Installing Ice Cream Sandwich/CyanogenMod9 on the Kindle Fire

In order to install Ice Cream Sandwich on the Kindle Fire, you’ll need to have your Kindle Fire rooted. You can refer to my comprehensive guide/preferred method on how to do just that. Be sure to install the latest TWRP recovery noted on the bonus step.

There are definitely caveats with having this particular build of Ice Cream Sandwich on the Kindle Fire:

  1. Native Video Player app is finicky. My solution? Stay away from using it and use MoboPlayer instead.
  2. Netflix doesn’t work. I’m hoping an update will fix this.
  3. Chrome Beta is buggy. I mean, it is in beta. The app runs but certain drawing elements that make up the app, i.e. tabs, won’t display. Enter Dolphin Browser® HD. The built-in browser that came with ICS is not too shabby either.
  4. Kindle Fire doesn’t have a Camera, Bluetooth controller or a GPS. But you already knew that.

These are the main caveats that I consider deal-breakers. Consider reviewing this list of compatible apps that works with CyanogenMod9/Ice Cream Sandwich before installing.

On with the steps! Continue reading

Rooting the Kindle Fire

Here’s my preferred method of rooting the Kindle Fire. It’s super simple as long as you follow the instructions. I did this on a Windows machine that’s running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. Let me preface that rooting your Kindle Fire will void your warranty so proceed with caution! I’m not liable or I won’t be responsible for bricking your Kindle Fire.

You’ll need the Android SDK, Java Development Kit in order to root your Kindle Fire with these steps. The SDK and the JDK downloads may vary depending on your machine. I won’t go into great details about installing the Android SDK and the JDK because it’s pretty self-explanatory. Here goes: Continue reading