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For a Kindle Store book, deliver it from your Amazon account; for a personal PDF, EPUB, or other file, use Send to Kindle or transfer it over USB. The right route depends on where the content came from, the file type and size, and whether you want a wireless or wired transfer.
Choose the transfer method that matches your content
| What you want to transfer | Recommended method | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| A book purchased from the Kindle Store | Deliver it through Manage Your Content and Devices | Use the Amazon account that bought the book and select your registered Paperwhite. Amazon’s delivery instructions explain the account steps. |
| A personal document or book file | Send to Kindle | Wireless and supports the file formats Amazon lists, up to 200 MB per file. Check Amazon’s current Send to Kindle guidance for upload controls. |
| A personal file you want to copy directly from a computer | USB | Copy the file into the Kindle’s Documents folder. Steps for Mac and Windows differ, and Mac support depends on the Kindle model and app. |
Deliver a Kindle Store purchase to your Paperwhite
- Sign in to Amazon using the account that purchased the book.
- Open Manage Your Content and Devices and go to the Books list.
- Find the book, choose “Deliver or Remove from Device,” and select your registered Kindle Paperwhite.
- Apply the change. Connect the Paperwhite to Wi-Fi so it can receive the book.
Purchased books are delivered through the account, rather than copied as ordinary personal files. Sending a personal document does not remove rights restrictions on a Kindle Store book; Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing DRM guidance covers restrictions that can apply to store books.
Send a personal book or document wirelessly
Amazon recommends Send to Kindle for personal files. Its supported list includes PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF, HTM, HTML, PNG, GIF, JPG, JPEG, BMP, and EPUB. The service limit is 200 MB per file, according to Amazon Customer Service. Amazon says sending documents to your Kindle library on Kindle devices and Kindle apps through Send to Kindle has no additional cost.
- Open Amazon’s Send to Kindle page and sign in to the account registered to your Paperwhite.
- Use the upload control shown on the page to select the file. The exact interface can vary by sending method and may change.
- Choose the Kindle library or destination device if prompted, then send the file.
- Connect the Paperwhite to Wi-Fi and allow it to sync; open the library to find the document.
Before uploading, confirm the file is in a supported format and within the per-file limit. Amazon lists these formats for Send to Kindle; it does not guarantee that every file will preserve its original layout or behave identically on every Kindle.
#1 Best Overall
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Transfer files with a USB cable
Amazon’s USB directions differ by computer. Connect the Paperwhite using a compatible USB data cable, then place personal files in the device’s Documents folder. The source does not list every Paperwhite generation’s connector type, so check your model and cable before buying an accessory.
On Windows
- Connect the Kindle to the computer with a USB cable.
- Open the Kindle device in File Explorer.
- Open the Documents folder and copy or drag the supported file into it.
- Eject the Kindle safely before disconnecting it.
Amazon says the full file path on Windows must not exceed 256 characters.
Rank #2
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
On Mac
- Connect the Kindle to the Mac with a USB cable.
- For a Kindle Scribe or a Kindle device released in 2024, use the USB File Manager in Amazon’s Send to Kindle app. Amazon says models released before 2024, except Kindle Scribe, do not require that separate app for Mac USB transfers.
- In the USB File Manager, drag the file to the Kindle’s Documents folder.
- Eject the Kindle before unplugging it.
Amazon says the USB File Manager supports drag and drop and does not support transferring more than 2,000 files at a time. For current model-specific instructions, consult Amazon’s file transfer help.
Fix common transfer and conversion problems
- The file will not upload: Check that its format is on Amazon’s supported Send to Kindle list and that it is no larger than 200 MB.
- Conversion fails: Amazon recommends removing password protection and other security settings. For Word files, remove ink drawings, which can cause conversion failures.
- A table looks wrong or will not convert: Simplify large or complex tables, following Amazon’s personal-document conversion tips.
- The document still does not display as expected: Check the document’s language and formatting. Layout and features depend on the file and the Kindle device.
- You cannot find a USB-copied file: Confirm it was placed in Documents, then eject the device safely and check its library.
What to expect from notes and highlights
Amazon’s notes guidance says other Kindle e-readers support highlights and text notes for the listed personal-document types imported through Send to Kindle. Support and document presentation can vary by format and device; see Amazon’s personal document file-type notes table for its distinctions.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Upgrade your reading experience – The Signature Edition features an auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Adapts to your surroundings – The auto-adjusting front light lets you read in the brightest sunlight or late into the night.
Rank #3
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
