IMPORTANT NOTE. From mid-2022 onwards, Amazon supports generic eBooks in the .EPUB format on the latest versions of the Kindle app and on newer Kindle devices. At the same time it is retiring its proprietary .MOBI format, although existing downloaded books in .MOBI format are unaffected. If you have an older Kindle device you should download the .MOBI version, otherwise choose the .EPUB option. If you encounter problems with your chosen format, please contact us using the link below.
Which eBook format is best?
Kindle (.MOBI) or Generic (.EPUB)
It depends. The EPUB format is supported by a wide range of eBook readers and eBook reading apps, many of which are free and carry with them no obligation to sign up for anything. From mid-2022, EPUB is also supported on Amazon’s Kindle apps and is now the preferred format.
The Kindle MOBI format is proprietary to Amazon, though you don’t need a Kindle to be able to read Kindle eBooks (see below) and the Kindle app for smartphones and other devices is a free download. Amazon’s vast library of eBook titles is unrivalled and the Kindle itself is a mature device with a number of features that are particularly useful for searching and dipping into a reference book.
Do I need a Kindle to read a Kindle book?
No. There is a free Kindle app for most smart phones and tablets, Windows and Apple laptops and desktop computers. Go to the App Store on your device to search for and install the Kindle app.
If you don’t already have an Amazon account, you will need to register with Amazon.
Installation Instructions
Generic EPUB
Installing a book in EPUB format is usually just a matter of copying the downloaded EPUB file into the appropriate folder of your eBook device or app. Check the specific installation instructions for your eBook reader.
MOBI or EPUB for Kindle
IMPORTANT. See note at the top of this page.
For eBooks in .mobi and .epub format that are not published directly via Amazon’s web site – as is A Guide’s Guide – you have a choice of several ways of sending the downloaded book to your Kindle or Kindle app.
Briefly, the options are –
- Send to Kindle by email. Every Kindle or Kindle app has its own unique email address. To send your eBook to that device, simply email your downloaded MOBI or EPUB file to its kindle.com address as an attachment. See Amazon’s Send to Kindle by Email documentation. This is probably the simplest method.
- On Android and more recent Apple mobile devices you should be able to send the downloaded file directly to the Kindle app. Using your device’s file manager, locate the file in the Downloads folder and tap on it. Depending on your device, you will see a “send” or “share” option ( or an icon like
or 
). Now select Kindle from the “share with” list to send the file to the Kindle app. - If you have access to a Windows PC or Mac you can install Amazon’s Send to Kindle app – this allows you to send MOBI and EPUB files, as well as PDFs and many other file types of document directly to any or all of your Kindle devices.
These options are more fully described in Amazon’s Send to Kindle documentation:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindle/
If you can’t find the information you need here, please use our Contact/Feedback form.
Guides Tour FAQ
Installing the Guides Tour app on Apple iOS devices (Add to Home Screen)
- From within the Safari browser, find the share icon (like this ) at top or bottom of the screen and click it
- In the popup, scroll to Add to Home Screen and click it
- Optionally, edit the name of the App, then click Add
Now close your browser and open the Guides Tour app from its shortcut on the home screen.