Send to Kindle application Archives

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The easiest way to add a personal file to the Kindle account is to email it as an attachment to the email address associated with your Kindle device or app.

There is, however, one factor that makes it impossible. It’s the file size limit.

The size limit of the file emailed to Kindle is being caused by two factors:

• attachment size limit of your email provider – for instance, for Gmail the limit is 25 MB,
• size limit on the Amazon side – Amazon won’t accept personal files bigger than 50 MB.

There is a growing number of ebooks that are packed with pictures and multimedia, and therefore are much larger than 50 MB. Cookbooks, picture books or graphic novels are making their way to e-readers and book reading apps. And, of course, Kindle Store is not the only source of them.

More and more ebook vendors offer books in mobi – the file format supported by Kindle.

Even if ebook platforms provide the function to send the purchased file to the Kindle automatically, it won’t happen in the case of ebooks exceeding the accepted size of the outgoing email.

How to send large files to the Kindle or Kindle application? Luckily, there is more than one way of doing it. You can pick up the one that suits you most.

For the purpose of clarity, we’ve grouped the guide in three sections:

There is one more thing you have to keep in mind. The 50 MB is the maximum size of the personal file that will be added to your Kindle cloud library.

Kindle cloud library is the archive of all your books you ever purchased in the Kindle Store or sideloaded. The books are available to download to any of the connected Kindle devices or apps and their content can be synced.

Any file larger than 50 MB can be added directly to the Kindle e-reader or Kindle app, but can’t be backed to Kindle cloud library, and therefore you won’t access it from any other device.

There is another way to cope with the problem. The solution is to reduce the size of the file. We won’t deal with it right now, but, in short, you can use Calibre ebook management software to strip images from the file.

If you have questions regarding the solutions we shared, please do not hesitate to ask.

Read also50 best Kindle cases and accessories (2020 edition)

Find the best Kindle cases and accessories for the basic Kindle, Paperwhite, and Oasis. The list includes items not only from Amazon but also Etsy, Caseable, eBay, and other sites.

Add large ebooks to Kindle or Kindle app

How to add large files to Kindle e-reader

If you want to add the large personal document directly to your Kindle e-reader, you can do it in two ways.

1. Transfer files via USB cable

This solution lets add ebooks that are larger than 50 MB. It’s convenient when you want to add multiple files at once. You can use it both on a PC and Mac computer.

1. Connect your Kindle to the computer

Use the cable that came with your Kindle, to connect the e-reader to the USB port of your computer. The Kindle should be visible as an external disc.

2. Copy the files to the Kindle

Click on a Kindle disc image. Inside, you’ll see the folder named “documents.” Copy the file or files onto it.

2. Use Send to Kindle app on your computer

This solution lets add multiple personal documents to your Kindle account, but you can only send files no bigger than 50 MB.

If you plan to add to your Kindle library a lot of third-party files, the Send to Kindle app is the most convenient way. Besides adding many files at once, it lets you select several Kindle devices or apps, as well as archive the documents in your Kindle cloud library.

1. Open the Send to Kindle app on your computer

If you still don’t have the Send to Kindle app, you can download it from Amazon. It’s available both for PC or Mac computers.

3. Add files to Send to Kindle app

You can add files in three ways:

• drag and drop files to the Send to Kindle application,
• use the Print menu in any application that can print,
• control-click (Mac) or right-click (PC) on the document or documents.

Below, you can see how to add the file to the Send to Kindle app on a Mac computer.

Drag the file anywhere inside the Send to Kindle window. In the bottom part, you’ll find the list of all devices that are connected to your Kindle account. Select your Kindle e-reader.

If you also want the file to be immediately backed up in the Kindle cloud library, check the box “Archive documents in your Kindle Library.”

How to add large files to Kindle for iOS app

If you own iPhone or iPad, you can add the file to Kindle for iOS application in three ways.

1. Use a cloud storage app such as Dropbox

The solution works for files larger than 50 MB. I’ve tested it on a book that is 70 MB. You’ll be adding the books one by one. If you want to add files in bulk, please use two other methods.

I’ll guide you how to use Dropbox, but you can also successfully use Google Drive or any other cloud storage service.

If you don’t have Dropbox, you’ll need to sign up to the service first.

1. Download the book to your PC/Mac computer

If you’ve bought the book in the third-party ebookstore or found the book in one of the sites that offer free public domain ebooks, make sure to download the file in mobi format.

From here, upload the file to your Dropbox account. You can do it via the web browser or the Dropbox desktop application.

2. Use Dropbox app on the iPhone/iPad to open the file

If you don’t have Dropbox app, you can download it from the App Store.

When you open Dropbox, locate the file and tap it (image below, on the left).

Wait a bit until Dropbox processes the file. The message “No Preview Available” will appear. Tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner (image below, middle).

In the drop-down menu, tap “Export” (image below, right).

A sharing menu will open. Tap “Open in…” icon in the lower row (image below, left).

Then, tap “Copy to Kindle” icon in the upper row (image below, right). If you don’t see this icon in the row, tap the “More” icon in the same row, and make sure to enable the Kindle sharing menu feature.

Kindle for iOS app will open and load the file you’ve just added. It may take a while, depending on the size of the document you wanted to sideload to your Kindle for iOS app.

2. Use iTunes app on a computer

This solution also works for files that are larger than 50 MB. You will be able to add multiple files at once.

The guide shows how to connect iPhone or iPad to a Mac computer, but you can also do it on a PC computer, using iTunes for Windows application.

1. Connect your iPad or iPhone to the computer

Use the USB cable to connect your iOS device to the computer. Open iTunes app if it doesn’t start automatically.

When your device successfully connects to the computer, its icon will appear in the top left corner of the iTunes app.

2. Copy the file to the relevant folder in iTunes

To find the folder holding the files from the Kindle for iOS app, click “Apps” in the sidebar on the left (see picture below).

On the right side, you’ll see “Apps” section. Scroll down to reveal “File Sharing” section. Underneath, you’ll find the list of apps. Select Kindle.

To the right, you’ll see the files that rest inside Kindle for iOS app (see image below).

Now, the only thing is to drag the file from the desktop to the field underneath “Kindle Documents” and drop it there (see image below).

Wait for the upload to finish, click “Done” and disconnect the iPhone/iPad from the computer.

3. Use Send to Kindle app on your computer

This solution lets add multiple personal documents to your Kindle account, but you can only send files no bigger than 50 MB.

If you plan to add to your Kindle library a lot of third-party files, the Send to Kindle app is the most convenient way. Besides adding many files at once, it lets you select several Kindle devices or apps, as well as archive the documents in your Kindle cloud library.

1. Open the Send to Kindle app on your computer

If you still don’t have the Send to Kindle app, you can download it from Amazon. It’s available both for PC or Mac computers.

2. Add files to Send to Kindle app

You can add files in three ways:

• drag and drop files to the Send to Kindle application,
• use the Print menu in any application that can print,
• control-click (Mac) or right-click (PC) on the document or documents.

Below, you can see how to add the file to the Send to Kindle app on a Mac computer.

Drag the file anywhere inside the Send to Kindle window. In the bottom part, there are listed all devices that are connected to your Kindle account. Select your iOS device and any other you want.

If you also want the file to be immediately backed up in the Kindle cloud library, check the box “Archive documents in your Kindle Library.”

How to add large files to Kindle for Android app

You can sideload large ebooks to your Android smartphone or tablet in two ways.

1. Use a cloud storage app such as Dropbox

The solution works for files larger than 50 MB. I’ve tested it on a book that is 70 MB. You’ll be adding the books one by one. If you want to add files in bulk, please use two other methods.

I’ll guide you how to use Dropbox, but you can also use Google Drive or any other cloud storage service.

If you don’t have Dropbox, you’ll need to sign up to the service first.

1. Download the book to your PC/Mac computer

If you’ve bought the book in the third-party ebookstore or found the book in one of the sites that offer free public domain ebooks, make sure to download the file in mobi format.

From here, upload the file to your Dropbox account. You can do it via the web browser or the Dropbox desktop application.

2. Use Dropbox app on Android device to open the file

If you don’t have Dropbox app, you can download it from the Google Play Store.

When you open Dropbox, locate the file. Tap options icon (see image below, on the left).

The menu will slide up from the bottom. Tap “Open with…” option, and select Kindle.

Sometimes, you may get a message saying that there is no app capable of opening the file. You can alternatively select from the menu not “Open with…” but “Export” option. Then select “Send to Kindle.” This option, however, will let you add files that are smaller than 50 MB.

2. Use Send to Kindle app on your computer

This solution lets add multiple personal documents to your Kindle account, but you can only send files no bigger than 50 MB.

If you plan to add to your Kindle library a lot of third-party files, the Send to Kindle app is the most convenient way. Besides adding many files at once, it lets you select several Kindle devices or apps, as well as archive the documents in your Kindle cloud library.

1. Open the Send to Kindle app on your computer

If you still don’t have the Send to Kindle app, you can download it from Amazon. It’s available both for PC or Mac computers.

3. Add files to Send to Kindle app

You can add files in three ways:

• drag and drop files to the Send to Kindle application,
• use the Print menu in any application that can print,
• control-click (Mac) or right-click (PC) on the document or documents.

Below, you can see how to add the file to the Send to Kindle app on a Mac computer.

Drag the file anywhere inside the Send to Kindle window. In the bottom part, there are listed all devices that are connected to your Kindle account. Select your Android device and any other you want.

If you also want the file to be immediately backed up in the Kindle cloud library, check the box “Archive documents in your Kindle Library.”

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For over three years now, Amazon has offered Kindle users free cloud storage for their ebooks.

This Kindle Cloud supports many of the same reading features that you get with ebooks bought from Amazon, including highlights, notes, bookmarks, dictionary lookup, and syncing your reading position across all of Amazon’s Kindle apps and ereaders.

It’s pretty useful, and here’s how you can set it up.

First things first: Do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?

The hard way is much more useful and works from any email account, but the easy way works just as well and is less hassle.

I’ll show you the easy way, and then the hard way. You tell me which is better.

The Easy Way

The easy way to send ebooks and documents to your Kindle Cloud is to install an app called Send2Kindle. There’s a version for Windows, OSX, and Android, and once it is installed and configured it is dead simply to use.

For the PC app, simply select the file you wish to send (in Windows explorer, for example), right click on it, and choose the Send2Kindle option. This should also show up as a print option when viewing a file in MSWord, Adobe Reader, etc.

And do you know the best part about Send2Kindle? When you run the app, it will create a window. Any compatible file which you drag to that window and release will be sent to your Kindle Cloud.

For more details on this app, visit the Send2Kindle on Amazon.com. Or you can launch the app and click on the help button.

That’s the easy way; here’s the hard way.

The Hard Way

Setup

To start, open the Manage Your Kindle page on Amazon.com:

Amazon.com/myk/

Log in to your account, and switch to the settings tab:

Scroll down the page until you see the section labeled “Approved Personal Document E-mail List”. This is the section where you will need to list all of the email addresses which you will be using to send content to the Kindle Cloud.

It looks like this:

Amazon wants you to tell them all the email addresses which are authorized to send content to your account. I bet they want to limit spam, so think of the email addresses which you plan to use to send content to the Kindle Cloud and add them one at a time.

One you’ve done that, scroll up that manage your Kindle page and find the section titled “Send-to-Kindle E-Mail Settings”. It looks like this:

This is where you’ll find the specific email addresses for each of the Kindle apps and hardware. Did you know that you can send a document or ebook to a specific app or Kindle? That’s why they each have their own email address.

Edit: And as a reader reminded me, not all apps have a unique email address. The Kindle Cloud Reader, Kindle Windows 8 app, and the Kindle for PC app do not. The Cloud Reader and Windows 8 app also do not support reading your personal ebooks. Thanks, Timothy!

If you’re like me, you’ll have a number of devices and apps on your account. Make a note of which ones you use the most, and add the email addresses to the address book in your email account.

That’s It

You’ve now finished all of the steps to get ready to send ebooks to the Kindle Cloud.

In contrast to the setup process, sending the ebooks is very simple. All you have to do is choose one of the email addresses you just added to your address book and send an email to it with the ebook attached.

Addendum

Here are the documents you can send (the files have to be under 50MB in size):

• Microsoft Word (.DOC, .DOCX)
• HTML (.HTML, .HTM)
• RTF (.RTF)
• JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG)
• Kindle Format (.MOBI, .AZW)
• GIF (.GIF)
• PNG (.PNG)
• BMP (.BMP)
• PDF (.PDF)

The PDF files will be sent without alteration, but all the rest will be converted to Kindle format. Also, the Kindle format ebooks will be mangled when you email them, so don’t be surprised if your pretty ebooks come out looking ugly.

It Could Cost You

Before you send any files, let me warn you that Amazon sometimes charges delivery fees. If you have a 3G-equipped Kindle, Amazon will charge $.15 per megabyte. Also, if you are sending content to your smartphone or tablet over a 3G or 4G data connection, your service provider might charge you for delivery.

Luckily Amazon offers the option of limiting to only delivering to Kindles over Wifi.  You can find it on the Manage Your Kindle page under the settings tab (Whispernet Delivery Options). You can also set a limit on how much you’re willing to pay for the delivery cost.

Don’t Forget to Enable the Archive Option

One of the features I like the most is that way that Amazon will add your ebooks to your Kindle account. It’s useful, but it also has to be enabled. You can do that on the settings tab of the Manage your Kindle page.

The Kindle Personal Documents Service is a free tool that allows you to send files to supported devices registered to your Amazon account. Send documents from an authorized email address or a Send to Kindle application.

Send to Kindle Applications

Install a Send to Kindle app on your supported device to send documents directly to your Kindle Library. Send to Kindle apps support following file types:

• Microsoft Word (.DOC, .DOCX)
• PDF (.PDF)
• Text (.TXT)
• Images (.JPG, .JPEG, .PNG, .BMP)
• Kindle Format (.AZW, .MOBI)
• Other File Types (.RTF, .PRC, .PSZ)

Kindle Personal Documents Service

Email documents to your Kindle Library using your Send to Kindle email address. Your authorized email address supports the following file types:

• Kindle Format (.MOBI, .AZW)
• Microsoft Word (.DOC, .DOCX)
• HTML (.HTML, .HTM)
• RTF (.RTF)
• Text (.TXT)
• JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG)
• GIF (.GIF)
• PNG (.PNG)
• BMP (.BMP)
• PDF (.PDF)