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Use the step-by-step instructions below to sideload your ebook files to ereader devices and apps.

MOBI Files

The best way to sideload a MOBI file to a Kindle device or app is to use one of the Send to Kindle apps. Download one from here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindle.

If you prefer to sideload a MOBI file without a Send to Kindle app, choose one of the following methods:

Eink Kindle

  1. Save the mobi file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. Attach your device to your computer using a micro-USB cable. One should’ve been included with your Kindle.
  3. Wait for your computer to recognize the device and display the AutoPlay window.
  4. Click Open folder to view files to open Windows Explorer.
  5. When Windows Explorer opens, double-click documents and move the window aside.
  6. Find the mobi file you saved in step 1, then drag-and-drop it into the device’s documents folder you opened in Step 5.
  7. Wait for the file to transfer and safely eject the device from your computer.
  8. The ebook should appear on the device’s home screen.

Kindle Fire

  1. Save the mobi file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. Attach your device to your computer using a micro-USB cable. One should’ve been included with your Kindle Fire.
  3. Wait for your computer to recognize the device, then click the Start Globe and select Computer to open Windows Explorer.
    Note: In some cases, it may be necessary to unlock the Kindle Fire before your computer recognizes the device.
  4. Under Portable Devices, double-click Kindle > Internal storage.
  5. Double-click Books and move the window aside.
  6. Find the mobi file you saved in step 1, then drag-and-drop it into the device’s Books folder you opened in Step 5.
  7. Wait for the file to transfer and safely eject the device from your computer.
  8. The ebook should appear on the device’s carousel screen. If not, tap Docs on the top menu, then tap Device: the ebook should appear there, as well.

Eink Kindles and Kindle Fire 1st Generation

  1. Save the mobi file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. Attach your device to your computer using a micro-USB cable. One should’ve been included with your Kindle.
  3. Your Mac mounts the device as a drive. Find the following icon on the desktop and double-click it:
    Kindle on Mac
  4. Find the mobi file you saved in step 1, then drag-and-drop it into the device’s documents folder.
  5. Wait for the file to transfer and safely eject the device from your computer.
  6. The ebook should appear on the eink device’s home screen, or the Android device’s carousel screen.

Kindle Fire 2nd Generation and Kindle Fire HD

Mac users with a Kindle Fire 2nd Generation or Kindle Fire HD will first need to install the free Android File Transfer app to complete USB transfers. Go to File Transfer App using your computer’s Web browser and follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the app.

  1. Save the mobi file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. Attach your device to your computer using a micro-USB cable. One should’ve been included with your Kindle Fire.
  3. Use Finder to navigate to the Applications folder and double-click the File Transfer App. Your Mac opens the device’s file system, as shown below:
    The Kindle file system
  4. Find the mobi file you saved in step 1, then drag-and-drop it into the device’s Books folder.
  5. Wait for the file to transfer and safely eject the device from your computer.
  6. The ebook should appear on the device’s carousel screen. If not, tap Docs on the top menu, then tap Device: the ebook should appear there, as well.

Kindle for PC or Mac

  1. Save the mobi file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. Download an install the Kindle app for your computer’s operating system:
  3. Find the mobi file you saved in step 1 then double-click it. It should open with the Kindle app.
    Note: In some cases, it may be necessary to right-click the file and select the application.

Kindle for Android

  1. Save the mobi file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. On your device, tap the Google Play Store or Amazon App Store icon then find the Kindle for Android app and install it.
  3. Attach your phone or tablet to your computer using the USB cable that came with the device.
  4. Wait for your computer to recognize the device, then click the Start Globe and select Computer to open Windows Explorer.
  5. Under Portable Devices, find and double-click kindle and move the window aside. Note: the Android operating system handles the device’s file system in different ways. You may find the kindle
  6. Find the mobi file you saved in step 1, then drag-and-drop it into the device’s kindle folder you opened in Step 5.
  7. Wait for the file to transfer and safely eject the device from your computer.
  8. Open the Kindle app. The ebook should appear on the device’s Home screen.

Kindle for iPad/iPhone/iPod

The Kindle for iPad/iPhone/iPod app does not yet fully support Kindle Format 8, Amazon’s next-generation ebook file format. Accordingly, some design features may not display exactly as they do on other Kindle devices and apps. Please keep this in mind when reviewing mobi files on an Apple iOS device with the Kindle app installed.

  1. Save the mobi file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. On your device, tap the App Store icon then find the Kindle for iPad/iPhone/iPod app and install it.
  3. Attach your iPad, iPhone or iPod to your computer using the USB cable that came with the device.
  4. Open iTunes if it does not open automatically.
  5. On the top menu, click Apps and then scroll to the bottom of the window to see the File Sharing section, as shown below in iTunes 11.0.1.12:
    The File Sharing section
  6. In the Apps panel on the left-hand side, click the Kindle icon.
  7. Find the mobi file you saved in step 1 and drag-and-drop it into the Documents panel on the right-hand side.
  8. Wait for the file to transfer and safely eject the device from your computer.
  9. Open the Kindle app and the mobi file should appear on the app’s Device Library screen.

ePub Files

Eink and Tablet-based Nooks

  1. Save the ePub file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. Attach your device to your computer using a micro-USB cable. One should’ve been included with your Nook.
  3. Wait for your computer to recognize the device and display the AutoPlay window, as shown below. (Some Nooks may require you to swipe the Launcher to unlock the device before your computer will recognize it.)
    Save to Nook
  4. Click Open folder to view files to open Windows Explorer.
  5. When Windows Explorer opens, double-click My Files > Books and move the window aside.
  6. Find the ePub file you saved in step 1, then drag-and-drop it into the device’s Books folder you opened in Step 5.
  7. Wait for the file to transfer and safely eject the device from your computer. You may have to click the Sync button in the lower right-hand corner of the application window to complete the transfer process.
  8. The ebook should appear on the device’s Library. Consult the device’s documentation for more information on accessing the Library.

Eink and Tablet-based Nooks

  1. Save the ePub file to a convenient location on your computer, such as the desktop.
  2. Attach your device to your computer using a micro-USB cable. One should’ve been included with your Nook.
  3. Your Mac mounts the device as a drive. (Some Nooks may require you to swipe the Launcher to unlock the device before your computer will recognize it.) Find the following icon on the desktop and double-click it:
    Nook on a Mac
  4. When the Nook drive window opens, double-click My Files > Books and move the window aside.
  5. Find the ePub file you saved in step 1, then drag-and-drop it into the device’s Books folder you opened in Step 3.
  6. Wait for the file to transfer and safely eject the device from your computer.
  7. The ebook should appear on the device’s Library. Consult the device’s documentation for more information on accessing the Library.