Amazon removes USB transfer option for Kindle books

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Kindle users have long had the option to sideload books via USB rather than purchasing directly from Amazon’s digital storefront. 

However, an upcoming change to Kindle functionality is set to disrupt the workflow of users accustomed to working outside Amazon’s prescribed boundaries.

This shift stems from modifications introduced with the twelfth-generation Kindle hardware launched in late 2023. 

Among these changes, Amazon required Kindles to function as MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) devices when connected to a computer, altering how content is stored and transferred. 

The company significantly deprecated the Download & transfer via USB option. This feature previously allowed users to download officially purchased books from Amazon onto their computers before manually transferring them to their Kindles. 

Initially, this restriction applied only to the newest Kindle models, leaving older devices unaffected. 

However, that is about to change, as Amazon has announced that, starting February 26, this capability will be discontinued across all Kindle devices.

Amazon removes the USB download option from the Kindle 

This decision appears to be primarily based on concerns about digital rights management (DRM) and content security. 

As noted by Android Police, the USB download option has been seen as a loophole in Amazon’s DRM system. 

While books wirelessly delivered to Kindles are securely locked to those devices, the AZW3 files downloaded to a computer for USB transfer remain vulnerable to DRM removal tools. 

This capability allowed users to maintain unrestricted backup copies of their purchased books and opened the door to potential piracy, enabling individuals to share copyrighted content illegally. 

Given the risk of unauthorized distribution, Amazon’s decision to close this loophole is not entirely unexpected.

It is essential to clarify that this change does not prevent users from manually sideloading content onto their Kindles via USB. 

Instead, it strictly affects downloading AZW3 files of purchased books from Amazon’s servers. 

Users who wish to retain local backups of their Kindle purchases in AZW3 format should download them before the February 26 deadline, after which this option will no longer be available.

Did you use this feature? Are you annoyed about Amazon taking it away? Tell us your thoughts in the comments, down below, or reach us via our Twitter or Facebook.