Amazon to end support for older Kindles, prompting user outcry
Amazon Halts Support for Vintage Kindles, Sparks Frustration
Amazon has announced that it will cease providing updates for Kindle devices launched before or during 2012, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from users. A notification sent to affected customers revealed that starting 20 May 2026, these older models will no longer receive new content from the Kindle Store. This change means users of devices like the Kindle Touch and select Kindle Fire tablets will lose access to future e-book downloads.
The tech company acknowledged its long-standing support for these models, noting that they have been in use for over a decade. However, some customers feel the move forces them to abandon functional devices, with critics estimating up to two million units could become obsolete. “I’ve owned my Kindle Touch since 2013, and it functions exceptionally well. I purchased a book on it just months ago, yet now it’s considered outdated,” said a user on X.
Users Question the Necessity of Updates
Another user expressed confusion over the decision, calling the Kindle “probably one of the most low-tech devices ever made.” They questioned why Amazon would stop supporting it, especially since it’s designed for reading text. “A Kindle is a text device! There is no need for updates,” they remarked.
“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,” one X user wrote in a post tagging Amazon.
“A Kindle is a text device! There is no need for updates.”
In a statement, an Amazon representative explained that the decision reflects advancements in technology. “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,” they said. The list of impacted devices includes the earliest Kindle models and certain Kindle Fire variants.
Kay Aaronricks, 46, shared her surprise at the announcement. “It does show how much of a part that Kindle plays in my life,” she told the BBC, highlighting its role in her work and travel. “I love paper books like anyone does, but the Kindle is more practical,” she added. She also raised concerns about ads on newer, discounted models, arguing they disrupt the reading experience.
Industry Perspective and Environmental Impact
Tech analyst Paolo Pescatore viewed the decision as “understandable from a security and support perspective.” He noted that older devices, built for a different era, struggle with modern features. “Ageing hardware can also pose problems,” he explained, while acknowledging the shift may limit older models to offline use.
Ugo Vallauri, co-director of the Restart Project, criticized the move, stating that manufacturers often “soft-brick” functional devices when phasing out support. “However, that’s hardly a good reason for soft-bricking millions of still functioning devices,” he said. Vallauri highlighted that the change could lead to 2 million devices becoming obsolete, potentially contributing to over 624 tons of e-waste.
Additional reporting by James Kelly. Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world’s top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here.
