Trending Now - Amazon Ends Support for Older Kindles, Users Seek Workarounds

WHO:

Engadget - Amazon is the organization discontinuing support for older Kindle devices.

TechRadar - Kindle owners are the users affected by Amazon's decision.

WHAT:

Engadget - The affected models include the very first Kindle, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5, and the first version of Kindle Paperwhite.

Ars Technica - Affected devices include Kindle 1st and 2nd Generation, Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5, and Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation. Older 2011 and 2012-era Kindle Fire tablets will also lose access to the Kindle Store.

Engadget - Amazon is cutting off support for Kindle eReaders and Fire tablets released in 2012 or earlier.

Engadget - Users will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content starting on May 20, 2026.

Engadget - Approximately 3 percent of Amazon's current users are affected by this change.

Engadget - Amazon is offering a promo code for 20 percent off select Kindle devices and ebook credits for purchases made by June 20, 2026.

WHERE:

Engadget - The support discontinuation affects Kindle devices globally, as Amazon is an international company.

WHEN:

Engadget - Support for older Kindle devices will end on May 20, 2026.

Engadget - Users must make their new device purchases by June 20, 2026.

WHY:

Engadget - Amazon stated that the older models have been supported for at least 14 years, with some for as long as 18 years, and that technology has advanced significantly since then.

HOW:

Engadget - If users reset their Kindles to factory defaults, the devices will not be able to sign back in to an Amazon account.

Engadget - Users will still be able to read books already downloaded on their older devices, but factory resets or deregistering will render them unusable.

Engadget - Amazon is encouraging users to upgrade to newer Kindle devices that offer improvements in screen quality, performance, and accessibility.

(UPDATED April 8, 2026 17:23 UTC)

Amazon has announced that several older Kindle models, including the first Kindle, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, and various versions of the Kindle Paperwhite, will lose access to the Kindle Store. Additionally, users with 2011 and 2012-era Kindle Fire tablets will also be affected, and if they reset their devices to factory defaults, they won't be able to sign back in to their Amazon accounts. This change impacts a range of devices that have been in use for many years.

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(UPDATED April 8, 2026 13:22 UTC)

Amazon is discontinuing support for older Kindle eReaders and Fire tablets released in 2012 or earlier, affecting about 3 percent of its current users globally. Starting May 20th, these users will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content, although they can still read books already downloaded unless they reset or deregister their devices. To encourage upgrades, Amazon is offering a promo code for 20 percent off select Kindle devices and ebook credits for purchases made by June 20th.