Connect your Libby library card to Kindle in three steps
Libby is a free library app that lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library. Kindle is Amazon's ebook reader. You can send Libby ebooks directly to your Kindle device or Kindle reading app — the books arrive within seconds and read just like any other Kindle book.
The connection happens through your Amazon account. Libby needs permission to send books to your Kindle, and you give that permission once. After that, borrowing a book from Libby and sending it to Kindle takes two taps.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Libby account (linked to your library card), an Amazon account, and a Kindle device or app to receive the books.
- The setup happens inside the Libby app: tap your account menu, find Kindle settings, and tap the button to connect to Amazon.
- Amazon will ask you to sign in and confirm that Libby can send books to your Kindle — this is a one-time step.
- Once connected, you borrow a book in Libby and tap "Send to Kindle" instead of "Read Now" to send it to your device.
- Books sent to Kindle stay there for the full loan period, even if you return them early in the Libby app.
What you need before you start
Have three things ready: a Libby account (which requires a library card from a participating library), an Amazon account, and either a Kindle device or the Kindle reading app installed on your phone or tablet.
If you do not have a Libby account yet, download the Libby app from your phone's app store, tap "get your free guide," and enter your library card number and PIN. Your library's website has both if you do not know them. If you do not have an Amazon account, go to amazon.com and create one — it takes two minutes.
The Kindle app is free. If you have a Kindle device (the physical reader), you already have a Kindle to receive books. If you want to read on your phone instead, download the Kindle app from your phone's app store and sign in with your Amazon account.
How to connect Libby to your Amazon account
Open the Libby app and tap the account icon in the bottom right corner (it looks like a person's head). Scroll down until you see "Kindle" or "Send to Kindle" — the exact wording varies by phone type. Tap it.
Libby will show you a blue button that says "Connect to Amazon" or "Link Amazon Account." Tap that button. Your phone will open a web page where Amazon asks you to sign in. Enter your Amazon email and password, then tap "Sign in."
Amazon will show you a page that says Libby wants permission to send books to your Kindle. Read the permission request — it will say something like "Libby would like to send content to your Kindle library." Tap the button that says "Agree" or "Allow." You will see a confirmation message, and you are done. Go back to the Libby app.
Sending a book from Libby to Kindle
Search for a book in Libby and tap it to open the details page. If the book is available to borrow right now, you will see a button that says "Borrow" or "Place a Hold." Tap "Borrow."
The button will change to show options for how you want to read the book. You will see "Read Now" (which opens it in Libby) and "Send to Kindle" (which sends it to your Kindle device or app). Tap "Send to Kindle."
A small menu will appear asking which Kindle device or app you want to send it to — if you have more than one, pick the one you use most. Tap your choice. The book will appear on your Kindle within a few seconds. You can start reading immediately.
What happens to the book after you send it
Once a book is on your Kindle, it stays there for the full loan period, even if you return it early in the Libby app. The loan period is usually 14 days for ebooks, though some libraries offer 7-day or 21-day loans. Check your library's website to see what the standard is.
When the loan expires, the book will no longer open on your Kindle. You do not have to do anything — it disappears automatically. If you want to keep reading before the loan ends, you can borrow the book again and send it to Kindle a second time.
If you return the book early in Libby, the copy on your Kindle will still work until the original loan date. This is different from some other ebook services, where returning a book removes it from your device right away.
Troubleshooting: book won't send to Kindle
If you tap "Send to Kindle" and nothing happens, or you see an error message, the most common cause is that your Libby and Amazon accounts are not properly connected. Go back to your Libby account settings, find the Kindle section, and look for a button that says "Disconnect" or "Reconnect." Tap "Disconnect," then tap "Connect to Amazon" again and sign in with your Amazon account.
If the book still will not send, check that you are signed into the Kindle app with the same Amazon account you used to connect Libby. Open the Kindle app, tap the menu (three horizontal lines), and look for "Settings" or "Account." Make sure the email shown is the same one you use for Amazon.
Some older Kindle devices cannot receive books sent from Libby. If you have a very old Kindle e-reader, try sending the book to the Kindle app on your phone instead. If you have a newer device and it still does not work, contact your library's help desk — they can tell you whether your device is supported.
Sending audiobooks from Libby to Kindle
Libby audiobooks cannot be sent to Kindle. Audiobooks are only available to listen to inside the Libby app itself. You can borrow an ebook version of the same title and send that to Kindle, but the audiobook stays in Libby.
If you want to listen to audiobooks on a different device, you can download them from Libby to your phone and listen offline. Open the book in Libby, tap the three dots menu, and look for "Download" or "Save for Offline." The audiobook will stay on your phone even if you lose internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to use Libby or send books to Kindle?
No. Libby is free if you have a library card, and sending books to Kindle costs nothing. You do need to own a Kindle device or have the free Kindle app installed, but reading the books themselves is free.
Can I send the same book to multiple Kindle devices?
Yes. When you tap "Send to Kindle," Libby will ask which device you want to send it to. You can send it to one device, return to the book page, and send it to another device as well. The book will appear on both.
What if my library is not in Libby?
Not all libraries are part of Libby yet. Check the Libby app or visit libbydevices.com to search for your library. If it is not listed, contact your library directly and ask if they plan to join Libby or offer another ebook service.
Can I highlight or take notes on a book sent from Libby to Kindle?
Yes. Books sent from Libby to Kindle work exactly like books you buy from Amazon. You can highlight passages, add notes, and use all the standard Kindle reading tools. Your highlights and notes stay on your Kindle.
What happens if my library card expires while I have a book on my Kindle?
The book will stop working on your Kindle when your library card expires. Renew your library card before it expires to keep reading. If it expires while you have an active loan, renew it and borrow the book again.