Starting Feb. 26, 2025 (via ZDNet) you will no longer be able to download copies of your Kindle books and use those files as a backup. After that date, you will only be able to download books via Wi-Fi or through the Amazon platforms.

Amazon confirmed the removal of the book download feature in a statement to The Verge. “Customers can continue reading books previously downloaded on their Kindle device, and access new content through the Kindle app, Kindle for web, as well as directly through Kindle devices with WiFi capability,” said Amazon spokesperson Jackie Burke.

Amazon is removing the "Download & Transfer via USB" feature for Kindle users starting Feb. 26, 2025, limiting offline backups and raising concerns about ebook ownership.

The unfortunate thing is that you can’t buy ebooks inside either of the apps. Because of limitations imposed by Apple and Google, you’ll need to visit Bookshop.org’s website to buy an ebook, which will then show up in your library in the app.

Buying ebooks has become pretty popular for readers in our age, but there’s an issue that many people don’t see. It’s an issue that Amazon was forced to acknowledge. According to a new report, Amazon now tells you that you don’t buy ebooks,