Amazon to Discontinue Support for Older Kindle Models in 2026, Sparking User Backlash and E-Waste Concerns

Beginning May 20, 2026, Amazon will discontinue support for Kindle and Kindle Fire devices that were released in 2012 or earlier, which will prevent users from acquiring or downloading new content from the Kindle Store. This change impacts devices such as the Kindle Touch (2011), Kindle Keyboard (2010), and Kindle Fire HD 7 (2012), some of which have enjoyed support for nearly 18 years. Users have voiced their frustration on social media, with one individual on X mentioning that their 2013 Kindle Touch still works well but will soon be obsolete. Amazon is providing discounts for upgrades to newer models, citing the need for enhanced technology and security. Tech expert Paolo Pescatore remarked that outdated hardware is unable to support modern services, while Ugo Vallauri from the Restart Project cautioned that this could leave 2 million devices obsolete, resulting in over 624 tons of electronic waste. Users like 46-year-old Kay Aaronricks expressed sadness over losing a useful travel companion and criticized advertisements on newer devices. Although users can still access previously downloaded e-books, performing a factory reset on older Kindles will render them unusable.