You'll have to make another plan for your magazine and newspaper subscriptions. For years, Amazon had you covered with Kindle Newsstand—its digital newsstand for publications, including magazines and newspapers.

But Amazon has discontinued Kindle Newsstand, so you'll have to get your publications elsewhere. Find out why below.

Amazon Discontinues Kindle Newsstand

lady sitting in a comfortable chair reading a kindle

Amazon has canned its Kindle Newsstand for digital and print magazine and newspaper subscriptions. As of March 9, 2023, you can no longer subscribe to any publications on Kindle. Amazon notified subscribers in an Amazon post, which read:

Effective March 9, 2023, Amazon is no longer selling print and Kindle magazine and newspaper subscriptions.

In addition to the post, Amazon notified Kindle Newsstand subscribers of this change via email. Those readers who wish to continue their subscriptions will have to maintain them separately, although the experience won't be the same. You'll have to read your magazines and newspapers on the relevant websites or designated apps. And you know what that means—more apps to manage and clog up your iPad or phone.

Part of the appeal of Kindle Newsstand is the convenience of managing all your favorite subscriptions in one place. All you have to do is grab your Amazon Kindle off your nightstand and browse the latest news. It also helps you play your part in taking care of the environment, which is one of the reasons you should buy a Kindle Reader. But that's not the only benefit; magazines and newspapers were optimized for Kindle, much like how eBooks work.

So, what does this mean for you as an Amazon Kindle Newsstand user? Take note of the timeline below:

  • As of March 9, 2023, Amazon has stopped accepting subscription orders and renewals for Kindle Newsstand and print magazines.
  • Amazon will manage all current print magazine subscriptions through June 5, 2023, 11:59 PM PST. Following that, you'll have to manage them via the relevant publisher from June 6, 2023, unless you cancel them.
  • Amazon Kindle Newsstand's monthly subscriptions will be handled differently. You will receive your publications until September 4, 2023. Although you won't be allowed to renew your subscriptions through Amazon, you'll keep the publications you've already received.
  • As for Amazon Kindle Newsstand's annual subscriptions, Amazon will send them out as normal until September 4, 2023, 11:59 PM PST, or your subscription end date—whichever comes first. As with Amazon Kindle Newsstand's monthly subscriptions, you can keep the issues you've already received.

Why We Think Amazon Discontinued Kindle Newsstand

Amazon didn't give a reason for canning Kindle Newsstand, so we're left to speculate about its decision. Top of mind is that Amazon probably wants readers to use Amazon Kindle Unlimited. This is Kindle's monthly eBooks subscription, which includes a handful of digital magazine and newspaper subscriptions.

kindle with cover open

There's reason to believe this might be the case. The Amazon post that announced the discontinuation of Kindle Newsstand points readers in the direction of Amazon Kindle Unlimited. It includes the question, "How do I subscribe to Kindle Unlimited (KU)?" in its question-and-answer section. The answer includes a link to the Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription page.

There's also speculation that Amazon wants publishers to cross over to Kindle Unlimited. While Kindle Newsstand might have brought in the bucks, it would make sense if Amazon wanted to focus on its own subscription service instead, especially given that Kindle Unlimited already includes some newspaper and magazine subscriptions.

But is joining Amazon Kindle Unlimited worth it for publishers? It isn't available globally, so those publishers whose issues were only available on Kindle are likely to take a major hit. Furthermore, some people think a Kindle Unlimited subscription isn't worth it, which would make the move a huge gamble for publishers.

It's Time to Make Some Changes to Your Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions

The news that Amazon is doing away with Kindle Newsstand is a bummer. However, Amazon has given you enough time to make other arrangements to receive your favorite magazines and newspapers. If they're available on Kindle Unlimited, that's an option you can consider. But if you're unsure which direction to go, consider canceling your subscriptions, so you can take the time to weigh your options.