Amazon Kindle discontinues support for pre-2013 devices: Difference between revisions
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On May 20, 2026, [[Amazon]] will disable [[Amazon Kindle|Kindle Store]] access on thirteen Kindle devices released between 2007 and 2012, preventing owners of those devices from buying, borrowing, or downloading new content on the hardware.<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407">{{Cite web |last=Kan |first=Michael |title=Got a Kindle From Before 2013? Amazon Is Pulling Support |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/got-a-kindle-from-before-2013-amazon-is-pulling-support |website=PCMag |date=April 7, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref><ref name="register-kunert-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Kunert |first=Paul |title=Amazon rewards loyal Kindle devotees by closing the book on old e-readers |url=https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/08/amazon_kindle_support_discontinued/ |website=The Register |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> Amazon notified affected customers by email beginning April 7, 2026 and warned that any device deregistered or factory-reset after the cutoff cannot be re-registered and cannot be used "in any way."<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /><ref name="register-kunert-20260408" /> The shutdown covers nine e-reader models and four Kindle Fire tablet models.<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /><ref name="register-kunert-20260408" /><ref name="goodereader-kozlowski-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Kozlowski |first=Michael |title=You can no longer buy e-books on Amazon Kindle made in 2012 or earlier |url=https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/you-can-no-longer-buy-e-books-on-amazon-kindles-2012-and-earlier |website=Good e-Reader |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> | On May 20, 2026, [[Amazon]] will disable [[Amazon Kindle|Kindle Store]] access on thirteen Kindle devices released between 2007 and 2012, preventing owners of those devices from buying, borrowing, or downloading new content on the hardware.<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407">{{Cite web |last=Kan |first=Michael |title=Got a Kindle From Before 2013? Amazon Is Pulling Support |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/got-a-kindle-from-before-2013-amazon-is-pulling-support |url-status=live |website=PCMag |date=April 7, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260408203159/https://www.pcmag.com/news/got-a-kindle-from-before-2013-amazon-is-pulling-support |archive-date=2026-04-08}}</ref><ref name="register-kunert-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Kunert |first=Paul |title=Amazon rewards loyal Kindle devotees by closing the book on old e-readers |url=https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/08/amazon_kindle_support_discontinued/ |url-status=live |website=The Register |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260412083005/https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/08/amazon_kindle_support_discontinued/ |archive-date=2026-04-12}}</ref> Amazon notified affected customers by email beginning April 7, 2026 and warned that any device deregistered or factory-reset after the cutoff cannot be re-registered and cannot be used "in any way."<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /><ref name="register-kunert-20260408" /> The shutdown covers nine e-reader models and four Kindle Fire tablet models.<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /><ref name="register-kunert-20260408" /><ref name="goodereader-kozlowski-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Kozlowski |first=Michael |title=You can no longer buy e-books on Amazon Kindle made in 2012 or earlier |url=https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/you-can-no-longer-buy-e-books-on-amazon-kindles-2012-and-earlier |url-status=live |website=Good e-Reader |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260605185839/https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/you-can-no-longer-buy-e-books-on-amazon-kindles-2012-and-earlier |archive-date=2026-06-05}}</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Amazon launched the first Kindle e-reader on November 19, 2007.<ref name="amazon-kindle-2007">{{Cite web |title=Introducing Amazon Kindle |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2007/11/introducing-amazon-kindle |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=November 19, 2007 |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> The last two pre-2013 Kindle e-readers, the Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation and the entry-level Kindle (the "Latest Generation Kindle," internally the fifth-generation Kindle), were both announced on September 6, 2012, with the Paperwhite priced at $119 for the Wi-Fi model and $179 for the Wi-Fi + 3G model at launch.<ref name="amazon-paperwhite-2012">{{Cite web |title=Introducing the New Kindle Paperwhite, the Most Advanced E-Reader Ever Constructed |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2012/9/introducing-the-new-kindle-paperwhite-the-most-advanced-e-reader-ever-constructed |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> | Amazon launched the first Kindle e-reader on November 19, 2007.<ref name="amazon-kindle-2007">{{Cite web |title=Introducing Amazon Kindle |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2007/11/introducing-amazon-kindle |url-status=live |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=November 19, 2007 |access-date=April 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223142344/https://press.aboutamazon.com/2007/11/introducing-amazon-kindle |archive-date=2025-12-23}}</ref> The last two pre-2013 Kindle e-readers, the Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation and the entry-level Kindle (the "Latest Generation Kindle," internally the fifth-generation Kindle), were both announced on September 6, 2012, with the Paperwhite priced at $119 for the Wi-Fi model and $179 for the Wi-Fi + 3G model at launch.<ref name="amazon-paperwhite-2012">{{Cite web |title=Introducing the New Kindle Paperwhite, the Most Advanced E-Reader Ever Constructed |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2012/9/introducing-the-new-kindle-paperwhite-the-most-advanced-e-reader-ever-constructed |url-status=live |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006011947/https://press.aboutamazon.com/2012/9/introducing-the-new-kindle-paperwhite-the-most-advanced-e-reader-ever-constructed |archive-date=2024-10-06}}</ref> | ||
Several pre-2013 Kindles originally shipped with "Whispernet, | Several pre-2013 Kindles originally shipped with "Whispernet", Amazon's branding for the built-in 3G cellular link that allowed device registration and book delivery without Wi-Fi. Amazon retired the Whispernet brand name in June 2021, replacing it with generic "WAN" terminology in product descriptions, coinciding with the planned shutdown of global 3G infrastructure.<ref name="goodereader-whispernet-2021">{{Cite web |last=Kozlowski |first=Michael |title=Amazon Whispernet branding has been retired |url=https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/amazon-whispernet-branding-has-been-retired |url-status=live |website=Good e-Reader |date=June 16, 2021 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250806070953/https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/amazon-whispernet-branding-has-been-retired |archive-date=2025-08-06}}</ref> According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, AT&T completed its 3G shutdown on February 22, 2022, Verizon on December 31, 2022, and Sprint and T-Mobile completed their 3G shutdowns later in 2022.<ref name="bpc-3g-sunset-2022">{{Cite web |title=3G Sunsetting and the Digital Divide |url=https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/3g-sunsetting-and-the-digital-divide/ |url-status=live |website=Bipartisan Policy Center |date=March 21, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215112700/https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/3g-sunsetting-and-the-digital-divide/ |archive-date=2026-02-15}}</ref> Those carrier shutdowns ended cellular Kindle Store access on affected 3G-equipped models years before the May 2026 Amazon-side shutdown; the 2026 EOL is a separate, Amazon-initiated event covering Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + 3G variants alike. | ||
The Kindle product line has been the subject of prior Amazon-initiated feature removals; see [[Amazon Kindle removes download feature of purchased books]]. | The Kindle product line has been the subject of prior Amazon-initiated feature removals; see [[Amazon Kindle removes download feature of purchased books]]. | ||
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==Announcement and scope== | ==Announcement and scope== | ||
Michael Kan of PCMag published an early English-language report on the notice on April 7, 2026, based on a Kindle owner in Australia who had received the email.<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /> Coverage from The Register, Engadget, TechCrunch, Good e-Reader, BGR, and The eBook Reader Blog followed on April 8, 2026.<ref name="register-kunert-20260408" /><ref name="engadget-moon-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Moon |first=Mariella |title=Amazon is cutting off support for older Kindles |url=https://www.engadget.com/mobile/amazon-is-cutting-off-support-for-older-kindles-115653205.html |website=Engadget |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref><ref name="techcrunch-forristal-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Forristal |first=Lauren |title=Amazon to end support for older Kindle devices |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/amazon-to-end-support-for-older-kindle-devices-2012/ |website=TechCrunch |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref><ref name="goodereader-kozlowski-20260408" /><ref name="bgr-sayers-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Sayers |first=Jonathan |title=Amazon Is Discontinuing Support For These Older Kindle Models |url=https://www.bgr.com/2143389/amazon-discontinued-support-older-kindle-models/ |website=BGR |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref><ref name="theebookreader-groezinger-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Groezinger |first=Nathan |title=Amazon Ending Support for All Kindles Released Before 2013 |url=https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2026/04/08/amazon-ending-support-for-all-kindles-released-before-2013/ |website=The eBook Reader Blog |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> | Michael Kan of PCMag published an early English-language report on the notice on April 7, 2026, based on a Kindle owner in Australia who had received the email.<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /> Coverage from The Register, Engadget, TechCrunch, Good e-Reader, BGR, and The eBook Reader Blog followed on April 8, 2026.<ref name="register-kunert-20260408" /><ref name="engadget-moon-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Moon |first=Mariella |title=Amazon is cutting off support for older Kindles |url=https://www.engadget.com/mobile/amazon-is-cutting-off-support-for-older-kindles-115653205.html |url-status=live |website=Engadget |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260531055209/https://www.engadget.com/mobile/amazon-is-cutting-off-support-for-older-kindles-115653205.html |archive-date=2026-05-31}}</ref><ref name="techcrunch-forristal-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Forristal |first=Lauren |title=Amazon to end support for older Kindle devices |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/amazon-to-end-support-for-older-kindle-devices-2012/ |url-status=live |website=TechCrunch |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516145800/https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/amazon-to-end-support-for-older-kindle-devices-2012/ |archive-date=2026-05-16}}</ref><ref name="goodereader-kozlowski-20260408" /><ref name="bgr-sayers-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Sayers |first=Jonathan |title=Amazon Is Discontinuing Support For These Older Kindle Models |url=https://www.bgr.com/2143389/amazon-discontinued-support-older-kindle-models/ |url-status=live |website=BGR |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260517004404/https://www.bgr.com/2143389/amazon-discontinued-support-older-kindle-models/ |archive-date=2026-05-17}}</ref><ref name="theebookreader-groezinger-20260408">{{Cite web |last=Groezinger |first=Nathan |title=Amazon Ending Support for All Kindles Released Before 2013 |url=https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2026/04/08/amazon-ending-support-for-all-kindles-released-before-2013/ |url-status=live |website=The eBook Reader Blog |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260519232125/https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2026/04/08/amazon-ending-support-for-all-kindles-released-before-2013/ |archive-date=2026-05-19}}</ref> | ||
The Amazon email tells affected owners that starting May 20, 2026, the company is "discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier."<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /><ref name="register-kunert-20260408" /> Amazon's only on-record justification, quoted in PCMag and Engadget, is that the affected "models have been supported for at least 14 years, some as long as 18 years" and that "technology has come a long way."<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /><ref name="engadget-moon-20260408" /> BGR's Jonathan Sayers noted that "no official reason was given" beyond the age of the devices; Amazon has not cited a TLS deprecation, certificate expiry, 3G carrier sunset, security-protocol change, or cost justification.<ref name="bgr-sayers-20260408" /> | The Amazon email tells affected owners that starting May 20, 2026, the company is "discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier."<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /><ref name="register-kunert-20260408" /> Amazon's only on-record justification, quoted in PCMag and Engadget, is that the affected "models have been supported for at least 14 years, some as long as 18 years" and that "technology has come a long way."<ref name="pcmag-kan-20260407" /><ref name="engadget-moon-20260408" /> BGR's Jonathan Sayers noted that "no official reason was given" beyond the age of the devices; Amazon has not cited a TLS deprecation, certificate expiry, 3G carrier sunset, security-protocol change, or cost justification.<ref name="bgr-sayers-20260408" /> | ||
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* Kindle (1st Generation), November 19, 2007<ref name="amazon-kindle-2007" /> | * Kindle (1st Generation), November 19, 2007<ref name="amazon-kindle-2007" /> | ||
* Kindle (2nd Generation), February 23, 2009<ref name="amazon-kindle2-ships-2009">{{Cite web |title=Kindle 2 Ships Today |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/kindle-2-ships-today/ |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=February 23, 2009 |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> | * Kindle (2nd Generation), February 23, 2009<ref name="amazon-kindle2-ships-2009">{{Cite web |title=Kindle 2 Ships Today |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/kindle-2-ships-today/ |url-status=live |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=February 23, 2009 |access-date=April 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211183315/https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/kindle-2-ships-today |archive-date=2022-02-11}}</ref> | ||
* Kindle DX, May 6, 2009 (announcement)<ref name="amazon-kindle-dx-2009">{{Cite web |title=Introducing Kindle DX, Amazon's Large-Screen Addition to the Kindle Family of Wireless Reading Devices |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2009/5/introducing-kindle-dx-amazons-large-screen-addition-to-the-kindle-family-of-wireless-reading-devices |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=May 6, 2009 |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> | * Kindle DX, May 6, 2009 (announcement)<ref name="amazon-kindle-dx-2009">{{Cite web |title=Introducing Kindle DX, Amazon's Large-Screen Addition to the Kindle Family of Wireless Reading Devices |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2009/5/introducing-kindle-dx-amazons-large-screen-addition-to-the-kindle-family-of-wireless-reading-devices |url-status=live |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=May 6, 2009 |access-date=April 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505224530/https://press.aboutamazon.com/2009/5/introducing-kindle-dx-amazons-large-screen-addition-to-the-kindle-family-of-wireless-reading-devices |archive-date=2024-05-05}}</ref> | ||
* Kindle DX Graphite, July 1, 2010<ref name="amazon-kindle-dx-graphite-2010">{{Cite web |title=Amazon Introduces New Kindle DX with 50 Percent Better Display Contrast and New Lower Price of $379 |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2010/7/amazon-introduces-new-kindle-dx-with-50-percent-better-display-contrast-and-new-lower-price-of-379 |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=July 1, 2010 |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> | * Kindle DX Graphite, July 1, 2010<ref name="amazon-kindle-dx-graphite-2010">{{Cite web |title=Amazon Introduces New Kindle DX with 50 Percent Better Display Contrast and New Lower Price of $379 |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2010/7/amazon-introduces-new-kindle-dx-with-50-percent-better-display-contrast-and-new-lower-price-of-379 |url-status=live |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=July 1, 2010 |access-date=April 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505231921/https://press.aboutamazon.com/2010/7/amazon-introduces-new-kindle-dx-with-50-percent-better-display-contrast-and-new-lower-price-of-379 |archive-date=2024-05-05}}</ref> | ||
* Kindle Keyboard (3rd Generation), August 27, 2010<ref name="amazon-kindle-keyboard-2010">{{Cite web |title=Announcing a New Generation of Kindle: The All-New Kindle Is Smaller, Lighter, and Faster with 50 Percent Better Contrast |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2010/7/announcing-a-new-generation-of-kindle-the-all-new-kindle-is-smaller-lighter-and-faster-with-50-percent-better-contrast |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=July 28, 2010 |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> | * Kindle Keyboard (3rd Generation), August 27, 2010<ref name="amazon-kindle-keyboard-2010">{{Cite web |title=Announcing a New Generation of Kindle: The All-New Kindle Is Smaller, Lighter, and Faster with 50 Percent Better Contrast |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2010/7/announcing-a-new-generation-of-kindle-the-all-new-kindle-is-smaller-lighter-and-faster-with-50-percent-better-contrast |url-status=live |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=July 28, 2010 |access-date=April 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505231923/https://press.aboutamazon.com/2010/7/announcing-a-new-generation-of-kindle-the-all-new-kindle-is-smaller-lighter-and-faster-with-50-percent-better-contrast |archive-date=2024-05-05}}</ref> | ||
* Kindle 4, September 28, 2011<ref name="amazon-kindle-family-2011">{{Cite web |title=Introducing the All-New Kindle Family: Four New Kindles, Four Amazing Price Points |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2011/9/introducing-the-all-new-kindle-family-four-new-kindles-four-amazing-price-points |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> | * Kindle 4, September 28, 2011<ref name="amazon-kindle-family-2011">{{Cite web |title=Introducing the All-New Kindle Family: Four New Kindles, Four Amazing Price Points |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2011/9/introducing-the-all-new-kindle-family-four-new-kindles-four-amazing-price-points |url-status=live |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=April 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260423005514/https://press.aboutamazon.com/2011/9/introducing-the-all-new-kindle-family-four-new-kindles-four-amazing-price-points |archive-date=2026-04-23}}</ref> | ||
* Kindle Touch, November 21, 2011<ref name="amazon-kindle-family-2011" /> | * Kindle Touch, November 21, 2011<ref name="amazon-kindle-family-2011" /> | ||
* Kindle 5 ("Latest Generation Kindle"), September 6, 2012<ref name="amazon-paperwhite-2012" /> | * Kindle 5 ("Latest Generation Kindle"), September 6, 2012<ref name="amazon-paperwhite-2012" /> | ||
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* Kindle Fire 1st Generation, November 15, 2011<ref name="amazon-kindle-family-2011" /> | * Kindle Fire 1st Generation, November 15, 2011<ref name="amazon-kindle-family-2011" /> | ||
* Kindle Fire 2nd Generation, September 14, 2012<ref name="amazon-kindle-fire-hd-2012">{{Cite web |title=Amazon Takes on the High-End, Introducing the New Kindle Fire HD Family |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2012/9/amazon-takes-on-the-high-end-introducing-the-new-kindle-fire-hd-family |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> | * Kindle Fire 2nd Generation, September 14, 2012<ref name="amazon-kindle-fire-hd-2012">{{Cite web |title=Amazon Takes on the High-End, Introducing the New Kindle Fire HD Family |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/2012/9/amazon-takes-on-the-high-end-introducing-the-new-kindle-fire-hd-family |url-status=live |website=Amazon Press Center |publisher=Amazon.com |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=April 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531224208/https://press.aboutamazon.com/2012/9/amazon-takes-on-the-high-end-introducing-the-new-kindle-fire-hd-family |archive-date=2024-05-31}}</ref> | ||
* Kindle Fire HD 7, September 14, 2012<ref name="amazon-kindle-fire-hd-2012" /> | * Kindle Fire HD 7, September 14, 2012<ref name="amazon-kindle-fire-hd-2012" /> | ||
* Kindle Fire HD 8.9, November 20, 2012<ref name="amazon-kindle-fire-hd-2012" /> | * Kindle Fire HD 8.9, November 20, 2012<ref name="amazon-kindle-fire-hd-2012" /> | ||
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[[Category:Digital rights management]] | [[Category:Digital rights management]] | ||
[[Category:Right to repair]] | [[Category:Right to repair]] | ||