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17 replies

Installing the DCS App on a Kindle Fire

Barry BroskowitzBarry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

Over the past few months I've received requests from some DCS enthusiasts who desire to install the DCS App on their Kindle Fire tablets. I've also seen a thread or two appear on the DCS Forum with the same topic.

My son, Allan, is rather well-versed in using a variety of Kindle devices and decided to take a shot at doing an actual install. What follows below is how he was able to do the install on his Kindle Fire HD6.

This procedure uses a web site called "aka pure.com". Click here to learn how it works and why it claims to be safe to use.

There are, however, a few caveats:

  • This has been accomplished using the aforementioned Kindle Fire HD6. It is not known if it will work on any other Kindle device
  • You need to have available a PC to which you will initially download the DCS App
  • When it's time to update the DCS App to a new version, you'll need to repeat procedure steps 2-6
  • It's unknown if the free app can be updated to the Standard version from within the app
  • Since Allan does not have DCS on his layout, it's unknown if the app will actually operate DCS engines.

If this works, Allan gets all of the credit. If it doesn't work, I'll simply disown him.  

You proceed at your own risk!

Follow this procedure:

  1. Using your Kindle, download "ES File Explorer File Manager" from the Kindle App store
  2. Using a PC browser, click here to go to the web page for the DCS App on the "aka pure.com" web site. Download the DCS App, keeping track of where you put it on  your PC
  3. Using your Kindle, download "ES File Explorer File Manager" from the Kindle App store
  4. Connect your Kindle to your PC and use it as a storage device
  5. Locate the DCS App that you previously downloaded, and drag and drop it into the Kindle File folder on your Desktop
  6. Disconnect the Kindle and launch the "ES File  Explorer File Manager" that you downloaded to your Kindle in step 1
  7. Locate the DCS App and launch it.

Please post feedback on this thread and let me know how well it works for you.

Good luck!  

Last edited by Barry Broskowitz
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

AB Allan B.OGR Forum Member

Well keep in mind the apps on amazon are a little different from the typical goodgle play store. Also I have found that many of those apps (mostly games) are very buggy for the Android Fire platform. We are probably better off without a native amazon app. The amazon versions of some of the productivity apps crash a lot and don’t work very well. Hence why they are more for media consumption than anything else.

Daniel J. GonzalezDaniel J. GonzalezOGR Forum Member
carsntrains posted:

A quick search and its easy to install the google play store on the kindle fire.. It is the same platform as any other android.  Amazon just has it locked.   Just have to download the play store manually.   I'll try it on my gen 7 kindle first.  Then maybe put it on my new 10HD. 

Jim

What he said.

Kindle devices still run android as with any android phone, the difference is in the app store itself, it is not very popular so companies don't make apps for them.

I used to install third party apps on the fire tv sticks to, not so legally, watch live tv channels, simply allow third party apps in the settings and load the APK found online and use es file explorer to get it installed.

You MAY run into issues as Android is open source and it is possible amazon has modified the android OS somehow to allow for proper functionality of their hardware but I don't think that will be the case.

https://www.google.com/search?...biw=1536&bih=723

Hope this helps!

carsntrainscarsntrainsOGR Forum Member
Daniel J. Gonzalez posted:
carsntrains posted:

A quick search and its easy to install the google play store on the kindle fire.. It is the same platform as any other android.  Amazon just has it locked.   Just have to download the play store manually.   I'll try it on my gen 7 kindle first.  Then maybe put it on my new 10HD. 

Jim

What he said.

Kindle devices still run android as with any android phone, the difference is in the app store itself, it is not very popular so companies don't make apps for them.

I used to install third party apps on the fire tv sticks to, not so legally, watch live tv channels, simply allow third party apps in the settings and load the APK found online and use es file explorer to get it installed.

You MAY run into issues as Android is open source and it is possible amazon has modified the android OS somehow to allow for proper functionality of their hardware but I don't think that will be the case.

https://www.google.com/search?...biw=1536&bih=723

Hope this helps!

What I found seens quite different than what was in the top post.  It allows you to use anything in the google play store.  And you only need your kindle, no PC.  I'll get my SIL to help me with it this weekend or on new years eve.   He said it will be super simple.  We will see..  

Jim

Barry BroskowitzBarry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

It's been almost 3 years since I started this thread and the instructions above are updated in The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition, pages 235-236, and are also reproduced below:

To install the DCS Application on the Kindle tablet, proceed as follows: 

  • On the Kindle tablet’s Home screen, tap on the Kindle Play Store application and download the free ES File Explorer Manager application. 
  • On the Kindle tablet, tap on Settings, then tap on Security and enable the option to download “Apps from Unknown Sources”. 

Next, on the Kindle tablet’s Home screen, tap on the Kindle Silk web browser application and download each of the following four APK files from their associated web addresses. Note that the following web addresses are quite long and may prove difficult to enter correctly. It might be a good idea to first key them into a text document or E-mail, and then copy and paste them into the Silk web browser’s address line. 

If after downloading a file, you are offered an option to Open the downloaded file, do so. This will install the file. 

The four APK files to download are as follows: 

  • Google Account Manager 5.1-1743759 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...gle-account-manager- 5-1-1743759-release/google-account-manager-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/ 

  • Google Services Framework 5.1-1743759 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...-services-framework- 5-1-1743759-release/google-services-framework-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/

  • Google Play Services 11.5.09 (230-164803921) 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...ndroid-apk-download/ 

NOTE: If you have a Fire HD 8 or HD 10, 2017 (7th Generation) Kindle tablet, use the following APK below instead of the one above. 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...ndroid-apk-download/ 

  • Google Play Store 8.3.41.U-all [0] [FP] 170066753 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...tore-8-3-41-release/ google-play-store-8-3-41-u-all-0-fp-170066753-android-apk-download/ 

After downloading the APK files, if any of the files were not opened (installed) by the Kindle Silk web browser application, tap on the ES File Explorer Manager application on the Home screen to install any such files. Then: 

  • Tap on the Google Play Store application on the Kindle’s Home screen. 
  • Log in to the Google Play Store and search for the DCS Application. A good search term to use is “mth dcs wifi”. 
  • Download and install the DCS Application. 

You can now tap on the DCS Application on the Kindle’s Home screen and use it to operate your trains as if you were using it on a standard Android smartphone or tablet.

DCS Book CoverEverything that you need to know about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!"

This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!
DCS Book Cover

Everything that you need to know about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition!"

This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Last edited by Barry Broskowitz
carsntrainscarsntrainsOGR Forum Member
Barry Broskowitz posted:

It's been almost 3 years since I started this thread and the instructions above are updated in The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition, pages 235-236, and are also reproduced below:

To install the DCS Application on the Kindle tablet, proceed as follows: 

  • On the Kindle tablet’s Home screen, tap on the Kindle Play Store application and download the free ES File Explorer Manager application. 
  • On the Kindle tablet, tap on Settings, then tap on Security and enable the option to download “Apps from Unknown Sources”. 

Next, on the Kindle tablet’s Home screen, tap on the Kindle Silk web browser application and download each of the following four APK files from their associated web addresses. Note that the following web addresses are quite long and may prove difficult to enter correctly. It might be a good idea to first key them into a text document or E-mail, and then copy and paste them into the Silk web browser’s address line. 

If after downloading a file, you are offered an option to Open the downloaded file, do so. This will install the file. 

The four APK files to download are as follows: 

  • Google Account Manager 5.1-1743759 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...gle-account-manager- 5-1-1743759-release/google-account-manager-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/ 

  • Google Services Framework 5.1-1743759 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...-services-framework- 5-1-1743759-release/google-services-framework-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/

  • Google Play Services 11.5.09 (230-164803921) 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...ndroid-apk-download/ 

NOTE: If you have a Fire HD 8 or HD 10, 2017 (7th Generation) Kindle tablet, use the following APK below instead of the one above. 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...ndroid-apk-download/ 

  • Google Play Store 8.3.41.U-all [0] [FP] 170066753 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...tore-8-3-41-release/ google-play-store-8-3-41-u-all-0-fp-170066753-android-apk-download/ 

After downloading the APK files, if any of the files were not opened (installed) by the Kindle Silk web browser application, tap on the ES File Explorer Manager application on the Home screen to install any such files. Then: 

  • Tap on the Google Play Store application on the Kindle’s Home screen. 
  • Log in to the Google Play Store and search for the DCS Application. A good search term to use is “mth dcs wifi”. 
  • Download and install the DCS Application. 

You can now tap on the DCS Application on the Kindle’s Home screen and use it to operate your trains as if you were using it on a standard Android smartphone or tablet.

DCS Book CoverEverything that you need to know about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!"

This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!
DCS Book Cover

Everything that you need to know about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition!"

This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry thats what I was reading. 

Jim

M Mallard4468OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Barry Broskowitz posted:

It's been almost 3 years since I started this thread and the instructions above are updated in The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition, pages 235-236, and are also reproduced below:

To install the DCS Application on the Kindle tablet, proceed as follows: 

  • On the Kindle tablet’s Home screen, tap on the Kindle Play Store application and download the free ES File Explorer Manager application. 
  • On the Kindle tablet, tap on Settings, then tap on Security and enable the option to download “Apps from Unknown Sources”. 

Next, on the Kindle tablet’s Home screen, tap on the Kindle Silk web browser application and download each of the following four APK files from their associated web addresses. Note that the following web addresses are quite long and may prove difficult to enter correctly. It might be a good idea to first key them into a text document or E-mail, and then copy and paste them into the Silk web browser’s address line. 

If after downloading a file, you are offered an option to Open the downloaded file, do so. This will install the file. 

The four APK files to download are as follows: 

  • Google Account Manager 5.1-1743759 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...gle-account-manager- 5-1-1743759-release/google-account-manager-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/ 

  • Google Services Framework 5.1-1743759 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...-services-framework- 5-1-1743759-release/google-services-framework-5-1-1743759-android-apk-download/

  • Google Play Services 11.5.09 (230-164803921) 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...ndroid-apk-download/ 

NOTE: If you have a Fire HD 8 or HD 10, 2017 (7th Generation) Kindle tablet, use the following APK below instead of the one above. 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...ndroid-apk-download/ 

  • Google Play Store 8.3.41.U-all [0] [FP] 170066753 

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/...tore-8-3-41-release/ google-play-store-8-3-41-u-all-0-fp-170066753-android-apk-download/ 

After downloading the APK files, if any of the files were not opened (installed) by the Kindle Silk web browser application, tap on the ES File Explorer Manager application on the Home screen to install any such files. Then: 

  • Tap on the Google Play Store application on the Kindle’s Home screen. 
  • Log in to the Google Play Store and search for the DCS Application. A good search term to use is “mth dcs wifi”. 
  • Download and install the DCS Application. 

You can now tap on the DCS Application on the Kindle’s Home screen and use it to operate your trains as if you were using it on a standard Android smartphone or tablet.

Adding my 2 cents...

Just purchased a new Fire 7 tablet ($50 at Best Buy, same as Amazon price).  Tried following the instructions above, and some things may have changed. 

Got to step 1 (go to Kindle Play Store application).  Flummoxed already, as there was no such thing on my home screen - maybe the name has changed?   Tried various icons without success. Eventually gave up and used Silk browser to go to https://www.howtogeek.com/2327...-amazon-fire-tablet/  This URL has links to all of the APK files listed above - no need to type anything, just click and download.  Took me to the same URLs as listed above.  Crossed my fingers and ignored all the dire warnings.

This brought the Google Play Store app to the home screen.  From there, I was able to locate and download the DCS app.  The icon now appears on my home screen.  Haven't used it yet.

Hope this helps anyone else who might get stuck.  YMMV    

Edit:  After posting, I noticed that the URL got abbreviated.  To find it, I googled "access android apps from amazon fire".  This should take you right to it.

Last edited by Mallard4468
M Mallard4468OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Another update...

Best Buy is selling Amazon Fire 7 tablets for $30 (with free shipping).  The Fire 7 is not a highly-rated tablet, but I've found it to be more than sufficient as a DCS remote.  And a darned cheap one at that.

I had one on which the wifi connectivity failed, and it was a mess dealing with Amazon - finally got a refund.  Having said that, at $30 it's pretty much disposable.  I'm guessing that Amazon will be phasing them out soon, so I'm thinking of buying another extra one. 

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Tags: App, DCS, Installing, Kindle, App on a Kindle Fire
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