Starting May 20, 2025, Amazon will stop allowing downloads for nine older Kindle e-readers. If you have one of these devices, you can still read all the books already on it.
Amazon has quietly informed affected customers that Kindles released in 2012 or earlier won’t be able to download new books, magazines, or other content from Amazon’s servers after that date. The devices will continue to work, but they won’t be able to access new content from Amazon’s store.
Which Devices Are Affected?
The cutoff includes the following Kindle models, all released in 2012 or earlier:
- Kindle 1st Generation (2007)
- Kindle 2nd Generation (2009)
- Kindle 3rd Generation (2010)
- Kindle DX (original and international)
- Kindle 4th Generation (2011)
- Kindle Touch (2011)
- Kindle Keyboard (2010)
- Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation (2012)
- Kindle 5th Generation (2012)
If your Kindle is from 2013 or later, you won’t be impacted at all.
Why Is Amazon Doing This?
This move is what’s known as “sunsetting” — when a company officially ends support for older hardware. It’s similar to a phone carrier shutting down its 3G network; the old phones still work, but they can’t connect anymore.
Amazon hasn’t specified why these particular devices are being discontinued, but the most likely reasons are outdated wireless protocols and the costs of maintaining infrastructure. Supporting devices from over a decade ago involves ongoing engineering work, and eventually, it doesn’t make sense financially — especially with such a small user base for 13-year-old e-readers.
According to 9to5Mac, Amazon has started notifying affected users directly ahead of the May 20 deadline.
What You Can Still Do With an Affected Kindle
Here’s the key point that many headlines miss: these devices won’t become useless. You can still read any book already downloaded on your device for as long as you want. The Kindle’s main function — displaying text — doesn’t need an internet connection.
However, you will lose the ability to:
- Purchase and download new Kindle books
- Sync your reading progress across devices
- Access your Kindle library to re-download past purchases
- Receive software updates (though these likely stopped years ago anyway)
If you want to read new books, Amazon’s suggestion is to upgrade to a newer Kindle. Entry-level models currently start at $99.99.
Alternatively, you can transfer books via USB using Amazon’s free Send to Kindle desktop tool. This may help with sideloading content you’ve already purchased, depending on file format compatibility.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Ticker | AMZN |
| Stock Price | $238.38 (+2.02%) |
| CEO | Andy Jassy |
| Headquarters | Seattle, WA |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Sector | Big Tech |
| Kindle Support Cutoff Date | May 20, 2025 |
| Devices Affected | 9 models (2012 or earlier) |
What This Means for Everyday Users
If you’ve recently dug out an old Kindle, now’s the time to download everything you want from your Amazon library before May 20. Just power it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and grab what you need while you still can.
If you’re an active reader who uses one of these devices daily, upgrading makes practical sense. A modern Kindle offers weeks of battery life, a sharper display, and USB-C charging. The hardware has improved a lot since 2012.
But if you mainly use your old Kindle to re-read a few favorites — maybe a beloved novel — it will keep serving that purpose after May 20. You don’t have to upgrade if you don’t want to.
As Mashable notes, affected users shouldn’t worry — your device isn’t being disabled remotely.
What People Are Saying
“I have a Kindle Keyboard from 2010 and it still works perfectly. Sad to see support go, but honestly I only use it to re-read stuff I already own. Keeping it.”
“This is basically Amazon saying ‘buy a new one.’ My Kindle Touch still has a better battery than my phone. Not replacing it just to download books.”
What To Watch
- May 20, 2025: The official cutoff date. Make sure to download anything you want from your library before then.
- Amazon’s Kindle lineup: Look out for potential deals on newer Kindles around the cutoff date — Amazon often has hardware promotions tied to product announcements.
- USB workarounds: The e-reader community will likely document which file formats and transfer methods still work on affected devices after the deadline. Forums like MobileRead are great for following that discussion.
- Future sunsets: Kindles from 2013-2015 might be next. If you own a Kindle from that era, keep an eye on Amazon’s support announcements.
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
