Steps: Connect Kindle to your computer through USB cable. After connecting it, you will see. As you can notice, the file has been already added to your carousel. If you still don’t see it, just go to your Kindle app’s menu then press “Sync”. Just select the file to read it and that’s it, you’re done. If all else fails and you still didn’t manage to open your MOBI file using the Kindle app for Android, you can always look. I've got several Amazon kindle files (.azw or.azw3) files on my Mac that show up inmy Mac's Kindle reader but I can't seem to copy them to my iPad. I tried putting them into Dropbox but they can't be opened on the iPad end. Tried to email them to myself but the attachment won't open in kindle. Calibre for Mac. Calibre is one of the best EPUB readers for macOS 10.15. With Calibre, it is.

“Thank you for sending me the ebook files. But, if I can’t open the #$%@ things, how do you expect me to approve them?”

Lots of writers mutter this under their breath when their formatter sends them their ebook files and asks for their approval.

I’ve said it myself.

Lots of writers would cross their fingers and tell the formatter that everything was fine.

I’ve done it myself.

Then I figured out I could login in to KDP, wait for my file to load, and use the Kindle Previewer. Every single time with every single file.

Have you tried that?

Such a time-saver and so convenient. Not.

Now, I use my own stand-alone copy of the Kindle Previewer. So fast, so easy. Here’s how you can do it, too.

Before you preview your first file, there’s a bit of setup to be done.

Step One

Download your own copy of the Kindle Previewer here.

• Read information, questions and answers on the linked page above.
• Tick the little box to agree to the terms of service.
• For detailed instructions, view the Kindle Previewer User Guide.
• Download whichever version applies to you.

Step Two

How To Open Mobi File On Mac

Download the files from your formatter and make a note of where you put them.

Step Three

Set up your computer to automatically open the Kindle Previewer for mobi files.

• In File Explorer (on PCs)* or Finder (Mac), find the files you downloaded.
• Right-click on the file name, click on Open with, click on Choose another app (see Figure 1 below)
• From the list, select the Kindle Previewer and tick the box to always use it to open mobi files (see Figure 2 below).

Step Four

Preview your book. Click on Help in the menu bar in the top left corner for tips and tricks on using the Kindle Previewer.

Figures

Figure 1: Find your mobi file

You can skip the download of the Kindle Previewer and the setup to auto open. Simply:

1. Download the files from your formatter and make a note of where you put them.
2. In File Explorer (on PCs)* or Finder (Mac), find the files you downloaded and double-click. A tiny Kindle icon to the left of every name of every mobi file will make it easier to spot them. The Kindle Previewer will open at the table of contents page of your book.
3. For some unknown-to-me reason, every time you open the previewer, it converts your file, even it’s already a mobi.

Next week, I’ll show you how to use Adobe Digital Editions.

* These instructions are for Windows 10. For Windows 8, 8.1 go here. For Windows 7, go here.

Kindle

Steps:

1. Connect Kindle to your computer through USB cable.
2. After connecting it, you will see your Kindle as a folder or drive. You can drag and drop the mobi file onto the Documents folder on Kindle drive or folder on computer.
3. Safely remove the USB cable when activity indicator on kindle stops flashing by selecting “Safely Remove Mass Storage” (Windows PC) or “Eject” (Mac PC).

Now you should be able to read mobi eBook in Kindle Library on your Kindle.

Mac

Steps:

1. Install Kindle for Mac (www.amazon.com/kindleformac). Sign in to your Amazon account if you are already registered or else Sign up for free on Amazon.
2. Launch Kindle for Mac. You will see the Register page when you first run it.
3. Sign in with your Amazon account.
4. Place the eBook (mobi) on your “My Kindle Content” folder (Library > Application Support > Kindle > “My Kindle Content”).
5. Reopen the Kindle for Mac. You can now open and read mobi eBook in Mac.

PC

Steps:

How To Open Epub And Mobi Files

1. Install Kindle for PC (www.amazon.com/kindleforpc). Sign in to your Amazon account if you are already registered or else Sign up for free on Amazon.
2. Launch Kindle for PC. You will see the Register page when you first run it.
3. Sign in with your Amazon account.
4. Locate the mobi file that you saved, right click, select ‘Open with’ > ‘Kindle for PC’, and the eBook will (should) open.

iOS (iPad/iPhone)

What is azk?

AZK stands for AmaZon Kindle format. This is a special Kindle eBook format, optimized for the iOS(iPad/iPhone) devices. When you purchase a Kindle eBook from Amazon, they deliver it in azk format. However, if you are an author looking to self-publish on Amazon, you just need to upload the mobi file on Amazon KDP. The azk format is automatically generated by the Amazon ecosystem.

To view AZK in iPad:

Steps:

1. Please connect your iPad/iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.
2. Make sure you have iTunes installed on your computer and Kindle app for iPad/iPhone installed on your device.
3. Launch iTunes. From top Menu bar click on your device icon.
4. You should see a screen with a menu showing “Apps”. Click on “Apps” and scroll down to the bottom of “Apps” section.
5. You should see the list of apps installed on your device. Click on “Kindle” app in the “Apps” list under “File Sharing”.
6. You may drag & drop the eBook (.azk) onto the “Kindle Documents” section.

   OR

   You may click on “Add…” button and select a file from the pop up file explorer window.

7. Safely remove the device by selecting “Safely Remove Mass Storage” (Windows PC) or “Eject” (Mac).
8. When you’re ready, click Sync at the bottom of the screen in iPad/iPhone. You should be able to read the azk file in Kindle App on your iPhone or iPad.

Android

What App Can Open Mobi Files

Steps:

1. Install Kindle app for Android app. Sign in to your Amazon account if you are already registered.
2. Connect your Android device to your computer through USB cable.
3. After connecting it, you will see your Android device as a folder or drive. You can drag and drop the eBook (mobi) onto the Kindle folder on computer.
4. Safely remove the USB cable by selecting “Safely Remove Mass Storage” (Windows PC) or “Eject” (Mac PC).

Now you should be able to see the eBook in Kindle Library on your Kindle for Android.

OR

Steps:

1. Make sure you have Amazon’s Kindle app for Android app installed on your Android device. Launch Kindle for Android app.
2. Select “Start Reading”. Sign In with Amazon account.
3. Exit Kindle for Android app.
4. Download the attached mobi file from email.
5. Locate the mobi file on your device.
6. Copy the mobi file and paste it under the Kindle folder (the folder generated by the Amazon’s Kindle for Android app).
7. Launch Kindle for Android app. All local books are displayed under “On Device” shelf.

Now you should be able to see your eBook in the Kindle app.