[Kindle Fire HDX 7" & 8.9" Android Development] craigs_lv:
Can anyone please help me understand what it is I'm missing?

First, thank you! This is really interesting and fun stuff (though incredibly stressful at times LOL).

I have a Gen 3 Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" (Apollo) running Fire OS 4.5.5.1.

It has been rooted with KingRoot v4.8.1

I can and have verified root using an app called "Root Check Basic" ... it reports that all is well and good in the rooted universe upon verify.

I installed Safestrap v4.01 via ES File Explorer "Safestrap-Apollo-4.0.1-B03.apk" ...

ES has su / root access and so does Safestrap.

** I have downloaded "CM-11-SAFESTRAP-20160206-UNOFFICIAL-apollo.zip" and have it stored on my SD card to use later

I installed "Safestrap Recovery" from within Safestrap and the app reports that recovery is "Installed" ...

Safe System shows as "Not Active"

I choose "Reboot to Recovery" (as this is my only option other than to uninstall / reinstall recovery or close the Safestrap app).

What I get next is my problem, or at the very least a symptom of my problem, which I fear needs to be addressed prior to me moving forward with this exercise:

When I choose "Reboot to Recovery" my Kindle reboots and Safestrap then shows a rather despondent robot with large red letters at the top of the screen which states that "Safestrap is DISABLED". My options are to select "Recovery" or "Continue" ... and 10 seconds later if I have not selected either option, I reboot back into normal rooted Kindle FireOS (still able to verify that I'm rooted).

If I choose "Recovery" instead of "Continue" (or allowing it to auto select "Continue") I get into Safestrap but can't do anything ... I can't mount volumes etc.... it's like I'm not rooted or that I am denied access to something. It has been extremely frustrating trying to figure out what the issue could be ... and I'm somewhat reluctant to go messing around with permissions / files / etc ... when I don't fully understand what I am doing.

I am hopeful that one or more of you know exactly what I'm talking about and have some helpful advice on how I can get past this hurdle. Keep in mind, I am a neophyte to all of this and may not be familiar with some steps or terms which might be considered "common knowledge" to a more experienced user / dev / super user / etc... though I am trying to learn; so I just ask that you please don't assume I know something; I'd rather be thought a fool than a genius ... for the sake of my device!

And thank you again, in advance!

** UPDATE to the above information **

I found some additional information on the General forum for HDX 8.9 Apollo which indicates a need to downgrade from 4.5.5.1 to 3.2.8 ... then upgrade to 4.5.2 before attempting to Safestrap CM 11. Is that good information for me to follow given the information I previously provided?

I have downloaded the 3.2.8 ROM, the 4.5.2 ROM, Root for 4.5.2, and information on how to disable OTA on 4.5.2 as well as how to install GApps on 4.5.2 (staged in separate folders to eliminate confusion) ... I now am going to try and find clear instructions on the safest way to downgrade to version 3.2.8 from my current version 4.5.5.1 ... I have no experience doing a downgrade. However, before I start this process I'd like to know that I'm not blissfully starting down a dark path toward destruction (eyes open sort of thing). Thanks!