How to Transfer Books to a Kindle
Use Send to Kindle for a compatible personal document, or get Kindle Store books through your Kindle account. You can also transfer supported files by USB, depending on the device and file format.
On this page (6 sections)
To transfer books to a Kindle, send a compatible personal document with Send to Kindle, download Kindle Store books through your account, or copy a supported file by USB. The best route depends on where the book came from and its file type.
For a file you already own, start with Amazon's Send to Kindle service. For a Kindle Store purchase, connect the device to Wi-Fi and sync its library.
If you're unsure whether a file will open, check which EPUB files work on Kindle.
How do you transfer books to Kindle wirelessly?
Use Send to Kindle for supported personal documents, and sync your device afterward. You can send a file from Amazon's website or a compatible app, then choose the Kindle or library connected to your Amazon account.
The service is useful when the file is on a computer or phone and you don't want to connect a cable. Sign in to the account linked to your Kindle, select the file, and confirm the destination before sending.
Connect the Kindle to Wi-Fi and sync. If the book doesn't appear, check the device's account, the send status, and the file type.
Which file types can you send?
Check Amazon's current supported-file list before sending, because format support can change. EPUB files can be sent through Send to Kindle for conversion; that doesn't mean a raw EPUB copied over USB will open on the device.
For more detail on the difference, see how to read EPUB on a Kindle. If the file is protected by digital rights management or comes from another store, its restrictions may prevent a transfer.
How do you download Kindle Store books?
Use the same Amazon account on your Kindle that you used to buy or borrow the book. Connect to Wi-Fi, open the library, and sync or tap the title to download it.
You don't need to copy a Kindle Store book manually from a computer. If it isn't in the library, confirm the account and check whether the title is hidden, archived, or still downloading.
If you need a title from a public library, follow the steps in our guide to borrowing library books on a Kindle. Availability and borrowing steps depend on your library and location.
How do you transfer a book to Kindle with USB?
Connect the Kindle to a computer and copy only a supported file into the device's documents folder. Eject the Kindle safely before unplugging it, then look for the book in the library.
USB can help when you have a compatible file and prefer a direct copy. It does not convert every format, and a file copied this way may not sync to your other Kindle apps or devices.
If the Kindle doesn't recognize the book, remove it and check Amazon's supported-file guidance. For EPUB files, use Send to Kindle instead of assuming a direct USB copy will work.
Which Kindle is a good fit for transferred books?
The Kindle Paperwhite 16GB is the highest-scoring fit here for transferred books, with a 7-inch glare-free display, adjustable warmth, and up to 12 weeks of battery life. The Kindle 16GB is a compact option, while the Scribe adds a larger screen and notebook features.
Our score weighs specs, features, and fit for readers transferring books.
Choose the Kindle Paperwhite 16GB if you want a larger reading screen and adjustable warmth. A single USB-C charge lasts up to 12 weeks.
Choose the Kindle 16GB if you want a compact reader with adjustable brightness and dark mode. Its battery lasts up to 6 weeks on a charge.
Choose the Kindle Scribe 32GB if you want to read and write on the same device. You can add handwritten notes to book pages, and its pen has a built-in eraser and shortcut button.
To estimate how much space your library needs, see how many books a Kindle can hold. If you're choosing a Kindle for travel, compare how long a Kindle lasts before deciding.
Why won't a transferred book appear?
Check the account, Wi-Fi connection, sync status, and file compatibility first. These steps can help you find why a transferred title isn't showing.
- Confirm the Kindle is connected to Wi-Fi.
- Check that it's registered to the Amazon account used to send or buy the book.
- Sync the library and wait for the transfer to finish.
- Verify that the file type is supported and that the file isn't restricted.
- Restart the Kindle if the library still doesn't refresh.
A file sent to the wrong Amazon account won't appear in the library you expect. If the transfer is successful but the title remains missing, remove the file from the send queue and try again with a supported format.
What is the easiest way to transfer books to Kindle?
For a Kindle Store book, sync the Kindle account that owns it. For a compatible personal document, use Send to Kindle and check the destination before sending.
Use USB when you have a supported file and want a direct copy. Choose the Kindle Paperwhite 16GB for its larger glare-free screen and adjustable warmth, the Kindle 16GB for a compact reader, or the Kindle Scribe 32GB if you also want notebook and writing features.
Frequently asked questions
How do I transfer books to a Kindle without a cable?
Use Send to Kindle to send a supported personal document over Wi-Fi, or sync your Kindle to download a Kindle Store book tied to your account. Make sure you send it to the Amazon account linked to the device, then connect the Kindle to Wi-Fi and check its library.
Can I transfer EPUB files to a Kindle?
You can send an EPUB file through Send to Kindle, which converts supported files for reading on Kindle. Direct USB transfer is different: check Amazon's current supported-file guidance before copying, because the Kindle may not open an EPUB copied straight to the device.
Can I transfer a book from my phone to my Kindle?
Yes. Use Amazon's Send to Kindle service from a supported phone app or browser, choose the Kindle or Kindle library linked to your account, and send the file.
Then connect the e-reader to Wi-Fi and sync; the steps can vary by app and file type.
Why is my transferred book not showing on my Kindle?
Check that the Kindle is online, linked to the same Amazon account you used to send the file, and synced. Also confirm that the file type is supported and that the transfer completed; a personal document may take a little time to appear in the library.
