Debugging android apps on the kindle fire

Question

Is debugging Android applications remotely from eclipse supported for Kindle Fire platform?

Answer 1

According to Amazon's FAQ on Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire has USB debugging enabled by default. To connect Kindle Fire to your Android Debug Bridge (ADB) follow the instructions in this PDF.If you are working with Windows 7 you will need to download and use this driver. They are also providing USB drivers for download for Windows 7 PC. Moreover, we can also emulate Kindle Fire specs on Android emulator by using the following parameters.

• Width: 600px
• Height: 1024px
• Abstracted LCD Density: 169
• Target: Android 2.3.4 - API Level 10
• RAM: 512 MB

They don't offer separate developer devices. You can use the Kindle Fire devices which you can buy online.

After installing the device driver, I had to modify your adb_usb.ini

1. Open the C:\Users\< your-login >\.android\adb_usb.ini file for editing
2. Add 0x1949
3. Save the file

Answer 2

It's also possible to easily install an unsigned APK of your app for testing: http://androidforums.com/amazon-kindle-fire/448193-install-any-app-kindle-fire.html

Answer 3

I found that this post is helpful enable usb debugging. Although it is not as simple as 1,2 3. There are a number of steps involved to enable it. But it can be done. http://www.freerepairguide.com/kindle-fire-enable-usb-debugging.html

Answer 4

One drawback to debugging on Fire that you do not find on other devices - when your computer is connected to the Fire device it has blocked the I/O Socket. If your app downloads any files while it is running you will receive an alert that the file could not be downloaded but the debug error in the log will actually show that there was an I/O error. Unplugging the USB cable and attempting to download again will work, but when you plug back in you're back to square one with it wanting to install your app all over again.

Answer 5

Keep in mind that your app target AIR version MUST be no greater than version installed on KF. Otherwise you have to update AIR on KF. (I've answered here how to do it)