In brief
Amazon has announced it will cease support for Kindle and Kindle Fire devices released in 2012 and earlier starting May 20, 2026. This decision has angered many users who feel their still-functional devices are being made obsolete. While the company acknowledges providing updates for many years, critics argue that turning older models into unusable devices ultimately contributes to e-waste. The announcement also raises questions about the user's right to keep devices that still work effectively.
Amazon has told owners it will soon stop supporting older Kindle models - a move which has left some users outraged.
In emails from the tech giant, affected users were thanked for being a longtime Kindle customer but told devices released during or before 2012 would no longer receive updates from 20 May.
The move will mean owners of older Kindles, including its earliest models such as the Kindle Touch and some Kindle Fire tablets, will be unable to download new e-books.
Amazon said it has supported affected models for years and their active users have been offered discounts to help transition to newer devices, but some have criticised it for making up to two million devices obsolete.
One X user wrote in a post tagging Amazon: I have a Kindle Touch that I've had since 2013, it works great, I bought a book on it a few months ago, and suddenly it's obsolete.
Another frustrated user described the Kindle as probably one of the most low-tech devices ever made and queried why Amazon was discontinuing its support for it.
In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson said: Starting May 20, 2026, customers using Kindle and Kindle Fire devices released in 2012 and earlier will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content via the Kindle Store. 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.
Users will still be able to read e-books they have already downloaded and their accounts and Kindle Library will remain accessible on its mobile and desktop app. However, Amazon warned performing a factory reset on affected Kindles will make them unusable.
Kay Aaronricks, a long-term user, expressed sadness at possibly losing full use of her 14-year-old Kindle, stating, It does show how much of a part that Kindle plays in my life. She emphasized her preference for Kindle's practical use compared to physical books.
Experts weighed in, suggesting the decision, while frustrating for consumers, is understandable due to security and support considerations. Analysts noted the significant e-waste that could arise, estimating that up to two million devices could be rendered obsolete, leading to over 624 tons of e-waste.
