Connect Kindle to Libby in three steps

Libby is a free library app that lends ebooks and audiobooks. You can send those ebooks directly to your Kindle device or Kindle reading app. The connection happens through your Amazon account — Libby recognizes your Kindle and lets you choose it as the destination when you borrow a book.

The process takes about five minutes and requires three things: a library card, a Libby account linked to that card, and a Kindle device or app connected to your Amazon account. Once you set it up once, every ebook you borrow from Libby can go straight to your Kindle without any extra steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Libby is a free app run by OverDrive that lends books from your public library — you need only a library card to use it.
  • Your Kindle must be registered to your Amazon account before Libby can send books to it.
  • In Libby's settings, you authorize your Amazon account and choose which Kindle device receives your borrowed books.
  • Once connected, borrowed ebooks arrive on your Kindle within seconds, and you can read them offline.
  • Libby also lends audiobooks, but those play only in the Libby app, not on Kindle devices.

What you need before you start

You need a valid library card from a public library that uses Libby. Most U.S. public library systems do, but some smaller or rural libraries do not. Check whether your library is on Libby's list by searching your library name on the Libby website or in the app.

You also need an Amazon account with at least one Kindle device or the Kindle app installed on a phone, tablet, or computer. The Kindle app is free and available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, and Windows. Your Kindle device or app must already be registered to your Amazon account — if you have used it to buy or read books before, it is already registered.

Libby itself is free. read it from the App Store, Google Play, or the Libby website. You do not need a separate Libby account yet — you create one during setup using your library card.

How to set up Libby with your library card

Open Libby and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select Settings, then Library Card. Tap Add a Library Card. Libby will ask for your location or library name — search for your library and select it from the list.

Enter your library card number and PIN (the PIN is usually the last four digits of your phone number, but check your library's website if you are unsure). Tap Sign In. Libby will confirm your card and take you back to the main screen. You now have a working Libby account.

How to authorize your Amazon account in Libby

In Libby, tap the menu icon again and select Settings. Scroll down and tap Amazon Account. Tap Connect. Libby will open a web page asking you to sign in to your Amazon account. Enter your Amazon email and password and tap Sign In.

Amazon will show you a permission screen asking whether you want to let Libby send books to your Kindle devices. Tap Allow. You will be taken back to Libby, and the Amazon Account section will now show your email address and a list of your registered Kindle devices.

How to choose which Kindle receives your books

In the Amazon Account section of Libby Settings, you will see all Kindle devices and apps registered to your Amazon account. Tap the device you want to use. A checkmark will appear next to it. That device is now your default — every ebook you borrow will go there automatically.

You can change this anytime by going back to Settings and choosing a different device. If you have multiple Kindles, you might want to send books to your Kindle Paperwhite for reading at home and your phone app for reading on the go. You can only have one default at a time, but you can change it as often as you want.

What happens when you borrow a book

Search for a book in Libby and tap it to open the details page. If the book is available, you will see a Borrow button. Tap it. Libby will ask whether you want to send it to your Kindle or read it in the Libby app. Select Send to Kindle. The book will appear on your chosen Kindle device within seconds.

You can read it offline — the book is downloaded to your device. When the loan period ends (usually 21 days for ebooks), the book will disappear from your Kindle automatically. You do not have to return it manually. If the book is not available, you can place a hold and Libby will notify you when it becomes available.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If your Kindle does not appear in the Amazon Account list, make sure it is registered to the same Amazon account you are signing into Libby. Go to Amazon.com, sign in, and check Manage Your Content and Devices. Your Kindle should be listed under Devices. If it is not, register it by following Amazon's on-screen instructions.

If you see your Kindle listed but books are not arriving, check that you have the correct device selected as your default in Libby Settings. Also make sure your Kindle has an active internet connection — it needs to be connected to Wi-Fi to receive books. If a book still does not arrive after five minutes, try borrowing a different book to test the connection.

If Libby will not let you connect your Amazon account, sign out of Amazon on your phone or browser, then try again. Sometimes clearing your browser cookies helps. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the Libby app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send Libby audiobooks to my Kindle?

No. Libby audiobooks play only in the Libby app on your phone, tablet, or computer. They cannot be sent to Kindle devices. If you want to listen to audiobooks on a dedicated device, you would need to use a different service like Audible or OverDrive's audiobook lending.

What if my library is not on Libby?

Some libraries use OverDrive (Libby's parent company) directly instead of Libby, or they use a different ebook lending service altogether. Check your library's website to see what ebook services they offer. Many libraries also offer access to other free ebook apps like Hoopla or Kanopy.

Do I lose the book if I change my default Kindle?

Books you have already borrowed stay on the Kindle they were sent to. Changing your default only affects new books you borrow going forward. If you want a book on a different device, you can borrow it again and send it to the new device.

Can I lend a Libby book to someone else?

No. Libby books are tied to your library card and cannot be shared or lent to other people. Each person needs their own library card and Libby account to borrow books. However, many libraries allow you to get a free card online without visiting in person.

What happens if I return my Kindle?

If you deregister your Kindle from your Amazon account, it will no longer appear in Libby's device list. Any books you had sent to it will no longer be accessible. If you get a new Kindle, register it to your Amazon account and select it as your default in Libby Settings.