Can I use WiFi on jailbroken Kindle 5 ?

[cantalupo]

I recently jailbroke a Kindle 5 running firmware 5.14.3.0.1 using LanguageBreak, and I proceeded to install KOReader.

I'm extremely satisfied: the app is much more ergonomic and customizable than the default reader.
Most importantly, it now allows paragraph translation using a language model (LLM).

Overall, everything is working perfectly. However, my only concern is about using the internet: I’m not sure to what extent it’s safe to enable Wi-Fi without risking an automatic system update.

Since I purchased it, the Kindle has always remained in airplane mode. But now, with KOReader, I’d like to take full advantage of the online search and translation features.

The jailbreak guide explicitly states that Wi-Fi should remain disabled, but I’ve read elsewhere that using the internet with KOReader shouldn’t pose any risk of updates. Also, as far as I know, there are no hotfixes available to block updates for this firmware, and I believe a downgrade isn’t possible, as it’s the device’s original firmware.

Is there a reliable way to prevent an unexpected update?
I’d also like to pass the Kindle on to my mother, so ideally, I’m looking for a solution that doesn’t require ongoing monitoring or intervention.

Thanks in advance for any help

[Frogm4n]

Install the Rename OTA Bin extension. Check that there is not an update or a partial update downloaded while it's plugging over USB, eject, and then activate it by tapping the Rename option. The Kindle will be rebooted.

https://kindlemodding.org/jailbreaki...sable-ota.html

[Ebookus]

what updates exactly? those devices are no longer supported or maintained [by Amazon].

[cantalupo]

Unfortunately the last update dates from March 2025 (5.18.1).
Does the rename ota works with this version ? Is there any way to test if It Is successfull (without risking an update)?

[Frogm4n]

Are you sure it's a Kindle 5? Those are ancient, from 2011. Do you instead mean a Kindle Paperwhite 5? That's an entirely different device.

[cantalupo]

Ok, I'm not really sure. Based on the serial number (G090 VB06...) it's a kindle basic 10th generation 2019 (kids)

[Frogm4n]

That is confusing, because a G090 serial number would be the Paperwhite 3, according to this chart: https://www.androidauthority.com/whi...-have-1073996/

The 10th gen Basic is G091.

[cantalupo]

I am sure about the 10th generation, as it is written in the device info menu.

Also here https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_Serial_Numbers
it says:

G090VB Kindle Basic 3 (2019) Kids Edition KT4 [Support added in KindleTool 1.7.0]

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

That is confusing, because a G090 serial number would be the Paperwhite 3, according to this chart: https://www.androidauthority.com/whi...-have-1073996/

The 10th gen Basic is G091.

The first 4 characters are not enough for "newer" kindles and newer might reuse the first 4 that used to be sufficient. Without getting into whether the "factory" fields can be omitted it is really best to list the first 6. And listing only the first 4 for Scribe is inexcusable.

Especially for JB purposes the mobileread wiki serial number page should be used.

[Frogm4n]

Thanks for reminding of the wiki. The other page I linked is certainly missing quite as much detail in the overlaps.