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 — you can re-download it later for free if you change your mind. Deleting just removes it from the device itself to free up storage space.
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 Kindle device removes it from that device only — the book stays in your Amazon account and you can re-download it anytime.
- On a Kindle e-reader, hold your finger on the book title from the home screen, then tap "Remove from Device."
- On the Kindle app for phone or tablet, swipe left on the book title (iPhone) or press and hold (Android), then tap "Remove from Device."
- On a computer, you must delete the book through your Amazon account online, not through the app itself.
- Deleting a book does not cancel your purchase or refund your money — it only removes the file from that device.
Delete a book from a Kindle e-reader
On any Kindle e-reader (Paperwhite, Oasis, Basic, or Scribe), start from the home screen where you see your library of books.
Hold your finger on the book cover or title for about two seconds until a menu appears. Tap "Remove from Device." The book disappears from your device immediately. If you see "Delete" instead of "Remove from Device," that option will delete the book from your Amazon account entirely — use "Remove from Device" unless you want to permanently delete it.
The book now takes up no storage space on your Kindle, but it remains in your Amazon library. You can download it again later by going to your library, finding the book, and tapping the download arrow.
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.
Swipe left across the book cover or title. A red "Remove from Device" button appears. Tap it. The book is now gone from your device but still in your Amazon account.
If you accidentally swipe and the button disappears, swipe left again — the button will reappear. You can also tap "Edit" in the top right corner of your library, then tap the circle next to each book you want to remove, and tap "Remove from Device" at the bottom.
Delete a book from the Kindle app on Android phones and tablets
Open the Kindle app and view your library. Press and hold your finger on the book cover for about two seconds until a menu pops up.
Tap "Remove from Device." The book is removed from your phone or tablet but stays in your Amazon account. You can re-download it anytime by opening your library and tapping the download icon next to the book title.
Some older Android devices may show different menu options. If you don't see "Remove from Device," look for an option that says "Delete" or a trash icon — tap that instead.
Delete a book from Kindle on a computer or web browser
The Kindle app for Windows and Mac does not have a "Remove from Device" option. To delete a book from your computer, you must go through your Amazon account online.
Go to amazon.com and sign in. Hover over "Account & Lists" in the top right and click "Your Content and Devices." Click the "Content" tab. Find the book you want to remove and click the three dots (menu icon) next to it. Select "Delete from Library" or "Remove from Device" depending on what you want to do. If you choose "Delete from Library," the book is removed from your Amazon account entirely and you cannot re-download it.
If you only want to remove the book from your computer but keep it in your account, use "Remove from Device" instead. The book will still appear in your library on other devices and in your Amazon account.
The difference between "Remove from Device" and "Delete from Library"
"Remove from Device" takes the book off the device you're using right now, but the book stays in your Amazon library. You can download it again to any device anytime. This is the option to use if you want to free up space but might want to read the book again later.
"Delete from Library" removes the book from your Amazon account completely. You will no longer see it in your library on any device. If you want to read it again, you have to buy it again. Most people never need this option — use "Remove from Device" instead unless you are certain you want the book gone permanently.
Some devices only show one option. Kindle e-readers and the Kindle app on phones and tablets typically show "Remove from Device." The Amazon website shows both options, so be careful which one you click.
What happens to your books and purchases
Deleting a book from a device does not affect your purchase. You paid for the book once, and that purchase stays in your Amazon account forever. Removing the book from your Kindle just deletes the file from that specific device.
Your reading progress, bookmarks, and notes are saved to your Amazon account, not to the device. When you re-download the book, you can pick up where you left off. If you delete the book and download it again on the same device, your progress returns automatically.
If you delete a book from one device, it does not automatically delete from your other devices. A book on your Kindle e-reader stays there even if you remove it from your phone. Each device's library is separate, so you control what appears on each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete a book, do I get my money back?
No. Deleting a book from your device does not refund your purchase. You bought the book, and that purchase is permanent. Removing it from a device just frees up storage space. If you want a refund, you must contact Amazon directly through your account — they may offer a refund within a certain time period depending on when you bought the book.
Can I delete a book I borrowed from Kindle Unlimited?
Yes. Borrowed books work the same way as purchased books. You can remove them from any device anytime. The book goes back to the Kindle Unlimited library, and you can borrow it again later if you want. Removing it does not end your Kindle Unlimited membership or affect your borrowing limit.
What if I delete a book by accident?
You can re-download it immediately. Go to your library, find the book title, and tap the download button. Your reading progress and bookmarks are still there. If you used "Delete from Library" instead of "Remove from Device," contact Amazon — they may restore it depending on how long ago you deleted it.
Does deleting a book free up storage space on my Kindle?
Yes. Each book takes up storage space on your device. Removing books frees up that space. Kindle e-readers have limited storage (usually 8 GB to 32 GB depending on the model), so deleting books you have finished reading can help if you are running low on space. You can always re-download books later.
Can I delete multiple books at once?
On most devices, yes. On the Kindle app for phone or tablet, tap "Edit" in your library, then tap the circle next to each book you want to remove, and tap "Remove from Device" at the bottom. On a Kindle e-reader, you must delete books one at a time by holding your finger on each title. On the Amazon website, you can select multiple books and remove them together using the checkboxes.