Delete a book from your Kindle device or app in three steps
To remove a book from your Kindle, find it in your library, press and hold (or right-click on a computer), and select the delete option. The book disappears from your device immediately. On most Kindles, you can also swipe left on a title to reveal a trash icon. The process takes seconds and does not affect your Amazon account — you can re-download the book later if you change your mind.
Where you delete from matters slightly. Removing a book from your Kindle device does not remove it from your Amazon library, so the title stays in your account. Removing it from your Amazon account removes it everywhere at once. This guide covers both routes and explains what happens to your reading progress and notes when you delete.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a book from your Kindle device removes it from that device only — the book stays in your Amazon account and can be re-downloaded anytime.
- Deleting a book from your Amazon account removes it from all your devices and apps at once, and you lose any notes or highlights you saved.
- On Kindle e-readers, swipe left on a title to delete it; on phones and tablets, press and hold the cover image and tap delete.
- Your reading progress and bookmarks are tied to the book in your Amazon account, so deleting the book also deletes those records.
- Borrowed books from a library disappear automatically when the loan period ends, but you can return them early through the same delete menu.
Delete from a Kindle e-reader or tablet
On a Kindle e-reader (Paperwhite, Oasis, or basic model), open your library and find the book you want to remove. Swipe left across the book cover — a trash icon appears on the right side. Tap the trash icon and confirm the deletion. The book vanishes from your device within seconds.
On a Kindle Fire tablet or iPad running the Kindle app, press and hold the book cover until a menu pops up. Tap "Remove from Device" to delete it from that tablet only, or "Delete" to remove it from your Amazon account entirely. The wording differs slightly between devices, but both options appear in the same menu.
Delete from the Kindle app on your phone
Open the Kindle app on your iPhone or Android phone and go to your library. Press and hold the book cover — a menu appears with options. Tap "Remove from Device" to delete it from your phone only, keeping it in your Amazon account. Tap "Delete" to remove it from your account and all devices.
If you do not see these options, make sure you are in the library view, not the store. Some older versions of the app use slightly different wording, but the delete option is always in the long-press menu.
Delete books from your Amazon account entirely
To remove a book from your Amazon account (so it disappears from all devices), go to amazon.com on a computer and sign in. Click "Account & Lists" in the top right, then select "Your Content and Devices." Find the book in your library, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select "Delete." Amazon asks you to confirm — click "Yes, delete this title" and it is gone from your account.
Once you delete a book from your Amazon account, you cannot recover your notes, highlights, or bookmarks in that title. Your reading progress is also lost. If you think you might want the book back later, delete it from your device only instead — that keeps your account copy intact.
What happens to your notes and reading progress
When you delete a book from your device only, your notes and highlights stay saved in your Amazon account. If you re-download the book later, they reappear on your new device. Your reading progress (the page or location you were on) also syncs back when you re-download.
When you delete a book from your Amazon account, all notes, highlights, and reading progress are deleted permanently. Amazon does not keep a backup of these. If you have notes you want to keep, copy them to a document or email them to yourself before you delete the book from your account.
Return borrowed library books early
If you borrowed a book through your library's digital lending service (usually Libby, OverDrive, or Hoopla), it appears in your Kindle library with a return date. To return it early, find the book in your library, press and hold it, and select "Return" or "Remove from Device." The book disappears immediately and becomes available for other patrons to borrow.
Borrowed books are removed from your account automatically when the loan period ends, so you do not have to do anything if you want to keep it until the deadline. Returning early frees up the title for others but does not give you any extra benefit.
Manage your library without deleting
If you want to clean up your library without permanently removing books, you can archive them instead. On amazon.com, click the three-dot menu next to a book and select "Archive This Title." The book disappears from your library view but stays in your Amazon account. You can search for it later and restore it with one click.
Archiving is useful if you have finished a book but might want to reference it later, or if you want to hide books you do not plan to read soon. Your notes and highlights stay with archived books, and your reading progress is preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a book back after I delete it from my Amazon account?
Yes, but only if you still own it. If you purchased the book, you can re-download it anytime from your Amazon library. If it was a free promotional book or a borrowed library book, you cannot get it back unless the library offers it again or Amazon re-runs the promotion.
Will deleting a book refund my money?
No. Deleting a book does not trigger a refund. If you want to return a book you purchased, contact Amazon customer service within a set timeframe (usually 7 days for most titles). Deletion is permanent and separate from returns.
What is the difference between "Remove from Device" and "Delete"?
"Remove from Device" takes the book off that specific phone, tablet, or e-reader but keeps it in your Amazon account. "Delete" removes it from your account and all devices at once. Use "Remove from Device" if you want to free up space but keep the book in your account.
Do my highlights and notes disappear if I delete a book from one device?
No. Deleting from one device does not affect your notes or highlights. They stay in your Amazon account and appear on other devices where you have the book. Only deleting from your entire Amazon account removes your notes permanently.
Can I delete multiple books at once?
On amazon.com, you can select multiple books by clicking the checkbox next to each title, then use the bulk action menu to delete them all together. On Kindle devices and apps, you must delete books one at a time.