Kindle Fire 1st Generation Basics

Getting Started Guide

Learn how to quickly get connected, get registered, set up your 1-Click Payment Method, and start using your Kindle Fire in a few easy steps with our Getting Started with Kindle Fire Guide.

Our Kindle Fire support videos will also help you start using your new Kindle Fire quickly.

Charging Your Kindle

Your Kindle Fire comes with a power adapter. You can charge your Kindle by connecting it to a wall socket using the power adapter.

The indicator light on the power button will turn orange while charging and green when the battery is fully charged. If the indicator light does not turn green, make sure that the power cable is fully inserted into your Kindle Fire and that the power adapter is securely inserted into the power outlet. If your Kindle Fire is still not charging, try another electrical outlet.

Your Kindle Fire will continue charging even if you turn it off by pressing and holding the power button, then tapping Shut Down. The indicator light on the power button will turn off completely, but your Kindle Fire will continue to charge.

When connected to a power source using the included power adapter, your Kindle Fire battery charges fully in less than four hours. When fully charged, the battery indicator will appear filled.

Charging your Kindle Fire through your computer is not recommended. The power from a USB port on your computer is insufficient to fully charge your Kindle Fire.

Battery Life

Your Kindle Fire provides up to 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback, with wireless off. Battery life will vary based on the type of usage and wireless connectivity required; activities such as web browsing and downloading content may deplete battery life more quickly.

To extend battery life on your Kindle Fire, try these tips:

• Lower screen brightness: Tap the Quick Settings icon, then the Brightness icon to adjust brightness settings.
• Turn off your Wi-Fi connection when not needed: You don't need a wireless connection while using your Kindle Fire for a prolonged period to read, watch a video, or listen to music, as long as you are accessing content that's already been downloaded to your device. Tap the Quick Settings icon, then the Wi-Fi icon and slide the Wireless Networking switch to the off position.
• Use headphones.
• Change Email app settings: Reduce how frequently the Email app is checking for new messages:
  1. From the Home screen, tap Apps, then tap the Email app icon.
  2. Tap the Menu icon at the bottom of the screen, then Settings, then Fetch new messages.
  3. Change settings to a less frequent time, such as 1 hour or manual. (Note: Changing to Manual will require you to refresh your inbox manually to view new mail.)

Clock Settings

To quickly check the time while reading, tap the center of your screen to display the time at the top of the screen.

To change the time on the clock:

1. From the Home screen, tap the Quick Settings icon.
2. Switch Automatic to the Off position, then you'll be able to tap on Set Time and Set Date.

Power Button

The power button on the bottom of your Kindle puts it to sleep, wakes it up, and turns your Kindle on or off.

To turn on your Kindle, press the power button. Swipe the orange arrow to the left to start using your Kindle Fire.

To put your Kindle in sleep mode, press and release the power button. If you need to turn off the Kindle completely, such as when traveling on an airplane, press and hold the power button, then tap Shut Down.

If your Kindle does not power on or is unresponsive during use, try a hard restart by pressing and holding the power button for 20 seconds.

Registering Your Kindle Fire

When you register your Kindle Fire, you'll be able to purchase and download content easily. After you set up your Wi-Fi connection, you can register your Kindle Fire from your device.

If your Kindle Fire was given to you as a gift, you may need to first deregister your Kindle Fire before registering it to your own account.

Registering Your Kindle Fire video

To easily search and shop for books, movies, music, apps, and more from your Kindle Fire, you'll need to register your device to your Amazon account.

View larger version.

To register your Kindle from your device:

1. From the Home screen, tap the Quick Settings icon.
2. Tap the More icon, then My Account.
3. Tap the Register button.

   Tip: Tap the 123!? key to enter numbers or symbols. Tap the ABC key to return to the regular keyboard. Tap the Shift key (up arrow) for uppercase letters. Tap the box next to Show password to display your password as you type.

4. Tap the Register button when finished. Your name will appear as the registered user when registration is complete.

Deregistering your Kindle Fire

When registering your Kindle Fire, you may see a "deregister" instead of "register" option. This means your Kindle Fire is already registered to another account. This may happen if you received your new Kindle Fire as a gift. Select "deregister" to register your Kindle Fire to your Amazon account instead.

If you've set a password on your Kindle Fire, you'll be prompted to enter your password before deregistering to protect your security. If you forget your password and enter the wrong password four times in row, you'll be prompted to reset your Kindle Fire to the factory default settings to regain access. Tap "OK reset." Resetting your Kindle Fire to the factory default settings will delete all content on your device and you'll need to register it again before downloading items from your Amazon account. 

Setting a Password on Kindle Fire

If you want to make sure that only authorized users will have access to your Kindle Fire, you can set a password on your Kindle Fire. You'll need to enter the password to access your Kindle Fire if it enters sleep mode or is turned off.

To set your Kindle password:

1. From the Home screen, tap the Quick Settings icon.
2. Tap the More icon, then Security.
3. Slide the switch next to Lock Screen Password to On.
4. You'll be prompted to set your password.

Tip: Tap the symbol keyboard button to switch to the numbers and symbols keyboard. Tap the shift key to switch to switch to the uppercase character keyboard. Tap the box next to Show password to display your password as you type.

To change or turn off your password in the future, navigate to the Lock Screen Password screen again and select the available options.

If you forget your password and enter the wrong password four times in row, you'll be prompted to reset your Kindle Fire to the factory default settings to regain access. Tap "OK reset." Resetting your Kindle Fire to the factory default settings will delete all content on your device and you'll need to register it again before downloading items from your Amazon account.

Setting Parental Controls on Kindle Fire

With the latest software update available for Kindle Fire, you can enable Parental Controls to restrict access to the music, video, books and other content on your Kindle Fire, Wi-Fi and Internet  access, and purchase and download access.

To enable Parental Controls on your Kindle Fire, tap the Quick Settings icon, then More, then Parental Controls, then switch Enable Parental Controls to the ON position. Follow the onscreen instructions to set a Parental Controls password. You'll then see the options to enable various Parental Control settings.

You will see a Key icon to the right of the Quick Settings icon whenever Parental Controls are enabled.

Kindle Fire also supports parental controls for in-app purchases through the Amazon Appstore.

If you forget your password, you can reset your device to regain access. Resetting your Kindle Fire to the factory default settings will delete all content on your device and you'll need to register it again before downloading items from your Amazon account. To reset your Kindle Fire: tap the Quick Settings icon, then tap More, then Device, then Reset to Factory Defaults.

Setting Your Payment Method

When you buy digital content directly from your Kindle Fire, you're paying with the default 1-Click Payment Method on your Amazon.com account. Typically, this is the payment method associated with your default shipping address.

Watch this video to learn how set up your 1-Click Payment Method on any Kindle:

To check or change your payment method:

1. Visit Manage Your Kindle.
2. Click "Kindle Payment Settings" on the left side of the page.
3. Click on "Edit" to update your payment method, then follow the onscreen instructions to choose or add a payment method.
4. Click the "Continue" button to verify your changes.

Using a gift card as your payment method

You are not required to have a credit or debit card on your Amazon.com account to make digital purchases such as Kindle books, but you must establish a default 1-Click billing address on your Amazon.com account to use Amazon.com gift cards for digital purchases. If you don't already have a 1-Click billing address on your account, follow the instructions below to add an address without entering a credit or debit card to your account.

To add a 1-Click billing address for gift card purchases:

1. Visit the Manage Addresses and 1-Click Settings page in Your Account.
2. Click the Enter a new address button.
3. Enter the address information and click the Save & Continue button.
4. Select the "Click here to make this your 1-Click default address" link.

Entering Amazon.com Gift Card claim codes

You must first enter your gift card claim code into Your Account so the balance is available for use. The funds will then be applied automatically to your next purchase, including digital items.

Note: Gift cards can't be used as a 1-Click Payment Method to purchase in-app subscriptions on your Kindle Fire.

To add a gift card balance to Your Account:

1. Visit the Your Account page.
2. In the Payment section under Gift Cards, click "Apply a Gift Certificate/Card to Your Account."
3. If prompted, sign in with your e-mail address and password.
4. Enter your claim code and click "Apply to Your Account."

After you've set up the payment method for your digital purchases, you're ready to shop for content. If your Kindle Fire is connected wirelessly, you can start shopping right away. You can also shop for content on Amazon.com and send your purchases wirelessly to your Kindle Fire, or download to your computer and transfer content using a USB connection. Learn more:

• Shopping for Digital Content
• Transferring, Downloading, and Sending Files to Kindle Fire

Using Your Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve

Amazon offers zip sleeves to keep your Kindle Fire protected while on the move.

The Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve is designed to fit Kindle Fire. If you have a different Kindle model, view the following help pages:

• Amazon Kindle Keyboard covers
• Amazon Kindle covers
• Amazon Kindle Touch covers

To insert Kindle Fire into the Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve, simply unzip the sleeve and slide the Kindle Fire inside. Pull the zipper to close. Remove your Kindle Fire from the zip sleeve when needed.

Kindle Fire skins can be applied to a Kindle Fire before inserting into the zip sleeve.

Cleaning the Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve

To clean the Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve, spot clean with mild soap and water. Do not submerge the zip sleeve in water. Ensure your Kindle Fire has been removed from the zip sleeve before attempting to clean the cover.

For more information on manufacturing materials of the Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve, please view our product detail pages.

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