Amazon has announced that support for several older Kindle models is ending soon, affecting the ability to download new titles from the Kindle Store. The change will take effect on May 20, 2026, impacting devices like the Kindle 5 and Kindle Paperwhite (1st Generation).
While these devices will continue to function normally and users will keep access to previously downloaded books, after the May deadline, no new content can be acquired, borrowed, or stored internally on the Kindles.
Amazon stated that as of May 20, 2026, customers with Kindle and Kindle Fire devices from 2012 and earlier won’t be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content from the Kindle Store due to technological advancements rendering these devices unsupportable.
Amazon is contacting affected users via email to notify them of the impending restriction on new downloads. In helping with the transition, the company is offering a 20% discount on select new Kindle models along with a £15 eBook credit.
The affected models include the Kindle 1st Generation (2007), Kindle DX and DX Graphite (2009, 2010), Kindle Keyboard (2010), Kindle 4 (2011), Kindle Touch (2011), Kindle 5 (2012), and Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation (2012).
Users with these devices can still read existing downloaded books but won’t be able to purchase, borrow, or download new books after the deadline. Deregistering or factory resetting these devices will render them unusable.
Considering an upgrade may be beneficial for users with affected Kindles, especially as Amazon recently launched its newest Kindle Scribe devices in the UK. The latest Scribe models, introduced last year, are now available on Amazon’s UK site, featuring thinner designs, faster performance, and the option for a color display.
The new Kindle Scribe starts at £449.99, while the color-display Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is priced from £569.99.