The new discovery that a rooting app called KingRoot is capable of rooting Fire OS 5 on the Fire TV 1, 2, and Stick has lead to a lot of questions about the rootability of the various Fire TV models and software versions. This article breaks down every Fire TV model and software version with my suggestion on what to do if you wish to root each one. Much of the information in this post is redundant across sections, so it’s fine to skip to the section that pertains to your device. Although everyone should read the first section about KingRoot.
Important note about KingRoot
KingRoot is a rooting app that can currently root the Fire TV 1, 2, and Stick, if the device is running Fire OS 5. The latest version of KingRoot is 4.8, but version 4.1 (available here) also works on all Fire TV models and has the advantage of not requiring a mouse. KingRoot’s “Purify” option is not required to achieve root on any Fire TV model. KingRoot is a closed source program that will install unwanted applications and system files on your device during the rooting process. This has lead some to question if there are nefarious intentions behind the program. There are apps and scripts which claim to clean up the junk left behind by KingRoot and replace KingRoot’s SU manager with SuperSU, but some Fire TV owners have already bricked their devices using these apps, so I do not suggest you try any generic KingRoot cleaner unless one is released specifically for the Fire TV. The better option, as I have suggested below, is to wait for TWRP and a pre-rooted ROM to become available for your device before using KingRoot. This way you can immediately restore to a clean system after using KingRoot, by installing a pre-rooted ROM and wiping your DATA partition using TWRP.
Amazon Fire TV 2
Fire TV 2 on Any Software Version
The Amazon Fire TV 2 running any software version is currently rootable. You can buy a brand new Fire TV 2, which by the way is currently on sale, and it will be guaranteed to be rootable. At the moment, there is no version of the Fire TV 2 software that is unrootable. If you have an A-to-A USB cable, or are willing to buy one, you can root the Fire TV 2 right now using this guide. Better yet, TWRP custom recovery and a pre-rooted version of the latest 5.0.5 software version is already available for the Fire TV 2. If you don’t want to use an A-to-A USB cable, you can also root the Fire TV 2 with KingRoot and then install TWRP and a pre-rooted ROM afterwords. I don’t have a guide for this process yet, but I’ll be writing one soon. If you’re comfortable not waiting for my guide, you can root with KingRoot, follow instructions here to install TWRP, then install the latest pre-rooted ROM by following this guide.
Amazon Fire TV 1
Fire TV 1 on Fire OS 5 (v5.0.5)
If you’re 1st-gen Fire TV has already received the official over-the-air update to version 5.0.5, then it is rootable with KingRoot. You can install the KingRoot app and root the device, but I suggest you don’t root right now. Instead, I suggest you block software updates through your router so that you stay on 5.0.5 and wait for rbox to release TWRP custom recovery for the 1st-gen Fire TV along with a pre-rooted version of software version 5.0.5. If you root the device now and start tinkering with it, you could end up bricking the device with now way to recover. Having TWRP custom recovery installed will allow you to fix nearly all mistakes that prevent booting. Additionally, with a pre-rooted ROM, you’ll be able to start with a clean system with SuperSU installed instead of the junk that KingRoot leaves behind.
Fire TV 1 on Fire OS 5 Developer Preview (v5.0.0 thru v5.0.3)
Fire TV 1s running the Fire OS 5 Developer Preview are rootable with KingRoot. Even though these Fire TVs are rootable, I suggest you don’t root right now. Instead, I suggest you block software updates through your router so that you stay on a rootable version and wait for rbox to release TWRP custom recovery for the Fire TV 1 along with a pre-rooted version of software version 5.0.5. If you root the device now and start tinkering with it, you could end up bricking the device with now way to recover. Having TWRP custom recovery installed will allow you to fix nearly all mistakes that prevent booting. Additionally, with a pre-rooted ROM, you’ll be able to start with a clean system with SuperSU installed instead of the junk that KingRoot leaves behind. There is a small chance that Amazon will replace the version of OTA 5.0.5 update that is currently rolling out with a non-rootable version. So, even if your developer preview Fire TV 1 can update to the official 5.0.5 version, you’re better off just sticking with your rootable developer preview and waiting for TWRP and pre-rooted ROMs to be released by rbox.
Fire TV 1 on Fire OS 3 (v51.1.6.3 or older)
The Fire TV 1 is only rootable if it’s running Fire OS 5. If your Fire TV 1 is running software version 51.1.6.3 or older, which is Fire OS 3, you should keep checking for updates daily and get onto version 5.0.5 as soon as you can. Software update 5.0.5 for the Fire TV 1 is still slowly rolling out, but there’s always a chance that Amazon will stop the current roll out and replace it with a non-rootable update. It’s unlikely, but definitely a possibility. Amazon will eventually release an update that blocks rooting, so that’s why it’s important to install the 5.0.5 update as soon as it becomes available if you want to root your Fire TV 1. Read the Fire TV 1 on Fire OS 5 section above once your device updates.
Fire TV 1 on Pre-Rooted ROM (v51.1.6.3 or older)
Some 1st-gen Fire TV owners that are already rooted and running a pre-rooted ROM are wondering if they should unroot, take the OTA 5.0.5 update, and then re-root with KingRoot. If you’re in this situation you should absolutely NOT go that route. The main loss is you will end up locking your bootloader when you install the OTA 5.0.5 update with no way to unlock it. Instead, you should wait for rbox to release TWRP custom recovery and a pre-rooted version of 5.0.5 for devices that currently have ClockworkMod and pre-rooted ROMs installed. Rbox already has TWRP working on these devices, so TWRP and the 5.0.5 ROM should be out soon. I’ll have a guide on how to replace ClockworkMod with TWRP on 1st-gen Fire TVs once rbox releases everything.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Fire TV Stick on Fire OS 5 (v5.0.0 thru v5.0.5)
All of the newer voice remote bundled Fire TV Sticks are rootable with KingRoot because those all ship with some version of Fire OS 5. This also applies to older Fire TV Sticks bundled with non-voice remotes that have received the official over-the-air 5.0.5 software update. Even though these Fire TV Sticks are rootable, I suggest you don’t root right now. Instead, I suggest you block software updates through your router so that you stay on 5.0.5 and wait for rbox to release TWRP custom recovery for the Fire TV Stick along with a pre-rooted version of software version 5.0.5. If you root the device now and start tinkering with it, you could end up bricking the device with now way to recover. Having TWRP custom recovery installed will allow you to fix nearly all mistakes that prevent booting. Additionally, with a pre-rooted ROM, you’ll be able to start with a clean system with SuperSU installed instead of the junk that KingRoot leaves behind. I’ve helped rbox figure out if TWRP will work on the Fire TV Stick and so far it’s looking doable. He is buying a Fire TV Stick for himself that the AFTVnews community paid for, so we’ll know more soon. TWRP and the pre-rooted ROMs for the Fire TV Stick will likely not arrive for some time, but it will be worth the wait. Just be sure to stay on a rootable software version for the time being.
Fire TV Stick on Fire OS 5 Developer Preview (v5.0.0 thru v5.0.3)
Older Fire TV Sticks running the Fire OS 5 Developer Preview are rootable with KingRoot. Even though these Fire TV Sticks are rootable, I suggest you don’t root right now. Instead, I suggest you block software updates through your router so that you stay on a rootable version and wait for rbox to release TWRP custom recovery for the Fire TV Stick along with a pre-rooted version of software version 5.0.5. If you root the device now and start tinkering with it, you could end up bricking the device with now way to recover. Having TWRP custom recovery installed will allow you to fix nearly all mistakes that prevent booting. Additionally, with a pre-rooted ROM, you’ll be able to start with a clean system with SuperSU installed instead of the junk that KingRoot leaves behind. I’ve helped rbox figure out if TWRP will work on the Fire TV Stick and so far it’s looking doable. He is buying a Fire TV Stick for himself that the AFTVnews community paid for, so we’ll know more soon. TWRP and the pre-rooted ROMs for the Fire TV Stick will likely not arrive for some time, but it will be worth the wait. Just be sure to stay on a rootable software version for the time being. There is a small chance that Amazon will replace the version of OTA 5.0.5 update that is currently rolling out with a non-rootable version. So, even if your developer preview Fire TV Stick can update to the official 5.0.5 version, you’re better off just sticking with your rootable developer preview and waiting for TWRP and pre-rooted ROMs to be released by rbox.
Fire TV Stick on Fire OS 3 (v54.1.2.3 or older)
The Fire TV Stick is only rootable if it’s running Fire OS 5. If your Fire TV Stick is running software version 54.1.2.3 or older, which is Fire OS 3, you should keep checking for updates daily and get onto version 5.0.5 as soon as you can. Software update 5.0.5 for the Fire TV Stick is still slowly rolling out, but there’s always a chance that Amazon will stop the current roll out and replace it with a non-rootable update. It’s unlikely, but definitely a possibility. Amazon will eventually release an update that blocks rooting, so that’s why it’s important to install the 5.0.5 update as soon as it becomes available if you want to root your Fire TV Stick. Read the Fire TV Stick on Fire OS 5 section above once your device updates.
@AFTVnews
AFTVnews
Thanks so much for keeping all this straight. It’s starting to get a bit more complicated.
Thanks for the update, not to put RBox under too much pressure but is there any update as to when the prerooted rom will be available (AFTV 1)
Thanks for a fantastic source of info for everything fire TV
I can’t and won’t speculate on an exact timeframe, but will say that being able to root Fire OS 5 with KingRoot will delay things a bit. Rbox told me yesterday that he has TWRP fully working on the Fire TV 1 with an unlocked bootloader. Unlike those that rooted on pre-51.1.1.0 devices, Fire TVs that use KingRoot to root Fire OS 5 will have a locked bootloader, so rbox wants to make it so TWRP can be installed on those devices with the same package. He has figured out how to detect if the device has a locked or unlocked bootloader, so now he needs to port over the method he developed for the Fire TV 2 of installing TWRP on a device with a locked bootloader over to the Fire TV 1. Once TWRP is working on both locked and unlocked Fire TV 1’s, the pre-rooted ROM is trivial.
Thanks for the update, appreciate it!
Thanks. Waiting for an update!
I think Amazon missed the mark on new firetv. Sure it has 4K but what else? I find the performance is worse gen 1. The remote is horrible. After getting aopletv 4 and trying Shiekd I think they really blew it in the remote. Both have rechargeable remotes with HDMI CEC. A newer tv and sound system can all be controlled by the remote with CEC.
While sideloading Kodi is more difficult on ATV4, it can be done and it shows up like any other app. The addition of the channels app with an HD homerun is huge for me. Bye bye firetv. Nice knowing u.
I did the same David and I notice that I have not had any force close or addons freezing up with the ATV4. Still running test, but will be my prefered device for my home. Never was a android fan, but I do it for family and friends.
Good alternative blocking way e.g. for Fritz Box users:
****** Block OTA Updates Without Root on Fire OS 5
With adb shell command:
adb shell pm unhide com.amazon.device.software.ota
Complete How-To:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/block-ota-updates-root-fire-os-5-t3183134
Sorry, correct command is:
adb shell pm hide com.amazon.device.software.ota
To confirm it, just try to check for new updates. It will fail.
Don’t do it I bricked my aftv using king root on the new update. Very upsetting..
Exactly why Elias put the long disclaimer in the second paragraph. Experimenting with root without any recovery or unbrick images is just a bad, bad idea.
I took my chance and failed. Getting a replacement Saturday so this time I’ll be very careful and patient. Thank you for the heads up..
may i ask what device you tried to root and fail ?
I did try rooting my AFTV stick the one without voice contoller version, I sucessfully rooted with Kingroot v4.1 (which was recommended for the stick) after a few trys it stuck even though it said it failed? Then i blocked OTA updates via the normal method. I did also try the Super Sume Pro apk to replace the Kingroot Su with Chainfires Super Su but it just hanged on the loading screen after loads of trys so i gave up, some reported bricks & some with successful root so if you do wanna try this method just be cafeful. So now i will wait & hopefully i will get a working recovery/rom from the man Rbox at sometime in the near future & a swap/replace for Super Su if im lucky?
Will the rooting of the stick with an eventual recovery process allow downgrading back to Fire OS3, or are there too many differences that prevent this?
If downgrading is not possible, is there any strong reason to router block a stick on some version of OS3 from auto-updating to OS5? There might be an outdated app or odd use case where this could apply. I would guess at some point all services and apps will drop support for OS3/Android 4.2, so holding back the update while missing out on rootability might make the least sense.
That’s a good question. Rbox is the only one who can answer it since he makes the pre-rooted ROMs.
locked bootloader so once stick is on os5 no going back unlessed unlock.
now ftv1’s with unlocked boot loader prolly will go up and down but now sure how going down might interfere with rbox’s boot menu.
Are people still getting updates? I keep checking everyday for updates for my gen1 FireTV and so far nothing. Maybe amazon stopped the updates?
Might try a factory reset. It can clear whatever cached update check might be happening.
I just get my update 20 min ago con my aftv 1. So the update is still rolling out.
With my aftv 1*
Yup, updates are still rolling out. I just had a Stick update yesterday that I had been checking daily this entire month.
I just finally got mines about an hour ago! :-)
quick question how to display mirror on amazon fire tv 4k ultra i got my lg g stylo and i try to display mirror i dont see the option only on my wifi that appear DIRECT-GO-FIRETV_a5af i dont know why my amazon doesnt show on my android can someone help me out
Press and Hold the home button down on te fire tv remote…you should get a popup with screen mirroring option after a few seconds…
How to mount NTFS usb storge after rooting ? And what exactly name ? ( extusb, mountusb or…? )
Ok just tried the factory reset to see if i get the update and it didn’t work :(
Thanks for keeping us informed about the interesting root information .
Even after rbox finishes and releases it to every device, I feel that I’ll my old rooted os3 ftv1 since everything worked out so well this past year, with very few bugs to complain about.
Plus I don’t look forward to all the complicated steps to follow on preparing a rooted aftv, but I know it’s something we all should do to enjoy our devices much more. Here’s hoping for a smooth transition.
Some of us might miss our old rooted os3 ftv1. But maybe os5 ftv1 will be better for running more sideloaded apps.
I am unlikely to want to root my Fire TV hardware, but if I was able to make use of the benefits of having a rooted device, one thing that would put me off would be being dependent on rbox or someone else to provide the latest custom ROM shortly after Amazon update their firmware with new features or block current rooting methods. Do “rooters” risk being locked into out of date firmware in order to guarantee having a rooted device?
Anyone with root can always decide in the distant future to give up root forever and just rely on the Amazon updates. So no risk to rooters. Advantages to root are few but worth it to some to have more customization eg. Have custom recovery (twrp) in case of potential to brick our ftv, Run any launcher like novalauncher with any background pics, run those few worthy rooted apps & games, maybe more.
Many rooters have atleast 1 rooted ftv & 1 unrooted ftv stick or box, so they enjoy best of both worlds – root access and latest updated unit.
Can you add informations for:
-Fire TV Stick on Fire OS 3 (v54.1.2.3 or older) with su-hardware-root
&
-Fire TV 1 on Fire OS 3 (v51.1.6.3 or older) with su-hardware-root but without unlocked bootloader
I think that should fit all :)
And can you tell me if it is possible to flash 6.0.5.1.3 to a FireTV gen1 box with hardware-rooted FW v51.1.6.3?
Greetings by Daniel
i mean “ClockworkMod Custom Recovery v6.0.5.1.3 to a FireTV gen1 box…”
This morning I received 5.05 on my FireTV 1. What’s strange is that I had (and still have) amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net blocked on router before receiving the update. My concern is that I’m not properly blocking any updates that may come before the custom ROM lands.
My fire tv stick after rooting and removing kingroot w/ supersu me after I did reboot the stick it gets stick on Fire TV Stick Logo. Any way to get around that somehow recover?
Hi everyone! I’m new to this stuff. May I ask what are the benefits of root? I have a 1st gen stick that I use to run kodi and I also installed firestarter which allows me to launch kodi and other sideloaded apps. So what else can I do if I root my device?
Elias, since you’re advising everyone to hold off on rooting until rbox releases TWRP, does this mean that rbox will have his own rooting method or some other way of getting TWRP onto the device?
My guess is that he’s telling everyone to hold off for TWRP because if someone goes wrong there’s no easy fix.
In regards to root, again my guess, potentially kingroot could be used as a gateway hack and then a custom recovery can be flashed from which the system partition can be replaced.
This will allow the removal of any kingroot related issues while giving us root.
Again, I’m just guessing.
I understand that TWRP will allow for a safety net, but in order to install TWRP you need root, so telling people to hold off on rooting in favor of TWRP only makes sense if there’s going to be some other method of installing TWRP that doesn’t involve Kingroot.
To me, it’s about minimising potential risk.
It’s a bit like crossing the road, the longer you’re on the road the more likely something can go wrong.
Plus some people have apparently bricked their devices with Kingroot.
hi,
if i want to make a Factory Reset with kingroot installed and root enabled ,
i’ve to unroot first and uninstall kingroot ?
And nobody have a problem with amazon screensaver who come up when you watching
a movie in kodi on update fire 5.0.5? ( no problem on fire 3.0)
I rooted my firetv stick last night with king root 4.1. The process ended stating that it failed. However when I checked through shell it confirmed I was rooted. I am also having the problem of Amazon screen saver popping up while watching movies on kodi.
ok,
i’ve root with kingroot 4.8, no problem.
i’ve disable amazon screensaver for now.
i’ve two others stick tv on fire 5.0.5 no rooted
and no problem with the amazon screensaver in kodi.
So kingroot is maybe the problem?
i will try reinstall kodi to test.
Or unroot/uninstall kingroot and look if
this problem go away.
I also have 2 other sticks and 2 firetv in the house. I’ve decided to wait and blocked the update through shell with the “hide” command. Please let me know if reinstall of Kodi fix the problem.
Did you use the desktop version of Kingroot or Android Apk, please let me know wich OS.
@don Black : kingroot 4.8 apk
@hutiu:
– reinstall kodi = same problems
-change kodi screensaver from ‘dim’ to ‘black’ = no problem ( watch movie 20min long and no amazon screensaver popping)
will try to watch a complete movie to see if it’s ok now.
Problems come back …
amazon screensaver Off + kodi screensaver off = problems too.
see people with same problem on xda here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/jarvis-video-stopping-minutes-5-0-5-t3328041
i will try to uninstall kingroot.
ok problem fixed.
Look my post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65932345&postcount=36
So, i can re enable root again when i want.
Waiting now for rbox ftv stick recovery+ custom rom…
Do you have plan to unlock the bootloader of Fire TV stick?
Thanks
Just rooted my Fire TV Stick with KingRoot 4.1 since 4.8 requires a mouse. Works fine so far, XPosed is however not able to be installed from within the app due to the missing armeabi-v7a architecture and yet no recovery to flash beta-versions of this.
So yeah, I’m basically waiting for a recovery to progress further now ;)
Kingroot 4.1 successfully root my fire stick, some suggestions for compatible apps?
I am currently on 5.0.5 gen 1 fire tv. I want to downgrade to 51.1.6.3_user_516012020 as I am having issues with my soundbar since the update.
Is this possible now using king root or do I have to wait for RBOX to release a new pre rooted ROM.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Hey I have a question.
I have the unrooted FireTV 1st gen on 5.0.5 and have blocked updates.
I am waiting for RBOXs TWRP and pre rooted ROM.
As far as I understand it, the Root with Kingroot is not Bootloader unlocked. So is it possible after Rooting my FireTV with Kingroot and installing TWRP to downgrade on a pre rooted Rom to unlock the Bootloader?
And then update back to 5.0.5 with unlocked bootloader?
Is this possible?
No, that’s not possible because the Fire TV has an eFuse that will blow if it detects the old unlockable software version. Only 1st-gen Fire TVs that never updated beyond 51.1.4.0 can downgrade safely.
Damn,
but thanks for the reply
I’ve just started to dig into the AFTV stick, and I’m trying to make a custom remote with tasker, but being that the AFTV doesn’t have an http API I tried using the secure settings “Run Command” along with your list of button commands using adb to control the fire stick with tasker but the navigation was to slow, and some times unresponsive, I’m wondering if I root a AFTV stick Will it be able to run google play along with Autoremote?
I have an ASUS router, the text to block updates is like 32 or so characters. ****ing asus firewall settings won’t let me put the last letter in, the t in net, to block the Amazon site update. Anyone know of another way
You can block updates with an ADB command
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-block-software-updates-on-the-amazon-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/#withoutroot
Any update on the status of TWRP recovery for the Fire Stick?
Hello, I bought an early Fire TV that I intended to root and never did. Per the guide elsewhere here I can downgrade my version (51.1.1.0) and then “do what I want from there”. Although I am a geek, I tried to go through the steps at one time and ran into an obstacle and parked the device for over a year and here I am. I see there are all these new methods for expanding your options so I am wondering if I should still try to root or find someone who can do it for me?
make sure are really on a rootable firmware version for rooting os3. you have to root os3 and then you can root os5 later. then you should read over the rooting starters guide and study the steps from beginning to end. take notes and get comfortable with sending adb commands from a PC to the firetv across the ethernet. the whole process can be long but
work slowly without rushing. take breaks and follow the guide closely. it’s actually a good learning experience as long you don’t make any mistakes.
i did the process across 3 or 4 days since there were so many steps.