Delete a book from Kindle by opening the app, finding the title, and swiping left on it (mobile) or right-clicking it (desktop), then selecting delete

The Kindle app stores your library on Amazon's servers, so deleting a book from the app doesn't erase it from your account — you can download it again later without paying twice. The deletion only removes it from your device and hides it from your library view. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using a phone, tablet, or computer.

You won't lose your reading progress or bookmarks if you delete and re-download the same book. Amazon keeps that data tied to your account. The book simply disappears from your "My Library" list until you choose to download it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a book from Kindle removes it from your device and library view, but you can download it again anytime without repurchasing.
  • On iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the book title and tap "Remove from Device" or "Delete" depending on your Kindle app version.
  • On Android phones, long-press the book cover, then tap the trash icon or delete option from the menu that appears.
  • On Mac or Windows, right-click the book title in your library and select "Remove from Library" or a similar option.
  • Your reading progress, bookmarks, and highlights stay saved to your Amazon account even after you delete the book.

Steps for iPhone and iPad

Open the Kindle app and go to your library. Find the book you want to remove. Swipe your finger from right to left across the book cover or title. A menu will appear with options — tap "Remove from Device" (older app versions say "Delete"). Confirm the action if prompted.

If you want to remove the book entirely from your library view so it doesn't clutter your list, look for an option like "Remove from Library" or "Archive" in that same menu. "Remove from Device" keeps it in your library but off your phone; "Remove from Library" hides it completely unless you search for it or go to your Amazon account online.

Steps for Android phones and tablets

Open the Kindle app and navigate to your library. Long-press (hold your finger on) the book cover until a menu appears. Look for a trash icon, delete button, or "Remove" option and tap it. Some versions of the app show a three-dot menu icon instead — tap that, then select delete or remove from the choices shown.

Like the iPhone version, Android lets you choose between removing the book from your device only or removing it from your library entirely. Check the menu carefully to see which option you're selecting, since the wording varies by app version.

Steps for Mac and Windows computers

Open the Kindle app on your computer and find your library. Right-click on the book title or cover. A context menu will appear with options including "Remove from Library," "Delete," or "Archive." Click the option that matches what you want to do.

On some versions of the desktop app, you may need to click a menu button (often three horizontal lines) to access library settings. If you don't see a delete option in the right-click menu, check the app's main menu bar at the top of the window for a "Library" or "Tools" option.

The difference between removing and archiving

Remove from Device takes the book off your phone or computer but leaves it in your library. It still appears in your "My Library" list, but the file isn't stored on that device anymore. Use this when you want to free up storage space but might read the book again soon.

Remove from Library or Archive hides the book from your main library view. It no longer shows up when you browse your books, but Amazon keeps it in your account. You can find it again by searching for the title or by going to your Amazon account online and looking at archived items. Use this when you're done with a book and don't want it cluttering your list.

Some books — particularly free samples or borrowed titles from Kindle Unlimited — may only offer a "Delete" option, which removes them completely. You can't re-download a free sample, but you can borrow the full book again if it's still available through Kindle Unlimited.

What happens to your notes and bookmarks

Your highlights, notes, and bookmarks stay saved in your Amazon account even after you delete the book from your device or library. When you download the book again, all your annotations reappear exactly where you left them. This is true whether you deleted the book yesterday or a year ago.

You can view your notes and highlights online through your Amazon account without downloading the book again. Go to amazon.com, sign in, and look for "Your Highlights" or "Your Content and Devices" to see all your annotations across all your books.

Freeing up storage space on your device

If your phone or tablet is running low on storage, removing books from your device (not from your library) is the fastest way to reclaim space. A single book file typically takes up 1 to 10 megabytes depending on length and whether it includes images. Removing ten books might free up 50 to 100 megabytes — useful if you're close to your storage limit, but not a major cleanup unless you have hundreds of books downloaded.

You can download books again whenever you want, so there's no penalty for removing them temporarily. Many readers keep only the books they're actively reading on their device and remove the rest to stay organized.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I delete a book, do I have to buy it again?

No. Deleting a book from your device or library doesn't affect your purchase history. You can download it again anytime at no cost. Amazon tracks which books you own through your account, not through what's currently on your device.

Can I delete a borrowed Kindle Unlimited book?

Yes. Borrowed books can be deleted just like purchased ones. Deleting a borrowed book returns it to the Kindle Unlimited library, and you can borrow it again later if you want. Your reading progress is saved, so you'll pick up where you left off.

What if I accidentally delete a book I wanted to keep?

Download it again from your library or from Amazon.com. Your notes and bookmarks will reappear automatically. There's no "undo" button in the app, but since the book is still in your account, you can restore it instantly.

Why does my library still show books I deleted?

You may have removed the book from your device but not from your library. Go back to the book and choose "Remove from Library" or "Archive" instead. Alternatively, the book might be in a different collection or category — check your library filters to see if you're viewing all books or just a subset.

Can I delete multiple books at once?

The Kindle app doesn't have a bulk delete feature. You have to remove books one at a time. If you want to clean up your library significantly, doing it through Amazon.com on a computer is faster than tapping each book individually on your phone.