Amazon will stop delivering new books to a slate of legacy devices after May 20. Affected e‑readers include the 1st‑gen Kindle (2007), Kindle DX (2009), DX Graphite (2010), Keyboard (2010), Kindle 4 (2011), Touch (2011), Kindle 5 (2012) and the original Paperwhite (2012). Fire tablets dropping support are the 1st‑gen Fire (2011), 2nd‑gen Fire (2012), Fire HD 7 and HD 8.9 (both 2012). Users can verify their model via Settings → Device options → Device info.

The move surprised long‑time owners, who have enjoyed up to 18 years of updates. Security analysts argue that aging hardware can harbor unpatchable vulnerabilities, making maintenance costly for Amazon’s engineers. The company estimates fewer than 3 % of its global Kindle and Fire base will lose service, out of an estimated 72 million devices sold to date. Amazon’s trade‑in program offers modest rebates—up to $5 for a 2011 Keyboard—while promising recycling for non‑eligible units.

Owners can still read titles already stored on the device, but purchasing, borrowing or sending new books through Amazon’s ecosystem will cease. Sideloading DRM‑free files remains possible via USB, though it raises security concerns. For a seamless upgrade, the 2024 entry‑level Kindle offers a 6‑inch display and USB‑C, while the Kobo Clara BW provides comparable hardware with OverDrive library support. Keeping an unsupported Kindle risks obsolescence; replacing it restores full functionality.