Amazon has announced that as of May 20th, 2026, users with Kindle e-readers and Kindle Fire devices released before 2012 will face limitations in purchasing, borrowing, and downloading new content from the Kindle Store. Amazon spokesperson Jackie Burke stated that users can still access their existing content and accounts via alternative platforms like the Kindle mobile app and Kindle for Web, or through newer devices.
The affected devices range from the original Kindle launched in 2007 to the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 released in 2012. Users of these older models, if deregistered or factory reset after the deadline, will lose the ability to re-register them.
Amazon plans to notify impacted users via email, outlining the functionalities that will be restricted on their older devices. To encourage users to upgrade, Amazon is offering a 20 percent discount on new Kindle devices and a $20 ebook credit upon upgrading, valid until June 20th, 2026.
For those who prefer to keep their old devices, Amazon assures that other apps and Amazon services on pre-2012 Kindle Fire devices will remain unaffected by the content limitations imposed on the e-readers.
Source: The Verge