Amazon‘s latest move with its new Kindle e-readers is causing a stir among users. The most recent Kindle models, including the Kindle Colorsoft, updated Kindle Paperwhite & Scribe, and entry-level Kindle, no longer appear as external drives when connected to a computer via USB. This change makes it impossible for users to use traditional file managers to back up their books or sideload new content directly from a PC or Mac.

Amazon’s decision to drop this capability aligns with its broader push to keep users within its ecosystem. It has removed the “download and transfer via USB” option from the Manage Your Content page, a shift that reduces users’ ability to manipulate Kindle eBooks—likely in an attempt to curb DRM stripping and book piracy. This change isn’t entirely new; previous adjustments affected Kindle for PC and Mac, especially for books borrowed through Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading.

Interestingly, older Kindle models—such as the 9th generation and earlier—retain the ability to appear as USB drives, making sideloading and backup simple for those who still use them. However, the newer models use Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which offers a more restricted connection type compared to the traditional USB mass storage mode. This shift reflects the evolution of e-readers from their early days, where sideloading was essential due to limited Wi-Fi availability, to a modern scenario where Amazon’s digital storefront handles most needs seamlessly.

Amazon’s strategy mirrors trends seen with other content providers, such as Apple Books, which never allowed USB-based sideloading. The goal for these companies appears to be maintaining a controlled digital ecosystem, but brands like Pocketbook and Kobo continue to offer more flexibility by allowing users to access their e-readers as traditional USB drives.

This change underscores a broader industry trend favoring convenience and control at the cost of user autonomy—a move that has left some readers seeking alternatives.