Amazon to Discontinue Support for Older Kindle Devices, Sparking User Fury
Amazon has announced it will discontinue support for its older Kindle e-readers and Kindle Fire devices, a move that has ignited outrage among book lovers who describe the decision as a "nightmare." The change, set to take effect on May 20, will impact eleven models released in 2012 and earlier, preventing users from purchasing, borrowing, or downloading new content via the Kindle Store.
Impact on Users and Device Functionality
According to an Amazon spokesperson speaking to technology news site Engadget, users of affected devices will still be able to read ebooks already downloaded, but will lose the ability to acquire new titles. Additionally, if these older devices are deregistered or factory reset after May 20, re-registration will no longer be possible. For Kindle Fire devices, purchasing and downloading content will cease, though other services will remain functional.
The company stated, "These models have been supported for at least 14 years — some as long as 18 years — but technology has come a long way in that time, and these devices will no longer be supported moving forward." Amazon did not respond to requests for comment from other media outlets.
User Backlash and Emotional Responses
Many Kindle users have expressed their anger and disappointment on social media platforms like X and Reddit. One X user lamented, "This is a NIGHTMARE. Amazon is bricking old Kindles, including my beloved Kindle 5 (with the side buttons). I hate the touch screen versions, I’ve tried them and I’m always accidentally flipping pages." Another complained, "This is so annoying, Amazon. I have a new Kindle but I much prefer my old one with a keyboard. Not happy about you pulling the plug on a perfectly functional device."
On Reddit, a user declared, "I’m seriously so sad. They’ll take my gen 3 from my cold dead hands!!" highlighting the emotional attachment many have to their older devices.
List of Affected Devices and Amazon's Response
The full list of impacted devices includes models dating back to the original Kindle from 2007:
- Kindle 1st Generation (2007)
- Kindle DX and DX Graphite (2009 and 2010)
- Kindle Keyboard (2010)
- Kindle 4 (2011)
- Kindle Touch (2011)
- Kindle 5 (2012)
- Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation (2012)
- Kindle Fire 1st Gen (2011)
- Kindle Fire 2nd Gen (2012)
- Kindle Fire HD 7 (2012)
- Kindle Fire HD 8.9 (2012)
Amazon plans to email all affected users in the U.S. about the change. The company estimates that only about 3 percent of its current user base will be impacted and is encouraging them to upgrade. To ease the transition, affected users will receive a promo code for 20 percent off select Kindle devices and book credits if they purchase a new device before June 20.
Amazon emphasized, "Our newer Kindle devices bring meaningful improvements in screen quality, performance and accessibility — and you’ll have access to your complete Kindle library and the Kindle Store." This move underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing technological advancement with support for legacy devices in the fast-paced tech industry.
