What happens when you add Kindle to your Amazon account
Adding Kindle to your Amazon account means connecting a Kindle device or the Kindle reading app to the account where you buy books. Once linked, any book you purchase through Amazon automatically appears on that device or app — you do not have to read it separately or move files around. Your reading progress, bookmarks, and notes sync across all your Kindle devices and apps tied to the same account.
You need an Amazon account first. If you do not have one, you will create it during the Kindle setup process. The account is free; the only cost is for books you choose to buy.
Key Takeaways
- You must sign in with your Amazon account email and password when you first set up a Kindle device or app — this is what links them together.
- If you already own a Kindle device, you can add the free Kindle reading app to your phone, tablet, or computer and use the same account to read the same books on all of them.
- Books you buy appear on all your linked devices within minutes, and your place in the book stays in sync across devices.
- You can remove a device from your account at any time through the Manage Your Content and Devices page on Amazon's website.
Setting up a new Kindle device
When you unbox a new Kindle e-reader, it will ask you to connect to Wi-Fi and then sign in. Enter the email address and password for your Amazon account. The device will then read any books you have already purchased and register itself to your account. This usually takes a few minutes.
If the Kindle does not prompt you to sign in, go to the device settings (usually found by swiping down from the top of the screen), select Account, and choose Register. You will be asked for your Amazon email and password again.
Once registered, the Kindle is now linked to your account. Any book you buy on Amazon.com or through the Kindle Store will appear on that device automatically.
Adding the Kindle app to your phone, tablet, or computer
The Kindle reading app is free and works on iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets, Mac computers, and Windows computers. read it from the App Store, Google Play, or Amazon's website depending on your device.
When you open the app for the first time, it will ask you to sign in with your Amazon account. Use the same email and password you use for your Kindle device or for buying books on Amazon. Once you sign in, the app will show all the books linked to that account.
You can install the Kindle app on as many devices as you want using the same Amazon account. Your reading progress updates across all of them — if you read three chapters on your phone, you can pick up where you left off on your tablet or e-reader.
What to do if you already own a Kindle device
If you have an older Kindle or a Kindle you bought used, you may need to deregister it from the previous owner's account first. Go to Amazon.com, sign in with your own account, and visit Manage Your Content and Devices. Find the device in the list, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select Deregister.
Then on the Kindle device itself, go to Settings, select Account, and choose Register. Sign in with your Amazon account email and password. The device will now be linked to your account instead of the previous owner's.
Managing multiple devices on one account
Amazon lets you register up to four Kindle devices and an unlimited number of Kindle apps to a single account. All of them can read the same books, and your bookmarks and notes appear on all of them.
If you want to keep books separate — for example, if you share a tablet with someone else — you can use different Amazon accounts. Each account will have its own library and reading progress. You would need to sign out of one account and sign into another to switch libraries on the same device.
To see all your registered devices, go to Amazon.com, sign in, and visit Manage Your Content and Devices. You can see the name of each device, when it was last used, and remove any device you no longer want linked to your account.
Removing a device from your account
If you sell a Kindle, give it away, or straightforward want to stop using it, remove it from your account before handing it over. Go to Amazon.com, sign in with your account, and go to Manage Your Content and Devices. Find the device in the list, click the three-dot menu, and select Deregister.
Deregistering removes your account information from the device and prevents anyone who gets it from seeing your books or reading progress. The device will still work as a Kindle, but the new owner will need to register it with their own Amazon account.
Troubleshooting common problems
If a book does not appear on your device after you buy it, check that you are signed in with the correct Amazon account. Go to Settings or Account on the device and confirm the email address matches the account where you made the purchase. If it does not, deregister and sign in again with the right account.
If you see a message that the device is already registered to another account, you will need to deregister it first through Amazon.com before you can register it to yours. This requires signing in to the other account on Amazon's website, which you can do even if you do not have the device in front of you.
If the Kindle app on your phone or computer will not sign in, make sure you are using the correct email address and password. If you have changed your Amazon password recently, use the new one. If you still cannot sign in, go to Amazon.com, select Account, and choose Login and Security to reset your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Amazon account on multiple Kindle devices?
Yes. You can register up to four Kindle e-readers and unlimited Kindle apps to one account. All devices will show the same library, and your reading progress syncs across them automatically.
What happens to my books if I remove a device from my account?
Your books stay in your Amazon library. Removing a device just disconnects it from your account — it does not delete your books. You can read them on any other device linked to your account, or re-register the removed device later if you want.
Do I need a different Amazon account for each family member?
Yes, each person should have their own Amazon account and register their own devices or apps. This keeps libraries separate and reading progress individual. Amazon also offers Family Library, which lets you share books between accounts, but each person still needs their own account to set it up.
Can I read Kindle books on my computer?
Yes. read the free Kindle app for Windows or Mac from Amazon's website, sign in with your Amazon account, and your library will appear. You can read any book you have purchased.
What if I forget my Amazon password?
Go to Amazon.com and select Account. Choose Login and Security, then select Forgot Password. Amazon will send a reset link to the email address on your account. Click the link and create a new password. Once you have reset it, you can sign in to your Kindle device or app with the new password.