How to Borrow and Read Free eBooks Using the Kindle App

You can borrow free eBooks from your public library and read them on your phone or tablet using the Kindle app — no Kindle device needed.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Download and set up the Kindle app
2.Purchase a Kindle book from Amazon
3.Borrow free eBooks from your public library with Libby
4.Adjust reading settings in the Kindle app

Download and set up the Kindle app

~33s

Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and search "Kindle." Download the free app by Amazon. Open it and sign in with your Amazon account. If you do not have an Amazon account, tap "Create a new Amazon account" — it is free and only requires an email address. Once signed in, any Kindle books you have purchased previously appear in your library automatically.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Amazon offers a Free Kindle Books section — hundreds of books available at no cost. In the Amazon app or amazon.com, search "Free Kindle Books" or browse free titles in the Kindle Store.

Purchase a Kindle book from Amazon

~33s

Open the Amazon app or amazon.com. Search for any book title. On the book's page, look for the Kindle edition — there should be a "Buy with 1-Click" button or "Add to Cart" button with a Kindle price listed. After purchase, the book downloads to your Kindle app within seconds. Open the Kindle app on your phone and the book is in your library, ready to read.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Before buying, check if the library version is available for free. Many popular books are in the library — if there's a wait list, it is still free and saves the purchase price.

Borrow free eBooks from your public library with Libby

~31s

Download the free "Libby" app (by OverDrive) from your app store. Open Libby → tap "Find My Library" → search for your public library by city or name. Tap "Sign In with Library Card" → enter your library card number (the long number on the back of your card) and PIN. You now have access to your library's entire digital catalog. Search for any book → if available, tap "Borrow" → it appears in your Libby loans. Tap "Read with Kindle" to send it to your Kindle app, or read directly in Libby.

Adjust reading settings in the Kindle app

~32s

Open any book in the Kindle app. Tap the center of the screen to reveal controls. Tap the "Aa" button (or font icon) to adjust: text size (larger for easier reading), font style, line spacing, and background color (white, sepia, or black with white text for night reading). Tap anywhere on the text to resume reading. Your reading position, highlights, and bookmarks sync automatically if you read on multiple devices.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: The Sepia background color (warm tan/beige) is recommended for extended reading — it reduces eye strain compared to bright white, especially in the evening.

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You do not need an Amazon Kindle device to read digital books. The free Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet turns your phone into a Kindle — you can read eBooks right on your screen, adjust the text size, change the background color, and read in the dark.

There are two ways to get eBooks on the Kindle app: purchase books from Amazon (which start at $0.99 and up) or borrow eBooks for free from your public library through an app called Libby (or OverDrive). Library borrowing gives you access to thousands of titles at no cost — the same library card you use for physical books works for digital books too.

This guide covers both purchasing from Amazon and borrowing from your library.

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