Is jailbreaking really all that? (User experiences)

[SusanReads]

I know there are lots of jailbreaking threads, and I'm not looking for ways to jailbreak my Kindles (it's not possible yet with mine, even if I wanted to).

What I'm looking for is experiences with jailbroken Kindles. Why did you want to jailbreak? Is it only for the screensavers? And now that you've jailbroken your Kindle is it really what you'd hoped for?

And is it easy to maintain the jailbreak? Or do you regret is because it's a lot of hassle?

Sorry if this has already been asked. I tried to read almost all the jailbreak threads, but most concentrate on the technical stuff, and that's not what I am looking for.

I just want to know if it's really worth it, and if people regret jailbreaking their device because it's not what they'd hoped. Or it's too difficult to maintain the jailbreak. Or if they kind of really wanted the new update (because of features?), but can't because it's now jailbroken.

I have this voice in the back of my head saying I should jailbreak once it's possible, but on the other hand, it it really worth it? If it's only for the screensavers, I can live without those.

So what are your experiences with jailbroken devices?

[mergen3107]

I wanted JB for several reasons:
1) to be able to add Kazakh letters to keyboard;
2) to make collections from folder structure (via LibrarianSync)
3) Decrease margins in default reader, so more text fits into the screen
4) Screensavers with my name and e-mail in case I get my Kindle lost
5) Chess, Calculator, Complete Power-off, BatteryStatus are just nice additional extensions.
6) Font sizes not only for KF8 books (this is available on stock Kindle), but also old mobi and kfx

[WaseemAlkurdi]

What I'm looking for is experiences with jailbroken Kindles. Why did you want to jailbreak?

I jailbreak primarily to use KOReader and its built-in PDF reflow (otherwise PDFs are unreadable), but also to completely use the small low-power ARM computer that I have paid for. The Kindle runs a custom Linux, so you can leverage that to run a "standard" Linux on top of the Kindle's Linux, which gives you a pocket Linux computer with a Kindle's worth of battery life at a very reasonable price.

Is it only for the screensavers?

That's a good incentive, but not really.

And now that you've jailbroken your Kindle is it really what you'd hoped for?

Not only did I get what I hoped for (and more), I can't even stand using a non-jailbroken Kindle anymore. But maybe that's only me.

And is it easy to maintain the jailbreak?

Yeah. Turn off Wi-Fi (so that no surprise updates arrive), or use a dummy "update.tmp.partial" file if you really need Wi-Fi.
If an update arrives (or you really want a feature from an update), you're most likely going to see a "heads-up" here on the forum if the update is "dangerous", in that it wipes your jailbreak. But that's never happened (AFAIK) until very recently with firmware version 5.12.x.
And have a serial adapter handy. If you have one, then no update on Earth could stop you from downgrading. At least that's if Amazon doesn't do something to remotely butcher our serial ports. (The name "serial adapter" strikes fear into the hearts of many, yet using a serial adapter is really as easy as charging a phone).

Or do you regret is because it's a lot of hassle?

Not at all! ;-)

I have this voice in the back of my head saying I should jailbreak once it's possible, but on the other hand, it it really worth it? If it's only for the screensavers, I can live without those.

You won't lose anything by doing the jailbreak.
Even if you had to open up the Kindle, you're going to find out that the whole serial jailbreak process is nothing harder than playing with Legos.
And if you don't like the jailbreak, an update followed by a factory reset is enough to destroy any remains of a jailbreak.

On a Kindle, a jailbreak is simply copying one file, called a developer certificate, with which the main jailbreak apps (the KUAL app launcher + MR Package Installer) are signed with.
A jailbreak is exactly like telling the Kindle: "Look, I know you don't like these non-Amazon apps, but as a favor between friends, let them run, alright?"

[latepaul]

I had my two paperwhites jailbroken a couple of years ago but I let it lapse.

The killer app for me was the ability to install KOreader and use its reverse video setting (white on black). I can now do that on my Oasis 2 using the stock firmware and my Kobos also do it without needing a jailbreak (edit a file and restart).

[NiLuJe]

There really isn't any "maintenance" hassle anymore (at least as far as the JB *itself* is concerned).

Either it survives an update, or it doesn't.

An update will require you to reinstall custom stuff, which could be construed as a minor hassle (although slightly less so nowadays with batched installs via MRPI), but the JB itself will survive (until it doesn't).

TL;DR: You risk nothing, and gain everything, by just installing the JB while you can and basically forgetting about it until you need it.

[SusanReads]

Originally Posted by NiLuJe

TL;DR: You risk nothing, and gain everything, by just installing the JB while you can and basically forgetting about it until you need it.

It sounds like it could be amazing. I never have my wifi on, because I hate that Amazon can see everything. I buy books, but then remove the DRM and side-load them. So the whole JB thing sounds so good.

Am I just put off by all the technical mumbo jumbo then? I really tried to read up on all the jailbreaking threads, but somehow no one really has a step by step JB for dummies.

I guess it's a bit of a moot point, since the new Oasis can't be jailbroken yet, but even if were a possibility, I wouldn't even know where to start.

But I'm glad everyone seems to think it's definitely worth it. That will make my decision easier when the time comes.

[yiming]

Originally Posted by SusanReads

Am I just put off by all the technical mumbo jumbo then? I really tried to read up on all the jailbreaking threads, but somehow no one really has a step by step JB for dummies.

This may be what you are looking for, although it is for Paperwhite

[NiLuJe]

Oh god, no. Third-party documentation is the bane of my existence.

There's a sticky: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=320564

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by yiming

This may be what you are looking for, although it is for Paperwhite
Link deleted because it goes to an awful website

Please NEVER EVER post any links or talk about that website. They ripped off free eBook tools and are charging for it So please take down that link and forget that AWFUL SITE even exists.

[NiLuJe]

Yeah, without being aware of the particulars, that looked bad enough at a glance, and I can fairly easily fill in the blanks, so I'll trust you on that.

[Barty]

I jailbreak so I can install my own fonts. Kindle supports custom fonts now, but only for azw3 books and -- in my case anyway -- it causes a weird chapter skippijg bug when I use custom fonts. Plus with jailbreak I can replace the UI fonts too, so menu and book listing texts are bigger (and nicer looking than the default fonts, imo)

Plus making the dictionary font bigger

Plus reducing book margins to minimal

Plus using your own pics or book cover as screen saver. Not a must, just a nice to have bonus

The main downside is once you're used to the perks, it sucks when you lose jailbreak or have to get a new device that can't be jail broken.

Sent from my G6 using Tapatalk

[Pajamaman]

I use it for koreader. I can organize my books by folder. Collections for sideloaded books: done. Also koreader handles control of formatting really. I also fixed the screen gestures so nearly the whole screen is a page next button.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Please NEVER EVER post any links or talk about that website. They ripped off free eBook tools and are charging for it So please take down that link and forget that AWFUL SITE even exists.

Someone posted a goodereader link? I find it a useful resource. Shame the link was deleted.

[RoseKOA]

Originally Posted by Barty

I jailbreak so I can install my own fonts. Kindle supports custom fonts now, but only for azw3 books and -- in my case anyway -- it causes a weird chapter skippijg bug when I use custom fonts. Plus with jailbreak I can replace the UI fonts too, so menu and book listing texts are bigger (and nicer looking than the default fonts, imo)

Plus making the dictionary font bigger

Plus reducing book margins to minimal

Plus using your own pics or book cover as screen saver. Not a must, just a nice to have bonus

The main downside is once you're used to the perks, it sucks when you lose jailbreak or have to get a new device that can't be jail broken.

Sent from my G6 using Tapatalk

Please guide me, make bigger font for dictionary, menu UI with kindle jailbroken

[mergen3107]

@RoseKOA,

You need to have USBNetwork working first (for file transfer), then following these JBPatch thread instructions. You need instruction set #3. Dictionary font size is the third font size for MOBI files.