Amazon is pulling the plug on older Kindles, but enthusiasts are already plotting a workaround

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Amazon is ending support for older Kindles released in 2012 and earlier on May 20.
• You’ll still be able to read books already downloaded, but you won’t be able to buy or download new ones on‑device.
• Commenters are frustrated, though many say sideloading will keep old Kindles useful.

One of the big selling points of an e‑reader is that it’s supposed to last. It’s not a phone you replace every couple of years, and many Kindle owners have happily stuck with the same device for well over a decade. That’s why Amazon’s latest move—phasing out support for older Kindles while they’re still fully functional—is rubbing some readers the wrong way.

Have you considered jailbreaking your Kindle?

As TechRadar reported, a Reddit thread on the r/kindle subreddit revealed that Amazon will end support for certain older Kindle models on May 20. The change affects devices released in 2012 or earlier. While owners will still be able to open books already downloaded, they will lose the ability to buy or download new titles directly on the device.

The mood in the thread is clear: commenters aren’t complaining because their Kindles are slow or unreliable. Quite the opposite—many are annoyed precisely because these old e‑readers are still doing the one job they were bought for. As one user put it, “Why replace something so simple like this that still works?”

For many, the appeal of an older Kindle is its simplicity: no flashy new features, just a reliable text reader that holds a charge. One participant summed it up: “It’s a text reader, that’s it, no need to turn it into a brick other than money.”

The discussion isn’t all doom and gloom. Several Redditors are exploring options, with sideloading books cited as a way to keep these devices useful. Whether transferring files by USB cable or using other workarounds, owners seem more irritated by the loss of Amazon’s built‑in store access than worried that their Kindle has become useless.

Amazon has not provided a detailed explanation for the change. It may be security‑related or stem from other internal considerations, but the lack of clarity leaves long‑time Kindle fans feeling pushed toward an upgrade they never asked for. Whether Amazon will target the sideloading workaround next remains to be seen.