You can delete books from Kindle in three ways, depending on where you want to remove them from
A book can live in three places on your Kindle account: on your device itself, in your cloud library (Amazon's servers), or both. Deleting from your device frees up storage but keeps the book in your account. Deleting from your library removes it entirely — though you can redownload it later if you bought it. Most people want to delete from their device to make room, so that's the fastest option.
The steps differ slightly between Kindle e-readers, tablets, and phones, but the principle is the same: find the book, press and hold (or right-click), and choose delete. You won't lose money or your purchase history — Amazon keeps a record of what you've bought.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a book from your Kindle device removes it from that device only; the book stays in your cloud library and you can redownload it anytime.
- Deleting from your Kindle library on Amazon.com removes the book from your account entirely, though you can still repurchase it.
- On a Kindle e-reader, press and hold the book title, then select "Remove from Device" or "Delete" depending on your model.
- On a phone or tablet using the Kindle app, swipe left on the book (iOS) or press and hold it (Android), then choose delete.
- Deleted books do not affect your Kindle subscription or any active reading; you can delete a book you're currently reading and resume later by redownloading it.
Deleting from a Kindle e-reader device
On a Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, or standard Kindle, the process is nearly identical. From your home screen (the library view showing all your books), press and hold the book cover you want to delete. A menu will appear with options including "Remove from Device" and sometimes "Delete" — these mean the same thing on most models.
Tap "Remove from Device." The book disappears from your Kindle immediately, and the storage space it used becomes available. If you later want to read it again, go to your library on Amazon.com, find the book in your account, and select "Send to Kindle" — it will download back to your device.
On older Kindle models, you may see "Delete" instead of "Remove from Device," but the outcome is identical. The book leaves your device but stays in your cloud library.
Deleting from the Kindle app on your phone or tablet
If you read on an iPhone or iPad using the Kindle app, swipe left on the book cover in your library. A red "Delete" button appears. Tap it, and the book is removed from that device. On Android phones and tablets, press and hold the book cover until a menu appears, then select "Remove from Library" or "Delete."
Like the e-reader, this removes the book from your phone or tablet but not from your Amazon account. You can redownload it to any device linked to your account whenever you want.
Permanently removing a book from your Amazon account
If you want to delete a book so thoroughly that it no longer appears in your library on Amazon.com, you need to use the web version. Go to Amazon.com, sign in, and navigate to "Manage Your Content and Devices" (usually found under your account menu). Click the "Books" tab to see your entire library.
Find the book you want to remove, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select "Delete." A confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure. Once you confirm, the book is removed from your account entirely. It will no longer appear in your library on any device, and you'll lose any notes or bookmarks you made in that book.
You can still repurchase the book later if you change your mind — your purchase history remains intact, and you'll often see a lower price or a "Buy Again" option when you search for it.
What happens to your notes and highlights when you delete
If you delete a book from your device only (using "Remove from Device"), your notes and highlights stay in your Amazon account. When you redownload the book, they'll be there waiting for you. If you permanently delete the book from your account using the web method, those notes and highlights are gone for good.
Before you permanently delete a book you've annotated heavily, consider exporting your notes. Some third-party tools can pull your Kindle highlights and notes into a document, though Amazon doesn't offer an official export feature. If the notes matter to you, copy them manually or use a tool like Readwise or Clippings before deleting.
Deleting books doesn't affect your Kindle Unlimited subscription
If you're reading a book through Kindle Unlimited (Amazon's subscription service), deleting it from your device or library simply returns it to the catalog. You haven't "used up" your monthly borrow, and you can borrow the same book again later. Deleting is just a way to manage your library space.
The same applies to borrowed library books through your local library's digital lending service. Deleting removes it from your device, but you can borrow it again when you're ready.
Bulk deleting multiple books at once
If you want to delete many books at once, the web interface is faster than doing them one by one on your device. On "Manage Your Content and Devices," you can check the boxes next to multiple books and then click "Delete Items" at the top. This removes all selected books from your account in one action.
On your Kindle device or app, you'll need to delete books individually — there's no bulk delete option. If you're clearing out dozens of books, the web method saves time.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete a book from my Kindle, can I get it back?
Yes. If you deleted it from your device only, it's still in your cloud library and you can redownload it immediately. If you permanently deleted it from your account, you can repurchase it (often at the original price or lower) and it will be added back to your library.
Will deleting books free up storage space on my Kindle?
Yes, but the amount depends on the book's file size. Most e-books are small (under 5 MB), so deleting a few won't make a dramatic difference. Deleting many books or large illustrated books will noticeably free up space. Your Kindle will tell you how much storage is available in the device settings.
What if I delete a book I'm currently reading?
You can delete a book you're in the middle of reading. Your reading progress is saved to your Amazon account, so when you redownload the book, you'll resume from where you left off. The bookmark stays even after deletion.
Can I delete a book someone else sent me as a gift?
Yes. Gift books work like any other book in your library — you can delete them from your device or account using the same steps. The person who sent it won't be notified, and they can't see whether you've deleted it.
Does Amazon charge me if I delete a book I bought?
No. Deleting a book doesn't refund your money or charge you again. You own the license to read that book, and deleting it is just removing it from your library. If you want a refund on a book purchase, that's a separate process through Amazon's customer service.