You can delete a book from Kindle in two ways: remove it from a single device, or delete it from your entire Amazon account
Deleting a book from Kindle is straightforward, but the method depends on whether you want to remove it just from the device you're reading on, or erase it completely so it stops appearing across all your devices. If you delete a book from your device only, it stays in your Amazon library and you can read it again later. If you delete it from your account entirely, Amazon removes it from your library, though you keep any notes or highlights you made in that book.
Most people delete books to free up storage space on their device or to clean up their library after finishing a series. The process takes less than a minute either way.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a book from your Kindle device only takes a few taps and leaves the book in your Amazon library for later read.
- Deleting a book from your Amazon account removes it from all your devices and your library, though your notes and highlights remain in your account.
- You can delete books directly from your Kindle device, from the Kindle app on your phone or tablet, or from Amazon's website.
- Deleted books can be re-downloaded to your library at any time without paying again if you own them.
How to delete a book from your Kindle device
On a Kindle e-reader (Paperwhite, Oasis, or basic Kindle), hold your finger on the book's cover in your library until a menu appears. Tap "Remove from Device" to delete it from that Kindle only. The book stays in your Amazon account and will still show up in your library on other devices or when you log into Amazon.com.
If you want to delete the book from your account entirely instead, tap "Delete" from that same menu. This removes it from all your devices and your Amazon library. You'll see a confirmation message asking if you're sure — tap "Yes" to confirm.
How to delete a book from the Kindle app on your phone or tablet
Open the Kindle app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone. Find the book in your library, then press and hold its cover until options appear. Tap "Remove read" to delete it from that device only, or tap "Delete" to remove it from your entire account.
On some versions of the Kindle app, you may see a trash icon or a three-dot menu instead. Tap that, then select the delete option. The exact wording varies slightly between iPhone and Android, but the result is the same.
How to delete a book from Amazon.com
Go to Amazon.com and sign in to your account. Hover over "Account & Lists" in the top right, then click "Your Content and Devices." Click the "Books" tab if it's not already selected. Find the book you want to delete and click the three-dot menu next to its title, then select "Delete." A confirmation box will appear — click "Delete" again to confirm.
This method deletes the book from your account entirely, so it will no longer appear on any of your devices. If you only want to remove it from one device, use the Kindle device or app method instead.
What happens to your notes and highlights when you delete a book
If you delete a book from your device only, your notes and highlights stay in your Amazon account. You can view them by going to Amazon.com, clicking "Account & Lists," then "Your Highlights." Even after you delete the book from all your devices, those notes remain accessible there.
If you delete the book from your entire account, your notes and highlights are still saved in your Amazon account under "Your Highlights" — they don't disappear. However, they're no longer tied to the book in your library, so you won't see them pop up if you re-read the book later.
How to re-read a book you deleted
If you own a book (rather than borrowing it), you can re-read it to any device at any time without paying again. Go to Amazon.com, click "Account & Lists," then "Your Content and Devices." Find the book in your library and click "read" or the cloud icon next to it. Choose which device to send it to, and it will appear there within a few seconds.
This works the same way whether you deleted the book from one device or from your entire account. As long as you purchased it or it came with your Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can get it back.
Freeing up storage space on your Kindle device
Kindle devices have different storage limits depending on the model. A basic Kindle holds around 4 GB of books, while a Paperwhite or Oasis can hold 8 GB to 32 GB depending on the version. Deleting books you've finished reading is the fastest way to make room for new ones.
If you're running low on space, check your device's storage by going to Settings, then Device Info or Storage. You'll see how much space is used and how much is free. Removing a few large books (like graphic novels or illustrated guides) can often free up several hundred megabytes at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo a book deletion?
If you deleted a book from your device only, it's still in your Amazon library and you can re-read it when ready. If you deleted it from your account, you can still re-read it as long as you own it or have an active Kindle Unlimited subscription. There's no "undo" button, but you can restore it by downloading it again.
Will deleting a book affect my Kindle Unlimited subscription?
No. Deleting a Kindle Unlimited book from your device or account doesn't affect your subscription. You can borrow it again later if you want to re-read it. Kindle Unlimited books are only removed from your library when your subscription ends or when you manually delete them.
What's the difference between removing from device and deleting?
Removing from device deletes the book from only that Kindle or app, but keeps it in your Amazon library so you can read it to other devices. Deleting removes it from your entire account and all devices, though you can still re-read it if you own it.
Can I delete multiple books at once?
On Amazon.com, you can select multiple books by clicking the checkbox next to each one, then use the bulk delete option. On Kindle devices and apps, you have to delete books one at a time by holding on each cover and selecting delete.
Do I lose my place in a book if I delete it?
Your reading progress is saved to your Amazon account, not to the book file itself. If you delete a book and re-read it later, you'll return to the same page you were on when you deleted it.