PSA: Amazon kills “download & transfer via USB” option for Kindles this week

[Kaz]

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Later this week, Amazon is closing a small loophole that allowed purchasers of Kindle books to download those files to a computer and transfer them via USB. Originally intended to extend e-book access to owners of very old Kindles without Wi-Fi connectivity, the feature has also made it easier for people to download and store copies of the e-books they've bought, reducing the risk that Amazon might make changes to their text or remove them from the Kindle store entirely.

The "Download & transfer via USB" option on Amazon's site is going away this Wednesday, February 26. People who want to download their libraries to their PC easily should do so within the next two days. This change only affects the ability to download these files directly to a computer from Amazon's website—if you've downloaded the books beforehand, you'll still be able to load them on your Kindles via USB, and you'll still be able to use third-party software as well as the Send to Kindle service to get EPUB files and other books loaded onto a Kindle.

 

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PSA: Amazon kills “download & transfer via USB” option for Kindles this week

ARSTECHNICA.COM

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“Download & transfer” was one last official way to get new books on old Kindles.

I don't like when the terms of a sale are changed after the sale.  My Kindle has never connected to a wireless network.

[schuck6566]

I hate that they're doing this, but when files like Kindle library final torrent are out there with over 8000 books in it you kinda understand there might be an underlying reason.

[bridgypoo]

I never really liked the fact that you had to pay for the privilege to not see ads on top of paying for the product.

 

I have a Kobo (anagram for book) and it works great. I can check out books directly from the library on it.

 

Seems strange that they'd go this route rather than minimize the damage done from the colorsoft fiasco.

 

[schuck6566]

Annnndd they've already removed the option to transfer books from your library to pc by usb. lol,nice to know they were ahead of their own schedule.

[schuck6566]

  On 25/02/2025 at 13:08, bridgypoo said:

I never really liked the fact that you had to pay for the privilege to not see ads on top of paying for the product.

 

I have a Kobo (anagram for book) and it works great. I can check out books directly from the library on it.

 

Seems strange that they'd go this route rather than minimize the damage done from the colorsoft fiasco.

 

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I use a fire tablet with the playstore sideloaded on it. I use the kindle app for amazon kindle unlimited and purchases from them, and FBReader for all other books and pdf's.  

[Kaz]

  On 25/02/2025 at 13:08, bridgypoo said:

I never really liked the fact that you had to pay for the privilege to not see ads on top of paying for the product.

 

I have a Kobo (anagram for book) and it works great. I can check out books directly from the library on it.

 

Seems strange that they'd go this route rather than minimize the damage done from the colorsoft fiasco.

 

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To bypass ads on Kindle, connect to a PC, then delete the add folder.  Make a new text file and change it's name to be that of the folder (make sure to remove the .txt file extension).

Kindle will replace the folder if they think it has been deleted.  The text file does not work like a folder does, but because it has the same name they don't replace it with a working folder.

 

I did that after I started seeing advertisements for diaper.  I changed my nephew and niece's diaper a few times and I didn't enjoy the reminder of it. 

[bridgypoo]

Good to know. I'm not tied to the Amazon ecosystem and use Calibre for some things. I don't have a Kindle and won't.

[Kaz]

  On 25/02/2025 at 22:49, bridgypoo said:

Good to know. I'm not tied to the Amazon ecosystem and use Calibre for some things. I don't have a Kindle and won't.

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Calibre is great!  I've used it to convert pdf's and epub to mobi for my kindle.  Guess  I'll never buy a newer kindle, USB loading is the only way to go!  Kindle batteries are easy to replace, so I guess there will never be a need to upgrade.