Amazon has revealed that support for several older Kindle models will be discontinued starting May 20, 2026. This move will prevent these devices, including the Kindle 5 and Kindle Paperwhite (1st Generation), from downloading new content from the Kindle Store. While existing books on these devices will remain accessible, users will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or add new content after the specified date.
Affected customers are being notified via email about the end of new downloads, with Amazon offering a 20% discount on select new Kindle models and a £15 eBook credit to help with the transition. The company reassures users that their accounts and Kindle Libraries will still be accessible through the Kindle app and Kindle for Web.
The impacted Kindle 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 continue reading already downloaded books but will not be able to acquire new content or re-register their devices after performing a factory reset.
For those with affected Kindles, upgrading to newer models may be beneficial, particularly following the recent launch of Amazon’s latest Kindle Scribe devices in the UK. These new devices, introduced on April 8, are thinner, faster, and include a colour display option for the first time. Pricing for the new Kindle Scribe starts at £449.99, while the colour-display Kindle Scribe Colorsoft begins at £569.99.