Amazon cannot drive me to improve my Kindle once I can learn on this gadget at no cost

In the event you use an older Kindle, your gadget might have simply turn out to be a part of a countdown. As of Might 20, 2026, Amazon will be discontinuing Kindle Store support for any of its e-reader units launched in 2012 or earlier, which suggests you will not be capable of buy, obtain, and even borrow new books. Even Kindle Hearth units previous to 2012 are included — although you will nonetheless be capable of entry different apps and providers.

Up in arms? You are not alone. This can be a blatant transfer by Amazon to principally brick its personal units and drive you to buy a brand new e-reader, even when yours works completely positive. I am the proud proprietor of a second-gen Kindle, and whereas the battery life is not one of the best, it nonetheless works surprisingly quick.

I’ve at all times been a fan of Amazon’s e-readers — it appeared that irrespective of how lengthy I used one, it stayed in tip-top form. The corporate is aware of that too, and that is why it is making this money-grab so apparent. The machine is hungry, and it is coming for its most loyal buyer base: readers.

Whereas I nonetheless have each a 2015 and 2024 Kindle Paperwhite, simply the premise of this resolution is infuriating sufficient to make me need to transfer away from my beloved e-reader for a short while. So, I am ditching Amazon’s traitorous {hardware} in favor of a distinct gadget I have already got readily available: an A16 iPad.

Amazon is making you pay to maintain studying

However its Kindle App allows you to take your library to a different gadget

The principle attraction of Kindles is the E Ink show, distraction-free software program, and small kind issue, I do know. iPads are greater, heavier, and are available loaded with notifications and distractions — to not point out a vivid display screen that simply catches glare. Nonetheless, the Kindle App is totally free on the App Retailer, and all it’s essential do is log into your Amazon account to realize entry to your whole library, Kindle Limitless subscription, and extra.

It isn’t preferrred, I do know. However utilizing the iPad I already personal is a “free” option to hold studying and keep away from caving to Amazon’s request — as a result of, basically, that is what ending the help on the older fashions is. It is squeezing customers out of the {hardware} they took care of all these years simply to be rewarded with a life sentence in software program jail. You need to use any Android pill that permits you to obtain the Kindle App, too.

Fortunately, I have been making an attempt to turn my iPad into an e-reader for months, and all of the methods I found are lastly paying off.

Developer

Amazon

Offline downloads

Sure

Adverts

Sure

Downloads and background play

Sure

Tips on how to flip your iPad into an e-reader

Get as near E Ink as attainable

I wrote a full guide on easy methods to flip your iPad into an e-reader, and there are many settings that allow you to get as near the minimalist units as attainable. The very first thing you need to do is restrict notifications in some capability — you possibly can activate Do Not Disturb, Airplane Mode, or Guided Entry. Guided Entry truly retains the iPad in a single app and allows you to management what options can be found inside it.

You too can arrange “studying hours” with Downtime, which is a setting that solely allows you to entry particular apps of your selection in a given timeframe. To arrange Downtime, go to Settings > Display Time > below Restrict Utilization, select At all times Allowed > select the apps you need, together with the Kindle app > return to the Display Time web page > below Downtime, manually flip it on or create a schedule.

Now, to get as near the E Ink look as attainable, you possibly can play with White Level settings. Adjusting the White Level controls the depth of vivid colours, which may help give your display screen extra of that matte e-reader look. You could find it by going to Settings > Accessibility > toggle on Cut back White Level > modify the depth with the slider.