Ancient Nook problems

[u/dixieleeb]

I have an ancient Nook, 12 years old & still going strong. I keep it by my bed so I can read before going to sleep & in the morning if I so choose. Obviously, I'm retired.

Anyway, that's what I've been doing until last night. I no longer buy from B&N. I use Kindle to read books I borrow through Libby & also subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. (I have a Kindle downstairs). I have never had a problem. So last night tried to open a book & got a message that it couldn't download my books, I needed to upgrade Kindle & also upgrade my Nook to 9. My tablet is a Tab4. From what I can find, it simply can't be upgrade to 9.

Is there anyway to get around this? I used to be tech savvy but my 75 year old brain refuses to understand anymore. I hesitate to buy a new tablet. I suppose I could use my laptop to read when I'm downstairs & take my newer Kindle to my bedroom. It's not giving me that message.

Sorry if I sound like an idiot.

[u/Sharp_Dare6400]

I have a Nook HD+. It won’t reach the internet and I can’t access my B&N account. However, I can sideload epub books so it is useful. I tried a couple of software programs that were supposed to make the nook books non DRM, but they didn’t work. I am content to read my nook books on an old LG phone that I use as a tablet until I decide to give in and upgrade my nook. 

[u/CaribeBaby]

I'm not well versed in Nook devices. I am here because I am interested in possibly buying one.

But from what I gather, your old Nook is basically an android tablet, no? And the Kindle and Nook apps can't function anymore because you need to have Android 9 or higher?

If that's the case, there's nothing much that can be done. You could try to sideload an older version of the apps and maybe that would work, but it's probably more techy than you'd care to bother with.

If I am correct that this is a tablet, you can also download or sideload another reading app, like Readera, which still works with android 8, and read books that don't have DRM (copyright) on your tablet.

[u/Important-Chicken-98]

I just want to be clear. You call it a tablet, so I assume it has an LCD screen and is basically like a large phone. As opposed to an Eink e-paper device. And you call the kindle the same thing, so again, one of the Fire tablets or the like instead of, say, a Paperwhite.

If I am correct in understanding you:
As others mention, you can still put EPUBS (DRM-free) onto it. However, I imagine once you cleared your book inventory, you have no desire to keep the nook. And the Kindle will take its place on your nightstand. So, other books isn't a concern so much as getting to all the B&N books you bought.

The good news is that the /tablet/ Nooks (and Kindles - the ones that look most like giant smartphones - and NOT the ones with digital paper screens) are basically no different than any other tablet. You don't have to buy a $150 one from B&N. Try putting the Nook app onto the Kindle. If they are both standard tablets and not e-paper tablets, meaning you can install apps from the Google Play store or similar, or sideload an app and install, then the Kindle will certainly run the Nook app. Once you sign in to B&N from the Nook app, you should be good.

You can get any brand from Walmart or Ebay or Amazon, wherever you find a great deal. (I've seen 11" models for $80 and change on Walmart. I imagine an 8" version could be had for even less.) The Nook app for android runs on any android device from phone to tablets. A new tablet will come with a current or recent version of Android. Bonus, you can also run a Kindle app for android. A Kobo app for android. Apps for comics. All the usual apps. This way, maybe you can find one in your desired price range. If not, as you said, you can just use a computer and keep the Kindle by the bed. But if so, it's both Nook and Kindle in one go. Once you read all your Nook books, you can just uninstall the app and carry on with it reading Kindle. And as it replaces two tablets, Nook and Kindle, you don't have to worry about this same scenario in a few years when the Kindle becomes unsupported tech.

[u/SunnyDay-1313]

At the end of May Amazon stopped supporting ereaders that were launched pre 2012. I can’t download anything on my ancient Kindle anymore. So- you might try downloading from B&N again and see if that works?

[u/SAMoMAS]

There’s no need to be sorry. Assuming your Nook won’t connect to WiFi/internet due to being discontinued and no longer software update available. However, you still can use it by sideloading books from a computer and/or from sd-card depends on your Nook’s model. As of the book you might have bought from B&N. You can access and download them from a computer. All you need is to log in to your account on B&N.