It'll run much better than before and you will be able to use many current apps, but it won't magically transform it into an up to date tablet. Note that even with this recent version of Android installed, it will still be a relatively slow and old device, with limited processing power, very little RAM and a low-res screen. If anything doesn't work, trace back the steps (which you have of course documented and ticked off) to see if you forgot anything. There's no fancy graphical user interface, it's all done via typed commands.įollow this guide (again, to the letter):Īfter you've set ADB up properly and tested it with the tablet plugged into your PC, you can follow the guide to install OtterX, which is the latest custom ROM and bootloader for your device. It allows you to essentially control and change an Android device that is connected to a PC (via USB or any other method) from the PC, push data to it and pull data from it. ADB is a tool that is part of the Android SDK (software development kit) from Google. It requires some explanations, since it presumes a certain level of knowledge. There's this guide that does both things in one step: This is much more complicated than the steps required for rooting (and more error prone in my experience).

Once the device is rooted, you can install a different bootloader (a program that allows you to change the version of Android it's using) and Android version. Sorry for the harsh warning, I learned this the hard way. You have to do exactly what the guide tells you to do or otherwise you might brick the device (make it unusable). Make sure to always read everything, make notes of what you've done, look up terms you don't understand, follow every guide to the letter. Instead of being an easily accessible setting, with most Android devices, manufacturers actively discourage its use, requiring users to circumvent soft- and sometimes hardware locks. Rooting is just the Linux/Android equivalent of the Administrator rights from Windows.

There's a video linked that explains the rooting process:

How to jail break older kindle fire