Enable USB Debugging on your Amazon Kindle Fire and start using it with Android development tools. Just use these steps to get started.
Note: This tutorial assumes you have Android Studio installed and configured.
Enable ADB on Kindle Fire
- From the Kindle Fire, open “Settings“.
- Do one of the following depending on your device:
- Original Kindle Fire – No action needed. ADB is enabled by default.
- Kindle Fire HD – Select “Security“.
- HDX and Newer Models – Tap “Device” or “Device Options“, then tap “Serial Number” 7 times until “Developer Options” is unlocked.
- Choose “Developer Options“.
- Set “Enable ADB” to “On“.
Windows Configuration
- Open “Android Studio“, then choose “Configure” > “SDK Manager“.
- Select “Tools” > “Manage Add-on Sites…“.
- Select the “User Defined Sites” tab.
- Select “New…“.
- Type “https://s3.amazonaws.com/android-sdk-manager/redist/addon.xml” in the URL field, then select “OK“.
- Select “Close“.
- In the “Extras” area, ensure that “Kindle Fire USB Driver” is selected”, then select the “Install x packages…” button.
- Accept the license on each package, then select “Install“.
- Wait until the Android SDK Manager downloads and installs all items.
- Connect your Kindle Fire to your computer.
- Select “OK” on the tablet to “Allow USB debugging“. The Kindle Fire should be detected in Windows as an “Android Composite ADB Interface” device. If not, you may have to remove the Kindle Fire device from Device Manager, then reistall the Kindle Fire as an “Android Composite ADB Interface” device.
- Stop ADB server with the “adb kill-server” command, then use the “adb devices” command. You should see the Kindle Fire listed.
You can now use Android development tools on the Kindle Fire like DDMS for taking screenshots.
Mac & Linux
- Connect your Kindle Fire to your computer.
- Select “OK” on the tablet to “Allow USB debugging“.
- Stop ADB server with the adb kill-server command, then use the adb devices command. You should see the Kindle Fire listed.
dennythecoder says
In Android Studio 2.3.3, I was able to add the website under: Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Android SDK. Under SDK Update Sites, you can add the site mentioned. Afterwards, the driver appears under SDK Tools.
However, the driver failed to load for me with this method. I ended up downloading the driver installer directly from mentioned at https://developer.amazon.com/docs/fire-tablets/ft-set-up-your-kindle-fire-tablet-for-testing.html
The direct URL to the driver I downloaded is https://s3.amazonaws.com/android-sdk-manager/redist/kindle_fire_usb_driver.zip
Installing this driver, and reconnecting my device allowed for it to be found by the ADB.
Scotty says
Thanks.
But, typical of those clowns who do Android Studio clowns… None of this is correct for anything in “Windows Configuration” section. Changed everything, and they leave no trail of what to do it in the newer versions.
A few hours in, and I’m still digging. If I find anything, I may followup with some clarification.
Chase says
“DANIEL says
February 17, 2016 at 4:25 am
For me, it was necessary to go to the /extras/amazon/kinde-driver folder and run the installer exe to get the drivers to work (WIndows 10)
This worked with the latest 5.1.1 firmware – Thanks! :)”
What do you mean /extra/amazon/kindle-driver folder?
Daniel says
For me, it was necessary to go to the /extras/amazon/kinde-driver folder and run the installer exe to get the drivers to work (WIndows 10)
This worked with the latest 5.1.1 firmware – Thanks! :)
Freckles says
Thanks for this tutorial. I followed your directions exactly and was finally able to load the ADB driver for Fire HD7 4th generation on Windows 7.