Amazon to end support for Kindle, Paperwhite and others from May 20, 2026

Kindle

• Amazon to end support for Kindles released in or before 2012
• Affected devices lose Kindle Store access from May 20, 2026
• Older Kindles can't be registered again after factory reset

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Amazon has announced that it will end support for several older Kindle devices, including the Kindle Keyboard and the first-generation Kindle Paperwhite, along with other models released in or before 2012. The change will take effect from May 20, 2026, impacting how these devices function going forward.

After the cutoff date, affected Kindle devices will lose access to the Kindle Store. This means users will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new books directly on these e-readers. The devices will continue to function, but only for reading content that has already been downloaded.

Additionally, once a device is deregistered or reset to factory settings after May 20, it cannot be registered again. This effectively limits long-term usability for users who rely on these older models.

List of affected devices

The move applies to multiple early-generation Kindle models. These include the original Kindle (1st and 2nd generation), Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4 and Kindle 5, Kindle Touch, and the first-generation Kindle Paperwhite. Amazon has confirmed that all devices launched in 2012 or earlier fall under this transition.

Company’s statement

Amazon said these devices have received support for more than a decade, with some models being maintained for up to 18 years. The company added that advances in technology have made it difficult to continue supporting legacy hardware.

The company has started notifying users via email and is offering promotional deals to encourage upgrades to newer Kindle devices.

Some users have raised concerns about the decision, stating that many of these devices still function without issues. The move has also sparked discussions around electronic waste and the lifecycle of consumer electronics.

Users who wish to continue accessing new content can switch to newer Kindle devices, use the Kindle mobile app, or access their library through Kindle for Web.