Amazon Kindle e-readers are among the most popular on the market, but Amazon is particularly known for offering its own products and services. No matter how much Amazon wants you to buy its books, magazines, and more, it’s entirely possible to download content to a Kindle. There are actually several methods; let’s look at them together.

Warning: Those with newer 2024 Kindle readers read this statement from Amazon first!

Customers can connect their new Kindle devices to a computer to transfer files. On Windows, it will appear as Kindle in File Explorer. On Mac, customers with the new 2024 devices will need to install additional software (e.g. Android File Transfer Or OpenMTP). Customers can still transfer books and documents from their computer via USB or use the Send-to-Kindle service. They can no longer use My Content & Devices to download and transfer books to new 2024 devices via USB. Content available in My Content & Devices is visible on the device in its Kindle library.

You can learn more about these changes here.

Supported files that you can download to a Kindle

First of all, you can’t just load any file onto a Kindle reader. Amazon readers only support a selection of file formats. Here they are:

Use the Send to Kindle website or app

Amazon may be a little selfish and want you to buy all your e-books there, but it’s also not against sideloading content onto a Kindle. In fact, the online retailer has its own official tool for this, called Send to Kindle. This tool is available for the web, as well as Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows apps. There is even a Chrome extension!

How to use Send to Kindle from a web browser:

1. Launch the browser of your choice and navigate to www.amazon.com/sendtokindle.
2. If you are not logged into your Amazon account, go ahead and do so by clicking Log in.
3. When you are ready, click Select device files.
4. Find the file you want to download to a Kindle and select it.
5. You can leave Add to your library Enabled if you want the file to be synced between supported drives and devices. Otherwise, turn off the option and select the device(s) you want to send the file to.
6. Click on Send.

How to use the Send to Kindle app for Windows or Mac:

1. Download and install it Windows Or macOS Send to Kindle app.
2. Launch it Send to Kindle application.
3. Find the files you want to load on a Kindle, then drag and drop them into the area that reads Drop the files here.
4. Hit Send.

You can also simply launch the app and then drag and drop files to the Send to Kindle app.

Maybe you don’t want to send real files to your Kindle, but you enjoy reading articles or other content online. The Chrome extension can help you send web pages to your Kindle.

Use the Send to Kindle Chrome extension to load websites on a Kindle:

1. Launch Chrome.
2. Get it Send to Kindle for Google Chrome extension.
3. Navigate to the page you want to load on a Kindle.
4. Click on the Kindle icon in the toolbar.
5. Fast shipping will send the full page to your library. Preview and send will give you a preview of what the submitted page will look like. If you have selected specific text, you can click Send selection.

How to download content to a Kindle using the Android or iOS app:

1. Download Kindle for Android Or iOS. Set up and log in to the app using your Amazon account.
2. Open or select the file you want to download to a Kindle.
3. Select Share.
4. Take To light up.
5. Select your preferences, then tap Send.

Upload content to a Kindle via email

If you’re more of an email type, you may find it easier to use the traditional delivery method. All supported devices have a dedicated email address that you can use to download content to a Kindle.

1. Find your Kindle’s email address by going to Amazon Manage your content and devices website.
2. Go to Preferences tongue.
3. Select Personal document settings.
4. This section will expand and display your dedicated email addresses for all supported devices, including Kindle e-readers.
5. Enter this email address and send them an email. Attach the file you want to download to a Kindle.

The only real downside to using email is that service providers have file size limits. For example, Gmail only allows 25MB attachment to emails. If you really want to go the more traditional way or want to download a bunch of files to a Kindle, you may want to use a cable instead.

Transfer files using a USB cable

Transfer files from computer to Kindle reader via USB The cable is really as simple as with any other device. Simply plug your Kindle reader into your computer using a cable with the correct ports, launch the Kindle storage folder, and copy/paste the files or drag and drop them.