The quickest way to change your Kindle lock screen

You can change your Kindle lock screen image in two places: through your device settings, or through your Amazon account online. The device method takes about two minutes. The online method gives you more control over which image appears on which device if you own multiple Kindles.

On your Kindle itself, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the menu, then tap Settings. Scroll to Device Options and select Lock Screen. You'll see a list of available images — tap one to preview it, then tap Set Lock Screen to confirm. The change appears when ready.

If you want to use a photo you've taken or downloaded, you'll need to go through your Amazon account instead, because the device menu only shows Amazon's built-in images. That process takes a few more steps but opens up any image file you have stored in your Amazon Photos library.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way is through your Kindle's Settings menu: swipe down, tap Settings, then Device Options, then Lock Screen.
  • Amazon provides a set of built-in images you can choose from directly on your device with no account login needed.
  • To use your own photos, you must upload them to Amazon Photos first, then set them as your lock screen through your Amazon account website.
  • Changes made on the device explore only to that Kindle; changes made through your account can sync across multiple devices if you choose.

Using Amazon's built-in lock screen images

Amazon includes dozens of images with every Kindle — landscapes, abstract designs, famous artwork, and seasonal images. These are the easiest option because they're already on your device and require no uploading or account access.

When you open the Lock Screen menu on your device, you'll see them organized by category. Tap any image to see a full preview before you commit. Once you select one, it becomes your lock screen the next time your device goes to sleep.

The available images change slightly depending on your Kindle model and when you last updated your software. If you've seen the same set of images for months and want something new, check Settings > Device Options > About This Device to see your current software version, then look for software updates in the same Settings menu.

Setting a personal photo as your lock screen

To use your own image, you need to upload it to Amazon Photos first. Amazon Photos is Amazon's cloud storage service, and every Amazon account gets 5 GB free. Go to photos.amazon.com on your computer or phone, sign in with your Amazon account, and upload the image you want to use.

Once the photo is uploaded, go to amazon.com on a web browser and sign in. Hover over Account & Lists in the top right, then select Your Account. Look for Content and Devices (or Manage Your Content and Devices on older account layouts). Click the Devices tab, find your Kindle in the list, and click on it.

You'll see a section called Lock Screen with an option to Change Lock Screen. Click that, then browse your Amazon Photos library to find the image you uploaded. Select it and confirm. The new lock screen will appear on your device within a few minutes.

Differences between device settings and account settings

When you change your lock screen through your Kindle's Settings menu, the change applies only to that device. If you own a Kindle Paperwhite and a Kindle Scribe, changing the lock screen on one won't affect the other.

When you change it through your Amazon account online, you're setting a default for that specific device, but you can also choose to sync the same lock screen across all your Kindles at once. This is useful if you want a consistent look across multiple devices without changing each one individually.

The account method also lets you set different lock screens for different devices — you could have a family photo on your Paperwhite and a landscape on your Scribe. The device method doesn't offer this flexibility; it only changes the one device you're holding.

Troubleshooting when your lock screen won't change

If you've selected a new lock screen but it's not appearing, the most common cause is that your device hasn't synced with Amazon's servers yet. Put your Kindle on Wi-Fi and wait a few minutes, then lock and unlock the device to see if the change has taken effect.

If you're trying to use a personal photo and it's not showing up in the Amazon Photos library, check that you uploaded it to the correct account — the same one linked to your Kindle. Photos uploaded to a different Amazon account won't appear in your device's lock screen options.

If the lock screen menu itself won't open, restart your Kindle by holding the power button for 20 seconds until the screen goes black, then press power again to turn it back on. After the restart, try accessing Settings again.

File types and image requirements for personal photos

Amazon Photos accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and HEIC image files. Most photos from phones and cameras are already in one of these formats, so you usually won't need to convert anything.

There's no strict size requirement, but Amazon recommends images that are at least 1024 pixels wide for best quality on your lock screen. Very small images (under 500 pixels) may look blurry or pixelated when displayed. If you're uploading a photo from your phone, it's almost certainly large enough.

Animated GIFs will upload to Amazon Photos, but your Kindle lock screen will display them as a still image — the animation won't play. If you want motion on your lock screen, that's not currently possible on standard Kindles.

Removing a custom lock screen and returning to defaults

If you've set a personal photo as your lock screen and want to go back to Amazon's built-in images, go back to your Amazon account at amazon.com, navigate to Content and Devices, select your Kindle, and click Change Lock Screen. Instead of choosing a photo from Amazon Photos, select one of the default images from the Amazon Curated section.

Alternatively, you can change it directly on your device: swipe down, tap Settings, go to Device Options > Lock Screen, and select any of the built-in images. This will override whatever you set through your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a screenshot or image from the internet as my lock screen?

Yes, as long as you read it to your computer or phone first, then upload it to Amazon Photos. You can't directly set an image from a website as your lock screen — it has to be in your Amazon Photos library first. Make sure you have the right to use the image before uploading it.

Will changing my lock screen affect my reading or my library?

No. Your lock screen is purely visual and appears only when your device is locked or sleeping. It has no effect on your books, reading progress, notes, or any other content on your Kindle.

What happens to my lock screen if I factory reset my Kindle?

A factory reset returns your lock screen to Amazon's default image. If you've set a personal photo, you'll need to set it again after the reset. Built-in images you selected will be lost, but they're straightforward to reselect from the menu.

Can I set different lock screens for different family members on a shared Kindle?

No. A Kindle can only have one lock screen at a time, even if multiple people use it. You'll need to change it manually if different family members want different images, or use separate Kindle accounts on the same device (which requires signing out and back in each time).

Does changing my lock screen use data or drain my battery?

Changing your lock screen uses a tiny amount of data only when you first make the change and your device syncs with Amazon. It has no ongoing effect on battery life — the lock screen image is stored on your device and doesn't require a connection to display.