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 |
This jailbreak only applies to Kindle Paperwhite 3 (KPW3) on firmware 5.8.9.0.1 or 5.9.6.1, covering the ad-free 4GB and 32GB comic editions. Jailbreaking is risky — proceed at your own risk.
Important notes
Ad-supported units: the factory firmware was only tested on ad-free devices; ad-supported units may hit a boot loop on first boot after flashing. Strongly disable ads (Special Offers) and any Device Password / Parental Controls before starting.
Registration: any change to the registration state (switching accounts, deregistering) breaks the hotfix patch — reinstall it afterwards.
The flow matches the factory-firmware method: install factory firmware → jailbreak → patch → update → install plugins.
Download the factory firmware
Pick the file for your firmware — do not mix versions (if your firmware is lower, update to the matching official firmware first):
5.8.9.0.1: update_pw3_factory_5.8.9.0.1.bin
5.9.6.1: update_pw3_5.9.6.1_factory.bin
Install the factory firmware
Connect via USB and copy the factory firmware to the root (same level as documents).
Eject, tap Menu → Settings → Menu → Update Your Kindle, and wait for the downgrade to finish.
Note: Installation can take 30+ minutes — keep the battery full and don't touch the device.
Jailbreak the factory firmware
To block auto-updates, create an empty folder named update.bin.tmp.partial at the root (no extension, empty).
Step 1: Jailbreak with kindle-jb-factory:
Download kindle-jb-factory: Official page
Unzip
kindle-jb-factory-x.x-rxxx.tar.xzto getmain-htmlviewer.tar.gz.Connect via USB, copy
main-htmlviewer.tar.gzto the root, and eject.Tap the search bar, type
;installHtml(semicolon, capital H, lowercase l), press Enter.The screen flashes and the Kindle restarts — it is now jailbroken.
Step 2: Install the JailBreak Hotfix:
Download JailBreak-hotfix: Official page
Connect via USB and unzip
JailBreak-x.xx.N-FW-x.x-hotfix.zipto getUpdate_jailbreak_hotfix_x.xx.N_install.bin.Copy the .bin file to the root and eject.
Tap Menu → Settings → Menu → Update Your Kindle and wait for the restart.
After reboot, firmware updates keep the jailbreak intact.
Note: After jailbreaking you can update to the latest firmware, but don't install plugins before the update — the jailbreak survives, plugins don't.
Based on knc1's MobileRead thread. References: PW3-4, PW3-32, fw-5.8.9.0.1 software jailbreak ｜ FW 5.9.6.1 Software Jailbreak for PW3
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