The fastest way out is the back arrow or home button

To leave a book you're reading on Kindle, press the back arrow at the top left of the screen (on most devices) or hit the home button. This takes you back to your library or the last menu you were viewing. You don't have to finish a book, bookmark your place, or do anything special — Kindle remembers exactly where you stopped and will open to that same spot the next time you open the book.

On a phone or tablet running the Kindle app, the back arrow appears in the top left corner of the reading screen. On a Kindle e-reader (the physical device), press the back button on the device itself. On a computer or web browser, click the back arrow or straightforward close the tab or window.

Your reading progress is saved automatically. You can switch between books, close the app entirely, or turn off your device — when you return to that book, it will open to the exact page where you left off.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the back arrow or home button to exit any book; Kindle saves your place automatically.
  • You can stop reading at any point without finishing the book or taking any extra steps.
  • Switching to a different book does not erase your progress in the first one.
  • If you want to remove a book from your device (but keep it in your account), use the "Remove from Device" option in the book's menu.
  • Returning a borrowed book through a library app works differently and requires you to use the return option in that app, not Kindle itself.

Removing a book from your device versus your library

Exiting a book and removing it from your device are two different things. Exiting just closes the book so you can read something else. Removing deletes it from your device to free up space, but the book stays in your Kindle library in the cloud — you can read it again later without paying again.

To remove a book from your device, open your library, find the book, and tap and hold it (or right-click on a computer). Select "Remove from Device." The book disappears from your device but remains in your account. To read it again, go to your library, find it, and read it once more.

If you want to delete a book from your account entirely so it no longer appears in your library, use the "Delete" option instead of "Remove from Device." This is permanent and you will have to repurchase the book if you want it back.

Switching between multiple books

You can have multiple books open at the same time on the same device. Exit one book using the back arrow, then open a different book from your library. Kindle tracks your reading position in each book separately, so you can jump between them without losing your place in either one.

This is useful if you're reading several books at once or want to sample a book before committing to it. Each book remembers where you stopped, no matter how many other books you open in between.

What to do if a book won't close or is frozen

If the back arrow doesn't work or the book appears frozen, force-close the Kindle app. On a phone or tablet, go to your device's settings, find the Kindle app, and select "Force Stop" (Android) or swipe it away from the app switcher (iPhone). On a Kindle e-reader, hold the power button for 20 seconds until the screen goes black, then release and turn it back on.

After force-closing, reopen the Kindle app or device. Your reading progress is still saved, and the book will open to where you left off. If the problem happens repeatedly, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Kindle app, or restart your e-reader.

Returning borrowed books from your library app

If you borrowed a book through your public library's app (such as Libby, OverDrive, or your library's own lending system), exiting the book is not the same as returning it. The book will stay on your device until the loan period ends, even if you stop reading it.

To return a borrowed book early, open your library app (not Kindle), find the book in your loans section, and tap "Return." This frees up the book for other people waiting for it. The book will be removed from your device when ready. You cannot return a borrowed book through the Kindle app itself — you must use the library's app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my place if I exit a book?

No. Kindle saves your reading position automatically every few seconds. You can exit, close the app, turn off your device, or read other books — when you open that book again, it will open to the exact page where you stopped.

Can I delete a book and get it back later?

Yes, if you use "Remove from Device." The book stays in your cloud library and you can read it again for free. If you use "Delete," the book is removed from your account entirely and you would have to repurchase it.

What happens to my bookmarks and notes when I exit a book?

They stay saved. Any highlights, bookmarks, or notes you made in the book remain in your account and will be there the next time you open the book, even if you remove the book from your device.

Can I exit a borrowed library book without returning it?

Yes, you can exit the book, but it will remain on your device and in your loans until the loan period ends or you return it through your library app. Exiting does not return the book — you must use the "Return" option in your library's app to do that.