Before you reset, replace, or give away your Kindle, connect it to the internet, make sure Sync is on, and run a manual sync. Then sign in to the same Amazon account on the new device and sync again. Amazon Sync saves reading position, notes, and highlights to Amazon’s servers, while purchased books remain in your account library and can be delivered again if they do not appear automatically. These are account-based services—not a complete independent archive of every book file and annotation.
What transfers, and where it is stored
| Content | How it is preserved | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Purchased Kindle books | Stored in your Amazon account library and redelivered to registered devices. | Redelivery is separate from syncing reading progress and annotations. |
| Reading position, text notes, and highlights | Amazon Sync saves this data to Amazon’s servers and makes it available on Kindle devices and apps linked to the account. | Sync needs an internet connection. Notes, highlights, and bookmarks made while Sync is off may be lost when it is turned on again. Amazon’s Sync settings help explains the feature. |
| Kindle Scribe notebooks and handwritten annotations | Scribe notebooks are backed up to the Cloud when the Scribe is connected and Sync is on. | Amazon currently says handwritten annotations are accessible across Kindle Scribe devices; do not assume they will appear on a phone, tablet, or non-Scribe Kindle. Amazon’s e-reader sync help describes this limitation. |
| Personal documents | Transfer supported files using Send to Kindle or a supported USB workflow. | This is file transfer, not an export of purchased Kindle books or annotations. Amazon lists a 200 MB per-file limit for Send to Kindle on its e-reader file-transfer page. |
Before you stop using the old Kindle
- Connect it to the internet. Use Wi-Fi or another working connection so the device can reach Amazon’s servers.
- Check that Sync is enabled. On Kindle e-readers, Amazon’s instructions give the path More > Settings > Device Options > Sync. Menu names can vary by device and software version. For supported Kindle apps, use the app-specific route on Amazon’s Sync settings page.
- Run a manual sync and wait for it to finish. On an e-reader, use the Sync icon or Sync and Check for Items. In the mobile app, Amazon’s help gives the route More > Sync now; the updated last-synced date and time confirms the sync completed. See e-reader sync instructions and mobile app sync instructions.
- If you use a Kindle Scribe, sync its notebooks too. Keep the Scribe online with Sync enabled before disconnecting or resetting it.
Amazon says Sync automatically backs up and saves specified data—including reading position, notes, and highlights—from Kindle devices and apps to its servers. That is cloud synchronization, not a guaranteed local copy that you can restore independently of your Amazon account.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Set up the replacement device and restore your library
- Sign in to the same Amazon account used to buy the books and register the old Kindle. A different account will not show the same purchases.
- Connect to the internet and sync. Amazon says syncing can download pending books, notes, highlights, software updates, and the furthest page read.
- Check the library if a book is missing. Confirm the order completed and check whether a library filter is hiding the title. Amazon’s troubleshooting guide covers content that does not appear.
- Deliver a purchased book manually if needed. In Manage Your Content and Devices, open Content > Books, choose Deliver or Remove from Device, select the registered destination device, and apply the change. Then sync the new Kindle. Amazon’s manual delivery instructions explain the workflow.
Does Amazon Sync make a complete backup?
No. Amazon’s support documentation describes syncing specified reading data to Amazon’s servers and delivering books from your account library to registered devices. It does not establish a universal way to export every purchased Kindle book and every annotation into an independent local archive. If you need an offline copy of personal documents, treat that as a separate file-management task and keep the originals; the file-transfer options are not a backup or export route for purchased Kindle content or notes.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat if Sync was off, or the old device is unavailable?
- Sync was off but the old device still works: reconnect it and turn Sync on as soon as possible, then sync before resetting or handing it over. Amazon warns that data created while Sync was off may be lost when Sync is re-enabled, so do not assume every unsynced annotation will recover.
- The old device is gone or will not connect: sign in to the same account on the replacement and sync. Purchased books can be redelivered from the account library, but Amazon’s stated recovery path does not guarantee recovery of data that never synced.
- You expected Scribe handwriting on a different kind of device: use a Kindle Scribe to access handwritten annotations; Amazon’s current help limits cross-device access to Scribe devices.
Sending personal files is a separate process
Amazon’s file-transfer page lists supported formats including PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF, HTM, HTML, PNG, GIF, JPG, JPEG, BMP, and EPUB, with a 200 MB maximum per file for Send to Kindle. Some newer Kindle hardware requires a separate Mac application for USB transfers. These options move supported personal files; they do not create an independent archive of purchased Kindle books, reading progress, or annotations. Check Amazon’s current transfer instructions for device and connection details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Upgrade your reading experience – The Signature Edition features an auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Adapts to your surroundings – The auto-adjusting front light lets you read in the brightest sunlight or late into the night.
Rank #4
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Rank #3
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Rank #2
- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you - 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
#1 Best Overall
- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you – 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
