How to Add PDF Files to Your Kindle

Send PDF files via email

Find your "Send-to-Kindle" email address. This is the email address you'll use to send PDF files to Kindle or the Kindle app:

Open Amazon's "My Devices" page and sign in if necessary.

Scroll down and tap Personal Document Settings .

Scroll down and see the email address listed under the "E-mail address" heading.

Add a new email address if necessary by clicking Add a new approved e-mail address , entering the email address when prompted, and clicking Add Address .

Open your inbox. To do so, go to any email service where you have an account.

If you are not automatically logged in to your email service, to log in you will have to type in your email address and password.

Create a new email. Open the "New Email" window by:

Gmail — Click COMPOSE , or ＋ Compose if you're using a new Gmail mailbox, located on the left side of the page.

Outlook — Click ＋ New message located in the upper left corner of the page.

Yahoo — Click Compose in the upper left corner of the page.

iCloud Mail — Click the blue "Compose" icon at the top of the page.

Enter your "Send-to-Kindle" email address. In the "To" field, enter the email address you just found in the "E-mail address" section of the Kindle page of your Amazon account.

Click the "Attachment" icon. This icon is usually located at the bottom or top of the email page. A File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window will open.

Select your PDF document. Go to the folder where the document is stored on your computer and click on the PDF file to select it.

Click Open . This button is located in the lower right corner. The PDF file will be attached to your email.

Send email. Click the Send button or the paper airplane icon to send the email. The PDF document will be sent to your Kindle or Kindle app. However, it may take a few minutes for the document to appear in your Kindle/Kindle app.

Depending on your email service, you may be asked whether you want to send the email with the "Subject" field or body blank. If so, press Yes or Send to confirm.

Open the PDF document on your Kindle. Make sure your Kindle is unlocked and connected to Wi-Fi (or mobile data is turned on). Next, open your Kindle's "Library" section to view the document. When the PDF file appears here, you can click to select it.

If you're using the Kindle app, open and sign in to the app if necessary, then tap the LIBRARY tab to see a list of files on your Kindle. Next, you can click on the PDF file icon when the file is transferred.

Download PDF files via USB

Don't use this method for the Kindle app. If you want to download a PDF document to the Kindle app on your tablet, use the email method.

If you're using a Mac, download and install Android File Transfer. Since your Mac can't access the Android file system itself, you'll have to install Android File Transfer to connect:

Go to https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ using your Mac web browser.

Click DOWNLOAD NOW .

Double-click the downloaded DMG file.

Click and drag the Android File Transfer icon to the "Applications" folder icon.

Copy your PDF document. Go to the folder containing the PDF file you want to add to your Kindle, then click on the PDF file and press Ctrl+ C(Windows) or ⌘ Command+ C(Mac).

Connect Kindle to computer. Plug the USB end of the Kindle charging cable into the USB port on your computer, then plug the other end of the cable into the Kindle's charging port.

If you're using a Mac, you may have to purchase and plug in a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter before you can connect your Kindle to your computer.

Open your Kindle's folder. This step is not the same in different operating systems:

Windows — Open File Explorer (or press ⊞ Win+ E), then click your Kindle's name in the left sidebar. You may have to scroll down to find the Kindle.

Mac — Android File Transfer will open automatically. If not, you can open it by typing android file transferin Spotlight and then double-clicking on Android File Transfer .

Open your Kindle's internal storage. If your Kindle's folder list isn't immediately displayed, double-click the "Internal" or "Internal Storage" folder to open it.

Skip this step with Mac.

Find and open the "Docs" folder. Kindle files, such as PDF and Word, can be stored here. Double click to open it.

If you download a PDF to a traditional Kindle, the folder will probably be called "Documents".

Paste your PDF file. Once the "Docs" folder is open, press Ctrl+ V(Windows) or ⌘ Command+ V(Mac) to paste the copied PDF file into the folder. The PDF document will be copied to your Kindle.

Disconnect and unplug Kindle from the computer. Once you've safely disconnected your Kindle, you can unplug the cable.

Open the PDF document on your Kindle. Unlock your Kindle, then open the "Library" section of your Kindle to view your PDF file. When the PDF appears in your Kindle's library, you can choose to open it.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 15 May 2024