This wikiHow teaches you how to transfer a PDF file to a Kindle or Kindle mobile app. You can use the email address associated with your Kindle to transfer the file by email. Alternatively, you can connect your device to your computer via USB cable and directly transfer data.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Send a PDF By Email
Step 1. Find the email address associated with your Kindle
This is the email address you will need to use to send the PDF file directly to your physical device or to the Kindle app for iOS or Android devices:
- Go to the Amazon "My Devices" page. If necessary, log in to your account.
- Scroll down the page to locate the section Personal document settings. It is located inside the board Settings.
- Scroll down the page to locate the email address associated with your Kindle visible in the "Email Address" column.
- If necessary, add a new email address by selecting the link Add a new approved email address, then provide the new address and press the button Add an address.
Step 2. Log in to your inbox
You can use any of the email web services you signed up for.
If you are not already logged in, you will need to manually enter your account email address and password
Step 3. Create a new email
Open the compose new email window by following these instructions, depending on the email service you are using:
- Gmail: Press the button write (or ＋ Write, if you are using the new Gmail graphical interface) located in the upper left part of the page.
- Outlook: Press the button ＋ New message located in the upper left corner of the page.
- Yahoo: Press the button write located at the top left of the page.
-
iCloud Mail: press the blue "Write" button characterized by the following icon
Iphonenewnote placed at the top of the page.
Step 4. Use the email address associated with your Kindle
Type the address you found on your Amazon account web page in the "To" text field of the compose a new email window.
Step 5. Click the "Attach File" icon
It is usually located at the top or bottom of the "New Message" window. The "File Explorer" system window on Windows or "Finder" on Mac will appear.
Step 6. Select the PDF document to attach
Open the folder on your computer where the PDF file you want to transfer to your Kindle is stored, then click the icon to select it.
Step 7. Press the Open button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. The chosen PDF will be attached to the new email message.
Step 8. Send the email
Push the button Send (in some cases it has a paper airplane icon). The chosen PDF file will be sent to the Kindle or Kindle app installed on your mobile device. It may take a few minutes for the PDF document to actually be available in the unread content list.
Depending on the e-mail service you choose, you may need to confirm your willingness to send the message without specifying a "Subject" or without writing anything in the body of the e-mail. In this case, simply press the "Yes" or "Submit" button to confirm the submission
Step 9. Open the PDF file on your Kindle
Make sure your device is turned on and unlocked and connected to a Wi-Fi network (or to the web via a cellular data connection). Go to the Kindle "Library" to locate the PDF document you just uploaded. As soon as the latter appears among the books stored on your Kindle, you can select it to open it.
If you want to use the Amazon Kindle app, launch it and log into your account if needed, then choose the tab Bookshelf to view the list of files present. At this point, select the PDF file icon as soon as it appears on the screen.
Method 2 of 2: Transfer a PDF File Via USB Connection
Step 1. This method is not compatible with the Kindle mobile app
If you need to transfer the PDF file within the Kindle app's "Library", you will need to use this method.
Step 2. Download and install the "Android File Transfer" program if you are using a Mac
This step is mandatory as Macs cannot directly access the file system of Android devices. Follow these instructions:
- Access the following URL using your Mac browser.
- Push the button DOWNLOAD NOW.
- Double-click the DMG file icon when the download is complete.
- Drag the "Android File Transfer" program icon to the "Applications" folder icon.
Step 3. Copy the PDF file to transfer
Navigate to the folder on your computer where the PDF file you want to transfer to your Kindle is stored. Select the file icon with a mouse click, then press the hotkey combination Ctrl + C (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (on Mac).
Step 4. Connect the Kindle to the computer
Plug the USB connector of the cable you use to charge your Kindle into a USB port on your computer. Now connect the other end to the communication port on the Amazon device.
If you're using a Mac, chances are you'll need to purchase a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter in order to connect your Kindle to your computer
Step 5. Access the Kindle file system
The procedure to follow varies according to the operating system in use:
-
Windows: Open the "File Explorer" window by clicking on the icon
File_Explorer_Icon (or by pressing the key combination ⊞ Win + E), then click the name of the Kindle appeared in the left sidebar of the window. If you don't spot it right away, it means you need to swipe the bar down.
-
Mac: The "Android File Transfer" program should start automatically. If not, open the search field Spotlight clicking the icon
Macspotlight type in android file transfer keywords and double click on the icon Android File Transfer which will appear in the list of results.
Step 6. Access the Kindle's internal memory
If the list of files stored in the device does not appear immediately, double-click the "Internal" or "Internal Storage" folder to access the file system of the device.
Skip this step if you are using a Mac
Step 7. Locate and access the "Docs" folder
This is the Kindle directory where documents such as PDF or Word files are stored. Double-click the folder icon to open it.
If you are using the basic model of the Kindle, the folder in question may be marked with the name "Documents"
Step 8. Paste the PDF file you copied
After accessing the "Docs" folder, press the key combination Ctrl + V (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + V (on Mac) to transfer the copy of the PDF file in question to the current folder.
Step 9. Eject the Kindle and physically disconnect it from the computer
After you eject the device in a safe and controlled manner, you can disconnect it from your computer.
Step 10. View the PDF directly on your Kindle
Access the device by unlocking the screen and open the "Library" section to view the list of books present. As soon as the icon of the PDF file you have transferred appears, you can select it for reading.
Advice
- PDF files are natively supported by most Kindle models on the market, so you won't need to convert them to another format before transferring them to your Amazon device.
- If you're having trouble connecting your Kindle to your computer via USB, try using a different USB port, then restart both devices. If the problem persists, the USB cable is most likely the cause, so try using a different one.
