Amazon is ending support for 13 older Kindles in May 2026: what changes for readers

On April 7 Amazon emailed users a warning: starting May 20, 2026, 13 older Kindle models lose access to the Kindle Store. Anyone on a 2012-or-earlier device has to make a call in the next few weeks — and anyone using Send to Kindle to push articles to those devices needs to understand what changes.

What changes on May 20

Thirteen models lose three things at once: buying new books, downloading already-purchased books over the device's Wi-Fi, and registering the Kindle to an Amazon account. In other words: if you sign out or factory-reset one of these Kindles after the 20th, the device becomes a brick.

What still works: reading the books already on the device, turning pages, bookmarks, dictionary. All offline. As long as the device stays signed in and is never reset, it keeps reading.

The exact list of affected models

• Kindle 1st generation (2007)
• Kindle DX and DX Graphite (2009, 2010)
• Kindle Keyboard (2010)
• Kindle 4 (2011)
• Kindle Touch (2011)
• Kindle 5 (2012)
• Kindle Paperwhite 1st generation (2012)
• Kindle Fire 1st and 2nd generation (2011, 2012)
• Kindle Fire HD 7 and Fire HD 8.9 (2012)

If you have a Paperwhite from 2013 onward, any Oasis, or the Scribe, you are off the list — nothing changes.

How to know which Kindle you own

Go to Settings > About this Kindle. The model number shows at the bottom: the older devices start with D00 (Kindle 1st gen) up through D01200 (Paperwhite 1). Later models start with G09 or G000 and are not on the list. If the interface doesn't show the model, there is a sticker on the back with the number.

What changes for sending articles

For people who use Send to Kindle (Amazon) or services like Folio to push web articles, the rule is simple. Send to Kindle requires a Kindle registered to an account. If your model is on the list and you haven't signed out yet, you can keep sending until May 20. After that, new sends may fail — Amazon hasn't shared technical detail, but has confirmed unregistered devices won't receive wireless deliveries.

Practical takeaway: if you read long articles on a 2012-or-earlier Kindle, plan the transition now, not in June.

Next step

Option 1: keep the device running offline. Don't sign out, don't reset, don't return to factory. Your downloaded books stay there. A good plan if your Kindle library is mostly built already.

Option 2: upgrade to the current Paperwhite. The 2024 model (Paperwhite 12) runs US$ 159, 7-inch screen, 300 ppi, waterproof, wireless updates. The direct upgrade for article readers.

Option 3: use the Kindle app on phone or tablet. Your full library is there, synced. No e-ink, but full access. A good bridge while you decide on hardware.