Amazon discontinuing support for older Kindles in May - Page 33

texasnightowl · 05-13-2026, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Go to Amazon and then your book library. Then select the books you want downloaded and specify which device to send them to and then when that's done, turn on WiFi on your K5 and wait and it should work. That's what I did.

That is exactly what I did at the start. I selected the books and chose to deliver to both my K5 and my PW5. PW5 worked fine. K5...'pending - 0%' when I do menu>view downloading items.

texasnightowl · 05-13-2026, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Yes, this morning, a few hours ago. I downloaded five books to a paperwhite 5th gen 2012. I’m in the UK.

I am in the US so could be one reason for the difference.

vermontcathy · 05-13-2026, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Yes, this morning, a few hours ago. I downloaded five books to a paperwhite 5th gen 2012. I’m in the UK.

All of the people reporting problems are on K3/4/5. And I'm in the US, not sure about the others.

texasnightowl · 05-13-2026, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I never got the email notice. Any chance it said after the 20th, or by the 20th, and not on the 20th?

from my email, it says 'Starting':

Quote:

Starting May 20, 2026 — 14 to 18 years after their initial launches — we are discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier.

DNSB · 05-13-2026, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightreader

Maybe it's the file format for the ebooks. I think Amazon has cancelled the AZW3 (KF8) format and send only KFX to Kindle devices in May. Older devices can handle the AZW3 files. If there are only KFX files in the future, older devices can't download them. I think this is a technical adjustment on Amazon's part to reduce technical overhead.

Given that Amazon converts submitted manuscripts such as docx and ePub to their ebook formats, that they do not accept mobi, KF8 or KFX formatted manuscripts and those conversion pipelines are long established, perhaps you could elucidate on what technical adjustments are ongoing.

DNSB · 05-13-2026, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I never got the email notice. Any chance it said after the 20th, or by the 20th, and not on the 20th?

The notice I received from Amazon Canada said starting May 20, 2026.

Spoiler:

Quote:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for being a longtime Kindle customer. We're glad our devices have served you well for as long as they have. Starting May 20, 2026 — 14 to 18 years after their initial launches — we are discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier. Here's what this means for you:

* You can continue to read books already downloaded on these devices, but you will not be able to purchase, borrow, or download additional books on them after that date.
* If you deregister or factory reset these devices, you will not be able to re-register or use these devices in any way.

Affected devices include Kindle 1st and 2nd Generation, Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5, and Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation.

To minimize any disruption, we're offering a promotional code for 20% off select new Kindle devices FY6ZN35I as well as a $25 CAD eBook credit that will be automatically added to your account after purchasing a new device (valid through June 20th, 2026, 11:59pm PST - Terms and Conditions apply). Our newer Kindle devices bring meaningful improvements in screen quality, performance and accessibility — and you'll have access to your complete Kindle library and the Kindle Store. You can also continue to read all your books on our free Kindle apps (Android, iOS, Mac, and PC) and Kindle for Web.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please visit https://www.amazon.ca/help/kindle/devicedeprecation.

Sincerely,
The Kindle Team

Please note: This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address that cannot accept incoming e-mail. Please do not reply to this message. You can identify your Kindle E-reader device by following instructions here.

©2026 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Amazon and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Mailing address: Amazon.com.ca ULC, 410 Terry Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5210, c/o Amazon.com Services LLC. If you have any questions and wish to contact us, click here.
Amazon.ca

DiapDealer · 05-13-2026, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

The notice I received from Amazon Canada said starting May 20, 2026.

No confusion, then. The wording makes it pretty clear that nothing was supposed to change for these devices until May 20.

Knightreader · 05-14-2026, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Given that Amazon converts submitted manuscripts such as docx and ePub to their ebook formats, that they do not accept mobi, KF8 or KFX formatted manuscripts and those conversion pipelines are long established, perhaps you could elucidate on what technical adjustments are ongoing.

I can only speculate, since I don't know details, but I think Amazon is now only shipping KFX files to reduce the load on its servers.

DiapDealer · 05-14-2026, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightreader

I can only speculate, since I don't know details, but I think Amazon is now only shipping KFX files to reduce the load on its servers.

That may be true, but it's not consistent with their recent messaging. The devices that don't support KFX were supposed to remain usable until May 20. That means delivering KF8 (or mobi as needed) to those devices until May 20.

JSWolf · 05-14-2026, 08:59 AM

I'm using my Kindle Touch (right now) and it is downloading eBooks from Amazon US.

Nephesh · 05-14-2026, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightreader

[...] to reduce the load on its servers.

Isn't AWS like one of the main players with akamai and cloudflare in server space rent (not sure how's this kind of service is called precisely, sorry) and such related services? Imho They are just preparing things ahead of time. Not sure why tho.

JSWolf · 05-14-2026, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightreader

I can only speculate, since I don't know details, but I think Amazon is now only shipping KFX files to reduce the load on its servers.

I don't think so. I think it's all about DRM.

texasnightowl · 05-14-2026, 10:24 AM

Multiple reports on reddit of K3 and K4 no longer working. Guess you are lucky with your KT so far!

My K5 is also still not working. (Which, granted, it's just a black K4NT.)

Josieb1 · 05-14-2026, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightreader

I can only speculate, since I don't know details, but I think Amazon is now only shipping KFX files to reduce the load on its servers.

I am downloading AZW files. Today.

JSWolf · 05-14-2026, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I am downloading AZW files. Today.

Today I download all of the updated eBooks.

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05-14-2026, 08:59 AM	#490
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 83,531 Karma: 153646249 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I'm using my Kindle Touch (right now) and it is downloading eBooks from Amazon US.

05-14-2026, 10:24 AM	#493
texasnightowl Guru Posts: 910 Karma: 2873899 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Device: PW5, Oasis 3, K5, K3/KK	Multiple reports on reddit of K3 and K4 no longer working. Guess you are lucky with your KT so far! My K5 is also still not working. (Which, granted, it's just a black K4NT.)