Exciting news for people who love to buy things twice: Amazon recently announced via email that, as of May 20, it is ending support for any Kindle that was released in 2012 or earlier. As of the cutoff date, these devices will no longer connect to Amazon, meaning you won’t be purchasing, borrowing, or downloading any new books with them. Your Kindle will still be able to access the books you already have stored, but you won’t be able to browse the store or access third-party platforms, including library apps like Libby and OverDrive. Added bonus, if you do a factory reset, the device will become unusable.
This will affect Kindle 1st and 2nd Generations, Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard (3rd Generation), Kindle 4 and 5, Kindle Touch, and Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation. Fire tablets that will no longer be supported are: Kindle Fire 1st and 2nd Generation, and Kindle Fire HD 7 and HD 8.9. Go to Settings > Device Options > Device Info to find your model.
If your Kindle is among the ones getting shut down, you can take Amazon up on its offer of a 20% discount on a newer replacement as well as a $20 e-book credit. However, this offer only lasts until June 20, 2026. You could also utilize the trade-in program that allows customers to return old devices in exchange for a rebate, though older models have diminished value. If the model can’t be resold, the Amazon Recycling Program will send it to a recycler. Other options include simply keeping it with its downloaded library and calling it a day.
So, why is this happening? Perhaps unsurprisingly, this doesn’t appear to be a particularly popular move among Kindle users who have been using the same device for years, with many a Reddit post accusing Amazon of planned obsolescence. Beyond that, e-readers have few options for continued usability, with many facing the choice between replacement or switching to a new system entirely. Tablets and phones can be used to access Kindle, but, for long-time users, that may be missing the point since routine often plays a big role in the reading experience. It may be of note that there has been a significant consumer push against unnecessary eWaste via the Right to Repair movement, which, according to the website, currently has bills in all fifty states.
