You can read Kindle books on a compatible phone, tablet, or computer; you do not need a Kindle e-reader. Use Amazon’s Kindle app or open Kindle for Web in a supported browser. The web reader may not offer every title, so switch to the app or an e-reader if a book will not open.
Choose an app or a browser
| Option | What you do | Key limitation or requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle app | Install the app on your phone, tablet, or supported computer, then sign in to the Amazon account that owns the books. | App requirements vary by platform. Amazon’s listed Android app minimum is Android OS 10.0; its current desktop guidance lists Windows 11 or Mac OS X 10.14 or higher. |
| Kindle for Web | Open read.amazon.com in a supported browser and sign in. | Not every Kindle title is available in the web reader. Browser and operating-system minimums apply. |
| Kindle e-reader | Use a dedicated Kindle device if you want separate reading hardware. | Optional: a compatible phone, tablet, or computer is enough to read supported Kindle books. |
Amazon describes the browser option this way: “Kindle for Web lets you read your Kindle books on your mobile or desktop browser.” (Amazon Customer Service)
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Read on a phone or tablet
With the Kindle app
- Install the Kindle app from your device’s app store.
- Sign in using the Amazon account that contains your Kindle books.
- Open your library and select a book to read.
Amazon’s Kindle for Android help page lists Android OS 10.0 or higher as the app requirement. The sources cited here do not establish a current minimum iOS version for the Kindle app, so check the current App Store listing for your device rather than relying on the browser requirements below. (Amazon Kindle for Android help)
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- Open read.amazon.com in your browser.
- Sign in to the Amazon account that owns the book.
- Choose an available title from your library.
Amazon’s listed mobile Kindle for Web minimums are Chrome 87, Firefox 78, Safari 11, Opera 61, UC Browser 10.0, or Samsung Browser 12.0, on iPhone OS 13 or Android OS 10. These are requirements for the browser reader, not for the Kindle app. (Amazon Kindle for Web help)
#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.
Read on a computer
Use Kindle for Web
Go to read.amazon.com in a supported desktop browser and sign in. Amazon lists Chrome 87, Firefox 78, Safari 11, and Edge 87 as desktop browser minimums. Its help page also lists iPad 4.2. (Amazon Kindle for Web help)
Install Amazon’s desktop Kindle app
Amazon’s current desktop app guidance lists Windows 11 for Windows computers and Mac OS X 10.14 or higher for Macs. If your computer does not meet the app’s listed operating-system requirements, Amazon directs you to Kindle for Web. (Amazon Kindle desktop app help)
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.
Do not install the Legacy Kindle app, formerly called Kindle for PC, as a workaround: Amazon says it has not been supported since June 30, 2026. (Amazon Kindle desktop app help)
If a book will not open in Kindle for Web
Web access does not guarantee that every Kindle title can be read in a browser. If a title is unavailable there, Amazon recommends trying the Kindle app or a Kindle e-reader. You can use the app on a compatible device you already own; buying an e-reader is not required. (Amazon Kindle for Web help)
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.
Continue reading on another device
Kindle sync can make your reading position, notes, and highlights available across Kindle apps and devices linked to the same Amazon account. Amazon says sync is on by default and requires an internet connection. (Amazon Kindle sync help)
Turning sync off removes some cross-device features. Amazon warns that notes, highlights, or bookmarks made while sync is off may be lost when sync is turned back on. Kindle for Web still saves its own data to Amazon’s servers when sync is disabled, but that data will not sync to other Kindle apps and devices. (Amazon Kindle sync help)
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.
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.
