Amazon is set to discontinue Kindle content download support in older versions of its Android app, marking the end of a workaround that allowed users to access files that could be stripped of their Digital Rights Management (DRM). This change follows Amazon’s earlier decision to remove “Download & transfer via USB” functionality, which was another avenue for obtaining these protected files. Acquiring new books for a Kindle is typically straightforward, with countless titles available for purchase, a subscription option through Kindle Unlimited, and the ability to borrow e-books from libraries.
However, some users prefer to sideload content, utilizing older methods to obtain e-book downloads from Amazon and remove the restrictions imposed by DRM. These limitations often prevent users from freely sharing and reading their purchased books across different platforms. Earlier this year, Amazon addressed one of the loopholes by eliminating the USB transfer feature.
Clever users, however, managed to access files using outdated versions of the Kindle app that still allowed downloads. Unfortunately, this workaround will soon be invalidated, as Amazon has notified users that support for older Android app versions will cease. Specifically, versions released before March 2022 (v8.51 or earlier) will no longer function for Kindle content downloads starting May 26, 2025.
This move reflects Amazon’s intention to streamline its app functionalities, although it does raise questions regarding their efforts to eliminate these methods entirely. Users have been given a heads-up, allowing them a brief period to update their apps before losing access to this feature. For those relying on these outdated versions, this may be an unwelcome change, but it isn’t surprising given the support duration of the older apps.
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