Have you ever wished you could filter and clean up all those ads on your Kindle e-reader lock screen? Amazon is constantly updating its popular line of Kindle products, and the latest Kindle update, version 5.18.3, lets you do exactly that.
Many people with Kindles opt for an ad-supported version to save a little money, but that means there are all sorts of personalized and regular ads on the lock screen. While that’s fine, and you chose that option, sometimes those ads are a bit inappropriate, especially for kids. Now there’s finally a way to regain control and clean up your Kindle.
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For example, if you read a lot of hot and steamy romance novels, like some authored by Colleen Hoover, your Amazon Kindle may eventually start showing personalized ads for other romance novels with cover art that isn’t all that appropriate. Furthermore, those ads can serve all sorts of things based on your reading and browsing history.
Amazon constantly updates the software on its Kindle e-readers, but the changelogs and release notes are usually blank. While the latest Kindle software 5.18.3, didn’t mention it, there’s a new setting you can use to clean up your lock screen. Amazon now allows for ad filtering, and it only took them over a decade.
How to Filter Ads on Your Kindle Lock Screen
If you’re looking to filter away some of those slightly inappropriate ads on your Kindle, the process is relatively simple, as long as you’re on the latest software and have a compatible device. For now, these settings are available on Kindle Scribes, Kindle Colorsoft, Kindle Paperwhite, and the 11th and 12th gen basic Kindle.
Turn on your Kindle and go to Settings > Your Account > Lockscreen Ads to get started. You’ll now see two filter options. The first one is personalized ads, which will serve up ads based on your browsing and purchase history. Flip the toggle off.
The second option is more specific, and it sets a filter for inappropriate content. The Kindle software states that it will “hide ads that may not be appropriate for everyone.” Turn on that second setting, and you’re all set.
Users have been talking about age-appropriate ads for years, and now there’s finally a way to get rid of stuff. Keep in mind that this might not stop everything from getting through, but it should clean things up a bit. You’ll still get ads on the home screen, but they’ll be more PG and G-rated. It’s still up to Amazon to decide what content is safe, but things should certainly be better than before.
Additionally, owners can always pay to remove all of these ads. Amazon offers a one-time $20 charge to completely remove Kindle ads from the lock screen, screensavers, and similar areas. And in case you didn’t know, earlier this year, Amazon added a tap gesture to the back of the device that makes it easy to turn pages. Give it a try.
Source: The eBook Reader via Android Police
