It has accompanied millions of readers but now it is time to say goodbye. Amazon has announced the end of technical support for Kindle devices and Fire tablets released in 2012 or earlier. Starting May 20, 2026, these models will no longer be able to access the Kindle Store to purchase, borrow, or download new books, while still maintaining access to content already stored.
The decision has irritated users quite a bit and raised concerns about the environmental impact generated by their disposal.
THE AMAZON EMAIL
Amazon has begun sending communications to its users thanking them for being “long-time Kindle customers,” but clarifying that older devices will no longer receive software updates. Jesse Carr, company spokesperson, explained that: “These models have been supported for at least 14 years – some even up to 18 years – but technology has come a long way in the meantime and these devices will no longer be supported in the future.”
Jeff Bezos’s tech giant estimates that the change will affect less than 3% of its current user base, but Market Growth Reports research indicates about 72 million Kindles sold overall up to 2024, suggesting an impact on about 2 million units.
MODELS AFFECTED BY THE MEASURE
The list of involved devices includes the first-generation Kindle (2007), the Kindle DX and DX Graphite models (2009 and 2010), the Kindle Keyboard (2010), the Kindle 4 (2011), the Kindle Touch (2011), the Kindle 5 (2012), and the first-generation Kindle Paperwhite (2012).
Among tablets are listed the first and second generation Kindle Fire (2011 and 2012), the Kindle Fire HD 7 and the Kindle Fire HD 8.9, both from 2012.
To identify their model, owners must check the device information section within the settings menu.
TECHNICAL CONSEQUENCES AND LIMITATIONS
After the deadline, e-readers will only be usable for reading previously downloaded ebooks, while the personal library will remain accessible via the mobile app, desktop version, or web. Features like “Send to Kindle” and integrations with third-party apps such as Libby or OverDrive will cease to function.
Amazon, TechCrunch notes, also warned that performing a factory reset on affected Kindles will render them permanently unusable, as it will no longer be possible to re-register the device.
USERS FURIOUS
The news, writes the Guardian, has sparked online protests, especially from those who own hardware still in good condition. One user expressed frustration describing the Kindle as one of the simplest devices ever created and adding: “A Kindle is a device for reading text! It doesn’t need updates.”
Another comment on X highlighted the sudden obsolescence: “I have a Kindle Touch from 2013, it works perfectly, I bought a book a few months ago and suddenly it became obsolete.”
On the Bbc, a user expressed sadness over losing full functionality of their 14-year-old device, stating: “I love paper books like anyone else, but the Kindle is more practical.”
SECURITY ANALYSIS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
According to tech analyst Paolo Pescatore, the move is “understandable from a security and support perspective,” since old models are not equipped to handle modern services requiring greater data resources. Mark Beare of Malwarebytes added that there may be hardware vulnerabilities that cannot be fixed via software.
However, Ugo Vallauri of the Restart Project challenged the choice stating that this is “far from a good reason to block millions of still functioning devices via software.” Vallauri estimates the decision could generate over 624 tons of electronic waste, in a context where the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Unitar) forecasts such waste will reach 82 million tons globally by 2030.
Nathan Proctor of the Public Interest Research Group observed that: “Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream globally, so when companies make these decisions, the consequences are huge both for the environment and for product owners.”
INCENTIVES AND TRADE-IN PROGRAMS
To facilitate the transition to newer models, Amazon offers affected customers a 20% discount and a $20 credit for purchasing new ebooks, valid until June 20. A trade-in program is also available that allows receiving a variable refund depending on the model; for example, a 2011 Kindle Keyboard can be valued up to $5.
