Amazon Warns Against Installing Latest Kindle App Update for iOS Due to Deleted Book Libraries [Update: Fix Live]

Amazon yesterday released a minor 3.6.1 update to its Kindle app for iOS, but as noted by TUAW, the company is now warning users in the app description not to install the update.

What's New in Version 3.6.1

Note: There is a known issue with this update. If you are an existing Kindle for iOS user, we recommend you do not install this update at this time.

According to reports, the update is causing users' entire book libraries to be deleted from their devices. There is no word yet on when a fix can be expected to arrive in the App Store, but Amazon is undoubtedly rushing to fix the issue and Apple is likely to provide an expedited review in order to minimize the number of affected users.

Update 7:29 AM: AllThingsD reports that Amazon has issued a statement indicating that it has submitted a fix for the issue to Apple and is working to expedite its release.

Update 9:36 AM: Kindle for iOS has been updated to version 3.6.2, presumably addressing the issue with version 3.6.1. The new release notes do not, however, mention the issue.

Top Rated Comments

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peter.stegemann

81 months ago

The biggest flaw in Apples software distribution system: You can't just pull back a new version once it was released. Completely insane.

Rating: 5 Votes

old-wiz

81 months ago

good thing I saw the warning this morning before I tried to update. I think the biggest problem with apps is updating and finding that the new version has some serious problems and there's no way to go back to the previous version.

Rating: 4 Votes

TheLisnakFactor

81 months ago

Wow. So much for testing...

Just killed my girlfriend's phone and mine. Going back to iBooks.

Rating: 3 Votes

robdam1001

81 months ago

Can't the books just be downloaded again? :confused::confused:

Rating: 3 Votes

g0odfr1end102

81 months ago

Lost my library... Why don't they test them before releasing??? Uuurggh...

Rating: 3 Votes

iSee

81 months ago

Nice one Amazon!

Luckily for me, I updated all my apps on the weekend and missed this I think (I usually only update once a month or so).
This doesn't exactly fill me with confidence in the Amazon ecosystem.

Apple should support a "retract update" capability that would allow developers to instantly pull an update and revert to the previous version. This would be good for customers when developers royally screw up like this.

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I updated last night, but have not launched the app. I have a good deal of books in my kindle app that are .mobi which I am sure are gone now. :(

It seems possible -- very likely actually -- that the deletion occurs when you first launch. So try to avoid launching until the next update is available.

Rating: 3 Votes

Plutonius

81 months ago

So I think it is not possible to entirely lose your purchased books.

Many people do not purchase all their books through Amazon (i.e. Amazon is not aware of all the ebooks I have).

Rating: 2 Votes

Gasu E.

81 months ago

Many people do not purchase all their books through Amazon (i.e. Amazon is not aware of all the ebooks I have).

Don't you keep copies of those somewhere other than your ios devices?

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Not to mention you will have lost your place plus bookmarks plus any notes you made.

You don't lose your place. At least, I would not, since my place in the book is also saved in the Cloud, automatically. One of the benefits of Kindle software is that I can switch between reading the same book on my Kindle, iPad, iPhone, laptop, whatever, without losing my place.

Rating: 2 Votes