The estimated reading time for this post is 6 minutes
Beginning in 2022, 3G networks will be shutting down in the U.S. That means devices that connect to the Internet using only a 3G network will be cut off from the Internet.
Cars, smart devices, and 3G Kindle ereaders that rely on 3G networks will no longer be able to connect to the Internet beginning in 2022. Beginning in early 2022, U.S. cell providers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile will be transitioning their 3G networks to expand 5G coverage.
If you own a Kindle that connects to the Internet using 3G, you may no longer be able to download books directly to your Kindle. But no need to panic or trash your 3G Kindle, there are ways to salvage reading your ebooks.
The End of 3G Networks in the U.S.
Major U.S. carriers are transitioning their 3G networks to 5G in 2022 which will cut off Internet connections for devices that rely on 3G, including some Kindle devices. Although Amazon is not responsible for 3G coverage terminating in the U.S., its customers with 3G Kindle ereaders will be affected by 3G networks shutting down.
Carriers in other countries may soon follow the U.S. in transitioning from 3G networks to 5G. If you live in or travel to countries outside the U.S., this news may affect your 3G Kindle as well.
Which Kindle Ereaders Are Affected by the End of 3G
Kindle readers that connect to the Internet using a 3G network will no longer be able to download books over those networks. But not all Kindle ereaders connect to the Internet using a 3G network. Some models connect using 4G or connect using Wi-Fi.
And some Kindle models connect using a 3G network and Wi-Fi. So even though some 3G Kindles will no longer be able to connect to the Internet using 3G, they can continue to connect using Wi-Fi.
The following model Kindle ereaders connect to the Internet using 3G only and will not be able to download ebooks directly from the Internet after 3G networks are shut down:
- Kindle (1st and 2nd Generation – 2007 and 2009)
- Kindle DX (2nd Generation – 2009)
These Kindle models connect to the Internet using 3G but also can connect using a Wi-Fi network. After 3G networks shut down, these Kindles will be able to download ebooks when connected to a Wi-Fi network:
- Kindle Keyboard (3rd Generation – 2010/2011)
- Kindle Touch (4th Generation – 2011)
- Kindle Paperwhite (5th Generation – 2012)/(6th Generation – 2013)/(7th Generation – 2015)
- Kindle Voyage (7th Generation – 2014)
- Kindle Oasis (8th Generation – 2016/2017)
How to Find Out Whether Your Kindle Is a 3G Kindle
If you own a Kindle ereader, you should check to see which model you have. You should find out whether the end of 3G in the U.S. will affect your Kindle.
To learn whether you have a 3G Kindle, go to Amazon’s Manage My Devices page and choose Devices => Kindle.
Your Kindle ereaders will be shown, along with their names (you name your Kindles, right?), the model, and the date you registered that Kindle to your Amazon account.
You can compare the model of your Kindle ereader to the models listed above in this article to see whether it connects using 3G and, if so, whether it can connect using Wi-Fi.
Click on a Kindle device listing to learn more about it. You can see the registration number, settings, and ebooks download to the device. You can also set this Kindle as your default device, so when you purchase a Kindle book, it will automatically be downloaded to that Kindle.
What To Do If You Have a 3G Kindle
If you have a 3G Kindle, you will no longer be able to connect it to the Internet in the U.S. using 3G beginning in 2022. That means you’ll no longer be able to use a 3G network to download Kindle books or other items using Send to Kindle. See => Send to Kindle — eRead (Almost) Anything
But not all is lost. You have ways to work around this challenge to continue to enjoy reading ebooks.
Read Kindle Books on Other Devices
The good news is that you can read your Kindle books on almost any other device with a screen. You can read Kindle books on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Learn more => How to Read a Kindle Book Without a Kindle
Get Busy Downloading Your Kindle Books to Your 3G Kindle
You can still read Kindle books on your 3G Kindle, that won’t change with the end of 3G networks. You just won’t be able to download Kindle books over the Internet using a 3G network.
If you’ve purchased Kindle books that you haven’t downloaded yet, you may want to start downloading them to your 3G Kindle now. This is especially true if your 3G Kindle doesn’t have the ability to connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi.
Kindle ereaders can hold over a thousand books, if not several thousands of books. You can load up your Kindle with the books you’ve been meaning to read but haven’t had a chance to yet.
Tip => You can keep your Kindle books organized using Collections. See, Kindle Collections – How to Organize Your Kindle Books Easily Using Your Computer and How to Use a Kindle Ereader to Organize Your Kindle Books into Collections
Download Kindle Books to Your Kindle Ereader Using Your Computer
If you have a 3G Kindle without Wi-Fi, you can still download Kindle books to your Kindle without a 3G network connection by using your computer. Amazon explains how to do this here: Transfer Content from a Computer to Your Kindle Fire. Although this help page says that the transfer process is for the Kindle Fire, it should work with Kindle ereaders as well.
Trade In Your Kindle for a New One
If your Kindle ereader is 3G only, or if it’s 3G plus Wi-Fi and you need to download books when you’re away from Wi-Fi, you may want to get a new Kindle. Or you may just want to get a new Kindle because your old one is, well, old.
Amazon has begun to send emails to 3G Kindle owners informing them that 3G connections will no longer be available beginning in 2022. In the email, Amazon explains the situation about 3G networks ending in the U.S. and offering a trade-in deal for Kindles.
Depending on the model Kindle you have, Amazon is offering deals ranging from discounts on new Kindles plus Kindle ebook credit, to a free new Kindle. These offers expire on August 15, 2021, so be sure to check your email inbox for an offer from Amazon.
Find out more at Amazon’s Device Trade-In Page.
Your Thoughts
Do you have a 3G Kindle that will be affected by the end of the 3G networks in the U.S.? Which solution will you use for your older Kindle ereader? Will you be trading in your older Kindle for a new model?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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*Kindle Pulled out of Box image (edited) courtesy of Luke Hayfield via Flickr and Creative Commons
**Kindle Keyboard Connection image courtesy of Jonathan Greene via Flickr and Creative Commons
I will prefer to trade my 3G kindle for a new one to avoid any stress. But can’t one use a good VPN to change his location Ron continue using his 3G kindle even in 2022?
Hi Jeffrey, Great question. That’s a creative solution but unfortunately, it won’t work. 3G Kindles use a 3G antenna to connect to the Internet. If no 3G network is available, then the 3G Kindle can’t connect to the Internet, unless it has Wi-Fi capabilities.
A VPN depends on an Internet connection to work so without a 3G network, a 3G Kindle won’t be able to connect to a VPN.
I didn’t know abot this. Many electronics will be useless, but overall, I think it’s a great advance, after all, 5G is a revolutionary technology.