Troubleshooting the Download and/or Installation of Dolphin Browser and/or Flash Player

It took me a long time to figure out how to download and install Dolphin Browser and Flash Player on my Kindle Fire HD and there were some bumps in the road. Here are some problems I encountered and my solutions:


Broken download link(s)
Background:
These files are not available in the Amazon app store and the Google Play Store doesn't support Kindles. The links I gave in the last post came from an Amazon user forum. Those are great resources for questions about Kindles.

Solution 1: find download links at other sites:

• I like Aptoide, but keep in mind that you have to download their Aptoide Client in order to get files from the site
• Apparently someone uploaded the files to Google Drive and made them publicly available
• Dolphin Browser:
  https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B46yVXXa5JqvcDRob2VDbG5BYzQ/edit
• Flash Player: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B46yVXXa5JqvWUc1YVhjRlkyanM/edit

Solution 2: download the apps from the Google Play Store using an Android phone, transfer them from the phone to a PC, and then transfer them from the PC to your Kindle Fire HD

• Instructions are available here: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396283,00.asp

I accidentally cleared the Notification and now I can't find my download

Solution: install a file explorer:

1. Press the word "Apps" at the top of your home screen
2. Press the word "Store" at the top right of your home screen
3. Type "file explorer" in the search box
4. Select one and download it. I use ES File Explorer
5. Press the home button at the bottom right of your screen
6. Press the ES File Explorer icon to open it
7. Press the "Download" folder
8. Press the file you want to install and proceed with my previous installation instructions

I can't find the download file in ES Explorer

Solution: shut down the Kindle Fire, then restart it

I installed the app successfully, but now I can't find it

Solution: 

1. Press the word "Apps" at the top of your home screen
2. Press the word "Device" at the top of your home screen
3. Scroll through the list of apps and press the icon for the app you want to use

Dolphin Browser doesn't appear in the carousel

Solution: shut down the Kindle Fire, then restart it

Flash Player on Kindle Fire HD

Flash Player doesn't work in the Kindle web browser (called Silk). This is due to Adobe's decision to discontinue development of the Flash Player for mobile browsers.

To get around this, you need to use a different browser and then install Flash Player. Here's how:

1. Enable installation of non-Amazon applications
   1. On your Kindle Fire, swipe down from the top to open settings. Press "More..."
   2. Scroll down to the word "Device" and press it
   3. Set "Allow Installation of Applications From unknown sources" to On
   4. Press the home button at the bottom right of your screen


2. Download and install Dolphin Browser
1. Go to http://apps.goodereader.com/android-apps/internet-and-communication/?did=5049 and download the file. Wait about 5 seconds for it to download
2. Swipe down from the top to open settings and press the file name (it should be next to a down-pointing arrow)
3. A new window will pop up asking if you want to install this application. Press "Install"
4. Press "Done"


3. Download and install Flash Player
1. Go to http://apps.goodereader.com/android-apps/essential-android-tablet-applications/?did=173 and download the file. Wait about 5 seconds for it to download
2. Swipe down from the top to open settings and press the file name (it should be next to a down-pointing arrow)
3. A new window will pop up asking if you want to install this application. Press "Install"
4. Press "Done"

If all went well, you'll be viewing Flash in your new Dolphin Browser in no time! If things went less than perfectly, see the next post on troubleshooting.


Check out this article to read about the possible return of Flash Player to Kindles: http://www.techhive.com/article/2043947/amazon-tests-flash-support-for-kindle-fire-as-new-tablets-wait-in-the-wings.html