Delete a book directly from your Kindle device
The fastest way to remove a book is to delete it straight from your device. Open your Kindle, find the book in your library, and press and hold on the book's cover until a menu appears. Tap Delete, then confirm when the device asks if you're sure. The book is now gone from your device.
This method works on all Kindle e-readers — Paperwhite, Oasis, Keyboard, and basic models. The book stays in your Amazon account, so you can download it again later without paying twice. If you want to remove it permanently from your account entirely, you'll need to use the Amazon website instead.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a book from your device removes it from that Kindle only — the book stays in your Amazon library unless you also remove it from your account.
- You can delete books one at a time from your device by pressing and holding the cover, or delete multiple books at once through your Amazon account online.
- Deleting a book does not refund your purchase, and you cannot undo the deletion once you confirm it.
- Books you borrowed through Kindle Unlimited disappear from your device when you return them, but you can borrow them again anytime.
Delete a book from your Amazon account on the web
If you want to remove a book from your account completely — so it won't show up on any of your Kindle devices — go to Amazon.com and sign in. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then select Your Content and Devices. You'll see a list of all your books.
Find the book you want to remove and click the three dots next to it. Choose Delete from Library. Amazon will ask you to confirm. Once you do, the book is gone from your account and won't appear on any Kindle device linked to that account. You can still repurchase it later if you change your mind.
Delete books from the Kindle app on your phone or tablet
If you read on your phone or tablet using the Kindle app, you can delete books the same way as on a device. Open the app, go to your library, and press and hold on the book cover. Tap Remove from Device. This removes it from that app only — the book stays in your Amazon account.
To delete it from your account entirely, you still need to use the Amazon website. The Kindle app on phones and tablets does not have the option to permanently remove books from your library, only from that specific device.
What happens when you delete a book
When you delete a book from your device, your reading progress, bookmarks, and highlights are saved in your Amazon account. If you download the book again later, you can pick up where you left off. Amazon stores this information for at least a year after deletion.
If you delete a book from your account entirely, you lose access to those notes and highlights. The deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. You will not receive a refund, even if you just purchased the book. Before you delete, consider whether you might want to read it again or refer back to your notes.
Delete books you've borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Books you borrowed through Kindle Unlimited work differently. When you return a borrowed book, it automatically disappears from your device. You don't need to manually delete it. You can borrow the same book again anytime during your Kindle Unlimited subscription.
If you want to return a borrowed book before you finish it, go to Your Content and Devices on Amazon.com, find the book, click the three dots, and select Return this book. The book will be removed from your device within 24 hours. This frees up your borrowing slot so you can borrow another book.
Delete multiple books at once
If you need to remove many books, the web version is faster than deleting one at a time on your device. Go to Your Content and Devices on Amazon.com. Check the box next to each book you want to delete, or use the checkbox at the top to select all books on that page. Then click Delete at the bottom.
Be careful with the select-all option — it only selects books on the current page, not your entire library. If you have hundreds of books, you'll need to go through multiple pages. There is no way to delete all books at once across your entire account.
Troubleshooting: Book won't delete
If a book won't delete from your device, try restarting your Kindle. Turn it off completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try deleting again. If it still won't delete, the book may be corrupted. Try deleting it from your Amazon account on the web instead, then restart your device.
If you're trying to delete a book from the Kindle app and it's not working, close the app completely and reopen it. Make sure your app is up to date — go to your phone's app store and check for updates. If the problem continues, sign out of the app, sign back in, and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my book back after I delete it?
Yes. If you deleted it from your device only, it's still in your Amazon account and you can download it again. If you deleted it from your account, you can repurchase it, but you'll have to pay again. Your reading progress and highlights are saved for at least a year after deletion, so you can resume where you left off.
Does deleting a book free up storage space on my Kindle?
Yes. Each book takes up storage space on your device. Deleting books frees up that space. Most Kindles have enough storage for thousands of books, so you usually won't run out of space unless you have a very old device or an extremely large library.
What's the difference between removing a book from my device and deleting it from my account?
Removing from your device takes it off that Kindle only — it stays in your Amazon library. Deleting from your account removes it everywhere and from your library permanently. You can only delete from your account through the Amazon website.
If I delete a book, do I lose my highlights and notes?
If you delete from your device only, your highlights and notes stay in your Amazon account. If you delete from your account entirely, you lose them. Before you delete from your account, consider exporting your notes if they're important to you.
Can I delete a book I'm currently reading?
Yes, you can delete a book at any time, even if you're in the middle of reading it. Your progress is saved, so if you download it again, you can pick up where you stopped. Just be aware that deleting it from your account is permanent.