If you have a older, pre-2012 Kindle that you haven’t updated recently, Amazon is letting customers know that it’s time to do something about that.

This morning, I received an email from Amazon reminding me that I have devices that need to be updated.  Now I am being told that unless I update them, I will no longer be able to “continue downloading e-books and using Kindle services.”

According to the email,

If you do not update the devices’ software by March 22, 2016, you will no longer be able to access Kindle services or get the update via Wi-Fi or a wireless connection. To resume access, you will need to manually update the software on each of your Kindle devices.

Note that you WILL still be able to update your Kindle after that date. You will just need to manually download and install the update.

The frustrating thing about the email is that it doesn’t indicate which Kindles need the update. I have two first-generation Kindles that I am not using right now. The devices are currently being stored with batteries removed until to decide what to do with them, so I assume that they are included. However, I also have a DX and Kindle Keyboard which I will now have to double-check to make sure they are up to date.

A lot of people have given or loaned older Kindles to family and friends. Since this is a critical update, you may need to check too make sure the devices are running the most recent version of the software. People who have modified or “jail-broken” their devices may have a problem going forward.

You can find instructions on how to update your particular Kindle model here. If you are not sure if you need to update, there are also links on the page for checking the software version for each model Kindle.

Did you get a notice to update?