This article explains how to root your Amazon Fire tablet (fifth-gen and later) so you can use third-party apps, uninstall pre-loaded apps, and install custom operating systems. You'll need a Windows PC and a rooting utility.

Follow along as we look at how to root a Kindle using a computer.

Rooting voids the warranty, so carefully consider the pros and cons of rooting your device. Also, keep in mind that some steps may vary slightly depending on the tablet you have.

On your Kindle Fire, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Tap Device Options.

Tap the Serial Number field repeatedly until Developer Options appears below it.

Tap Developer Options.

Tap Enable ADB to activate Android Debug Bridge.

Tap Enable again.

Go back to the Settings menu and tap Security & Privacy.

Tap Apps from Unknown Sources to allow the installation of apps from outside the Amazon store.

Connect your Fire tablet to your computer with a USB cable.

If your PC doesn't automatically detect your Kindle the first time you connect it, you can install the USB drivers and ADB manually as detailed in the Amazon developer documentation.

On your computer, download the Amazon Fire 5th Gen Super Tool.

Extract the contents of the ZIP file to your desktop or somewhere else on your computer.

Open the BAT file that starts with 1.

Type the number of the action you wish to perform and press Enter.

Follow any on-screen instructions.

Don't disconnect your tablet from your computer until you see a message confirming the action succeeded or failed.

Close the Amazon Fire Tablet Tool and disconnect your tablet from your PC. You may need to restart your device for changes to take effect.

Amazon will automatically update your Kindle Fire, which can cause your device to become "unrooted," even if you tried to disable automatic updates in some cases. If this happens, reconnect your tablet to your PC and run the root tool again.

All Amazon tablets use an operating system called Fire OS which is based on Android. Developers place restrictions on which features and files users can access so they don't accidentally harm their devices by changing or deleting something important. Like Apple, Amazon also imposes restrictions on its devices to prevent users from downloading third-party software outside of the official app store. Rooting a device removes those restrictions, giving you "root access" to everything.

Rooting is no longer necessary to install Google Play on some Fire tablets.

Rooting your Fire tablet can grant you several benefits. For example, you can:

However, there are also risks:

Due to these potential risks, you should back up your photos, music, and other important files by saving them to your Amazon Drive or transferring them to your PC before you attempt rooting.

In addition to a Windows PC, you need a rooting utility such as the Amazon Fire 5th Gen Super Tool. Which one you should use depends on what you want to do with your rooted Kindle Fire. For example, here are some of the options this particular tool provides:

You can find dozens of similar utilities for rooting your Fire tablet by searching the web. Whichever utility you use, carefully read the instructions that come with it so you know exactly what each feature does. For example, the option to remove pre-loaded apps might uninstall everything except the Camera and Settings apps.

Only download files from reputable websites, and always scan downloaded files with a virus scanner before opening them. You can choose from several free on-demand virus scanners.

No, but some Amazon Fire TV Sticks can be jailbroken. The steps depend on your model, and most methods require dismantling the device.

To unlock a Fire tablet, enter the incorrect password/PIN five times. Then tap Reset Your Pin or Reset Your Password. You'll need access to your Amazon account to unlock your device.

First, allow Apps From Unknown Sources and download the Kingroot app. Once installed, open the app and tap Try to Root.