-update.html.
A: Either you have really long file names, or forgot to extract the winterbreak files. Extract them first, and this should be fixed.
A: Varies per-jailbreak. You do, for WinterBreak.
A: Only with LanguageBreak for kindles on FW 5.16.2.1.1 or lower. Or WatchThis. Otherwise, wait for the new jailbreak.
A: This is because you have an MTP kindle. Download amazon's software to fix: amazon.com/sendtokindle/mac.
A: Try the below solution:
Still doesn't work?
Force update to your current firmware, even if you have disabled OTA Updates. Quote: "You can also force an update by copying the firmware update file to your Kindle and, while still plugged in, hold down the power button until it restarts." Get the firmware version from here: kindlemodding.org/firmware-and-flashing/downloading-updates.html.
A: Run KOReader in frameworkless instead.
A: Refer to the following reddit thread: reddit.com/r/kindle/comments/1ipko3u/comment/mcvmj3s/.
A: If you are on firmwares below 5.16.4, follow the Winterbreak2 guide. Otherwise, force the store to use cache and not the remote by connecting to wifi without a true valid internet connection.
A: Update manually to 5.16.4, .3 is not supported. It has been reported not to work on .3 in multiple cases.
A: Look at this. Read it fully to understand. The actual exploit is fully detailed in the "Exploits" section.
Jailbreaking works by finding different ways to run sh as root on the kindle, and on most other devices you can jailbreak.
Many, depending on the exploit. But definetely sh, so you can actually run the jb code.
A: Illusion requires LanguageBreak/WinterBreak with scriptlets (Universal Hotfix), and does not currently support 5.6.1.1. Ensure you meet this criteria, and try rebooting and clicking again if you are, indeed, compatible.
A: Check out kindlemodshelf.me
A: Look at the KOReader Guide (koreader.rocks). Manually replacing the screensavers/using NiLuJe's screensaver hack is not recommended, highly dangerous as the kindle is very specific around image formatting and type. Could lead to bricks.
A: Kindle firmware is SF on 5.16.2.1.1 and below. After 5.16.3, all kindle firmware is HF. SF software may not work on HF, and vice versa. That's why you need to select the correct package for your kindle when installing something.
A: You should still be able to do everything you could do post-jailbreak as you would on an unjailbroken kindle. Jailbreaking itself doesnt visually change anything unless you install apps or tweaks.
A: You are probably not actually jailbroken!
A: Ask the kindle modding discord, or read the guide (kindlemodding.org).
A: Yes, but for Winterbreak, you will have to log in again if you want to jailbreak from scratch. Your Kindle will remain jailbroken whether you log back in or log out.
After unregistering, the Kindle will delete all files located in the documents folder, including the KUAL Launcher booklet and any other scripts that have been transferred. Be sure to back up these files first.
A: Yes, re-enable automatic updates first (Restore option in renametobin) to avoid an update block. Then, perform a factory reset on the device and install the same firmware update (or a higher version).
A: No reports of Amazon accounts being banned after jailbreaking have been reported so far. However, please refrain from telling support that you have modified your device.
A: Probably.
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
A: No.
If your device has been in Airplane mode for a long period of time, there is a possibility that Amazon will delete all sideloaded books from your device after reconnecting to WiFi due to an internal book tag. This can happen regardless of whether your device is jailbroken or not. Backup your books whenever you can.
A: Yes. Jailbreaking doesn't interfere with any of these services.
A: Unless there's a plugin for it, no.
A: Unless there's an extension/port for any of them, no.
A: KOReader currently doesn't (and likely never will) support the proprietary formats that Amazon converts all ebooks into (KFX, AZW3, and very limited support for MOBI). It is recommended to get all your books as EPUB and store them in a separate folder for easy access.
A: You cannot use the Libby service within KOReader. You can get the EPUB file from Libby by following this guide.
A: KOReader currently does not support USBMS mode (USB transfer) and will only charge the device. If you want to transfer files, you must exit KOReader to do so.
A: Not necessarily. You can launch it with simple scriptlets, specifically, Marek's launcher that is available here.
A KUAL booklet launcher (made by yparitcher) extension is also available to install. You can further customize both the KUAL booklet and the KOR launcher with the coversetter extension made by Stanner.
A: It's the first directory you see when you plug the device into your computer. If you have SSH access to the device, this directory can be found at /mnt/us/.
A: Yes, but you must first enable Airplane mode and enable automatic updates again (Restore option in renametobin) to avoid any potential update blocks or unwanted automatic updates. When updating, ensure that the newer version supports a jailbreak.
After updating/factory reset/downgrading, re-install the hotfix from scratch. KUAL and some other extensions may need to be re-installed too.
A: Type ;log into the search bar. If a message pops up, you're jailbroken.
A: Verify if your device is still jailbroken by typing ;log into the search bar.
A: If you reset your Kindle in a jailbroken state with renametobin left enabled, your Kindle may be in a locked state. To fix this, read this guide.
A: This is expected. You can safely reboot your device manually (holding the power button until you get the Restart option).
A: If you're using Winterbreak, unless the Kindle displays the message "You are now ready to install the hotfix" in small text, you can safely continue with the post-jailbreak instructions. If it doesn't, something went wrong during the jailbreak process, and you'll have to try again.
Remember to delete any automatic update file that might have appeared.
A: Download the "Check OTA Status" scriptlet from here.
A: Although there are currently no extensions to change the screensavers in hard-float firmware, it is still possible to change them, but it is not recommended as it is very easy to brick the device.
If you still want to change the screensavers, check the details of your default Kindle screensavers inside the /usr/share/blanket/screensavers folder, get root writing permissions, and set the custom ones with the same name prefix and settings (bit-depth and resolution). You can either replace them all or add them to the slideshow queue.
Please note that even after following these precautions, it is not guaranteed your device won't brick, especially if you're using GIMP to export the images.
If you are, however, running soft-float firmware prior to or on 5.16.2.1.1, you can install NiLuJe's screensaver hack. Please do not make the mistake of installing this extension on hard-float firmware. You can easily change screensavers with KOReader (search for the "screensavers" feature).
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