You can delete a book from your Kindle in three ways

You can remove a book from a single Kindle device, delete it from your entire Amazon account, or hide it so it stops showing up in your library. Which one you choose depends on whether you want to keep the book in your account but off one device, or remove it completely. Deleting from a device frees up storage space but keeps the book in your account — you can read it again later. Deleting from your account removes it everywhere and you cannot get it back without repurchasing it.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using a Kindle e-reader, a tablet, or the Kindle app on a phone or computer. All three methods work, but the device you use most often is usually the easiest place to start.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a book from your Kindle device removes it from that device only — the book stays in your Amazon account and you can read it again later.
  • Permanently deleting a book from your Amazon account removes it from all devices and you cannot recover it without repurchasing.
  • You can hide books from your library without deleting them, which keeps them in your account but out of sight.
  • The delete option appears in different places depending on whether you use a Kindle e-reader, tablet app, or phone app.
  • Books you purchased cannot be deleted from your account by Amazon — only you can remove them, and the action is permanent.

Delete a book from a single Kindle e-reader

On a Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, or standard Kindle e-reader, find the book in your library and hold your finger on the book cover for two to three seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Remove from Device" and "Delete." Tap "Remove from Device" to delete it from that e-reader only. The book will stay in your Amazon account and appear in your library on other devices.

If you want to delete the book from your account entirely, tap "Delete" instead. This removes it from all your devices and from your Amazon library. You will see a confirmation message asking if you are sure — tap "Delete" again to confirm. Once you confirm, the book is gone and you cannot recover it unless you repurchase it.

Delete a book from the Kindle app on a phone or tablet

Open the Kindle app on your phone or tablet and go to your library. Find the book you want to remove and tap and hold on the cover (or right-click on a computer). A menu will appear. Tap "Remove from Device" to delete it from that device only, or "Delete" to remove it from your account entirely.

On some versions of the Kindle app, you may see "Remove read" instead of "Remove from Device" — these do the same thing. The book will no longer appear on that device but will remain in your account. If you choose "Delete," the book disappears from your account and all devices.

Delete a book from your Amazon account online

You can also manage your Kindle library from Amazon.com without using a device. Go to amazon.com, sign in, and click "Account & Lists" in the top right. Select "Your Content and Devices" or "Manage Your Content and Devices" (the exact wording varies by region). You will see a list of all books in your account.

Find the book you want to remove and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select "Delete" from the menu. A confirmation message will appear — click "Delete" again to confirm. The book will be removed from your account and all your devices. This is the most permanent way to delete, and there is no way to undo it.

Hide a book instead of deleting it

If you want to keep a book in your account but do not want it showing up in your library, you can hide it instead of deleting it. This is useful for books you borrowed through a library service or received as a gift but do not want to see every time you open your Kindle.

On your Kindle device, hold your finger on the book and select "Remove from Library" (not "Delete"). On the Kindle app or Amazon.com, look for an option that says "Remove from Library" or "Hide from Library." The book will disappear from your library view but will still be in your account — you can unhide it later if you change your mind. Go back to "Manage Your Content and Devices" on Amazon.com and look for a filter or option to show hidden items.

What happens to borrowed books and library loans

If you borrowed a book through your library's digital lending service, the delete process is the same but the result is different. Deleting a borrowed book from your device removes it from that device, but the loan is still active in your account. You can read it again if you want to finish reading it before the loan expires.

If you want to return a borrowed book early and remove it from all devices, delete it from your account using the "Delete" option. This ends the loan when ready and frees up the title so another person can borrow it. You cannot borrow the same book again until the original loan period would have ended, depending on your library's rules.

Recovering a deleted book

If you delete a book you purchased from your Amazon account, there is no way to recover it through Amazon. You will need to repurchase the book if you want it back. However, if you only removed it from a single device, the book is still in your account and you can read it again to that device or any other device.

Before you delete a book permanently, make sure you have finished reading it or that you are certain you do not want it. If you are unsure, use the "Remove from Device" or "Hide from Library" option instead — both keep the book in your account so you can access it later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting a book from my Kindle mean I lose it forever?

Only if you delete it from your account. If you use "Remove from Device," the book stays in your Amazon account and you can read it again. If you use "Delete," it is gone permanently unless you repurchase it.

Can I delete a book from one Kindle but keep it on another?

Yes. Use "Remove from Device" on the first Kindle, and the book will stay on your other devices and in your account. You can then read it to whichever devices you want.

What is the difference between "Remove from Library" and "Delete"?

Remove from Library hides the book from your library view but keeps it in your account — you can unhide it later. Delete removes it from your account entirely and you cannot recover it without repurchasing.

If I delete a borrowed library book, do I have to pay for it?

No. Deleting a borrowed book ends the loan early and removes it from your devices, but you do not owe anything. The book becomes available for other people to borrow.

Can I delete multiple books at once?

On Amazon.com, you can select multiple books using checkboxes and delete them together. On Kindle devices and apps, you must delete books one at a time by holding on each cover and selecting delete.