In this video and blog post, I want to show you how to send any PDF or e-book to Kindle. If you have ever tried reading a PDF inside Google Drive, you will know the problem. You open another tab, come back later, and suddenly you are back at the start again. That is frustrating if you are working through a book, a training guide, or any long document.
In this post, I will show you a simple process to send a PDF (or e-book file) to your Kindle library, so you can read it properly and your Kindle will remember where you left off.
If you like practical, step-by-step tutorials, you may also want to browse my How To’s section where I keep my guides in one place.
Why Kindle Is Better Than Reading Inside Google Drive
Google Drive is excellent for storing files, but it is not always the best reading experience for longer documents. The Drive viewer can refresh, reload, or jump back to page one, especially if you have multiple tabs open or if your browser decides to “help” by reloading inactive tabs.
Kindle, on the other hand, is designed for reading. Once your PDF is in your Kindle library:
- Kindle remembers your reading position.
- You can pick up where you left off across devices (if you use Kindle on more than one).
- Your PDF is easier to manage alongside other documents.
This is part of a wider theme I often come back to: removing friction from your workflow so you can stay productive. If you are interested in how I organise and manage digital work, have a look at How I Use ChatGPT Projects To Manage Real Work.
Step 1: Download the PDF (or E-Book) from Google Drive
First, you need the file on your computer (or phone) so you can send it to Kindle.
- Open Google Drive and locate the file.
- Click the three dots (more options) next to the file.
- Click Download.
- If you see a warning such as “unable to scan for viruses”, you can still download (this often appears on larger files).
- Once downloaded, confirm it is saved in your Downloads folder (or wherever your browser saves files).
Step 2: Open “Amazon Send to Kindle”
Next, open a new browser tab and search for Amazon Send to Kindle. This is the easiest way to upload a document into your Kindle library.
On the Send to Kindle page, you should see an option to select files from your device.
Step 3: Upload the File and Send It to Your Kindle Library
Now upload your downloaded PDF (or e-book file) and send it to your library.
- Click the option to select files (or drag and drop the file onto the page).
- Select your PDF/e-book from your Downloads folder.
- Choose the option to send it to your Kindle library.
- Submit/send the file.
Once you send it, give it a short time to appear. Sometimes it shows up quickly, and sometimes you need to refresh Kindle.
Step 4: Find It Inside the Kindle App
Open your Kindle app (or Kindle on your device) and refresh/sync your library.
A key point that confuses people at first:
- If you uploaded a PDF, it may show under Documents rather than under Books.
Once it appears, open it and start reading. From this point on, Kindle should remember where you got to, which solves the “back to page one” problem.
Troubleshooting
1) My PDF is not appearing in Kindle
- Refresh or sync the Kindle app.
- Check the Documents section (PDFs often land there).
- Give it a few minutes and refresh again.
2) Google Drive keeps losing my place before I upload it
If you are halfway through a PDF and Drive keeps resetting, the simplest approach is to stop reading it in Drive and move it into Kindle as soon as possible. Another practical workaround is to download it and open it in a dedicated PDF reader (which usually remembers your last page).
3) I am doing this on Windows 10 and want a stable setup
I still use Windows 10 for my day-to-day work because I value stability for content creation and practical tasks like this. If you are in the same position, you may enjoy reading Why I Am Not Upgrading To Windows 11.
A Quick Tip If You Are Creating Videos Like This
If you are making screen-recording tutorials, a clear thumbnail and a simple title makes a big difference. If you want a practical guide, see How to Create a YouTube Thumbnail Using ChatGPT. And if you are newer to YouTube, this walkthrough may help: How To Create A YouTube Channel Step-By-Step.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those small “quality of life” fixes that makes a big difference. If you read PDFs or e-books regularly, getting them into Kindle saves time and removes the frustration of constantly losing your place.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will do my best to help.