Users turn to jailbreaking their older Kindles as Amazon ends support

Amazon is ending technical support for multiple older Kindle models on May 20. The affected devices include the Kindle 1st Generation through the Kindle Fire HD 8.9. Users will then be limited to reading only content already downloaded on those devices. Many owners are jailbreaking their Kindles to bypass Amazon software restrictions. This allows installation of custom fonts, new screensavers, alternative reading applications, and third party tools that expand device functionality. Jailbreaking is a technical process that requires confirming device compatibility first. Users are instructed to disable wireless connectivity or use airplane mode before downloading packages from trusted sources such as the MobileRead Forum. They then copy files via USB connection and install additional software including the Kindle Unified Application Launcher and KOReader. The practice may violate Amazon terms of service. It is not viewed as a criminal offense for personal use in many jurisdictions, but could become illegal if it involves copyright infringement or distribution of modified devices. Owners see jailbreaking as a means to retain control over a still functional purchased device. Risks include rendering the device unusable or experiencing reduced battery life from unofficial software. A safer alternative is sideloading books using a USB cable without altering system software. Other similar devices are available as options. These include the Boox Palma, Vivlio reader, and Xteink X3.