How to Install the Kindle Screensaver Hack

The Kindle comes with a set of standard screensavers. Amazon doesn't want you to change them because they want to be able to offer an ad-subsidized version, which they can't do if you can just change the screensaver to whatever you want. Fortunately, the jailbreaking community has developed a pretty easy workaround for all versions except the new Kindle 4 (for now - Nov. 2011).

Step 1: Jailbreak your Kindle

Select the appropriate file from the following list to download it. There are two versions for the Kindle 3. To find out which firmware version you have, go to
Menu⇒Settings.

Once you've downloaded the appropriate jailbreak file, copy it to the root folder of your kindle via a USB cable. For the non-technical, that's just in the Kindle, not in a subfolder anywhere. Next, safely remove your Kindle from the computer and disconnect the cable.

Now, run a firmware update. On your Kindle, do

Menu⇒Settings⇒Menu⇒Update Your Kindle,

Step 2: Installing the Screensavers Hack

Installing the screensavers hack is similar to jailbreaking. Choose the appropriate file from the list below and copy it to the same root directory as in step 1.

Then, regardless of your Kindle version, download, unpack, and transfer this package to your Kindle root folder (once on your Kindle, the folder name should say "linkss".

linkss

Copy whatever screensaver images you want from this site by clicking on the images within categories, then downloading them to your computer and copying them to the linkss/screensavers folder on your Kindle. If you get images elsewhere, make sure they are 600x800 pixels.

As before, safely remove your Kindle and unplug it, then run the update by doing

Menu⇒Settings⇒Menu⇒Update Your Kindle.

That's it! Once the update completes, your new screensavers will be displayed instead of the standard ones. Enjoy your custom screensavers.

Uninstalling

As awesome as it is to be able to customize your Kindle, there are times when you might want to return it to factory settings (selling it, sending it to Amazon for service, etc.). Uninstalling the screensaver and jailbreak hacks is just the same as installation. You need to choose form these files for uninstalling screensavers:

and the jailbreak:

This tutorial uses information from the mobileread.com forums.

Social Media:

Follow on Twitter

Share on Facebook

Save on Delicious

Submit to Reddit

Submit to StumbleUpon