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notmarek authored Dec 4, 2023
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# **LanguageBreak**

Jailbreak for any kindle running FW 5.16.2.1.1 or **LOWER**

[![ko-fi](https://ko-fi.com/img/githubbutton_sm.svg)](https://ko-fi.com/E1E1QLG4D)

**The exploit works best around version 5.16.2, so if you are on lower firmware you should consider updating**

Do not update past 5.16.2.1.1 even after jailbreak, there have been big changes since and **everything** is broken, only thing you can do on these versions is downgrade (if your jailbreak survived).

Big thanks to Bluebotlabs for all the help along the way and GeorgeYellow and bulltricks for bringing the vulnerability to light

The latest tarball can always be found [here]("https://github.com/notmarek/LanguageBreak/releases/latest")

##
Make sure to remove any kind of password lock - if you forget to this and are stuck on the password screen enter 111222777 and the kindle will factory reset.


Your files **will** be deleted make sure to make a backup.
The most up to date release can be found [here](https://github.com/notmarek/LanguageBreak/releases/latest).

# Installation

## Before jailbreak
## Warnings
- ⚠️ This method **will** __DELETE__ all content on your device. Backup important files.
- ⚠️ This method works up to firmware version `5.16.2.1.1`. It is strongly suggested you upgrade to this firmware before starting.
- ⚠️ Do not update your firmware beyond `5.16.2.1.1` after jailbreaking with LanguageBreak, as future versions of the firmware patch it.
- ⚠️ Your device must have no password lock. Remove it before starting.

## Before you start, make sure:
- Airplane Mode is **ON**
- The device (esp. the root folder) should have no `.bin` or `update.bin.tmp.partial` files before you start. This may be a pending OTA update. Delete them.

## Jailbreaking your Kindle

1. Type `;enter_demo` into the Kindle search bar, press enter, then reboot the device.
2. Once the device boots, dismiss the wifi selection dialog, type whatever you'd like into the text fields, then continue.
3. Select `Skip`, then `Standard`, then `Done`
4. The device will take a few minutes to go into demo mode. When it's done, use [this gesture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzuIGbGPpig) to access the main screen.
5. Type `;demo` into the Kindle search bar, then press enter to access the Demo Mode Configuration screen.
6. Select the `Sideload Content` option.
7. Connect your Kindle to a PC, then copy the contents of the `LanguageBreak` folder to the Kindle's root directory (if prompted, overrwrite the existing files).
8. Eject, then *unplug your Kindle*, then return to the Demo Configuration Screen (using the method in step 5, if required).
9. Select `Resell Device`, then confirm.
10. As soon as the "Press the Power Button" screen appears, plug your Kindle back into your computer. (This is time sensitive, be quick.)
11. Copy the contents of the `LanguageBreak` folder to the Kindle's root directory, again. (if prompted, overrwrite the existing files).
12. After all files have been written, eject your Kindle, then press and hold the power button until the unit reboots.
13. At this point, a language selection screen appears. Select `简体中文` (Chinese), which should appear above an entry called `Pseudot` and below Japanese.
14. Your Kindle should reboot, and some log messages should appear in the top right-hand corner.

## Applying the Hotfix

1. Make sure to read the entirety of the instructions **before** proceeding.
2. Enable airplane mode
3. Make sure that there are no stray .bin files or update.bin.tmp.partial files on the kindle
4. Repeat number 3 troughout the proccess
1. After the device has rebooted, type `;uzb` into the Kindle search bar to enable USB access within demo mode, then press enter.
2. Connect the device to a PC and copy whichever `Update_hotfix_languagebreak-{languge/locale}.bin` file matches your language to the Kindle's root directory.
3. Eject your Kindle, then `;dsts` into the Kindle search bar to access the settings page. Locate the `Update your Kindle` option and press it, then confirm.
- Using your phone to translate the menus is helpful if you don't happen to be able to read Chinese.

## Jailbreak

1. Type ;enter_demo in the Kindle search bar
2. Reboot the device
3. Once in demo mode, skip setting up wifi and enter random values for store registration
4. Skip searching for a demo payload
5. Select the "standard" demo type
6. Press "Done" at the prompt to sideload content.
7. Once the demo is setup, do the "secret gesture" (double finger tap on bottom right of screen then swipe left)
8. Enter the demo configuration menu by typing ;demo into the search bar
9. Select the "Sideload Content" option
10. Copy the contents of the LanguageBreak folder to the Kindle - merging and replacing all files
11. Unplug your kindle and go back to the demo menu (viz. step 8)
12. Select the "Resell Device" option press Yes/Resell
13. Now wait for the press power button to start
14. The second it appears plug your kindle back into your computer and copy the contents of the LanguageBreak folder into it once again, overwrite files then safely eject
15. Hold the power button as instructed on screen
16. A language selection menu should appear in a few seconds
17. Choose Chinese (The one above the odd Pseudot language, and/or below Japanese)
18. Your kindle should reboot and you should see some log message on the screen

## After jailbreak

1. After the device has rebooted, type ;uzb into the search bar
2. Connect the device to a PC and copy `Update_hotfix_languagebreak-{language you want to end up with}.bin` to the root of the Kindle storage
3. Eject the device and either enter ;dsts or swipe down and select the settings icon to enter the device settings menu
4. Select `Update Your Kindle` to install the hotfix
5. This will take your device out of demo mode and clean up unneeded jailbreak files.
6. You will now probably be in `managed mode`
This will reboot the device out of Demo mode. Your device may go into Managed mode after completing these steps. Managed devices have some settings greyed out, and ask the user to contact their system administrator. See below for steps on how to restore functionality (and the correct language) to your device.

## Exiting managed/demo mode after jailbreak
## Restoring the Correct Language and Exiting Managed Mode

### Unregistered kindle
1. Enter `;demo` into the search bar
2. Press the right button
3. The device will say that its "entering demo", but will actually reset into normal mode in English
4. After this check if you have an mkk folder on your kindle - if it's missing reinstall then hotfix and have fun :)

### Registered kindle
1. Enter `;enter_demo` into the search bar
2. Reboot your device
3. The device will be in full demo mode so do the setup without wifi and with random values
4. Do the secret gesture to get into the kindle UI
5. Enter `;demo` into the search bar
6. Choose `Resell device` and press `Resell/Yes`
7. The device will actually reset into normal mode in English
4. After this check if you have an mkk folder on your kindle - if it's missing reinstall then hotfix and have fun :)
### If your kindle **is not** registered to an Amazon account:
1. Type `;demo` into the Kindle search bar.
2. You will get a prompt with two buttons. Press the right-most button.
3. The device will reboot. If all is well, your Kindle should have a folder named `mkk` in the root directory.

### If your kindle **is** registered to an Amazon account:
1. Enter `;enter_demo` into the Kindle search bar, then reboot your device.
2. The device will be back in full "Demo Mode". Use [the same gesture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzuIGbGPpig) to access the main screen.
3. Enter `;demo` into the Kindle search bar.
4. Select `Resell device`, then confirm.
5. The device will reboot. If all is well, your Kindle should have a folder named `mkk` in the root directory.


# FAQ
```
Q: How do i check that it worked?
A (before installing hotfix): Install hotfix, if you can do that then it worked.
A (after installing hotfix): Type `;log` into the search bar, this should show some text at the top of the screen.
Q: How do I verify my installation?
A: (before applying hotfix): Install hotfix, if you can do that then it worked.
A: (after applying hotfix): Type `;log` into the Kindle search bar, some text should appear at the top right side of the screen.
Q: Where are the hotfix files?
A: The structure of the tarball is as follows
Expand All @@ -98,11 +86,11 @@ LanguageBreak.tar.gz
```

# Troubleshooting
Can't seem to get it to work?
Having general issues?

The exploit works best around version 5.16.2, so if you are on lower firmware you should consider updating
This method works best around firmware version `5.16.2`. Consider updating to this version to avoid compatability issues.

Download the update file of the kindle version you are currently on from amazon install it and try again.
Download the standard firmware for your device using the URL templates below, replacing the `X`s with the version numbers as appropriate.

```
PW5: https://s3.amazonaws.com/firmwaredownloads/update_kindle_all_new_paperwhite_11th_5.XX.X.bin
Expand All @@ -119,5 +107,7 @@ Oasis 8th Gen: https://s3.amazonaws.com/firmwaredownloads/update_kindle_oasis_5.

So version 5.16.2.1.1 for PW4 would be [https://s3.amazonaws.com/firmwaredownloads/update_kindle_all_new_paperwhite_v2_5.16.2.1.1.bin](]https://s3.amazonaws.com/firmwaredownloads/update_kindle_all_new_paperwhite_v2_5.16.2.1.1.bin)

**To install the file, place it into the root directory of the Kindle, then select `Update your Kindle` in settings. It should also apply the update on reboot if the menu is inaccessible for some reason.**


[Consider buying me a coffee :)]("https://ko-fi.com/notmarek")
[Consider buying me a coffee :)](https://ko-fi.com/notmarek)

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