Amazon is pulling support for older Kindle devices completely

Companies ending software support for devices is a regular occurrence that can result in products being withheld, forcing customers to buy new things, and inevitably adding to an ever-growing product mix. Piles of electronic waste All over the world. Latest criminals? Amazon.

And on May 20, Amazon will do just that Stop supporting Any of them Kindle devices Released in 2012 or earlier. This means that these devices – even if they are working perfectly – will not be able to connect to the Kindle Store to download new eBooks. Amazon says affected devices include first- and second-generation Kindles, Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5, and first-generation Kindle Paperwhite. according to EdgeKindle Fire devices will also be affected on the eBooks front, although other apps will still work on the device.

This step does not completely turn the e-book reader into e-waste. On older devices, you can still read books you’ve downloaded. You can also download documents manually via USB cable. It’s unclear whether services like Libby, which uses the Kindle Store to offer downloads, will work. (Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)

Other recent examples of companies dropping parts of software on older devices include Spotify ending support for them Car thing In 2024 and Google Discontinue old Nest thermostats In 2025. In February, Netflix Support has ended For approximately 87 million old devices.

If you want to keep your digital library in Bezos-land, you can access your collection via Kindle app Or on the browser at Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader. Or, as Amazon helpfully points out in an email sent to customers, you can buy… New Kindle. (The company is offering a 20 percent discount and a $20 e-credit on a new device if you use the code sent in the email.)

If you’re not interested in remaining part of the Amazon empire, there are other very good places E-readers there. You can also find e-books on Bookshop.org, which launched last year Selling e-books In partnership with local booksellers. Buying books there sends a portion of the proceeds to the physical stores, which can be a good thing for you.