We independently review all recommendations. Purchases made through our links may earn us an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Kindle users are experiencing a problem with downloading and using USB to move files.
So, it looks like Kindle users are dealing with a bit of a headache right now. Apparently, Amazon’s “Download and Transfer via USB” feature for Kindle eBooks is on the fritz. People have been trying to grab their purchased eBooks using this option, but instead of the usual download, they’re hitting an error message. Not exactly what you want when you’re just trying to read, right?
Here’s what’s going on:
- When you try to download an eBook, it first asks you to sign in (fine, no big deal), but then it just throws an error instead of letting you transfer the file. Super frustrating.
- The glitch doesn’t seem to mess with sending eBooks directly to Kindle devices, though. So, that still works.
- This whole thing is raising some eyebrows, especially since Amazon already pulled the “download-and-transfer” feature for their 2024 Kindle models. Makes you wonder—are older models next?
Now, this could just be a random tech glitch that’ll get fixed soon, but it’s definitely got some Kindle fans worried. A lot of them are afraid that Amazon is going to phase out this feature for good, which would make it harder to back up books or access them offline. It’s especially concerning when you think about all the other recent changes, like Amazon pushing for in-app eBook purchases on Kindle for Android. Is this just the beginning of bigger changes?
It kind of reminds me of when Barnes & Noble ditched their download options for eBooks over a decade ago—remember that? It didn’t go over well with their customers, and I’m sure Kindle users are feeling a bit uneasy now. Some are even exploring other eReader options, like the Onyx Boox Note Max, or checking out new tech like TCL’s NxtPaper 4.0, which is a totally different approach to e-paper.
And yeah, this whole situation gets to the bigger question of digital ownership. Amazon has been cracking down on fake books on Kindle recently, but with all these changes happening, it’s clear that the way we interact with digital content is shifting. It’s worth thinking about what features really matter to you in an eReader—sometimes we get wrapped up in the extras that aren’t even necessary.
If you’re someone who uses the “Download and Transfer” option regularly, definitely keep an eye on this. Hopefully, Amazon will fix it soon, but in the meantime, it might be a good idea to download your library while you can, just in case. Stay tuned for updates, and let’s hope they get this sorted out soon.
