Jailbreak a Kindle Touch

For similar reasons one would like to have administrator privileges on an Android phone:

For me, the biggest reason is installing KOReader:

Are there any risks?

Contrary to the millions of Android devices, with different revisions of hardware and software, there are not that many Kindle devices. So even if jailbreaks are not that tested, chances of something not working as expected might be lower, as the devices behave the same as they have the same hardware and software.

This does not mean there is no risk. Tutorials might be out of date, or some programs might not be available anymore. Plus, the jailbreak process might require some manual steps that could do wrong.

First, identify the device.

Through the serial number ^🗄️ , it should not be that hard; in my case, it is a Kindle Touch, often abbreviated as KT or K5.

My device had the OS version 5.3.7, but the latest one is 5.3.7.3.

As already mentioned, in my case, updating to 5.3.7.3 helped.

First, connect the Kindle to the PC; it should be recognized as an external memory device.

From Snapshots of NiLuJe’s hacks download "K5 JailBreak (5.0.x - 5.4.4.2)", extract the file "kindle-5.4-jailbreak.zip", and copy the archived content on the device.

Then eject the Kindle and unplug it from the PC.

On the Kindle, from the home screen, click on ☰, then Settings › ☰ › Update Your Kindle.

After a couple of seconds, you’ll see the text JAILBREAK at the bottom of your screen.

At this point, reboot the Kindle;from the home screen, click on ☰, the Settings › ☰ › Restart

From Snapshots of NiLuJe’s hacks, download KUAL (not the coplate version).

Copy KUAL-KDK-2.0.azw2 in the document folder; since I updated to 5.3.7.3, it works again!

Go to release page, download the koreader-kindle-v<version>.zip package, and copy the archive folder structure on the device as-is.

Eject the device, and now it is possible to start KOReader from KUAL.

I actually never used this functionality, but I guess there is no harm in trying it out at least once. Especially after spending so much time on the device.

The USB network package gives you access over ssh as administrator via cable or WiFi.

The package can be downloaded from Snapshots of NiLuJe’s hacks; after installing the MRI package with KUAL, it is possible to enable the USB network directly from KUAL.

After doing that, if you connect the Kindle to a PC, it will not be recognized as an external memory device anymore.

Contrary to what I’ve found online, executing ifconfig usb0 192.168.15.201 fails because there is no usb0 device.

To get the device name, I executed /sbin/ifconfig; the Kindle Touch created a device named enxee4900000000.

Thus, the following command configures the device and opens a shell as administrator on the Kindle:

On the wiki ^🗄️, there are multiple programs and games listed for the Kindle. I’m currently not interested in those, but who knows, maybe in the future.

I’ve packaged together for personal use what I’ve used for rooting my Kindle, so that if I ever need to do it again, I do not have to search on sites the information I need.

It is a pity that "security" in modern devices is achieved with digital signatures and certificates; the expiration date is in fact a time bomb.

Earlier this year, Amazon contacted customers using older Kindle models ^🗄️, notifying them that older devices will not be able to access the Amazon store

While there is a fair to criticize such a decision, some of the "deprecated devices" are a couple of decades old.

And what does deprecate mean?

Users are complaining because the devices work perfectly…​ and their device will continue to do so, even without jailbreaking them. What is deprecated is the possibility of using the Amazon services on such devices.

A fairer critique would be to say that Amazon will not let users download e-books anymore, or that the current DRM systems are hurting people who think they are buying digital books.

For multiple reasons, I decided long ago that for me it is better to manage the digital library "manually".

No need for an internet connection, no chances for books to get deleted remotely, longer battery life, fewer surprises, and hopefully no more certificates that expire during my lifetime.

Amazon is not bricking or even soft-bricking the old devices; one needs to realize that depending on external services means that some functionality might change from one day to another.

Also note that most hardware devices are "deprecated" after a much shorter lifespan. Android Phones get some security updates thanks to regulations, but even on PCs, there are not that many updates released from manufacturers (BIOS, drivers, replacement parts, etc.).

As always, it would be nice if when a platform is sunset, it is also opened, so people hacking on it would save so much time, and it would save devices from being tossed away, as thrid-party developers would be able to offer different integration services.