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Kindle Paperwhite 1 (KPW1) Jailbreak Guide

Kindle Jailbreak Compatibility Quick Reference

Covers all current and discontinued Kindle models · Firmware version requirements for jailbreaking each model

How to check your firmware version: On your Kindle: Menu → Settings → Menu → Device Info, where you will see the "Firmware Version".

Before jailbreaking: To prevent your Kindle from auto-updating during the jailbreak process, it is strongly recommended to fill the storage to leave less than 100MB free and delete any .bin files from the root directory of your Kindle.

Model Jailbreakable Firmware Status Tutorial
Kindle 11, KPW 5/6, Scribe 1/2, Colorsoft ≤5.19.6 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
Kindle 11(KT 4/5/6)、KPW 4/5/6、KO3、Scribe 1/2、Colorsoft 5.16.3~5.19.5 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
All Kindle models 5.16.4 ~ 5.18.3 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KPW5, Kindle 10/11 5.19.2 or 5.18.1.1.1 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KPW5, Kindle 11, KO3 5.16.4~5.18.6 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
All Kindle models 5.18.1 ~ 5.18.5 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
All Kindle models <5.18.1 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KS, KO 1/2/3, KV, Kindle 7/8/10/11, KPW 2/3/4/5 ≤5.16.2.1.1 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KO 1/2/3, KV, Kindle 7/8/10, KPW 2/3/4/5 5.12.2.2 ~ 5.14.2 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KO 1/2/3, KV, Kindle 7/8/10, KPW 2/3/4 5.10.3 ~ 5.13.3 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KPW4 5.10.2 ~ 5.13.3 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KPW4 5.10.0.1~5.10.1.3 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KPW3 5.8.9.0.1 or 5.9.6.1 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
K10 5.11.0 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KO2 5.9.0.5.1 or 5.9.0.6 Specific firmware only View Tutorial
KO 1/2, KV, KPW 2/3/4, K7/8/10 ≤5.8.7 Special firmware required View Tutorial
KPW2, K5, KT, KPW1, and KT2 ≤5.4.5.1 Firmware downgrade required View Tutorial
KPW1 <5.4.4 Firmware downgrade required View Tutorial

The KPW1 jailbreak mirrors the KPW2 approach: downgrade with an official firmware, jailbreak, then upgrade to the newest firmware. Since the KPW1 supports official downgrades, this method covers every firmware including the final 5.6.1.1.

1. Downgrade the firmware

If your KPW1 is above 5.4.4, downgrade to 5.4.4 with the official firmware:

  1. Connect the Kindle, download the 5.4.4 firmware (update_kindle_5.4.4.bin) and place it at the root.

  2. Keep the cable connected and hold the power button until the update starts. If all goes well, continue.

2. Jailbreak

  1. Download kindle-jailbreak-1.14.N.zip. Unzip to get kindle-5.4-jailbreak.zip, unzip again to get the kindle-5.4-jailbreak folder with 7 files: bridge.conf, bridge.sh, developer.keystore, gandalf, jb.sh, json_simple-1.1.jar, Update_jb_$(cd mnt && cd us && sh jb.sh).bin.

  2. Copy them all to the Kindle root and safely eject.

  3. Tap Home → Menu (top-right) → Settings → Menu (top-right) → Update Your Kindle. Nothing visibly happens for a while — don't touch the device until **** JAILBREAK **** appears at the bottom of the screen.

3. Upgrade the firmware

Download the latest 5.6.1.1 firmware, place it at the root, and tap Home → Menu → Settings → Menu → Update Your Kindle. Once finished, install KUAL, KOReader, or change the screensaver as you like.

4. Install plugins

Install plugins just like on any other model. The KPW1 hasn't received firmware updates for nearly two years (stuck at 5.6.1.1) — Amazon appears to have stopped updating it, so there's little risk of the jailbreak breaking from upgrades.


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