Register your Kindle by signing in with your Amazon email and password

When you first turn on a new Kindle, the device will ask you to sign in with your Amazon account. Enter the email address and password you use for Amazon shopping. The Kindle will connect to Wi-Fi during setup and register itself automatically. If you already own a Kindle and want to add another device to the same account, you can do this through your Amazon account settings on a computer or phone instead of on the device itself.

Your Amazon account can have multiple Kindle devices registered to it at once. Each device gets its own name (like "James's Paperwhite" or "Bedroom Kindle") so you can tell them apart. Books you buy from Amazon will appear on all registered devices unless you choose to send them to a specific one.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign in with your Amazon email and password during Kindle setup, and the device registers automatically to your account.
  • You can register multiple Kindle devices to one Amazon account, and each device can have a custom name.
  • Books purchased on your Amazon account appear on all your registered Kindles by default, but you can send books to specific devices.
  • If your Kindle does not register during setup, you can register it manually through your Amazon account settings on a web browser.
  • Deregistering a Kindle removes it from your account and erases all books on that device, so make sure you want to do this before proceeding.

Register a second or replacement Kindle through Amazon's website

If you have a Kindle that did not register during setup, or if you want to add a device you already own to a different Amazon account, you can register it through the web. Go to amazon.com, sign in to your account, and navigate to Manage Your Content and Devices (found under your account menu). Click the Devices tab at the top.

Click Register a New Device and select Kindle from the dropdown menu. Choose the specific Kindle model you own from the list. Amazon will send a confirmation code to the email address on your account. Enter that code on your Kindle, and the device will register. This process takes a few minutes.

Name your Kindle device so you can identify it

After registration, you can give your Kindle a custom name to keep track of it. Go back to Manage Your Content and Devices on Amazon's website and click the Devices tab. Find your Kindle in the list and click the pencil icon next to its name. Type a new name like "Living Room Kindle" or "Sarah's E-Reader" and save the change.

The custom name appears on your Amazon account and in your device list, but not on the Kindle screen itself. This name helps you choose which device to send books to when you have multiple Kindles registered. You can change the name anytime by returning to the same menu.

Send books to a specific Kindle when you have multiple devices

When you buy a book from Amazon, it automatically sends to your default Kindle device. If you want to send a book to a different Kindle instead, go to your Amazon library, find the book title, and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select Send to Device and choose which Kindle you want it on from the dropdown list.

You can also set a different default device if you use one Kindle more often than the others. In Manage Your Content and Devices, click the Preferences tab and look for Default Delivery Device. Select the Kindle you want new purchases to go to automatically. This does not affect books you already own — only new purchases going forward.

Deregister a Kindle if you sell it or stop using it

When you no longer want a Kindle connected to your account, you can deregister it. Go to Manage Your Content and Devices, click Devices, find the Kindle you want to remove, and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select Deregister. Amazon will ask you to confirm.

Deregistering a device removes all books from that Kindle and disconnects it from your account permanently. If you plan to sell or give away the device, deregister it first so the new owner can register it to their own Amazon account. You cannot undo deregistration, so make sure you have backed up any notes or highlights you made in your books before you proceed.

Troubleshoot a Kindle that will not register

If your Kindle is not registering during setup, check that you entered your Amazon password correctly. Kindles are case-sensitive for passwords, so make sure Caps Lock is off. Restart the device by holding the power button for 20 seconds, then try signing in again.

If the Kindle still will not register, make sure it is connected to Wi-Fi. Go to the home screen, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings, then Wi-Fi Networks to check your connection. If Wi-Fi is working but registration still fails, try registering through the web method described above instead. Contact Amazon customer service if the web registration also fails — they can help troubleshoot account-specific issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register the same Kindle to multiple Amazon accounts?

No. A Kindle can only be registered to one Amazon account at a time. If you want to switch it to a different account, you must deregister it from the current account first, then register it to the new one. Deregistering erases all books on the device.

What happens to my books if I deregister my Kindle?

All books on that Kindle are deleted when you deregister it. Your books remain in your Amazon library and can be sent to another registered device or read through the Kindle app on your phone or computer. Any highlights or notes you made in those books are lost unless you exported them before deregistering.

Do I need Wi-Fi to register a Kindle?

Yes. Your Kindle must be connected to Wi-Fi during setup to register to your Amazon account. If your Kindle has cellular capability, it can also register over cellular data, but Wi-Fi is the standard method. Once registered, you can use Wi-Fi or cellular to download books.

Can I register a used Kindle I bought secondhand?

Yes, but you must deregister it from the previous owner's account first. Ask the seller to deregister the device through their Amazon account before you receive it. If they do not, contact Amazon customer service with proof of purchase, and they can help remove it from the old account so you can register it to yours.

What if I forget which Kindle is which when I have multiple devices?

Check the device name you assigned in Manage Your Content and Devices. You can also look at the serial number on the back of each Kindle and match it to the list on Amazon's website. The serial number is a long string of letters and numbers printed on a label on the device.