How to remove Kindle lockscreen ads for $20 after purchase
Amazon’s Kindle devices with lockscreen ads are priced $20 lower than ad-free versions. Users can remove these ads after purchase by paying a one-time $20 fee, a process that takes about five minutes and requires a computer and WiFi. This option offers flexibility for budget-conscious buyers but raises questions about ad-supported business models.
Editor, Lazyfounder

30 SEC SUMMARY
- Amazon offers Kindle devices with optional lockscreen ads, which reduce the upfront cost by $20.
- Users can remove these ads after purchase by paying a one-time $20 fee.
- The removal process takes about 5 minutes and requires a computer, internet browser, and WiFi connection.
- Ads are removed immediately if the Kindle is connected to WiFi during the process.
- The Mashable shopping team suggests this as a cost-saving tip despite their stance against ads.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Kindles with lockscreen ads are priced $20 lower than ad-free versions.
- A one-time $20 fee removes lockscreen ads from a Kindle after purchase.
- The process to remove ads takes about 5 minutes and requires a computer and WiFi.
- Lockscreen ads are removed immediately if the Kindle is connected to WiFi.
- The Mashable shopping team debated the trade-off between saving money and dealing with ads.
How to remove Kindle lockscreen ads for $20
According to Mashable, Amazon allows Kindle users to remove lockscreen ads from their devices by paying a one-time fee of $20. This option is available even after purchasing a Kindle that originally included ads.
The process reportedly takes about five minutes and requires a computer, an internet browser, and a WiFi connection. If the Kindle is connected to WiFi during the process, the ads are removed immediately.
Why Kindle ads exist and how they affect pricing
Kindle devices that include lockscreen ads are priced $20 lower than their ad-free counterparts. This pricing strategy is designed to make Kindles more affordable while generating additional revenue through advertising.
Mashable reports that the decision to buy a Kindle with ads has been a topic of debate among its shopping team. While the team is not in favor of ads, they acknowledge that opting for the cheaper, ad-supported version and later removing the ads is a practical way to save money.
Ad-supported devices and consumer choices
The use of ads on consumer electronics, such as smart TVs and e-readers, has become a common strategy for reducing upfront costs. According to a related report, smart TVs track viewing habits to enable targeted advertising, a practice that has raised privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny.
Similarly, Amazon’s Kindle ads are part of a broader trend where companies balance affordability with additional revenue streams. For consumers, this creates a trade-off between upfront savings and long-term convenience.
What this means
Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.
For Kindle users, the ability to remove lockscreen ads after purchase is a useful flexibility, especially for those who prioritize upfront savings but later decide they prefer an ad-free experience. This model also highlights how companies like Amazon use pricing strategies to appeal to different segments of the market—those willing to pay more for convenience and those willing to engage with ads for a discount.
For founders and operators, this approach demonstrates how optional features and post-purchase upsells can create additional revenue streams without alienating cost-conscious customers. However, it also underscores the importance of transparency and ease of use. If the process to remove ads were cumbersome or unclear, it could frustrate users and harm trust in the brand.
Key takeaways
- Kindle’s ad-supported model reduces upfront costs but allows users to pay later to remove ads, offering flexibility for budget-conscious buyers.
- Post-purchase upsells, like removing ads, can create additional revenue streams for hardware companies without increasing the base price.
- Founders should ensure that processes like ad removal are simple and transparent to avoid frustrating users and damaging trust.
- Ad-supported devices are becoming more common, but companies must balance revenue goals with user experience and privacy concerns.
Related on Lazyfounder
Sources
- Mashable · 2026-10-21
How to remove Kindle lockscreen ads
This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.
About the author
Editor, Lazyfounder
Tarun Mottlia edits LazyFounders, covering Indian startups, funding rounds, AI and product launches. Every story on the site is AI-assisted and checked against its cited sources before publication.
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