Delete a book from your Kindle in three steps
You can remove a book from your Kindle device or app at any time. The book stays in your Amazon library — you can read it again later without paying again — but it no longer takes up storage space on that device. Deletion is permanent on that specific device, though the title remains yours to re-read.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you use a Kindle e-reader, a tablet, or the Kindle app on a phone or computer. All three methods take less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a book from your device does not remove it from your Amazon account, so you can read it again later at no cost.
- On a Kindle e-reader, press and hold the book title from your library, then select "Remove from Device."
- On the Kindle app for phones, tablets, or computers, swipe or tap and hold the book cover, then choose delete or remove.
- Books deleted from one device remain on your other devices unless you delete them there too.
- Archived books (hidden from your library but kept in your account) free up device space without permanent deletion.
Delete from a Kindle e-reader
On any Kindle device — Paperwhite, Oasis, or basic Kindle — go to your library. This is usually the home screen or accessible from the menu. Find the book you want to remove and press and hold on its title or cover image for two to three seconds.
A menu will appear with several options. Select "Remove from Device" or "Delete." The book disappears from your library view when ready. If you see "Archive" as a separate option, that hides the book from your library but keeps it in your Amazon account; "Remove from Device" or "Delete" does the same thing on most newer Kindle models.
The storage space the book occupied is freed up right away. You can check how much space your device is using by going to Settings or Device Info, though most readers do not need to monitor this unless your device is nearly full.
Delete from the Kindle app on a phone or tablet
Open the Kindle app and go to your library. On an iPhone or iPad, swipe left across the book cover. On an Android phone or tablet, press and hold the book cover for two seconds until a menu appears. Both will show a delete or remove option — tap it.
The book is removed from that device's library when ready. If you use the Kindle app on multiple devices — a phone and a tablet, for example — the book remains on your other devices. You must delete it separately from each one if you want it off all of them.
The Kindle app typically stores books in your phone or tablet's internal storage, so deletion frees up space on that device. Check your device's storage settings if you need to confirm how much space the app is using.
Delete from the Kindle app on a computer
Open the Kindle app on your Windows PC or Mac and navigate to your library. Right-click on the book cover and select "Remove from Library" or "Delete." On a Mac, you may also see "Move to Trash" — either option removes the book from the app.
The book is deleted from that computer only. If you use the Kindle app on a desktop and a laptop, you must delete it from each one separately. Your Amazon account still owns the book, so you can read it to any device later.
The difference between deleting and archiving
When you delete a book, it disappears from your library view on that device. When you archive a book, it hides from your library but stays in your Amazon account. Both free up device storage, but archiving is reversible without re-downloading.
To archive instead of delete, look for an "Archive" option in the same menu where you would delete. On Kindle e-readers, this option appears alongside "Remove from Device." On the Kindle app, you may see "Archive" or "Remove from Library" depending on your device type. Archived books can be unhidden from your account settings or by searching for them by title.
Archiving is useful if you think you might want the book again but do not need it on your device right now. Deletion is permanent on that device, though you can always re-read the book to that device later from your account.
What happens to books on your other devices
Deleting a book from one Kindle device or app does not affect your other devices. If you own a Kindle e-reader and use the Kindle app on your phone, deleting the book from the e-reader leaves it on your phone. You must delete it separately from each device.
Your Amazon account keeps a record of every book you have ever purchased or received, so you can see all your titles by logging into Amazon.com and going to "Manage Your Content and Devices." From there, you can see which devices have which books and delete from multiple devices at once if you want.
Recovering a deleted book
If you delete a book by mistake, you can read it again to any device. Open your library on the device where you want it back, search for the title by name, and select "read" or "Get." The book reappears on that device within seconds.
If you cannot find the book in your library search, go to Amazon.com, sign in, and navigate to "Manage Your Content and Devices." Search for the title there. If it shows in your account, you can read it to any registered Kindle device or app. If it does not appear in your account at all, you may have borrowed it from a library or it may have been removed from your account for another reason — contact Amazon support if you are unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a book from my Kindle mean I lose it forever?
No. Deleting removes it from that device only. Your Amazon account still owns the book, and you can read it again to any Kindle device or app at any time without paying again. The book stays in your account permanently unless you return it or Amazon removes it.
Can I delete multiple books at once?
On most Kindle e-readers and apps, you must delete books one at a time. However, on Amazon.com under "Manage Your Content and Devices," you can select multiple titles and delete them from all devices at once. This is faster if you want to remove many books.
Will deleting a book free up storage space on my device?
Yes. Each book takes up storage space on your device. Deleting it frees that space when ready. On e-readers, this matters only if your device is nearly full. On phones and tablets, it may help if you are running low on storage.
What is the difference between removing from device and archiving?
Removing from device deletes the book from that device permanently (though you can re-read it). Archiving hides it from your library but keeps it in your account — you can unhide it without re-downloading. Both free up storage space.
If I delete a book from my Kindle e-reader, does it disappear from my phone app too?
No. Each device is separate. Deleting from your e-reader does not affect the Kindle app on your phone. You must delete the book from your phone separately if you want it off both devices.