Important Update: Amazon Discontinues USB Download and Transfer Option for Kindles This Week

Later this week, Amazon is making a change that will affect how customers download their Kindle books. Specifically, they are removing a feature that currently allows users to transfer Kindle book files to a computer using a USB connection. This feature was initially designed to help owners of older Kindle devices, which don’t have Wi-Fi, access their e-books. However, it unintentionally made it easier for people to download and save copies of the e-books they bought. This meant they could keep the books safe from any changes Amazon might make or from the possibility that the books might disappear from the Kindle store.

The option to “Download & transfer via USB” will no longer be available starting this Wednesday, February 26. If you want to easily download your e-books to your PC, it’s important to do this within the next two days. This change will only affect the ability to download directly from Amazon’s website to your computer. If you’ve already downloaded your books, you can still transfer them to your Kindle using a USB again. You can also use third-party programs, or services like Send to Kindle to load EPUB files and other books onto your Kindle.

For most people who purchase their Kindle e-books from Amazon and download them directly to a newer Kindle over Wi-Fi, this change might not be very noticeable. However, it could impact those who use third-party software like Calibre to keep an organized local library. It’s also significant for users who want to switch to different e-reader platforms and need to convert or remove digital rights management (DRM) from their Kindle purchases.

The download-and-transfer option was specifically helpful for those who dislike DRM, especially because it provided e-books in an older file format called AZW3. This format is generally easier to work with for those looking to remove DRM compared to the newer KFX format. This is crucial for individuals who want to read their e-books on devices or applications other than Kindle.

If you need to download your Kindle books to your computer before the feature disappears, you will need to have an older Kindle or Fire device linked to your Amazon account. If your account is only attached to the latest Kindle models, like the newest Paperwhite or the Colorsoft devices, you won’t have the option to download your books. Additionally, Amazon’s website will allow users to download only one book at a time. Depending on how large your library is, this could make the process quite slow.

In summary, if you rely on the option to download and transfer your Kindle books via USB, make sure to act quickly before the deadline. After this week, users will need to find other ways to manage their purchases. While this change is primarily aimed at those with older devices, it will have an impact on anyone looking to maintain control over their e-book library.