You can delete a book from your Kindle in two ways
You can remove a book from your Kindle device itself, which keeps it in your Amazon account but off the device. Or you can delete it permanently from your Amazon library, which removes it from all your devices and the cloud. Most people want the first option — getting a book off a device to make room — but Amazon makes both possible.
The steps differ depending on whether you are using a Kindle e-reader, the Kindle app on a phone or tablet, or the web. The book stays in your Amazon account either way unless you choose permanent deletion, so you can always re-read it later if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a book from a Kindle device keeps it in your Amazon account; permanently deleting it removes it from all devices and your library.
- On a Kindle e-reader, hold your finger on the book title in the library and tap "Remove from Device."
- In the Kindle app on a phone or tablet, swipe left on the book (iOS) or press and hold (Android), then choose remove or delete.
- On Amazon.com, go to "Manage Your Content and Devices," find the book, and select "Delete" to remove it permanently from your account.
- Permanently deleted books can be restored within 60 days by contacting Amazon; after that, you may need to repurchase them.
Removing a book from a Kindle e-reader
On a Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, or standard Kindle device, go to your library. Find the book you want to remove and hold your finger on the title for two to three seconds until a menu appears. Tap "Remove from Device." The book disappears from your device when ready but stays in your Amazon account.
If you want to see only books currently on your device, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top of the library screen and select "Downloaded." This filters out books stored in the cloud, making it easier to find what you want to remove. Books you have removed still appear in your full library view, so you can re-read them anytime.
Removing a book from the Kindle app on a phone or tablet
On an iPhone or iPad, open the Kindle app and go to your library. Swipe left on the book you want to remove. Two buttons appear: "Remove from Device" and "Delete." Tap "Remove from Device" to keep it in your account, or "Delete" to remove it permanently.
On an Android phone or tablet, press and hold the book cover until a menu appears. Select "Remove from Device" or "Delete from Library" depending on what you want. The wording varies slightly between Android versions, but both options do the same thing as the iPhone version.
Permanently deleting a book from your Amazon account
If you want to remove a book from your entire Amazon library — not just one device — go to Amazon.com and sign in. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner and select "Account." Then click "Manage Your Content and Devices."
Find the book in the list and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select "Delete." A confirmation message appears asking if you are sure. Click "Delete" again. The book is now removed from your account and all your devices. Amazon keeps a record of the deletion for 60 days, so you can contact Amazon customer service to restore it if you change your mind within that window.
What happens to your library after deletion
When you remove a book from a single device, it no longer takes up storage space on that device, but it remains in your Amazon account. The next time you sync that device or open the Kindle app, the book will not appear in your library view on that device, but you can still read it again from your account.
When you permanently delete a book, it disappears from your account entirely. If you borrowed the book through a library or subscription service, permanent deletion means you lose access to it. If you purchased it, you can repurchase it later, but Amazon will not restore your original purchase after 60 days.
Removing books you borrowed or got free
Books you borrowed through Kindle Unlimited or a library service work the same way. Removing them from a device keeps them in your account until the loan expires. Permanently deleting them removes them when ready, even if time remains on the loan. You cannot get that loan period back, so be careful with permanent deletion on borrowed books.
Free books you claimed from Amazon's free section or promotional offers can be removed and re-downloaded the same way as purchased books. There is no limit to how many times you can remove and re-read them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo a permanent deletion?
Amazon keeps a record of permanent deletions for 60 days. Contact Amazon customer service within that window and ask them to restore the book. After 60 days, the deletion is permanent and you cannot recover it without repurchasing.
Will removing a book from my device delete it from my other Kindles?
No. Removing a book from one device only affects that device. It stays in your account and on your other devices unless you remove it from each one separately or permanently delete it from your account.
What if I want to keep a book in my account but hide it from my library?
Go to "Manage Your Content and Devices" on Amazon.com, find the book, and click the three-dot menu. Select "Hide Title." The book stays in your account but does not appear in your library. You can unhide it the same way.
Does removing a book free up storage space on my Kindle?
Yes. Removing a book from your device deletes the file and frees up the storage space it used. This is useful on older Kindle models with limited storage, though modern Kindles have enough space for thousands of books.
Can I remove multiple books at once?
On the Kindle app for phones and tablets, you can remove books one at a time. On Amazon.com, you can select multiple books in "Manage Your Content and Devices" by clicking the checkbox next to each title, then use the "Delete" button to remove them all at once.