This is a guide for getting LineageOS (an older and unofficial version) onto an Amazon Fire 2015 7" tablet (also known as the 5th generation 7" Amazon Fire or under the internal codename "ford").
NOTE: This guide was originally written before someone figured out how to unlock the bootloader. There is now a newer method. Here it is very briefly. The old guide can be found below.
First unlock the bootloader using this guide.
Once you're booted into TWRP download the latest LineageOS 14 release for your device here.
You can also instead use the LineageOS 12 release which is probably more stable. In that case don't install the fixes listed below.
Note that there is mention of the headphone plug not working in 14.1. I found that it worked fine for me though.
Install the zip file from TWRP using adb sideload. You can use the method from here. Though to boot into TWRP you just need to hold down the left volume button during boot.
Then without rebooting install the latest Magisk (not Magisk Manager) from here again using adb sideload. Never use the Magisk Manager app to update Magisk. Only update it from within TWRP.
Before rebooting, install these fixes. If you are installing a version later than the August 2019 release then this guide may be out of date and the following fixes may not apply. Do your own research.
There were are a few issues with the release as of August 2019. I installed the following fixes:
Again using adb sideload in TWRP. Again you can install these before the first reboot into your new system.
Now reboot and wait. The first boot will take a looong time.
See my list of recommended apps at the bottom of the old guide.
This is for FireOS version 5.3.1.0.
For 5.3.2 see this video first to downgrade to 5.3.1.0:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb1Jax6vWjk&t=651s
First, disable WiFi.
Enable developer options by tapping the version/build number in settings multiple times Then enable ADB in developer settings Enable installing from untrusted sources under security
Download AmazonFire5thGenSuperTool.zip from http://www.rootjunkysdl.com/files
Unzip the file and run 3-Amazon-Fire-5th-gen-linux-mac.sh
If you're curious, this script runs the following commands (with appropriate pauses):
# restart adb server to ensure that device is connected
sudo adb kill-server
sudo adb start-server
# install kingroot app
sudo adb install -r apps/Kingroot.apk
# install supersu app
sudo adb push apps/mrw /sdcard/mrw
sudo adb shell su -c "chmod 777 /cache"
sudo adb shell su -c "chmod 777 /cache"
sudo adb shell su -c "sh /sdcard/mrw/root.sh"
Select the "Root device" option.
Once KingRoot runs you will have to enable WiFi.
KingRoot may reboot your device multiple times. This is normal.
KingRoot may fail and you may have to run it two or three times before it succeeds. This is normal.
As soon as KingRoot succeeds, disable WiFi.
SuperSU asks to install using TWRP or normal. Select normal.
SuperSU asks if you want to remove other root apps. Click yes.
Download FlashFire from apkmirror.com. I used version 0.73 since it was the latest.
Install from connected computer using adb install <filename.apk>
Download the LineageOS rom from:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/orig-development/rom-lineage-12-1-t3639447
Copy the LineageOS zip file to the tablet: adb push <filename.zip> /mnt/sdcard/Download
Follow instructions under "Fresh installation from FireOS or other ROM FlashFire >= 0.58" but skip the G Apps (unless you want google apps and services).
You now have LineageOS!
After running through the first-boot setup wizard, go to settings and enable installation of apps from unknown sources.
Also in settings, enable developer options, then root access from both adb and apps. Enable adb if it's not already enabled.
Run the following on your computer:
adb kill-server
adb start-server
Then accept the confirmation dialog on the tablet.
Download F-droid from f-droid.org onto your computer and install using: adb install <filename.apk>
That's it!
Recommended F-droid apps:
- Fennec F-Droid # browser (re-branded firefox)
- VLC # media player
- Red Moon # blue light filter
- NewPipe # watch and download youtube video and audio (no ads)
- MuPDF viewer # read PDFs
- Book Reader # read ebooks
- Rocket.Chat # like IRC
- WeeChat # connect to WeeChat (IRC) client running on a web server
- Voice # audiobook reader
- Syncthing # p2p syncronization between your devices
- LibreTorrent # torrent client
- Sound recorder # record audio
Recommended other apps:
- Signal Messenger # secure messenging, get APK from official website
Download AmazonFire5thGenSuperTool.zip from http://www.rootjunkysdl.com/files/?dir=Amazon%20Fire%205th%20gen/SuperTool