Tutorial WatchThis - Software Jailbreak for any Kindle <= 5.14.2

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Gaqs

Ohh, I see, I thought K5 was only the Kindle 5 from 2012, so this means that I'm golden with the hotfix, thanks for explaining. So whenever I see anything marked with K5 (like many applications in the master index) it means that it works with any kindle after the Kindle 5 unless stated otherwise right?

It's unfortunate the terminology is confusing like that. There were significant hardware changes along the way. It's been more stable for a while. I think there may have been some drift the last few years.

Most K5 applications should work on newer kindles, but the 7" Oases have an orientation sensor and handle buttons differently, so KOreader may have problems. That might be fixed now.

[stefano.sb]

Originally Posted by Anish

I am sorry if this is not the right thread to ask this, but can anyone confirm if LibrarianSync works in 5.14.2? After installing KUAL, the kindle blurs out the option of Creating Collections. As an alternative, I tried installing LibrarianSync extension along with Python. But when I update collections (made through Calibre), it shows 'rebuilding collections' for eternity, and no collection is built.

Hi, in a post at this page @NiLuJe says that neither Librarian nor the Calibre plugin currently support the PW5 ...

Stefano

[BionicGecko]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Most K5 applications should work on newer kindles, but the 7" Oases have an orientation sensor and handle buttons differently, so KOreader may have problems. That might be fixed now.

For the record, KOreader works fine on Oases; buttons and automatic flipping of the screen when changing hand all work properly, and the upcoming release will also support adjusting the color warmth on KOA3 (it's already available in the nightly builds in case anyone is interested).

[LittleBiG]

Originally Posted by BionicGecko

For the record, KOreader works fine on Oases; buttons and automatic flipping of the screen when changing hand all work properly, and the upcoming release will also support adjusting the color warmth on KOA3 (it's already available in the nightly builds in case anyone is interested).

Also does the new exporter plugin work correctly on your device?

[Sonnenfee]

Thank you for this information BionicGecko I am very interested in this.

I already did the JB on my KPW5 and yesterday successfully also on the Oasis 3. The only thing I missed is adjusting warm light possibility with one finger gesture on the right side at the Oasis 3.
On the KPW5 this still works fine
I know how to get a nightly on a Kobo, PB and Android device, but not on a JB Kindle. That’s a new thing for me.

Maybe someone would be so kind to explain it what to do, that would be great!
Thanks in advance

[BionicGecko]

Originally Posted by LittleBiG

Also does the new exporter plugin work correctly on your device?

Unfortunately I don't use this plugin, I'm quite new to KOreader to be honest and am still finding my way around all the menus If you can provide step-by-step instructions I'd be happy to test it.

Originally Posted by Sonnenfee

I know how to get a nightly on a Kobo, PB and Android device, but not on a JB Kindle. That’s a new thing for me.

Maybe someone would be so kind to explain it what to do, that would be great!
Thanks in advance

Do you have KOreader already installed? If not, you can follow this guide kindly shared by Michal Jancik earlier in the thread.

One installed, you need to download the latest file for your device from the nightly repository. Each folder contains all the compiled files for a given day for all supported devices; as you have an Oasis 3 you will want to grab the file with "kindlepw2" in the filename. The latest build on the repository right now is dated May 9th, and the exact file is here.

Once the file was downloaded you just have to copy this file over to the root of your Kindle, launch KUAL and select KOReadet -> Tools -> Update KOReader. Have fun!

Edit: I see you already have installed KOreader on your PW5 so the link to the basic installation instructions above is superfluous; I'll leave it there anyway in case it helps someone else.

[Sonnenfee]

Thank you BionicGecko

Last night I didn't even think about my Oasis 3 is now "free"

Few minutes ago I took the nightly (63) kindlepw2 2022-05-09 and now the Oasis 3 is perfect with both in KOReader; adjustable brightness and warm light

For me, the oasis is the highest quality e-book reader to get and now with KOReader he is my favorite reading device.

My dreams became true - KOReader on Kindle readers.

NiLuJe for doing this work and all the work around KOReader

Originally Posted by BionicGecko

I'll leave it there anyway in case it helps someone else.

For sure it will help someone else

[Kreatur3]

Question. I went through and did the jailbreak and everything is working great, on 5.14.2 if that's relevant. If I do a reset on this device at some point do I just start over at square one? And is there anything I have to do previously to resetting it so that there are no issues. Thank you in advance.

[HBH_AU]

Special thanks to katadelos!! And to NiLuJe!
Thanks also to hius07 (renameotabin) & spacequince (re getting KOReader & its prerequisites installed)

So - successfully jailbroke KOA3 running FW 5.13.7
Then:

• Applied "watch this" hotfix
• Also applied "K5" hotfix (er, don't think it's necessary as I don't intend to update beyond 5.14.1 but hey, I'm paranoid)
• Installed MRPI & KUAL (coplate version)
• Installed renameotabin to prevent OTA updates
• Installed KOReader (never used before, but sounds great)
• Went for broke & manually updated FW to 5.14.1
• Reinstalled the hotfix!!
• Registered the device

Finally:
Reverted the UI from 5.14.1 back to that of FW 5.13.6
This isn't a FW downgrade, it's just a way to switch the UI back to an earlier version,
by altering a line in the file /var/local/CHROME_CONFIG
Instructions from this reddit thread
More info:

Spoiler:

Requires: jailbroken device with FW 5.14.1, KUAL & KOReader installed.
NB: Can't see the var folder by connecting Kindle using USB - need to open it in KOReader’s Text Editor on the Kindle.
1. Open KOReader
2. Tap the screen at the top,
3. tap "Worktools" icon
4. tap Text Editor
5. tap Open file
6. tap ".." until you get the main root directory
7. go to Page to "2"
8. tap on var, tap local, change page to "4"
9. LONG tap CHROME_CONFIG to edit it
10. Change

isKPPChromeEnabled=true

to

isKPPChromeEnabled=false

Did encounter a hiccup during Step 7 of the jailbreak, but got through it.
Info here just in case anyone else experiences same problem.

Spoiler:

For some reason, when I entered ;dsts the Settings menu was greyed out.
Did a hard reboot, again entered ;dsts but the Settings menu remained greyed out.
Reboot again, but this time instead of entering ;dsts I used the alternative i.e. swiped down, selected the settings icon & was able to access the settings menu no problems.
No idea why (operator error? gremlins?) but maybe something to try if you have this issue.

Tip for any Mac users struggling to create .demo

Spoiler:

COMMAND + SHIFT + .

to toggle the visibility of hidden files.
Once hidden files are visible, you'll be able to make .folder

2 Comments on registering the jailbroken device

Spoiler:

1. Rather than using our wifi router, I connected to wifi using my phone as a hotspot, & as soon as I registered the device, I told Amazon to forget the password AND ensured the kindle forgot the hotspot.

2. I finally got to resolve a really annoying issue on my Kindle - a LOT (more than 50) of old, empty collections that I'd deleted from my kindle kept showing up on the device.
Yes, I DID also delete all of these collections from the Amazon account itself & synced.
But the rotten things STILL kept showing up on the kindle (how is that even possible?).
So I registered the device at a new Amazon account, & am finally free of the multitude of ghost collections that haunted my kindle.
(As for all the books bought on the previous account - fortunately, Calibre & appropriate plugins mean my books are all easily accessible...)

THANK YOU again to everyone who made the jailbreak possible

PS - I was wondering if there are plans to update LibrarianSync to work on the KOA3 with FW 5.14?
I can't help with the coding, but fwiw am more than happy to donate to caffeine fund of anyone working on this, if that's any help.

[mazed_04eee]

Updarted to 5.14.3 :

Have any way to jail break Kindle PW (7th gen) of firmwire 5.14.3 ???

[riothamus]

Originally Posted by HBH_AU

Finally:
Reverted the UI from 5.14.1 back to that of FW 5.13.6
This isn't a FW downgrade, it's just a way to switch the UI back to an earlier version,
by altering a line in the file /var/local/CHROME_CONFIG

I'm on JB 5.14.2 and I followed the instructions on the same thread. However, mine keeps reverting on its own while in airplane mode and asleep to the new UI. Are you seeing that happen as well?

[ajs256]

Originally Posted by mazed_04eee

Updarted to 5.14.3 :

Have any way to jail break Kindle PW (7th gen) of firmwire 5.14.3 ???

5.14.3 patched the entrypoint that this jailbreak used, but if you're okay with opening up your Kindle (pretty simple on the PW3), you can use Popcorn.

[HBH_AU]

Originally Posted by riothamus

I'm on JB 5.14.2 and I followed the instructions on the same thread. However, mine keeps reverting on its own while in airplane mode and asleep to the new UI. Are you seeing that happen as well?

I haven't had that problem - but I have 5.14.1, not 5.14.2, on my device.

So the reversion you're seeing might be specific to 5.14.2?

[BionicGecko]

Originally Posted by HBH_AU

I haven't had that problem - but I have 5.14.1, not 5.14.2, on my device.

So the reversion you're seeing might be specific to 5.14.2?

Actually it's not working at all for me on my KOA3 on 5.14.2. When I set chromeReleaseVersion to 1 and reboot, I get a message saying something along the lines that Amazon is improving a recent update to the Kindle experience, and have reverted to a previous version in the meantime (liberally translated, my Kindle is not set to English). This "previous version" actually looks identical to the other one, to my eye anyway.

After rebooting again the chromeReleaseVersion flag is set back to 2 and I'm back to square one.

[riothamus]

Originally Posted by BionicGecko

Actually it's not working at all for me on my KOA3 on 5.14.2. When I set chromeReleaseVersion to 1 and reboot, I get a message saying something along the lines that Amazon is improving a recent update to the Kindle experience, and have reverted to a previous version in the meantime (liberally translated, my Kindle is not set to English). This "previous version" actually looks identical to the other one, to my eye anyway.

After rebooting again the chromeReleaseVersion flag is set back to 2 and I'm back to square one.

I get the same message buy my list view is back to the previous UI, at least temporarily. Then it will revert to the new UI on its own.