Delete a book from your Kindle in three steps
You can remove a book from your Kindle device or app at any time. The book stays in your Amazon library unless you delete it there too — removing it from the device just clears the storage space. If you delete it from your library, you can download it again later without paying again.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using a Kindle e-reader, a tablet, a phone, or the Kindle app on a computer. All three methods take less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a book from your device does not remove it from your Amazon library, so you can download it again later.
- On a Kindle e-reader, hold your finger on the book title in the library and tap "Remove from Device."
- On a phone or tablet app, swipe left on the book (iPhone) or press and hold (Android), then choose delete.
- To permanently remove a book from your library so it no longer appears anywhere, you must delete it from your Amazon account on a web browser.
- Deleting a book does not refund your purchase, but you can download it again if you change your mind.
Delete a book from a Kindle e-reader
On a Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, or basic Kindle device, go to your library. Find the book you want to remove and hold your finger on the title for two seconds until a menu appears.
Tap "Remove from Device." The book disappears from your device immediately and the storage space is freed up. The book remains in your Amazon library, so you can download it again anytime by going to your library and tapping the cloud icon next to the title.
If you want to delete the book permanently from your Amazon account so it no longer shows up in your library at all, you cannot do that from the device itself — you have to use a web browser on a computer or phone.
Delete a book from the Kindle app on iPhone or iPad
Open the Kindle app and go to your library. Find the book you want to remove and swipe left on the title with one finger. A red "Remove" button appears on the right side of the book.
Tap the red button. A popup asks whether you want to remove the book from your device or delete it from your library. Choose "Remove from Device" if you want to keep it in your Amazon account and download it later. Choose "Delete from Library" if you want to remove it permanently.
If the swipe does not work, try pressing and holding your finger on the book title for one second instead. The same menu appears.
Delete a book from the Kindle app on Android phone or tablet
Open the Kindle app and go to your library. Find the book you want to remove and press and hold your finger on the title for one second. A menu appears with several options.
Tap "Remove from Device" to delete it from your phone or tablet but keep it in your Amazon library. Tap "Delete from Library" if you want to remove it from your account entirely. The book disappears immediately.
If you chose "Remove from Device," the book still takes up a small amount of space until you clear your app cache. To do this, go to your phone's Settings, find the Kindle app, and tap "Storage" or "Clear Cache."
Delete a book from the Kindle app on Windows or Mac
Open the Kindle app on your computer. In your library, right-click on the book you want to remove. A menu appears with options.
Click "Remove from Device" to delete it from your computer but keep it in your Amazon library. The book is removed immediately. If you want to delete it from your library entirely, you have to do that through your Amazon account on a web browser instead.
Permanently delete a book from your Amazon library
If you want to remove a book so it no longer appears in your library on any device, you must use a web browser. Go to amazon.com and sign in to your account. Click on "Account & Lists" in the top right corner, then click "Your Content and Devices."
Find the book in your library and click the three dots (menu icon) next to the title. Click "Delete from Library." A popup asks you to confirm. Click "Yes, delete this title." The book is now removed from your Amazon account completely.
This action is permanent — the book will no longer show up in your library on any device. However, you can still purchase it again if you change your mind. Deleting a book from your library does not refund your purchase.
What happens to your highlights and notes when you delete a book
If you delete a book from your device but keep it in your library, your highlights and notes stay saved in your Amazon account. When you download the book again, all your marks reappear in the same places.
If you delete a book from your library permanently, your highlights and notes are deleted too. Amazon does not preserve them. If you think you might want to read the book again, consider removing it from your device only instead of deleting it from your library.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my money back if I delete a book?
No. Deleting a book from your device or library does not refund your purchase. If you bought the book by mistake, contact Amazon customer service within a few days of purchase — they may be able to help, but deletion alone does not trigger a refund.
If I delete a book from my device, will it disappear from all my other devices?
No. Removing a book from one device does not affect your other devices. If you own a Kindle e-reader and also use the Kindle app on your phone, deleting the book from your phone will not remove it from your e-reader. You have to delete it separately on each device.
What if I delete a book by mistake?
If you deleted it from your device only, it is still in your library and you can download it again immediately. If you deleted it from your library, go back to your Amazon account on a web browser, search for the book, and download it again. You will not be charged again.
Does deleting a book free up storage space on my Kindle?
Yes. Removing a book from your device frees up the storage space it was using. On most Kindle e-readers, you can store thousands of books, so storage is rarely a problem. On phones and tablets, deleting books can help if your device is running low on space.
Can I delete multiple books at once?
On most devices, you have to delete books one at a time. On a web browser, you can select multiple books in your library by clicking the checkbox next to each title, then use the bulk delete option. Check your device's Kindle app to see if it offers a select-all or multi-select feature.