Amazon Kindle users are facing a major change to the way they download content, as a key feature is set to be completely changed
Kindle users have been alerted about an imminent deadline. A long-standing feature is set to vanish soon as Amazon changes the way users download content.
For over a decade, Kindle users have had the ability to download ebooks to their computers, serving as backups or to transfer to other devices. However, this feature will be removed by Amazon as of February 26, 2025.
Until that date, users can download copies of their Kindle books from a physical Kindle device to their computer via USB. After this date, this will no longer be possible and reading will be restricted to a Kindle device or the app.
After February 26, Kindle books can still be downloaded from the Kindle Store using Wi-Fi, but not onto a computer. The Send to Kindle page on Amazon can be used to send various types of files to your Kindle.
For those who usually read Kindle ebooks on a Kindle reader or through the Kindle app, the change may not become apparent until they next attempt to download a book. Kindle users are being notified of the change when choosing the ‘download’ option next to a book after clicking on the three-dot menu, reports Bristol Live.
The message that appears to users states: “Starting February 26, 2025, the ‘Downloads and Transfer via USB’ option will no longer be available. You can still send Kindle books to your Wi-Fi enabled devices by selecting the ‘Deliver or Remove from Device’ option.”
The Kindle books in your library may feel like they’re yours, but that’s not entirely accurate. Even those you’ve purchased can be deleted or altered by Amazon or the publisher at their discretion.
To safeguard your ebooks, consider moving and downloading them to your computer while it’s still possible. Simply log into your account on Amazon, go to ‘Accounts and Lists’, select ‘Content Library’, then ‘Books’. Find the ebook you wish to download, click on the three dots and choose ‘Download and transfer via USB’.
On X, Kindle fans have been alerting each other about the change. Rueisreading highlighted: “Everyone, heads up if you haven’t already seen – amazon is making changes to the way you own your kindle books.”
Mjbop informed their followers with a post saying: “For my followers who have a kindle: amazon will remove the feature that allows you to download books (so you can store them outside the kindle) from February 26, so you’ll only have access to the books you bought via kindle. download your library now if you can.”
Kezarthur reminded readers: “Remember, you lease the books, not own them when you buy from Amazon etc). Meaning, you’ve 6 days to back them up. This is why you should buy directly from authors where you can. You own the books, and you can put them on any device you want.”
Madam_Scientist added: “I don’t know how many of you use a Kindle device or buy ebooks from Amazon, but as of February 26 we’ll only be able to download those ebooks onto Amazon devices, rather than any device we’ve registered via the Kindle app.”
