[Fire HD 6 and 7 General] DoLooper:
This explains how to use the Fire HD tools (for Windows) to root and install Gapps and a custom launcher on the Fire HD 6 or 7.

Note: If your tablet has an SD card slot, it's a 2015 Fire. Don't use this guide. Go to the 2015 Fire forums.

TURN OFF WIFI NOW TO PREVENT AN UPGRADE!

BEFORE YOU START

Check out the Root Tut so you know about the alternative to this guide. Once you're rooted, this TWRP method lets you upgrade and install Gapps, Xposed and goodies [MENTION=6680544]bibikalka[/MENTION] provides all in one go. This is the only way to get rooted OS 5.1.2.1. If you're already rooted, use that tutorial to upgrade.

[*] Read about rooting and updates so you'll understand how it works when you get to the rooting step, and can decide now if you'd rather root OS 4 and upgrade in TWRP.

An update file can download while you're rooting. The Kingroot tool prevents it from installing as soon as you press Enter to tell the tool you're rooted. Then it looks for any downloaded file and if it finds one it tells you where it is and prompts you to delete.

OS 5.1.2: There are no commands to prevent an upgrade from installing before you're rooted. Amazon says that upgrades don't install while the device is being used, but be aware that there's some risk. To minimize the risk, be sure your OS is rootable and never leave the tablet idle while rooting. Just keep running Kingroot until root is successful and then press Enter to block installation of any download. (These instructions are in the tool.)

OS 4.5.3: There ARE commands to prevent an upgrade from installing on unrooted OS 4, which the Kingroot tool runs before you turn on wifi to root. This means you can sideload OS 4.5.3 and root without any risk of updating. You can then upgrade with root in TWRP, as explained in the root tut above.

FWIW, Kingroot once rebooted 5 times and told me "Root Failed" 3 times before finally succeeding. An update had downloaded to /cache, but the tool successfully blocked installation and found the file, which I deleted. So, although it's possible you could get upgraded, as long as you keep the tablet busy trying to root and then press Enter as soon as you're rooted, it's very unlikely.

HOW TO ROOT AND SET UP THE FIRE HD​

Install ADB Drivers if you don't have them.

Illustrated Guide: http://xdaforums.com/fire-hd/genera...ivers-fire-t3189000/post62561840#post62561840

Other Options: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=63072252&postcount=2

[*] Look at OS and build date in Device Settings>Updates and determine if you need to install OS 5.1.2.

OS 5.1.2.1 (shows OS 5.1.2, Build Date:

March

2016):

Install OS 5.1.2. (5.1.2.1 can't be rooted.)

OS 5.1.2 (shows OS 5.1.2, Build Date:

February

2016):

Install 5.1.2 If tablet is the least bit unstable or if you just want a clean start.

OS 5.1.1 or earlier:

Install OS 5.1.2. to upgrade.

OS LATER THAN 5.1.2.1:

DO NOT install 5.1.2. Downgrades often brick tablets! I'll change this message after someone tests.

You may be able to safely downgrade to OS 4.5.3, root, and then upgrade in TWRP per bibikalka's root Tut, above. Before trying this, make sure the post says it's safe for the OS you're on.

[*] If you need OS 5.1.2, follow these instructions:

TURN OFF WIFI BEFORE YOU START.

OS 4.5.5 and below, read this:

You have 3 choices:

A - Use the root tools to root now and block updates, then upgrade in TWRP (and flash Gapps, etc) per the root Tut

B - ADB Sideload OS 5.1.2 (below)

C - Upgrade From Device to Developers preview then upgrade again to OS 5.1.2.

To Upgrade From Device to Developers preview:

1. Download the Developers Preview here: https://mega.nz/#!i5RRCKQZ!NC291mcIo-2yzr23j8Vg_mLZ11ECql4lL_xen6xwXuM

2. Follow the steps below to "Upgrade from Device" but install the Developers Preview instead of OS 5.1.2.

3. Now repeat the steps and install OS 5.1.2

OS 4.5.5.1 through OS 5.1.1:

You have 2 choices:

A - ADB Sideload OS 5.1.2 (below)

B - Upgrade From Device to OS 5.1.2 (easiest if you don't already have drivers for sideload mode)

TO UPGRADE FROM DEVICE

I think this wipes your data, (Sorry, just don't remember). Suggest you copy to PC anything that can't be replaced from the cloud.

Get OS 5.1.2 update here: https://kindle-fire-updates.s3.amaz...HBV/update-kindle-20.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin

Confirm file name: update-kindle-20.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin

Connect to computer so you see the contents of the Fire HD /sdcard dir (Internal Storage) in Windows Explorer

Copy the update *.bin file onto /sdcard. Don't put it inside any folder

Go to Settings/Device/Updates and tap Check for Updates

It should then show that [*.bin file] is ready to install

Tap Update Now

[Wait a long time for installation and reboot]

OS 5.1.2 and 5.1.2.1: ADB SIDELOAD

DON'T DO THIS ON ANY OS HIGHER THAN 5.1.2.1 (March 2016). YOU WILL PROBABLY BRICK YOUR TABLET!

A factory reset is part of the steps. Backup anything that won't reinstall from the Play Store or Appstore. If you're upgrading from an earlier OS 5, you can skip the reset (at your own risk)! If you're downgrading from 5.1.2.1, do it!

NOTE: There's a sideload tool in the FIREHD_TOOLS jobs folder that guides you through this process. It may not run on all Windows, but it'll fail before doing anything so no harm in trying it. To give it a spin, put the OS 5.1.2 bin file into the adb_sideload folder and run sideload.bat. You'll be prompted to install drivers (step 8, below.) but it does most of the heavy lifting. If you try it, please post opinion/result! Thanks!

KEEP WIFI OFF

Get OS 5.1.2 update here: https://kindle-fire-updates.s3.amaz...HBV/update-kindle-20.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin

Confirm file name: update-kindle-20.5.4.2_user_542168620.bin

Put it into your pc folder with adb.exe

Open a CMD window from that folder.

Hold Power and Volume-up buttons to boot to the recovery menu

Use volume key to select Factory Reset and press Power [wait for reset]

Use volume key to select "apply update from adb" and press Power

[See yellow message on tablet screen]

Install drivers for sideload mode just as you did for regular OS mode. See hidden text or this link.

Open Device Manager and:

(1) Find KFARWI (or KFASWI) under "Other devices." (If you don't see KFARWI/KFASWI under "Other," disconnect/reconnect and look again.)

(2) Right-click and select "Update Driver Software." [see Update Driver Software screen].

(3) Click "Browse my computer" and then "Let me pick from a list . . ." [see Select your device type . . ."]

(4) Click Android Device. [see "Select the device driver you want . . .]

(5) Select your usual composite adb driver from the list, press Next, and say yes at warning screen. [see "Windows has successfully updated your driver software"]

(6) In CMD window, run adb devices and confirm you see your device ID and "sideload," like this:

List of devices attached

SERIALNUMBER sideload

If you don't see serial number, reboot tablet and computer and repeat "adb reboot recovery" and "Apply update from ADB" steps. Device should now be recognized.

In CMD window type: adb sideload <name of update bin>

[Wait a long time]

Do another Factory reset

Reboot to OS.

[Long startup]

Confirm Device Settings>Updates shows OS 5.1.2, build date February 26/27, 2016

Download the Fire HD tools using the DOWNLOAD FROM AFH link on this post and extract to desktop

In tablet Security Settings: Allow apps from unknown sources

In Device Options, tap serial number several times to open Developer Options and confirm ADB is enabled

In the Fire HD tools, run RUNME.bat and choose INSTALL KINGROOT

Job prompts you through rooting, blocks OTA and replaces Kingroot with SuperSU.

Run the PLAY STORE tool OR follow the steps below to install Gapps in TWRP.

[EDIT June 1: The Play Store tool suddenly broke. I have the fix and will update in next few days. Until then, use the TWRP method.]

The Play Store tool is easier and the Play Store works fine, but the "Google Settings" app doesn't.

(Force close when you tap gear icon) You can get to everything in Google Settings through in-app settings

or online at your Google account (https://myaccount.google.com) so it isn't required, but if you know and love it, install Gapps in TWRP.

Besides installing Gapps, the TWRP method installs scripts so you can boot TWRP from your device. Read Bibikalka's posts for info.​

HOW TO INSTALL GAPPS IN TWRP

Thanks bibikalka for cooking up the scripts that make this easy!

1. Download Bibikalka's WindowsAutoTWRP_v03.zip to PC, hit Thanks, and then extract zip on PC.

2. Download GAPPS (tk_gapps-modular-pico(uni)-5.1.1-20150920-signed.zip) and put it into WindowsAutoTWRP_v03\gscript folder

3. Confirm folder contains both the gapps zip and the recovery_uboot zip for your OS:

. . Currently s5.4.1_1133_stock_recovery_uboot for OS 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.2.1

4. Run 1_FIRE_HD_4TH_GEN_TWRP.bat (in WindowsAutoTWRP_v03) and follow the prompts.

. . [1st prompt: If you just rooted, adb debugging is enabled. You have the bootloader pack. You don't need fastboot drivers.]

5. At end of script, look at "Verify checksums !!!" in output and confirm checksums match.

. . If they DON'T match: Leave tablet like it is and post error in bibikalka's thread (the link in step 1).

. . If they DO match: Use ES File explorer to go to sdcard/gscript on device and confirm your 2 zips are there.

. . . . . If they ARE NOT, post the problem in this thread, saying which file is missing. Otherwise . . .

6. Press [Enter] in the script window to close it.

7. Open a new CMD window from the WindowsAutoTWRP folder and enter the command: adb reboot recovery

. . [Tablet BOOTS to TWRP]

8. In TWRP,

a. Tap Install, browse to /sdcard/gscript, tap Gapps zip and swipe to install [Wait for "Successful"]

b. Tap Home, tap Install and install the recovery_uboot zip [BE SURE TO DO THIS!]

c. Tap Reboot System

NOTE: After you sign into Play Store and know it works, you can delete the Gapps zip file from /sdcard/gscript.

Turn on wifi and sign in to Play Store.

Run INSTALL NOVA LAUNCHER to install Nova and disable the stock launcher.

You can install a different launcher later if you want it

If you have ads, run BLOCK/UNBLOCK and choose BLOCK ADS

If the guide and tools helped you, please hit Thanks. ;)

DONE!

.