Amazon has announced it will be cutting support for millions of older Kindle devices, leaving users unable to download new books.
From May 20, Kindle and Kindle Fire devices released in 2012 or earlier will be cut off from the Kindle Store.
This means customers still using their reliable old e–readers won’t be able to ‘purchase, borrow, or download additional books on them after that date’.
Users will still be able to read books already downloaded to their devices and can still access their purchases through the Kindle Mobile app or on a newer device.
In an email sent to customers, Amazon said: ‘Thank you for being a longtime Kindle customer. We’re glad our devices have served you well for as long as they have.
‘Starting May 20, 2026 – 14 to 18 years after their initial launches – we are discontinuing support for Kindle devices released 2012 or earlier.’
The announcement has sparked outrage across social media, with tech fans slamming Amazon’s ‘greedy’ decision.
To check if your device is affected, see below for the full list of unsupported devices.
Amazon will also cut support for Kindle Fire tablets, including the Kindle Fire HD (pictured), which was released in 2012
Tech fans have taken to social media to vent their frustrations, with one calling his 14–year–old Kindle Fire 7 ‘one of my most treasured possessions’
The devices that will no longer receive support stretch back to the very first Kindle, released in 2007 with a full keyboard and side buttons.
The cull also includes more recent versions of the Kindle, including some models of the Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire, and Kindle Fire HD.
Amazon says it will be contacting customers ahead of May 20 to let them know what their older devices can and cannot do.
According to Amazon’s email, if the older devices are factory reset or de–registered, customers won’t be able to re–register them after the deadline has passed.
Kindle Fire devices released before 2012 will still be able to use other apps and other Amazon services, but will otherwise be subjected to the same limitations as e–readers when it comes to books.
Loyal users wanting to take the opportunity to upgrade will be offered a 20 per cent discount on a new Kindle device.
Previously purchased books will still be available to download on new devices, providers that customers log in using their existing Amazon account.
Despite the offer, many once–devoted fans have taken to social media to vent their frustrations.
Amazon has announced it will end support for millions of older Kindle models, dating from the first model released in 2007 (pictured) to devices releaed in 2012
One irate commenter wrote: ‘Stupidly and naively, it didn’t occur to me that Amazon would force–retire my Kindle Fire 7 that my wife gave me for an anniversary well over a decade ago, one of my most treasured possessions.’
Another added: ‘Amazon is such a horrible, greedy company. If you buy a Kindle it’s yours, you should be able to do WHATEVER you want with it,’
And one exploded: ‘My Kindle is perfectly fine?! Hello?!!?!! F*** you?!!!???’
Meanwhile, customers complained that new Amazon Kindle models have features that they don’t need or want in an e–reader.
In particular, many focused on the fact that newer Kindle models automatically display adverts on the lock screen unless customers pay an additional fee to remove them.
One Kindle enthusiast wrote: ‘None of the new models have a screen that so perfectly mimics paper. And now Amazon is forcing me to buy a new one. I don’t need a touchscreen or sound, and I definitely don’t want adverts!’
‘Cancelling my Kindle Unlimited then. You will not force me to buy a new Kindle just to force me to watch more f****** ads,’ another chimed in.
While one customer complained: ‘No thanks I don’t want to use your discount to buy a new one… back to paper books I guess and cancelling my subscription.’
Another infuriated fan wrote that they would be cancelling their Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription, adding that Amazon could not ‘force me to buy a new Kindle’
Amazon has not yet explained its decision to end support for these popular models, or suggested why 2012 was chosen as a cut–off point.
In 2016, the company required several e–reader models from 2012 and earlier to update to newer software to have continued access to the Kindle store.
However, after a further 10 years of support, Amazon has finally decided it is time to pull the plug on these classic devices.
An Amazon spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘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.
‘We are notifying those still actively using them and offering promotions to help with the transition to newer devices.’
