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Q. I want to buy a Kindle book on my iPad, but I can’t figure out how to do it. I’ve downloaded the Kindle app and logged into my Amazon account, but I don’t see any way to buy a book.
There must be a way to do it, right? I mean, why would Amazon have a Kindle app where you can’t buy books?
Please help, this is driving me crazy!
A. Good news, you can buy Kindle books on your iPad (or iPhone), just not from the Kindle app.
How to Buy a Book for the Kindle App on Your iPad or iPhone
The trick to buying a Kindle book on your iPad or iPhone is to use the Safari app to access the Amazon website on the Internet. (You can also use a different Internet browser app such as Chrome.)
Open the Safari app and go to the Amazon website to buy Kindle books. You may be asked to log into your Amazon account. Search for the Kindle book you want to buy.
When you purchase a Kindle book, you have the choice of where to read it. Tap the box below the Buy button to tell Amazon where to send your book. If you have multiple Kindle apps and/or Kindle ereaders, you will see a drop-down menu of all the places you can send your Kindle books.
Choose your iPad and the book will be downloaded and available to read on your Kindle app.
[note]Your iPad must be connected to the Internet for the book to be downloaded to the Kindle app. After the book is downloaded, you don’t have to be connected to the Internet to read it. [/note]
If you don’t see the book when you open the app, tap the Sync icon and the book will be downloaded when you’re connected to the Internet.
=> Also see How to Read a Kindle Book on a Computer.
If you bought a book already but didn’t send it to your iPad, you can download it whenever you’re connected to the Internet. In the Kindle app, open your Library and tap on Cloud. You will see a list of all the Kindle books you own.
Tap on a book you wish to download to the Kindle app. A check mark will appear after the book has finished downloading to the app.
=> Don’t miss, How to Listen to Audiobooks on Your Kindle App
Why You Can’t Buy Kindle Books in the Kindle App on the iPad or iPhone
Amazon does not sell Kindle books within the Kindle app on the iPad or iPhone because Apple charges a 30% fee to developers for in-app sales. Some apps, such as Spotify, raise the price of products or services purchased with their apps by 30% to be able to sell within apps while giving Apple its cut.
Amazon took a different route and opted not to sell books within the Kindle app.
[tip] If you’re purchasing a product or service within an app on your iPad or iPhone, check to be sure that it’s not less expensive to buy outside the app. [/tip]
What You Can Get in the Kindle App
You can use the Kindle app as a way to discover books you may want to buy. You can search for books and download book samples to try, to see if you like the book before you buy it. You can read book descriptions and read reviews of the books from within the Kindle app.
If you’re a member of Kindle Unlimited, you can download books from within the Kindle app. Kindle Unlimited is the “all-you-can-read” service from Amazon for a monthly membership fee of $9.99 with a 30-day free trial.
To learn more about Kindle Unlimited, check out Kindle Unlimited: All-You-Can-Read Ebooks and Audiobooks!.
Your Thoughts
Have you ever tried to buy a book within the Kindle app on your iPad or iPhone? Have you ever wondered why you couldn’t do it? Did you know how to buy a Kindle book on your iPad or iPhone?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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Hi Carolyn,
Informative post indeed 🙂
I neither have an iPhone nor iPad, but I do have friend’s and relative who have them, and they have often asked such questions from the near and dear ones. Must forward your post to them, so that they can download the Kindle books, just as you mentioned. I’ve always downloaded the free ones from Amazon to read it onto my laptop – that works best for my eyes for now!
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice, rest of the week 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, so many Kindle books are available for free, people should download some and keep them on their devices. You can keep reference books handy, and download books in your favorite genre so you always have something interesting to read.
Thank you so much for sharing and for your lovely comment, Harleena!
Hi Carolyn,
I have not tried reading the kindle books on the desktop, so thanks for sharing tips about it.
Hi Robin, Yes, many people don’t realize you can read a Kindle book on a computer. I’m glad you were able to learn that here, Robin. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Carolyn,
I have been searching about Kindle Book, and maybe I would like to buy it someday. Your post helps me, and after reading it, I know the way to buy it easily. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Hi Andi, Yes, you can get many Kindle books for free. If you have an iPad or iPhone you may want to get the Kindle app and find some free books to get started. Now you know how to get them onto the Kindle app on your iDevices.
This is a nice post on Kindle. Although I don’t have iPad, but I am planning get a new one soon and hoping to follow your steps. Thanks for helping people.
Hi Santanu, I’m very glad you enjoyed this article. Yes, when you get your new iPad, you now will know how to buy a Kindle book on it.
I hope you enjoy your new tech, Santanu!
Thanks for sharing the information. As I was wondering here there to know how to get it on IOS. Thanksss.
Hi Nawab, I’m so glad this article was helpful to you. Thanks for taking the time to let us know your thoughts.
I have heard a lot about Kindle Ebooks but never bought any Kindle book, it seems pretty easy to buy Kindle Ebooks and I will definitely buy one. Thank you so much for sharing such an important and useful guide with us.
Hi Debadeep, Yes, it easy to get a Kindle book on the iPhone or iPad, if you know how to do it. The reader was confused, and I have gotten this question before. On other devices buying a Kindle book is much easier. You can also find plenty of free Kindle books at Amazon.