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Asked: 2024-09-26T14:45:20+05:30 In:

Where can I find the location of Amazon Kindle eBooks stored on my Linux computer after downloading them for offline reading?

I’ve been diving into the world of eBooks recently, and let me tell you, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. I decided to go with Amazon Kindle because of the vast selection and convenience, so I downloaded some books for offline reading. Everything was going smoothly until I realized I had no idea where these files were actually stored on my Linux computer.

I mean, I can see my downloaded books in the Kindle app, but I can’t seem to locate the actual files anywhere on my system. I’ve looked in the usual places like the Downloads folder and the Documents folder, but no luck. It’s almost like they vanished into thin air! I’ve also tried searching for “Kindle” or other keywords in the file manager, but it just doesn’t seem to reveal anything useful.

I need some help here—I’d love to know if anyone has figured this out. Are these eBooks stored in some hidden folder? Maybe there’s a specific directory where the Kindle app saves them? What about how Linux handles these files compared to Windows or Mac—does that have anything to do with it?

Also, if you have any tips on how to manage or back them up, that would be awesome! I’ve heard that some of the formats might be complicated to deal with, especially if I wanted to transfer them to another device or convert them to a different format.

I’m using a pretty standard version of Ubuntu, so if anyone has dealt with this before, I’d really appreciate any advice on where to look or what tricks might help. Let’s face it, I’m just trying to avoid a scavenger hunt through my system files. If there’s a straightforward way to get to those eBooks, I’d love to hear about it! Thanks in advance!

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    2 Answers






    1. Finding Kindle eBooks on Linux

      Where Are My Kindle eBooks?!

      Okay, so I totally get your struggle with this. It can feel like these eBooks just vanished. But I think I have a few ideas on where you might find them!

      Checking the Right Directory

      First, you might wanna check the hidden directories since Linux loves hiding stuff. Try looking in:

      ~/.local/share/amazon/Kindle

      The tilde (~) represents your home directory. You can get there by opening a file manager and pressing Ctrl + H to show hidden files.

      Using the Terminal

      If you’re comfy with the command line, you can navigate using Terminal. Just open a terminal and type:

      cd ~/.local/share/amazon/Kindle
ls

      That should list the files in that directory. Keep in mind that the files might have weird names or formats!

      Format Frustrations

      As for the file formats, yeah, they can be a pain. Amazon often uses their own formats like .azw or .mobi which might not work everywhere. If you wanna convert them, tools like Calibre can be a lifesaver!

      Backing Up Your Books

      For backup, once you find the files, you can just copy that folder to a USB stick or an external drive. Just make sure to keep the original structure if you want to use them later.

      Final Thoughts

      Hopefully, this helps you track down those eBooks! It might take some digging, but they’re there somewhere. Happy reading!



    2. On Linux, specifically Ubuntu, the Kindle app stores downloaded eBooks in a hidden directory within your home folder. You can usually find them in the .local/share/amazon/Kindle/contents directory. To access this folder, you can either open your file manager and press Ctrl + H to reveal hidden files, or you can use the terminal to navigate directly. Open a terminal and run cd ~/.local/share/amazon/Kindle/contents, then use ls to list the contents. Here, you should be able to see the eBook files you downloaded, typically stored in a format like .mobi or .azw, which are specific to Kindle.

      When it comes to managing and backing up your eBooks, it’s a good practice to create a separate directory where you can store copies of these files. Consider converting them to more common formats such as ePub using a tool like Calibre, which not only allows conversion but also enables you to organize your library more efficiently. Additionally, ensure that you maintain a backup of your downloaded files either on an external drive or a cloud service to avoid losing any valuable content. Given that Linux handles these files differently compared to Windows or Mac, having a clear organization system will simplify future access and prevent the feeling of a ‘digital scavenger hunt.’


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