How to use the Kindle app for Mac: Complete setup and reading tips

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can read your Kindle books without owning a Kindle device, the answer is yes. Kindle for Mac lets you access your entire library on your desktop, sync your reading progress across devices, and use tools like highlights and notes just as you would on an e-reader. It’s a simple way to bring the Kindle reading experience to your Mac, and in this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to set it up and start reading.

How to download Kindle on Mac

To download the Kindle app on a Mac for free:

1. Open the App Store on your Mac.

2. Search for Kindle.

3. Click Get.

4. Launch the Kindle app on your Mac.

Open the app. When prompted, enter your Amazon account email and password. This single sign-in lets you access your Kindle library. Within moments, you'll see all your Kindle books downloaded to your Mac.

How to use Kindle on Mac

Amazon has made it simple to read Kindle books on your Mac through the Kindle app. Most of your books are stored in the cloud by default, but you can download any title for offline reading whenever you need it.

If your Kindle app is brand new and your library looks empty, just buy books on Amazon:

1. Go to amazon.com and search for a title.

2. Log in to the same account linked to your Kindle app.

3. Go to Books > Kindle Edition.

4. Complete the purchase, and it will appear in your Kindle for Mac automatically.

To read offline from your Mac app:

1. Go to the Library.

2. Pick the book. It should have a cloud icon next to it if it hasn't been downloaded yet.

3. Click the icon to start downloading.

4. When finished, double-click to open it.

You can organize a growing library using Collections:

1. Click the plus (+) next to Collections.

2. Select New Collection.

3. Name it.

4. Drag books into it.

This makes it easy to sort what you’ve read and what you want to read next.

Note: There are a few limitations. Kindle books are DRM-protected, so you can’t export them to other apps or import your own files into Kindle for Mac. Still, the app is free, and you can always access your library in the cloud reader if you prefer not to use the desktop app.

How to use Kindle Cloud Reader

For those who only need to read on Mac occasionally, the cloud Kindle reader is the perfect solution, as you can access your books online.

To use Cloud Reader:

1. Go to read.amazon.com.

2. Click Sign in with your account.

3. Double-click any book in your library to read it.

The cloud Kindle reader generally mirrors all the features of the Kindle for Mac, with a notable exception of collections. So if you haven’t been previously using collections that often, reading in the cloud might be no different.

How to focus while reading on a Mac

A Kindle device naturally eliminates distractions, but you can still create a focused reading environment on your Mac with the right setup. The easiest way to do this is by reducing visual noise and keeping only your reading window in view.

HazeOver is a great tool for this. It dims everything except the active window, so your Kindle app stays front and center while the rest of your desktop fades into the background. I’ve found it especially helpful when I’m reading long chapters or studying, because it instantly removes the urge to click around or check notifications. 

You can even adjust how strongly the background dims to match your preferred level of focus:

Check out the list of the top 10 apps to focus on when working from home.

How to take notes on a Mac like a pro

Not all reading is just for pleasure — sometimes you’re deep in research mode, preparing for work, or studying for an exam. In those moments, good annotation tools make a huge difference, especially if you need features like mind-mapping, flashcards, or a structured way to connect ideas.

I’ve found MarginNote to be an incredibly powerful research companion that genuinely changed how I organize my notes on Mac. It pulls all your highlights, annotations, and clippings into a single visual mind map, making it much easier to see connections between ideas. 

It’s one of the few apps that lets you collect, link, and study notes from all your sources in one place — perfect when you want to take notes on a Mac like a pro.

How to read the news all in one place

One area where the Kindle Mac app falls short is news reading. News Explorer helps you stay informed by bringing together all your favorite news sources in one clean, organized interface. 

Simply connect any websites, blogs, and publications to this news reader, and it will automatically source all the updates via a timely RSS system. Plus, you can easily create custom collections and tailor the reading experience to exactly how you want it to be.

To create a new feed in NewsReader:

1. Click the plus (+) icon in the bottom-left of the app

2. Choose New Web Feed if you have a direct URL, or Search New Feeds if you want to look for one.

3. Paste the address or type in the name of the source you’re looking for.

4. Click Add Feed.

What is a Kindle reader for Mac?

Launched in 2010, a Kindle reader for Mac is simply the Kindle app designed for macOS. It lets you read any Kindle book right on your Mac without needing a physical Kindle device. 

You can: 

• Sync your entire library

• Pick up where you left off

• Highlight passages

• Manage your books from a larger screen

Now you can use the Kindle app for Mac

If you want to read Kindle books on a Mac, you just need to download the Kindle for Mac app and enjoy the experience, or read online just as easily. But don’t forget to enter full concentration mode with HazeOver, write down interesting ideas with MarginNote, and maybe even get your daily news fix with NewsReader.

Best of all, HazeOver, MarginNote, and News Explorer are available to you absolutely free via Setapp, a platform for more than 250 essential Mac and iOS apps for solving every kind of problem out there, be it GIF creation (Gifox) or music-making (n-Track Studio). Try Setapp today with a seven-day free trial.