Most of the setup for a new Kindle Paperwhite takes place on the device. Charge it, connect it to Wi-Fi and sign in with your Amazon account. Purchased books then download from the cloud, so you do not copy files across by hand.
Check what you need before starting
Search interest in the UK, as recorded by Google, has recently grouped “new Kindle Paperwhite” with “Amazon Kindle”, “Amazon Kindles” and “new Kindle Colorsoft”. The search data does not say which model or release prompted these searches. This guide covers setting up a Paperwhite in general and does not describe the specifications of any particular new model.
Before you start, have the following ready:
- The Amazon account that holds your books. Kindle purchases belong to an account, not to a device. If your household has more than one Amazon login, check which one bought the titles you want.
- Your Wi-Fi network name and password. Setup and the first library download need a wireless connection.
- A charging cable and a power source. Recent Paperwhite models charge over USB-C. A wall adaptor is not always in the box, so a phone charger or a computer port is useful.
- Your old Kindle, if you have one. You will need it to check reading progress and, later, to remove it from your account.
- Any personal documents you have sideloaded. Files you copied to an old Kindle by cable are not always backed up to the cloud, so find them first.
Charge the device fully
Connect the Paperwhite to power before switching it on for the first time. A new device may ship with only a partial charge, and a battery that runs low during setup or a software update can cause problems. While it charges, the screen usually shows a charging indicator. You can carry on with setup at the same time.
Choose your language and join Wi-Fi
Press and hold the power button until the screen changes. Choose your language and region first, because the region affects which Kindle Store the device uses. If you are in the UK, make sure the region is set accordingly, or the store and pricing may not match your account.
Next, select your home network and enter the password. Some devices offer a setup route through the Kindle app on a phone. Typing the password directly on the Paperwhite works just as well.
Sign in to your Amazon account
When prompted, sign in with the Amazon email address and password linked to your books. If your account has two-step verification turned on, a code will arrive by text or authenticator app, so keep your phone close by. A Paperwhite bought on your own account may arrive already registered to it. In that case, check on the screen that the correct name is shown.
If the device is a gift or was bought on someone else’s account, deregister it and register it again with your own login. Otherwise the purchases will go to the wrong library.
Let the software update finish
After you connect, the Paperwhite may download and install a software update. Keep it on charge and leave it alone until it restarts. Interrupting an update is one of the few things that can leave an e-reader in a confused state. To check whether you are on the latest version, look under the device options in Settings.
Download your library from the cloud
Open the Library and switch the view from “Downloaded” to “All”. Every title bought on the account appears there. Tap a book to download it. Your last read page is normally restored automatically through Whispersync, provided the book was bought from Amazon and syncing is turned on.
You do not need to download everything at once. Many readers download only the books they are reading now and leave the rest in the cloud. This keeps the device tidy and saves storage.
Move personal documents and sideloaded files
Documents sent with Amazon’s Send to Kindle service are stored with your account and appear in the library like purchased books. Files copied to an old device by USB cable are not stored that way. To move them, connect the old Kindle to a computer and copy the files to a folder. Then either email them to the new device’s Send to Kindle address or send them through Amazon’s Send to Kindle website or desktop app.
Your device’s Send to Kindle email address is listed in your Amazon account settings under content and devices. The accepted file formats have changed over time. Check Amazon’s current guidance before converting anything.
Adjust reading settings
Before you settle in with a book, open the display options in any title. Set the font, text size, line spacing and margins. Paperwhite models have an adjustable front light. Many recent versions also offer a warmth setting and a dark mode for reading at night. Changes made here apply across books, and you can undo them at any time.
If several people use the device, look at the parental controls and the option to require a password for purchases. Kindle screens are easy to tap by accident, so this prevents unintended buys.
Remove the old Kindle from your account
Once your books and notes are on the new device, deregister the old Kindle. You can do this from its own settings menu or from the devices section of your Amazon account online. Deregistering stops purchases being sent to it and is necessary before you sell it or give it away. It also clears the account login from the device. A factory reset afterwards removes any remaining personal files.
Avoid the mistakes people actually make
- Signing in with the wrong account. Books seem to have vanished when they are simply on a different login.
- Assuming sideloaded files transfer automatically. Only cloud-stored content syncs. Copy personal files across before you wipe the old device.
- Selling the old Kindle while it is still registered. The next owner may be able to see your library or buy on your account until it is removed.
- Choosing the wrong region. A mismatched country setting can cause store errors or show different prices.
- Expecting Kindle books to open in other apps. Books bought from Amazon generally stay within Kindle devices and apps. Library loans and other shops may work differently.
- Interrupting the first update. Leave the device charging until it has restarted.
Recognise when this approach is the wrong choice
This setup assumes you want to stay with Amazon’s system. It may not suit you in these cases:
- Most of your books come from other shops or a public library service that uses formats Kindle does not support. In that case, an e-reader from another maker may fit better. Whether a particular UK library service supports Kindle varies, so check with your library.
- You mainly read comics, illustrated books or annotated colour material. A colour e-reader such as the Kindle Colorsoft, which appears in the same search data, or a tablet may be more suitable. Colour e-ink screens look different from the black-and-white display on a Paperwhite.
- You want to read on a shared family device without connecting it to one person’s account. Kindle devices are designed around a single registered owner. Amazon’s household sharing features have their own rules.
- Your old Kindle still works and does what you need. If the main draw is novelty, it may make more sense to wait until confirmed details of any new model are published.
Frequently asked questions
Do my Kindle books transfer automatically to a new Paperwhite?
Yes, if they were bought from Amazon on the same account. When you sign in on the new Paperwhite, every purchased title appears in the “All” view of the library and you can download it from the cloud. Reading positions usually sync too. Files you copied to an old device by USB cable do not transfer on their own. You need to copy them to a computer and send them to the new device separately.
Can I set up a Kindle Paperwhite without Wi-Fi?
You can switch the device on and read files you have copied to it by cable. However, registering it to an Amazon account, downloading purchased books and installing software updates all need a wireless connection. For a smooth first setup, use a reliable home network. If that is not available, a phone hotspot is a practical temporary option. Once your books are downloaded, you can read them offline indefinitely.
Should I deregister my old Kindle before selling it?
Yes. Deregistering removes the device from your Amazon account. The next owner then cannot see your library or make purchases with your payment details. You can do it from the old Kindle’s settings or from the devices section of your Amazon account on the web. After deregistering, a factory reset clears any personal documents and notes that remain stored on the device itself.
What is the difference between a Kindle Paperwhite and a Kindle Colorsoft?
The Paperwhite has a black-and-white e-ink screen intended mainly for text. The Colorsoft adds a colour e-ink display, which can make book covers, comics and highlighted passages easier to tell apart. Both use the same Amazon account and library system, so purchased books are available on either. Which suits you depends mostly on how much illustrated or colour content you read and on your budget.
Sources and further reading
- Amazon Kindle help pages: official guidance on device registration, Send to Kindle and supported file formats
- Amazon account content and devices settings: where deregistration and the Send to Kindle email address are managed
- Google Trends (United Kingdom): the search data that grouped Paperwhite, Kindle and Colorsoft queries
- Consumer technology review publications: independent comparisons of e-readers and their display types
Surfaced from the google:GB signal “e-reader product searches”. AI-assisted draft, editorially reviewed.
