Starting February 26, Amazon will stop users from downloading and backing up Kindle books to their PCs. This change primarily affects the “Download & Transfer via USB” feature.
After this date, customers can no longer move Kindle books from their computers to their devices via USB. Instead, users will have to rely on Wi-Fi to send books using the “Deliver or Remove from Device” option. This means that if your Kindle device is offline, you won’t be able to transfer books directly from your computer.
The company hasn’t clearly explained why they’re making this move. However, many believe it is to strengthen their control over the Kindle ecosystem and reduce the chance of users sideloading books. The “Download & Transfer via USB” feature was often used to remove DRM (Digital Rights Management) from older purchases, allowing users to convert them into other formats like ePUB, which can be used with other reading apps.
Originally, this feature helped users import books to Kindle devices that didn’t have Wi-Fi. But now, most devices support Wi-Fi, making this feature less necessary. Some people worry this change could make it harder to back up their books and keep them accessible on different platforms.
Interestingly, those who have purchased books directly from the Kindle store and downloaded them through Wi-Fi or cellular will not be affected by this update. Additionally, users who have sideloaded books through USB won’t experience any disruptions. Kindle app users on various devices will also remain unaffected.
In summary, this shift seems aimed at keeping users firmly within Amazon’s Kindle environment and away from other formats or devices. While it may spell inconvenience for some, it also highlights Amazon’s approach to digital content management.
