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Transferring, Downloading, and Sending Files to Kindle


You can access items stored in your Kindle Library in the Amazon Cloud to your Kindle directly through your device, or by transferring the content via a USB cable. Using the Kindle Personal Documents Service, you can also send your personal documents to your Kindle device, supported Kindle reading applications, and your Kindle Library through the Send to Kindle application or your Send-to-Kindle e-mail address.

Downloading Archived Items on Your Kindle

Your Kindle displays the items you've already downloaded to your device on the Home screen. If you have additional items stored in your Kindle Library that aren't displayed, you can download them through Archived Items if your Kindle is connected wirelessly.

To download Archived Items on your Kindle:

  1. Select "Archived Items" from the Home screen using the 5-way controller. You can also press the Menu button from the Home screen, then select "View Archived Items."
  2. Select the item using the 5-way controller. If your Kindle is connected wirelessly, the item will begin downloading and will automatically open to the last page read. The item will also appear on the Home screen.

Downloading Archived Items Wirelessly

If you are unable to connect your Kindle to a Wi-Fi network, you can still access items in your Kindle Library by downloading them to your computer and transferring them via USB cable to your Kindle. If you need assistance configuring your Wi-Fi network, visit the Connecting Your Kindle Wirelessly Help page.

Transferring Content to Your Kindle via USB

Both Macintosh and Windows users can download and transfer content from a computer to a Kindle device through a USB cable. When your Kindle is plugged into your computer, it will appear as a removable mass-storage device.

Video: Transferring Kindle Content Via USB


Watch this video to learn how transfer content to your Kindle via USB cable.

System requirements

  • Windows-based: Windows 2000 or later.
  • Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.2 or later.
  • USB port: An available port or an attached USB hub with an available port.

Downloading content from your Kindle Library to your computer

If you have already purchased the book, magazine or newspaper you wish to transfer to your Kindle via USB, visit Manage Your Kindle and locate the item you want to download from the "All Items" section. Filter your view for or search your library to quickly find an item.

Content purchased from the Kindle Store can be downloaded to your Kindle, or Kindle compatible device, as long as you've registered the device to the Amazon account that purchased the Kindle content. There is no limit on the number of times a title can be downloaded to a registered device, but there may be limits on the number of devices (usually 6) that can simultaneously use a single book.

  1. Click on the "Actions" button beside the title and select "Download & transfer via USB."

  2. Screenshot of download and transfer via USB options in Manage Your Kindle

  3. Select the Kindle device you will transfer the file to and click the "Download" button.

  4. Description: Select which kindle to transfer the file to

    If you haven't yet purchased the item, you can choose "Transfer via Computer" when purchasing it from the Kindle Store, then click "Buy now with 1-Click."

    Description: Select Download via USB while purchasing

    If you have more than one Kindle device registered to the account, you will see a pop-up window asking you to choose a device. If you do not select the correct Kindle device, you will be unable to open the content on that device.

  5. You may be prompted to open or save the file; choose "Save" and select a location that is easy to find again, such as the desktop.
  6. Once the file has been saved, connect your Kindle device to your computer using a USB cable.

Connecting your Kindle device to your computer

  1. Plug the larger end of a USB cable into an available USB port or a powered USB hub connected to your computer.
  2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the micro-USB port on the bottom of your Kindle device.

When connected to your computer, your Kindle device will go into USB drive mode and its battery will be recharged by the computer. Your wireless service is temporarily shut off and you will not receive any of your subscriptions while in this mode. Also, your Kindle device is not usable as a reading device while you are in USB drive mode, but will return right to where you were once you safely eject the Kindle device from your computer.

Transferring content to your Kindle device

  1. Once you've connected your Kindle to a computer using a USB cable, your Kindle will appear in the same location as external USB drives usually appear. For Windows users, this is typically in the "Computer" or "My Computer" menu. For Mac users, the drive will appear on the desktop.
  2. Open the Kindle drive. You will see several folders inside, one of which will be named "documents." This is the folder you will move the downloaded file into.
  3. Locate the downloaded file and copy it into the documents folder. You can generally copy files by clicking and dragging the file to the folder.
  4. Safely eject your Kindle device from your computer and unplug the USB cable. Your content will appear on the Home screen.

Remember, your Kindle device will only recognize the files you've transferred if:

  • The file is a supported file type.
  • Files are transferred to the correct folder for their type.
  • Files are free of digital rights management (DRM) software.

Kindle Personal Documents Service

With Kindle Personal Documents Service, you can send your personal documents to your registered Kindle devices, supported Kindle reading applications, and your Kindle Library in the Amazon Cloud through the Send to Kindle application or your Send-to-Kindle e-mail address.

Your Send-to-Kindle e-mail address is a unique e-mail address assigned to your Kindle device or supported Kindle reading application upon registration. You and your approved contacts can send personal documents to your registered Kindle devices, supported Kindle reading applications, and your Kindle Library in the Amazon Cloud by e-mailing them to your Send-to-Kindle e-mail address ([name]@kindle.com).

Send to Kindle for PC and Send to Kindle for Mac are  free applications that let you easily send your personal documents to your registered Kindle devices, supported Kindle reading applications, and your Kindle Library from your computer.

Send to Kindle for PC is available to download at www.amazon.com/sendtokindle/pc and Send to Kindle for Mac is available for download at www.amazon.com/sendtokindle/mac.

Detailed information on Kindle Personal Documents Service is available on our Kindle Personal Documents Service help page.

Finding the Send-to-Kindle e-mail address on your Kindle

When you register your Kindle, you'll automatically be assigned a Send-to-Kindle e-mail address. You can find this address from your Kindle's Settings screen:

  • From the Home screen, select Menu.
  • Select Settings.
  • Your Kindle's [name]@kindle.com e-mail address is listed under Send-to-Kindle E-mail heading.

Learn more about modifying your Send-to-Kindle E-mail address on Manage Your Kindle.

Kindle Personal Documents Service Fees

Kindle Personal Documents Service doesn't charge fees for delivery of personal documents to Kindle devices over Wi-Fi -- the wireless connection method your Kindle uses -- or to supported Kindle reading applications. At this time, the only Kindle reading applications supported by Send to Kindle for PC are the Kindle for Android App (running app version 3.5 or greater) and the Kindle App for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Learn more about fees for the Kindle Personal Documents Service using Whispernet, the wireless connection method used on some Kindle models.

Supported File Types

You can purchase and wirelessly download Kindle books, newspapers, magazines and blogs from the Kindle Store as well as download and read other types of non-DRM (Digital Rights Management) text-based content on your Kindle. Here's a list of file types recognized by Kindle:

  • Documents: Kindle (.AZW, .AZW1). Text (.TXT), Unprotected Mobipocket (.MOBI, .PRC), .PDF

Mobipocket files that have Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection applied are unable to read on your Kindle. If you purchased a Mobipocket file from a Mobipocket retailer, you will not be able to open the file on your Kindle.

EPUB eBooks are not supported on your Kindle.

You can add any of the above file types to your Kindle without using the Kindle Personal Documents Service to convert those files to a compatible type. If it is not listed above, conversion would be necessary to read the file on your Kindle.

Built-in Adobe PDF Reader for Kindle

Your Kindle displays PDF documents natively with built in Adobe PDF reader allowing you to view the PDF without losing any of the original formatting. You can zoom in on PDFs by using the 5-way controller and pressing down when a + symbol appears over the magnifying icon. You can also magnify PDFs by viewing them in landscape mode.

To zoom on a PDF document:

  1. Use the 5-way controller to navigate over the PDF.
  2. Once a magnifying icon appears press down on the 5-way controller to select.
  3. Press down on the 5-way controller to return to the normal view.

When zoomed in, you'll see scroll bars appear at the edges of the page that indicate what section you're viewing. Use the 5-way controller to move across the page and view different sections. To return to the previous view, press the Text key and select "fit-to-screen."