Is your first-gen Paperwhite still going strong? That might just be the driver behind Amazon’s latest decision to sunset several of the older Kindle models out there. Anything with a Kindle logo from 2012 or earlier, in other words. One user with a first-gen Paperwhite received an email explaining the move, confirming support would officially come to an end on 20 May. Some others with even older models have yet to receive the email, however.
“Starting May 20, 2026 – 14 to 18 years after their initial launches – we are discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier,” reads the email sent out to some Kindle owners.
Amazon isn’t feeling Kindle
Let’s get something straight. After 20 May, your Kindle (whichever pre-2012 model it may be) will continue to function, though not what we’d call ‘normally’. But it will function. Owners will be unable to “purchase, borrow, or download additional books on them.” You know, the reason we buy e-readers from Amazon in the first place.
Fear not, for setting sail on the high seas may still be the way to go here. Sideloading appears to have been left untouched, allowing users to hook up their e-reader (via micro-USB, the horror) and add books manually. How you attained those books shouldn’t be of any concern to Amazon since it doesn’t want your money.
So you can still read on your Kindle. Fine. But the email didn’t stop there. It also brought forth a warning not to factory reset your Kindle beyond that date. Doing so will brick the device for good. Amazon’s exact words: “If you deregister or factory reset these devices, you will not be able to re-register or use these devices in any way.”
That’s really great, Amazon. Brick the device that folks have spent their hard-earned money on. Even all these years later, the family’s first-gen Kindle Keyboard (it’s essentially an heirloom at this stage) is still going strong. Amazon’s latest update will change that, not only for our model, but for six others just like it as well.
Kindle models released before 2013:
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Kindle (1st Generation) – 2007
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Kindle (2nd Generation) – 2009
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Kindle DX (2nd Generation) – 2009
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Kindle Keyboard (3rd Generation) – 2010
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Kindle Touch (4th Generation) – 2011
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Kindle 4th Generation – 2011
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Kindle 5th Generation – 2012
Fortunately, picking up a Kindle isn’t your only option when it comes to choosing a new e-reader. Kobo, in particular, is making strides to become Kindle’s largest software competitor, even if the hardware occasionally falls short. Hell, even Kindle’s by-the-book 2024 model will only set you back a couple of grand in 2026.
