Amazon drops bombshell: Older Kindle devices to lose key features from May 20

The change will come into effect on May 20, 2026.

An Amazon spokesperson, Jackie Burke, told The Verge that from the deadline, affected Kindle e-readers and Kindle Fire devices will no longer be able to purchase, borrow or download new content directly from the Kindle Store.

However, users will still be able to access and read books already downloaded on their devices. They can also manage their accounts and access purchased content via the Kindle mobile app, Kindle for Web, or newer Kindle devices.

Re-registration of old devices to be restricted

Reports indicate that devices which are deregistered or factory reset after the deadline will not be eligible for re-registration.

The list of affected devices includes early-generation Kindles, dating back to the original model launched in 2007, which featured a physical keyboard and scroll wheel.

Amazon is expected to notify users about the update via email ahead of the implementation date.

Upgrade offer for existing users

To encourage upgrades, Amazon will offer a 20 percent discount on new Kindle devices along with a $20 e-book credit. The credit will be added to user accounts after upgrading and will remain valid until June 20, 2026.