Fire OS
Screenshot
Fire OS 7.3.1.7 running on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (10th generation)
DeveloperAmazon
Written inC (core), C++, Java (UI)[1]
OS familyAndroid (Linux)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelBased on the Android Open source project,[2] with Proprietary software & Proprietary components[3]
Latest release
  • Fire OS 7.3.2.9 for 8th-11th generation devices / ?, 2023
  • Fire OS 8.3.2.1 for 12th generation devices[4] / ?, 2023
Marketing targetBudget/Low priced tablet/phone market,
Members of the Amazon Ecosystem
Package managerAPK
Platforms32-bit and 64-bit ARM
Kernel typeMonolithic (modified Linux kernel)
UserlandBionic libc,[5] mksh shell,[6] native core utilities with a few from NetBSD[7]
Default
user interface		Graphical (Multi-touch)
LicenseProprietary EULA; based on Apache License 2.0[8]
Modified Linux kernel under GNU GPL v2[9]
Official websitedeveloper.amazon.com/docs/fire-tv/fire-os-overview.html

Fire OS is a mobile operating system based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It is developed by Amazon for their devices. Fire OS includes proprietary software, a customized user interface primarily centered on content consumption, and heavy ties to content available from Amazon's storefronts and services.

History

Amazon began referring to the Android derivative as Fire OS with its third iteration of Fire tablets. Unlike previous Fire models, whose operating system was described as "based on" Android, Fire OS 3.0 was described as "compatible with" Android.

Fire OS 5

Based on Android 5.1 "Lollipop",[10] it added an updated interface. The home screen has a traditional application grid and pages for content types, as opposed to the previous carousel interface. It also introduced On Deck, a function that automatically moves content out of offline storage to maintain storage space for new content; the Word Runner speed reading tool; and screen color filters. Parental controls were enhanced with a new web browser for FreeTime mode featuring a curated selection of content appropriate for children, and an Activity Center for monitoring children's usage.[11][12][13] It removed support for device encryption, which an Amazon spokesperson stated was an enterprise-oriented feature that was underused. In March 2016, after the removal was publicized and criticized in the wake of the FBI–Apple encryption dispute, Amazon announced it would restore the feature in a future patch.[14][15]

Fire OS 6

Based on Android 7.1.2 "Nougat", its main changes and additions include:[16]

  • Adoptable storage, allowing users to format and use their SD card as internal storage
  • Doze/App standby, aiming to improve battery life by forcing devices to sleep when not actively used, adding restrictions to apps that would normally continue to run background processes

MediaTek exploits (2019)

In early 2019, security exploits for six Fire Tablet models and one Fire TV model[17] were discovered that could allow temporary root access, permanent root access, and bootloader unlocking[note 1] [18][19] due to security vulnerabilities in multiple MediaTek chipsets.[20][21][22]

Fire OS 7

Based on Android 9.0 "Pie",[23] it was released in 2019 for all 8th-11th generation Fire tablets.

In February 2022, Amazon announced that the Docs app would be replaced (in August 2022) by document creation functionality in the Files app; and introduced an improved home editing system.[24]

Fire OS 8

FireOS 8 is the latest release of FireOS for 12th generation fire tablets, based on Android 11, information about the release became available via Amazon developer documentation around May 2022.

FireOS 8 incorporates changes from Android 10 and Android 11 such as, TLS 1.3 support enabled by default, High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) support, Dark mode, One-time permissions, Sharing improvements, Device auto backups (user needs to opt-in to device backups), etc.

Although it is noted in the Amazon developer documentation that some Android 11 features such as File Based Encryption (FBE) are not supported yet.[25]

Report of migrating away from Android

Around November 2023 a report surfaced of Amazons plans to migrate away from Android to a custom Linux-based operating system known as "Vega".[26][27]

Features

Fire OS does not come with Google mobile services pre-installed; therefore, Amazon cannot use the Android trademarks to market the devices.[3] Users are able to sideload the Google Play store;[28] however, full compatibility is not guaranteed if the app depends on Google services.[29]

Because Google services are not pre-installed, Amazon develops and uses its own apps in their place, some of which include Amazon Appstore, Amazon Alexa, Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, Kindle Store, Silk Browser, Goodreads and Here WeGo.[30][31]

Fire OS uses a customized home screen (launcher). As of Fire OS 7.3.2.3, the launcher features three sections:

  • "For You" shows the weather, recently used apps, Alexa integration, then shows recommended content such as apps, books movies, etc.
  • "Home" is the section for the icons of all of the apps currently installed on the device, apps on the Home section can be moved around or put into folders, a search bar is also available at the top of the launcher to search though local content on the device or search online using the Bing search engine.
  • "Library" shows purchased items from Amazon services, such as apps, books, movies and TV shows from Prime Video, etc.


The OS features a multi-user system, which allows multiple people to set up and use separate user profiles.[32]

Along with Amazon Kids and Amazon Kids+, a suite of parental controls is included which allows parents to create managed child profiles,[33] set limits and set restrictions for minors.[34][35]

Devices

Current Amazon devices running Fire OS:

Discontinued devices running Fire OS:

List of Fire OS versions

Fire OS versionBase Android VersionAndroid API levelCompatible DevicesNotes
12.3.3 Gingerbread10Kindle FireReported as "Based on Android"
24.0 Ice Cream Sandwich15Kindle Fire HDReported "Based on Android"
34.2.2 Jellybean17[36][37][38]Fire HD (2nd generation), Fire HDXReported as "Compatible with Android"
44.4.2 KitKat19[39][40]Fire HD (3rd generation), Fire HDX (2nd generation)
4.5.14.4.3 KitKat19[41][42][43]
5.05.1 Lollipop22[44]Fire 7 (7th generation)
67.1.2 Nougat25[45]Fire HD 8 (8th generation), Fire 7 (9th generation)Devices shipped with Fire OS 6 were later upgraded to Fire OS 7 when Amazon abandoned development.
79.0 Pie28[46]Fire 7 (9th generation), Fire HD 8 (8th generation), Fire HD 8/8+ (10 generation), Fire HD 10/10+ (11 generation)
811 (Red Velvet Cake [note 2] [47])30Fire 7 (12th generation)
Fire HD 8 (12th Generation)		Some Android 11 features such as File Based Encryption (FBE) are not supported in Fire OS 8 [25]

Notes

  1. ↑ These exploits usually depend on certain factors such as: Fire OS version, bootloader/fastboot/recovery version, date the device was released (eg. in the case of hardware exploits because the exploit may be fixed with a new revision), etc.
  2. ↑ Google stopped publicly using dessert names after Android 9 (Pie), but as of writing the dessert names are still used internally (at Google and in AOSP).

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Android Code Analysis". Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Philosophy and Goals". Android Open Source Project. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Google's iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary". Ars Technica. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Fire Tablet Software Updates". Amazon.
  5. ↑ "libc – platform/bionic – Git at Google". android.googlesource.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  6. ↑ "master – platform/external/mksh – Git at Google". android.googlesource.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  7. ↑ "toolbox – platform/system/core – Git at Google". Archived from the original on February 9, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Amazon Device Terms". Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Licenses". Android Open Source Project. Open Handset Alliance. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Fire OS Overview". Amazon Appstore Developer Portal. Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  11. ↑ "What's new in Amazon Fire OS 5 Bellini?". Pocket-lint. September 17, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet a rare misfire for company". Fortune. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Feature-stuffed Fire OS update makes Amazon's tablets even more kid-friendly". PC World. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Amazon quietly disabled encryption in the latest version of Fire OS". The Verge. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Amazon pledges to bring device encryption back to Fire OS this spring". The Verge. March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Fire OS 6 for Fire Tablets". www.developer.amazon.com. September 13, 2021. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Rapid Temporary Root for HD 8 & HD 10". XDA Forums. February 26, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Fire HD 8 (2018 ONLY) unbrick, downgrade, unlock & root". XDA Forums. January 27, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  19. ↑ "[UNLOCK][ROOT][TWRP][UNBRICK] Fire HD 8 2018 (karnak) amonet-3". XDA Forums. September 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Critical MediaTek rootkit affects millions of Android devices". xda-developers. March 2, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Android Security Bulletin—March 2020". Android Open Source Project. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Amazing Temp Root for MediaTek ARMv8 [2020-08-24]". XDA Forums. April 17, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Fire OS 7 for Fire Tablets (Fire Tablets)". Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  24. ↑ "(Discord screenshot)". Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  25. 1 2 "Fire OS 8 for Fire Tablets". Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  26. ↑ Pandey, Rajesh (November 10, 2023). "Amazon is getting ready to ditch Android on its Fire hardware". Android Police. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Amazon may drop Android and build its own next-gen smart home OS". Android Authority. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  28. ↑ "How to Install the Google Play Store on the Amazon Fire Tablet or Fire HD 8". How-To Geek. November 23, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  29. ↑ Segan, Sascha (December 2013). "How To Run Free Android Apps On the Kindle Fire". PC Magazine.
  30. ↑ "Here's What You Need to Know About Amazon's Fire OS". Lifewire. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  31. ↑ "How the Kindle Fire Works". HowStuffWorks. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  32. ↑ "How to add and switch profiles on an Amazon Fire tablet". Android Authority. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Create a Child Profile on Your Fire Tablet". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Hands On With Amazon Kindle FreeTime". PC Magazine. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  35. ↑ "What are Parental Controls on Fire Tablet?". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  36. ↑ Hollister, Sean (September 28, 2011). "Amazon's Kindle Fire UI: it's Android, but not quite". This Is My Next.
  37. ↑ "Amazon confirms Kindle Fire HD models use Android 4.0 under the hood". Engadget. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Kindle Fire Device and Feature Specifications". Amazon developer portal. Amazon.com Inc. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Updating Your App for Fire OS 4 – Amazon Apps & Services Developer Portal". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  40. ↑ Wiygul, Henry (September 17, 2014). "What's new with Amazon's Fire OS 4.0 "Sangria"?". Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  41. ↑ Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. "Amazon begins rollout of Fire OS 4.5.1". ZDNet.
  42. ↑ "Amazon.com Help: Fire HD 6 (4th Generation) Software Updates". Amazon.
  43. ↑ "SDK Platform release notes". Android Developers. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Devices | Amazon Appstore Developer Portal". developer.amazon.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Developing for Fire tablets". Amazon. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Fire OS 7 for Fire Tablets". Amazon. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  47. ↑ "Android 11 is codenamed Red Velvet Cake — but Google won't call it that". July 24, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
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