Transferring, Downloading, and Sending Files to Kindle 2nd Generation

If you already own a Kindle device and Kindle content, you can download your existing content to a new Kindle device. Download your books stored in your Kindle Library directly to your Kindle wirelessly through Archived Items. You can also transfer personal documents, MP3s, or Audible files from your computer to your Kindle device via USB.

Downloading Archived Items

Your Kindle 2nd Generation displays the items you've downloaded on the Home screen. If Kindle content stored in your Kindle Library isn't displayed, you can download it through Archived Items when your device is connected wirelessly. Kindle content you've previously purchased is also available through Manage Your Kindle.

To download archived Kindle content from your device:

1. Select "Archived Items" from the Home screen or "View Archived Items" from the menu.
2. Select the item from the Archived Items screen.

Downloading Archived Items Wirelessly

If you are traveling outside the Whispernet service area, you can still download your Kindle content archived in your Kindle Library to your computer and transfer it via USB to your Kindle device.

To download items in your Kindle Library to your computer:

1. Visit Manage Your Kindle.
2. Click on the "Actions" button next to the title you want to transfer.
3. Select "Download & transfer via USB."
4. Select the Kindle device your wish to transfer the file to and click the "Download" button.
5. Choose "Save file" when prompted by your web browser.
6. Follow the instructions in the Transferring Kindle Content via USB section below to transfer the file to your Kindle device.

Transferring Files Via USB

Both Macintosh and Windows users can download and transfer Kindle content from a computer to a Kindle device through a USB cable. When your Kindle device is plugged into your computer, it will appear as a removable mass-storage device.

System requirements

• Windows-based: Windows 2000 or later.
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.2 or later.
• USB port: An available port or an attached USB hub with an available port.

Downloading Kindle content to your computer

The first step in transferring Kindle content is to download the file you wish to transfer onto your computer. If you have already purchased the book, magazine or newspaper, you will need to visit the Manage Your Kindle page and locate the item in the "All Items" section.

1. Click on the "Actions..." dropdown beside the title and select "Download & transfer via USB."

2. Select the Kindle device you will transfer the file to and click the "Download" button.


If you have not yet purchased the book or subscription content that you want to transfer, choose "Transfer via Computer" when purchasing the content, then click "Buy now with 1-Click".



If you have more than one Kindle device registered to the account, you will see a pop-up window asking you to choose a device. If you do not select the correct Kindle device, you will be unable to open the content on that device.

3. You may be prompted to open or save the file; choose "Save" and select a location that is easy to find again, such as the desktop.
4. Once the file has been saved, connect your Kindle device to your computer using a USB cable.

Connecting your Kindle device to your computer:

1. Plug the larger end of a USB cable into an available USB port or a powered USB hub connected to your computer.
2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the micro-USB port on the bottom of your Kindle device.

When connected to your computer, your Kindle device will go into USB drive mode and its battery will be recharged by the computer. Your wireless service is temporarily shut off and you will not receive any of your subscriptions while in this mode. Also, your Kindle device is not usable as a reading device while you are in USB drive mode, but will return right to where you were when you eject the Kindle device from your computer.

Transferring Kindle content

1. Once connected to a computer using a USB cable, your Kindle device will appear in the same location as external USB drives usually appear. For Windows users, this is typically in the "Computer" or "My Computer" menu. For Mac users, the drive will appear on the desktop.
2. Open the Kindle drive. You will see several folders inside, one of which will be named "documents." This is the folder you will move the downloaded file into.
3. Locate the downloaded file and copy it into the documents folder. You can generally copy files by clicking and dragging the file to the folder.
4. Safely eject your Kindle device from your computer and unplug the USB cable. Your content will appear on the Home screen.

Remember: Kindle will only recognize transferred files if:

• File types are listed in the Files Kindle Recognizes section below.
• Files are transferred to the correct folder for their type.
• Files are free of digital rights management software.

Kindle Personal Documents Service

With Kindle Personal Documents Service, you can send your personal documents to your registered Kindle devices, supported Kindle reading applications, and your Kindle Library in the Amazon Cloud through the Send to Kindle application or your Send-to-Kindle e-mail address.

Your Send-to-Kindle e-mail address is a unique e-mail address assigned to your Kindle device or supported Kindle reading application upon registration. You and your approved contacts can send personal documents to your registered Kindle devices, supported Kindle reading applications, and your Kindle Library in the Amazon Cloud by e-mailing them to your Send-to-Kindle e-mail address ([name]@kindle.com).

Send to Kindle for PC and Send to Kindle for Mac are  free applications that let you easily send your personal documents to your registered Kindle devices, supported Kindle reading applications, and your Kindle Library from your computer.

Send to Kindle for PC is available to download at www.amazon.com/sendtokindle/pc and Send to Kindle for Mac is available for download at www.amazon.com/sendtokindle/mac.

Detailed information on Kindle Personal Documents Service is available on our Kindle Personal Documents Service help page.

Finding the Send-to-Kindle e-mail address on your Kindle 2nd Generation

When you register your Kindle device, you'll automatically be assigned a Send-to-Kindle e-mail address. You can find this address from your Kindle's Settings screen:

• From the Home screen, select Menu.
• Select Settings, then use the Next Page button to scroll to the second page.
• Your Kindle device [name]@kindle.com e-mail address is listed under the Device E-mail heading.

Learn more about modifying your Send-to-Kindle E-mail address on Manage Your Kindle.

Fees for Kindle Personal Documents Service

Fees for the Kindle Personal Documents Service via Whispernet are based on the size of the file submitted (before compression if you use a .zip file), your country, and where you're accessing Whispernet. Personal documents service fees will only be charged for documents that are successfully delivered to your Kindle device via Whispernet. Personal documents service fees are rounded up to the next whole MB and apply to each personal document delivered via Whispernet to each Kindle device.

• For Kindle 2nd Generation users living in the United States, the Kindle Personal Documents Service fee via Whispernet is $ .15 per megabyte while inside the United States and $.99 per megabyte when traveling outside the United States.
• For Kindle 2nd Generation users living outside the United States, the Kindle Personal Documents Service fee via Whispernet is $ .99 (USD) per megabyte.
• Kindle Personal Documents Service is not available via Whispernet in Canada. Please see Transferring Personal Documents via USB for information about e-mailing personal documents to your computer for USB transfer to your Kindle device.

Note: You can also send your personal documents via e-mail as attachments to [name]@free.kindle.com. To have a document converted to Kindle format (.azw), the subject line should be "convert." Kindle Personal Documents Service will attempt to deliver your personal documents to the e-mail address associated with the Amazon account to which the device is registered. You can use the e-mail to download the file to your computer and transfer it to your Kindle device using a USB connection.

Aggregation of fees for Kindle Personal Documents Service

Consecutive orders for Kindle Personal Documents Service via Whispernet that cost less than $5.00 may be combined into one transaction and appear as a single charge on your credit or debit card billing statement.

Setting your personal documents charge limit

You can set the maximum charge allowed for a single personal document sent wirelessly to your Kindle device through Manage Your Kindle. Any personal document you sent that exceeds this charge will be stored in your Kindle Library if Personal Document Archiving settings are enabled in Manage Your Kindle. The document will be available for download at a later date from through Archived Items on your device.

To set the charge limit for Kindle Personal Documents Service:

1. Visit Manage Your Kindle.
2. Select Personal Document Settings from the left hand menu.
3. Scroll down to the heading “Whispernet Delivery Options.”
4. Select “Edit” on the right hand side of the page.
5. Enter your preferred personal document charge limit.
6. Click “Update.”

The limit you set is a per document limit. If you send multiple documents for conversion in a .zip file, the total aggregated charge for conversion of all the documents may exceed your per document limit. As long as each document's charge is below the limit, conversion and delivery will be successful.

Downloading Content to Multiple Kindle Devices

Content purchased from the Kindle Store can be downloaded to your Kindle device or free Kindle reading application as long as you've registered the device or app to the same Amazon.com account from which the Kindle content was purchased. There is no limit on the number of times a title can be downloaded to a registered device or application, but there may be limits on the number of devices or applications (usually six) that can simultaneously use a single book.

That means you can download and read your books on any Kindle device you own or Kindle reading application as long you've registered each device or application to the Amazon.com account where your Kindle Library is stored.

Recognized File Types

You can purchase and wirelessly download Kindle books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs from the Kindle Store as well as download and read other types of non-DRM text-based content on your Kindle device. You can also play Audible audiobooks or MP3 files. When your Kindle device is connected to a computer via USB, you will see three default folders. Here's a list of these folders and the file types recognized by Kindle devices:

• Documents: Kindle (.AZW, .AZW1). Text (.TXT), Unprotected Mobipocket (.MOBI, .PRC)
• Audible: Audible (.AA, .AAX)
• Music: MP3 (.MP3)

Mobipocket files must have no Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection applied to be readable on your Kindle device. If you purchased a Mobipocket file from a Mobipocket retailer, you will not be able to open the file on your Kindle device.

EPUB eBooks are not supported on Kindle devices.

Built-in PDF reader for Kindle 2nd Generation devices

Your Kindle 2nd Generation device can display PDF documents without losing the formatting of the original file. Send PDF documents directly to your Kindle device (via your Send-to-Kindle address), or drag and drop PDF files from your computer to your Kindle device via USB. You can also magnify PDFs by viewing them in landscape mode.

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