Amazon Kindle removes download feature of purchased books: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Fyi-amazon-is-removing-download-transfer-option-on-feb-26th-v0-s7wd6fm1rqie1.webp|alt=Amazon notice about removing download capability|thumb|Amazon notice about removing download capability <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/kindle/comments/1inr9uy/fyi_amazon_is_removing_download_transfer_option/</ref>]] | [[File:Fyi-amazon-is-removing-download-transfer-option-on-feb-26th-v0-s7wd6fm1rqie1.webp|alt=Amazon notice about removing download capability|thumb|Amazon notice about removing download capability <ref name=":0">https://www.reddit.com/r/kindle/comments/1inr9uy/fyi_amazon_is_removing_download_transfer_option/</ref>]] | ||
In February 2025, the Amazon website says that, starting February 26th, [[Amazon Kindle]] users can no longer download their purchased e-books from Amazon's website to their computers using the "download and transfer via USB" feature. A message describing this change appears on the page for the download feature.<ref name="theverge">https://www.theverge.com/news/612898/amazon-removing-kindle-book-download-transfer-usb</ref> | In February 2025, the Amazon website says that, starting February 26th, [[Amazon Kindle]] users can no longer download their purchased e-books from Amazon's website to their computers using the "download and transfer via USB" feature. A message describing this change appears on the page for the download feature.<ref name="theverge">https://www.theverge.com/news/612898/amazon-removing-kindle-book-download-transfer-usb</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Amazon allows purchasing e-books on their platform. These e-books are designed to be used with Amazon Kindle devices and the Kindle app. The "download and transfer via USB" feature allows users to download purchased e-books on your computer. The intended use for this is to allow people to transfer e-books from their computer to their Kindle, without requiring the Kindle to have an internet connection. The "download and transfer via USB" feature has been available since the early days of Kindle, when many devices didn't have Wi-Fi capabilities, such as the Kindle 1, Kindle 2, and Kindle DX.<ref>https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/ | Amazon allows purchasing e-books on their platform. These e-books are designed to be used with Amazon Kindle devices and the Kindle app. The "download and transfer via USB" feature allows users to download purchased e-books on your computer. The intended use for this is to allow people to transfer e-books from their computer to their Kindle, without requiring the Kindle to have an internet connection. The "download and transfer via USB" feature has been available since the early days of Kindle, when many devices didn't have Wi-Fi capabilities, such as the Kindle 1, Kindle 2, and Kindle DX. <ref name=":1">https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Amazon_Kindle_1 | ||
</ref><ref>https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_DX</ref> | </ref><ref name=":2">https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Amazon_Kindle_2</ref><ref>https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_DX</ref> | ||
===Reasons for feature:=== | ===Reasons for feature:=== | ||
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==Customer response== | ==Customer response== | ||
This change has caused significant backlash from customers.<ref | This change has caused significant backlash from customers.<ref name=":0" /><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMoCzeGnIss</ref> This is due to the following reasons: | ||
*The change makes it much harder for customers to read e-books they have purchased on non-Kindle devices | *The change makes it much harder for customers to read e-books they have purchased on non-Kindle devices | ||
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==Effect on Original Kindle Devices (Kindle 1, Kindle 2, & Kindle DX)== | ==Effect on Original Kindle Devices (Kindle 1, Kindle 2, & Kindle DX)== | ||
The Amazon Kindle 1 (2007), Kindle 2 (2009), and Kindle DX (2009) relied on EVDO and 3G networks for wireless book downloads via Amazon’s Whispernet service.<ref | The Amazon Kindle 1 (2007), Kindle 2 (2009), and Kindle DX (2009) relied on EVDO and 3G networks for wireless book downloads via Amazon’s Whispernet service.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> However, with the global shutdown of these older networks by mobile carriers, these early Kindle models are no longer able to download purchased Kindle books wirelessly in most regions. | ||
If eBooks cannot be purchased from the Kindle Store and downloaded, there is no way to get them onto these devices. | If eBooks cannot be purchased from the Kindle Store and downloaded, there is no way to get them onto these devices. | ||
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==USB Restrictions== | ==USB Restrictions== | ||
In 2023, Amazon changed how their Kindle devices interact with computers from a raw view of a file system | In 2023, Amazon changed how their Kindle devices interact with computers from a raw view of a file system using UMS ([[wikipedia:USB_mass_storage_device_class|USB Mass Storage]]) to a filtered view using the MTP ([[wikipedia:Media_Transfer_Protocol|Media Transfer Protocol]])<ref>https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4352640</ref>. | ||
MTP requires support on the operating system. Amazon had to provide macOS software to communicate with Kindles<ref>https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364580</ref>, and even Windows users had some issues. This change made download and transfer more complex for newer devices. | MTP requires support on the operating system. Amazon had to provide macOS software to communicate with Kindles<ref>https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364580</ref>, and even Windows users had some issues. This change made download and transfer more complex for newer devices. | ||