Firmware Update New Kindle software update: 5.18.4

[BionicGecko]

Kindle software version 5.18.4 is available for download for all 11th and 12th gen Kindles.

Release notes are currently empty; this update does patch the WinterBreak jailbreak and its (yet unreleased) successor, so be sure not to update if you care about this.

[rantanplan]

Kindle scribe (either version):

Version 5.18.4 – July 2025

Here's what's new:

Notes in multiple languages: Your device now supports multilingual handwriting recognition. Each notebook can use a different language for text conversion. To set your preferred language: Open your notebook, access notebook settings and set your handwriting recognition language.

Performance improvements, bug fixes, and other general enhancements.

Other devices:

Version 5.18.4 – July 2025

Here's what's new:

Performance improvements, bug fixes, and other general enhancements.

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by BionicGecko

this update does patch the WinterBreak jailbreak and its (yet unreleased) successor, so be sure not to update if you care about this.

I thought 5.14.3 already did that?

[BionicGecko]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

I thought 5.14.3 already did that?

Indeed 5.18.3 patched WinterBreak, however HackerDude (the developer behind it) is working on a new jailbreak reportedly usable with 5.18.3. This new jailbreak is still in the works and is not yet released.

The news is that 5.18.4 patches that jailbreak, so basically there is currently no known jailbreaking method (neither public nor private) which works on 5.18.4.

[xyzzy_foo]

Originally Posted by BionicGecko

Indeed 5.18.3 patched WinterBreak, however HackerDude (the developer behind it) is working on a new jailbreak reportedly usable with 5.18.3. This new jailbreak is still in the works and is not yet released.

The news is that 5.18.4 patches that jailbreak, so basically there is currently no known jailbreaking method (neither public nor private) which works on 5.18.4.

I'm sorry to hear that, but Amazon has once again neglected the older generation of Kindle E-Readers...

A correction here, WinterBreak was actually patched in 5.18.1.

I'm sure they'll stop neglecting them right when the new jailbreak you mentioned makes all the older Kindle E-Readers jailbreakable again.

[BionicGecko]

Originally Posted by xyzzy_foo

I'm sorry to hear that, but Amazon has once again neglected the older generation of Kindle E-Readers...

A correction here, WinterBreak was actually patched in 5.18.1.

I'm sure they'll stop neglecting them right when the new jailbreak you mentioned makes all the older Kindle E-Readers jailbreakable again.

You’re right, thank you for the correction! And indeed it does look like my Oasis 3 got its last update with 5.18.2… or perhaps until the next jailbreak!

[DNSB]

Yes, 5.18.4 does patch the exploit that the next generation jailbreak uses. If you are planning on jailbreaking your Kindle, avoid the update.

Attempted humour at: https://kindlemodding.org/jailbreaking/5.18/.

[TheSmitty]

And still the new spacing options are not available for me after this update

[Waylander]

Originally Posted by TheSmitty

And still the new spacing options are not available for me after this update

What new spacing options are you referring to?

[TheSmitty]

Originally Posted by Waylander

What new spacing options are you referring to?

this one:

https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/...spacing-system

[Dr. Drib]

I get the spacing options with purchased ebooks from Amazon.

On side-loaded books (using calibre through USB), it doesn't show any additional options.

On Send-to-Kindle -- I have yet to try that. But I'll do that now to see what the results will be.

ADDED: I just now did a Send-to-Kindle, and I get those extra options.

[jhowell]

I took a quick look at the 5.18.4 firmware update and two things stood out to me.

First, there appears to be added checking of the integrity of image file formats. I wonder if that has anything to do with the upcoming jailbreak method that was apparently closed in this firmware update.

There are also signs that Amazon is working to include a second factor (ACCOUNT_SECRET) in the KFX DRM used for e-ink Kindle books. If so that would lock down the DRM so that it will be impossible to remove unless the Kindle is jailbroken. Even then it would require further research and development to make DRM removal possible.

[Waylander]

Originally Posted by jhowell

I took a quick look at the 5.18.4 firmware update and two things stood out to me.

First, there appears to be added checking of the integrity of image file formats. I wonder if that has anything to do with the upcoming jailbreak method that was apparently closed in this firmware update.

There are also signs that Amazon is working to include a second factor (ACCOUNT_SECRET) in the KFX DRM used for e-ink Kindle books. If so that would lock down the DRM so that it will be impossible to remove unless the Kindle is jailbroken. Even then it would require further research and development to make DRM removal possible.

That second point doesn't sound good. Have you tried to see if it's still possible to de-drm KFX books with fw 5.18.4?

[GeorgeYellow]

Originally Posted by jhowell

There are also signs that Amazon is working to include a second factor (ACCOUNT_SECRET) in the KFX DRM used for e-ink Kindle books. If so that would lock down the DRM so that it will be impossible to remove unless the Kindle is jailbroken. Even then it would require further research and development to make DRM removal possible.

Isn't the "Account Secret" the 40 hex character string that's already appended to the "serial number" in the IOS and Android applications? I'm surprised eInk kindles didn't use that already.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by Waylander

That second point doesn't sound good. Have you tried to see if it's still possible to de-drm KFX books with fw 5.18.4?

I plan to hold off installing it for now, at least until it becomes clear whether or not a jailbreak survives the process.