How To: Use an Alternate Launcher on Kindle Fire (Updated)

Don’t care for the Amazon Kindle Fire bookshelf style UI, and want to use your launcher of choice? Are you rooted yet? If you’ve answered YES to both these questions (Update: Root not necessarily needed), freedom on your Fire is just a few simple steps away. Learn how to customize your Fire the way you’d like after the break!

Here’s a quick tutorial to open up a world of possibilities on your newly acquired Kindle Fire.

Prerequisites

• Alternate Launcher APK (Am using Go Launcher EX in this example, YMMV on others)
• Home Switcher APK – Might be needed to switch back and forth between launchers
• A file manager App – ES File Explorer, Astro File Manager
• Side Loading Apps activated on Kindle Fire
• On the Kindle Fire Settings screen, go to “Device” and turn On “Allow Installation of Application From Unknown Sources”
• I’m testing this with a rooted Fire, may be possible without root however.

How To Get It Done

1. Transfer your alternate launcher and Home Switcher .apks to your Kindle Fire via PC / Mac
2. Install both apps using a file manager
3. Launch Home Switcher App, or Press Home button
4. Select your alternate Launcher
5. Enjoy!

Your experience may vary, as to this point I’ve only confirmed Go Launcher Ex. LauncherPro seems to Force Close, upon selecting it as default launcher. Respond in comments with your findings!

Update

After playing with things a bit, I’ve added the GetJar App for app downloads. I have found many apps not available on the Amazon Market, and free options of apps (Angry Birds) that Amazon charges for. It seems the Kindle App does not open while in alternate launcher, I’m needing to switch back to the Amazon Launcher to read ebooks.

This little tablet is simply amazing with all it’s potential unlocked. It can only get better with custom ROMs and the ability to access full Android Market!