The Kindle device, popularized by Amazon, offers a vast library accessible at your fingertips. A common user question regarding this e-reader involves maneuvering the interface: specifically, how to close kindle book when you’re finished reading. This instruction explores the straightforward methods for correctly closing a book on your device, making the reading experience smoother. Whether you are navigating the options on the latest Paperwhite or managing your digital library on the Kindle app, these easy steps will show you the best methods.

Image taken from the YouTube channel How To Do Stuff , from the video titled How to exit book and return to Kindle library .
Unveiling the Secrets: Mastering the Art of Closing Books on Your Kindle
This guide will show you, step-by-step, the best way to properly close a book on your Kindle. It might seem basic, but knowing the right methods ensures a smooth reading experience and prevents any potential frustration later on. Let’s dive in!
Why Correctly Closing a Kindle Book Matters
Many Kindle users don’t realize there’s more than one way to "close" a book, and that some methods are better than others. Understanding the nuances helps you:
- Preserve your Reading Progress: Guarantees your Kindle remembers exactly where you left off, even if you switch devices.
- Prevent Accidental Page Turns: Avoids those annoying situations where you open a book and are several pages ahead (or behind) where you thought you were.
- Optimize Battery Life: While minimal, properly closing applications can contribute to slightly better battery performance over time.
- Maintain a Smooth User Experience: Makes navigating between books and the Kindle interface more intuitive.
Method 1: The "Back Arrow" Approach – The Recommended Method
This is arguably the simplest and most reliable method.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Locate the Back Arrow: While reading a book, tap near the top of the screen to reveal the Kindle’s menu.
- Tap the Back Arrow (or Book Icon): In the top left corner, you’ll usually see a back arrow icon (sometimes represented as a book icon). Tap it.
- Return to Your Library: This action will take you back to your Kindle’s library or home screen. Your book is now properly "closed."
Why This Works
This method ensures the Kindle saves your current reading position before returning to the library. It’s the most consistent way to ensure your progress is saved.
Method 2: The Home Button (or Swipe Up) Alternative
Another simple method using the home button function.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Depending on Kindle Model: This method varies slightly based on your Kindle model. Newer Kindles might require a swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Older models typically have a dedicated home button (either physical or on-screen).
- Activate Home Screen: Either press the physical home button or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen until the home screen appears.
- Return to Your Library: You will be on your library page and the book has been "closed".
Considerations
- This is generally reliable, but occasionally, if the Kindle is busy syncing or performing other tasks in the background, your exact page might not be saved immediately. Give it a few seconds after returning to the Home screen before switching devices or turning off your Kindle.
Method 3: The "Going to Another Book" Technique
If you’re immediately switching to a different book, this is also acceptable.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- From within the Current Book: Tap the top of the screen to bring up the menu.
- Tap on "Library" or Search for a New Book: Use the navigation to find your library and then select the new book you would like to read.
- Switching Automatically Closes the First Book: By opening a different book, your Kindle automatically saves your progress in the previous book.
Caveats
- This only works if you’re actually opening another book. If you just return to the library and turn off the Kindle, it’s still best to use the back arrow method first.
What to Avoid When Closing a Kindle Book
These actions can potentially lead to lost progress or unexpected behavior:
- Simply Turning Off the Kindle: While the Kindle usually attempts to save your progress, it’s not guaranteed if you power it off suddenly without properly closing the book first.
- Force Quitting the Kindle App (on Mobile Devices): If you’re using the Kindle app on a phone or tablet, avoid force-quitting the app without returning to the library within the app.
- Deleting the Book from Your Device: This will, of course, remove the book and your reading progress.
Troubleshooting: What to Do if Your Kindle Doesn’t Save Your Place
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your Kindle might not save your reading position correctly. Here are some potential solutions:
- Sync Your Kindle: Make sure your Kindle is connected to Wi-Fi and sync it manually. Go to "Settings" -> "Sync Your Kindle." This ensures your reading position is backed up to your Amazon account.
- Restart Your Kindle: A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches.
- Check for Software Updates: Outdated software can sometimes cause problems. Ensure your Kindle is running the latest version.
- Contact Amazon Support: If none of the above steps work, contact Amazon’s customer support. They may be able to diagnose more complex issues.
Kindle Close Book Options Summary
Method | Description | Pros | Cons | Recommended? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Back Arrow/Book Icon | Tapping the back arrow or book icon in the top-left corner. | Most reliable method for saving progress. | None significant. | Yes |
Home Button/Swipe Up | Returning to the Home screen using the physical button or swipe gesture. | Simple and quick. | Might not always save the exact page if the Kindle is busy. | Yes |
Switching to Another Book | Opening a different book directly from the current one. | Convenient if you’re immediately starting a new book. | Only works when opening another book. | Situational |
Simply Turning Off Kindle | Turning off the device without properly closing the book. | None. | Unreliable; can lead to lost progress. | No |
Force Quitting Kindle App | Force-stopping the Kindle app on a phone or tablet. | None. | Can lead to lost progress; should be avoided. | No |
Deleting the Book | Removing the book from your Kindle device. | Frees up storage space. | Removes the book and all reading progress. | Situational |
Kindle Book Closing FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about closing books on your Kindle device and app.
Why should I properly close Kindle books?
Closing books on your Kindle, instead of just switching to the home screen, ensures the book’s progress is properly saved. This prevents losing your reading position or annotations. It also helps free up a tiny bit of memory.
What’s the quickest way to close a Kindle book?
The fastest method to close a Kindle book and ensure your progress is saved is to tap the top of the screen to bring up the reading menu, then tap back arrow to return to your library.
Does simply pressing the power button close a Kindle book properly?
No, pressing the power button puts your Kindle to sleep, but it doesn’t properly close the book. To correctly save your reading progress, use the method to close the Kindle book mentioned above.
Will force-stopping the Kindle app on my phone close the book?
Force-stopping the Kindle app will close the book, but it’s not the recommended way. It’s better to tap the top of your screen to bring up the reading menu, then tap back arrow to return to your library. This ensures a clean and proper closure, minimizing potential data loss.
So, there you have it! Now you’re a pro at *how to close kindle book* and ready to dive into your next adventure. Happy reading!