Kindle screensavers don’t have to be dull. You can personalize them—if you’re willing to pay or hack a little.

Amazon’s Kindles come in two flavors: ad-supported and ad-free. The ad-supported model costs $20 to $30 less but shows ads only on the lock screen. No pop-ups or interruptions while you read. Just a rotating carousel of book recommendations, offers, or product promotions when your device is asleep. If you unlock fast, you’ll barely see them.

Removing these ads is straightforward but not free. You pay Amazon the price difference after purchase through your account settings. Amazon won’t refund you if you start without ads and want ads later. Once you pay, your Kindle swaps lock screen ads for either Amazon’s default illustrations or, better yet, the cover of the book you’re currently reading—provided your model supports it.

Displaying your current book’s cover on the lock screen is a neat touch. It’s available on newer Kindles, including the Paperwhite 7th generation and later, the Oasis 8th gen onward, Kindle Scribe, and others. Activate it via the three-dot menu under Device Options or Screen and Brightness settings. Toggle “Show covers on lock screen” on, and your Kindle becomes a mini art gallery of your reading.

Want more control? Officially, you can’t set custom images as your permanent screensaver. Amazon locks that down. But here’s a clever workaround: create a custom image sized to your Kindle’s screen resolution, then convert it into an ebook cover using tools like Calibre or online EPUB cover changers. Open that “book” before locking your device. The Kindle will display your custom cover as the lock screen image, at least temporarily.

For the truly adventurous, jailbreaking your Kindle opens a Pandora’s box of customization. Jailbreaking disables Amazon’s software restrictions, allowing you to install custom fonts, screensavers, and third-party apps. This is not for everyone. It requires technical know-how, risks voiding warranties, and may cause instability or battery issues. Plus, Amazon actively closes jailbreak loopholes with firmware updates, so timing matters.

Jailbreak communities thrive online, sharing tools and advice. But beware: downloading from untrusted sources invites malware. If you’re not comfortable with tech risks, sideloading books via USB remains a safer way to enjoy your Kindle.

If your device has ads and you want to remove them without jailbreaking, there’s a manual hack for older models like Kindle 3. It involves backing up your files, resetting to factory defaults, and creating a special empty file to block ads. The process wipes your data, so backup is essential. This trick isn’t officially supported and carries risks.

In the end, Kindle ads live only on the lock screen and don’t affect reading. The $20 savings might buy you extra books instead. The choice hinges on how much you value a clean lock screen or personal visuals. For most, ad-supported Kindles offer excellent value with the option to upgrade later.

For those who cling to older Kindles or crave full control, jailbreaking remains a path forward—fraught with risk but loaded with possibility. Either way, your Kindle’s lock screen no longer has to be an eyesore.