Don't throw away your old Kindle — repurpose it instead

News Mobile Tablets Don't throw away your old Kindle — repurpose it instead You can probably still read on it, and, with some finessing, you can turn it into a useful display. By Kari Paul Oct. 27, 2026 pm EST We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Earlier this year, Amazon announced it would be ending software support for older models of Kindle products, much to the dismay of longtime users. Meanwhile, others criticized Amazon for contributing to the global e-waste problem . But starting May 20, the company officially ended support for any Kindle device released before 2013 — meaning customers who had been holding on to their ereaders for more than a decade were now unable to buy, borrow, or download new books on them. But this doesn't mean you necessarily need to get rid of your trusty ereader, even if it is one of the affected models. There are ways to maintain your existing library, load new ebooks through alternative methods or completely rework the device . So what should you do with an old, outdated Kindle? Here are some options that do not involve throwing it away. Is my old Kindle obsolete? The Kindle first debuted in 2007, and Amazon has since released dozens of models of tablets with paper-like screens for reading books and other media. As of this year, devices that came out in 2012 or earlier are no longer supported by Amazon. Affected models include the very first Kindle, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5 and the first version of the Kindle Paperwhite. At the time of the announcement, Amazon told Engadget the decision affected only about 3 percent of its active users and cited updates in technology for making the change. "These models have been supported for at least 14 years — some as long as 18 years — but technology has come a long way in that time," the company said. So, will a 14-year-old Kindle still work? Yes, technically your device won't immediately be bricked. You can continue reading books you have already downloaded, as long as you remain logged in. Don't deregister or reset the device, or you will be locked out. Meanwhile, your Amazon account and Kindle library remain fully accessible on other devices and apps, including mobile Kindle apps, the desktop version of Kindle and its web browser counterpart. Devices from 2013 and later, including recent Kindle Paperwhite models, the seventh to twelfth generations of the entry-level Kindle and premium devices like Kindle Voyage (released in 2014) will still be able to download new purchased or borrowed content as usual.