What Libby is and why you'd connect it to Kindle
Libby is an app run by OverDrive that lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your library for free. Kindle is Amazon's device and app for reading ebooks. When you connect them, you can borrow a book through Libby and read it on your Kindle device or the Kindle app on your phone or tablet — instead of reading it only in the Libby app itself.
Not every book in Libby works with Kindle. Some publishers restrict their ebooks to the Libby app only. But many do, and when they do, sending to Kindle takes about two minutes and happens automatically.
You need three things before you start: a Libby account (which is free and tied to your library card), a Kindle account (which is free and tied to an Amazon account), and a Kindle device or the Kindle app installed on your phone or tablet.
Key Takeaways
- Libby and Kindle are separate services, so you need accounts with both your library and Amazon before you can send books between them.
- Not all Libby books support Kindle — the app tells you whether a specific title can be sent, and you'll see a "Send to Kindle" button only if it can.
- You connect your Kindle account to Libby once in settings, and after that, sending books is a single tap or click.
- Books sent to Kindle appear in your Kindle library within a few minutes and stay there for the length of your loan, then disappear automatically.
Setting up your Libby and Kindle accounts
Start by making sure you have a working Libby account. Open the Libby app or go to libbydevices.com in a web browser. If you don't have an account yet, tap or click "Sign up" and 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're not sure). Once you're signed in, you should see your library's name at the top.
Next, make sure you have a Kindle account. If you own a Kindle device or have the Kindle app on your phone, you already have one — it's the Amazon account you used to set it up. If you don't have either yet, read the Kindle app (it's free on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows) and sign in with an Amazon account, or create a new one if you don't have an Amazon account yet.
Write down the email address connected to your Amazon account — you'll need it in the next step.
Connecting your Kindle account in Libby settings
Open the Libby app and tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Settings." Look for an option called "Kindle" or "Send to Kindle" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you're on iPhone, Android, or the web version.
Tap that option. Libby will ask for the email address connected to your Amazon account. Type it in exactly as it appears in Amazon — capitalization and spacing matter. Tap "Connect" or "Save." Libby will send a confirmation to that email address.
Go to your email inbox and open the message from Libby (it may take a minute or two to arrive). Click the link inside it to confirm. You'll see a message saying the connection is complete. You can now close that email and go back to the Libby app.
Sending a book to Kindle
Search for a book in Libby the way you normally would. When you find one, tap or click on the title to open its details page. Look for a button that says "Send to Kindle" — it usually appears near the "Borrow" button. If you don't see a "Send to Kindle" button, that book doesn't work with Kindle, and you'll have to read it in the Libby app instead.
If the button is there, tap or click it. Libby will ask which Kindle device or app you want to send it to — if you have multiple devices (like a Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle app on your phone), you'll see them all listed. Pick the one you want and confirm.
The book will appear in your Kindle library within a few minutes. You can start reading it right away in the Kindle app or on your Kindle device, just like any other book in your Kindle library.
What happens when your loan expires
Library loans have due dates. When your Libby loan expires, the book automatically disappears from your Kindle library — you don't have to do anything. Amazon handles the removal on its end, and Libby handles it on its end. If you want to read the book again after it's due, you can borrow it again through Libby and send it to Kindle a second time.
If you reach your library's limit on how many books you can borrow at once, you won't be able to borrow new ones until you return some. Returning a book in Libby is straightforward: open the app, find the book in "My Books," and tap "Return." It disappears from your Kindle library shortly after.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the "Send to Kindle" button doesn't appear, the book may not support Kindle delivery. Some publishers only allow their ebooks to be read in the Libby app. Check whether another edition of the same book is available — sometimes the hardcover version works with Kindle but the audiobook doesn't, or vice versa.
If you connected your Kindle account but the button still doesn't show up, try signing out of Libby completely and signing back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to recognize the connection. On the web version, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then sign in again.
If a book sent to Kindle doesn't appear in your Kindle library after 10 minutes, check that you're looking in the right place. On a Kindle device, go to your library and make sure you're viewing "All" books, not just "Downloaded" books — sent books sometimes appear in the library before they finish downloading. On the Kindle app, check that you're signed in with the same Amazon account you used to connect Libby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Kindle to read Libby books?
No. You can read any Libby book in the Libby app itself, whether or not it supports Kindle. Sending to Kindle is optional and only useful if you prefer reading on a Kindle device or the Kindle app.
Can I send the same book to multiple Kindle devices?
Yes. When you tap "Send to Kindle," Libby shows you all your Kindle devices and apps. You can send the same borrowed book to more than one at the same time, and it will appear in all of them.
What if I don't have a Kindle device — can I still use this?
Yes. The Kindle app is free and works on phones, tablets, and computers. read it, sign in with your Amazon account, and you can send Libby books to it the same way you would to a Kindle device.
Will the book stay on my Kindle after the loan expires?
No. When your Libby loan ends, the book is automatically removed from your Kindle library. You can borrow it again if you want to read it a second time.
Can I highlight or take notes on a book sent from Libby to Kindle?
Yes. Once a book is on your Kindle, you can highlight, bookmark, and take notes just like any other Kindle book. Those notes stay in your Kindle account even after the loan expires, though you won't be able to open the book itself.