If you have a Kindle, you've probably wondered at some point what files your device can play. If at any time you have needed to reproduce, for example, a Word document or another extension, today we will tell you a little more about the subject. And the Amazon platform has its own format for eBooks and is also compatible with others. ¡Discover all Kindle formats!
The first Amazon e-Reader devices to hit the market only supported the format fagot ASW and with the MOBI and PDF extensions.
However, a problem arose when owners of an Amazon e-book required other devices if they wanted to play files on other devices. formats like EPUB or image extensions like JPEG or PNG. A very common solution was to use conversion programs although it was a waste of time. For this reason, the latest Amazon devices have been admitting more and more formats and therefore offer a greater range of options.
AZW, this is the native format of Amazon
AZW is the original Amazon format, compatible with the company's original devices. This format is more protected since this way its unauthorized distribution is not possible. And it is that the documents edited in the AZW extension are protected with DRM, it is a control system that prevents the file from being copied and therefore sent illegally. Still it isThe format is also compatible with other platforms widely used by users such as Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
In these files it is possible to work within the document since it includes functions similar to Word such as adding annotations, underlining, as well as other typical actions of electronic books since, in addition to text, it also includes graphics, images or tables that you can fill in.
The AZW format has two types or variants, KF7 and KF8. The first is the boot version, a MOBI file really. Amazon has exclusive DRM protection, so the files are protected and cannot be played on another MOBI compatible device. The second in KF8 format has a Palm database structure as well as text based on HTML5 and CSS3 style sheets. In this case, it is a format that offers more possibilities, although it still maintains a copy of the content in MOBI format so that the first generations can read it.
Other formats compatible with the Amazon Kindle
As the company has been launching devices and generations, they have evolved more and more until they are compatible with a large number of formats. Also keep in mind that these may be files that don't need to be updated as often, so if you have an older device it won't have as extensive format support as modern generations. For this there is the solution of manual file conversion, and the formats natively compatible with Amazon e-books are:
- Kindle: AZW, PRC, MOBI, MP3, AA and TXT.
- Kindle 2: AZW, TPZ, PRC, MOBI, TXT, MP3, AA, AAX, and PDF.
- International: AZW, TPZ, PRC, MOBI, TXT, MP3, AA, AAX and PDF.
- DX: AZW, TPZ, PRC, MOBI, TXT, MP3, AA, AAX and PDF.
- International DX: AZW, TPZ, PRC, MOBI, TXT, MP3, AA, AAX and PDF.
- Keyboard: AZW, TPZ, PRC, MOBI, TXT, MP3, AA, AAX and PDF.
- DX Graphite: AZW, TPZ, PRC, MOBI, TXT, MP3, AA, AAX, and PDF.
- Kindle 4: AZW, TXT, PDF, MOBI (unprotected), PRC (original version), HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP (BY CONVERSION).
- Touch: AZW, TXT, PDF, MOBI (unprotected), PRC (original version), HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG and BMP (by conversion).
- Kindle 5: AZW, TXT, PDF, MOBI (unprotected), PRC (original version), HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP (by conversion).
- Paperwhite (1st to 5th Generation): AZW, TXT, PDF, MOBI (unprotected), PRC (original version), HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF,
- PNG and BMP (by conversion).
- Kindle 7: AZW3, AZW, TXT, PDF, MOBI (unprotected), PRC (native), HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP.
- Voyage: AZW3, AZW, TXT, PDF, MOBI (unprotected), PRC (native), HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP.
- Oasis: AZW3, AZW, TXT, PDF, MOBI (unprotected), PRC (native), HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP.
- Kindle 8: AZW3, AZW, TXT, PDF, MOBI (unprotected), PRC (native), HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP.
Read EPUB using an Amazon Kindle
The EPUB format is the most used file to download all kinds of electronic books. However, the Amazon Kindle does not have support for this type of document despite being the most used in electronic books. It is a very versatile format that has a very wide dynamic adjustment, so it can be extended across all types of screens and therefore devices. Another advantage of this format is that it supports the DRM Security layer to prevent illegal copying and distribution of the file.
As we told you, Amazon devices are not compatible with this format, one of the most used. ANDThis is possibly because it is a way to keep the original content far away from possible piracy of the eBooks. Therefore, the only possible way to be able to play files of this format on an Amazon device is by converting the file into one of the formats that we mentioned above. This can be done using a free converter such as Calibre, and then you just have to upload the file to the Kindle Library through its application or also as a file sent from email.
In the Kindle Library you can save all the books you want, although keep in mind that there is a storage limit on the device, although it is usually wide so you will not have to delete any of the library.
From the Amazon device you can download the titles from the Amazon website, or also the titles included in the Unlimited service, as well as being able to buy books in a digital version directly from Amazon. But it is also possible to send the documents you want to your device to be able to read them more comfortably, as well as being able to print them without having to turn on the computer. And it is a reality that spending many hours in front of the computer greatly increases visual fatigue and therefore it is not recommended for reading books.
Personal document service
It is a tool that gives the possibility of uploading personal documents edited in other formats to the account of the Kindle application and therefore be able to read it directly from the device. This personal account supports different ways to have personal content in your account. This tool creates an email and this is the address where you should send the documents that will be synchronized with your library or it is also possible through the Google Chrome extension, the Windows application, macOS or Android devices.
To find out what this automatically generated email is, you must press the Menu button on the device and go to Settings. Here inside you select Device Options and then go to Personalize. Here inside you will see the field of the personalized e-mail. When you send documents to this email address, they will automatically sync as long as you have personal document archiving turned on.
This tool orOffers support for these file types: MOBI, AZW, Word (DOC and DOCX), HTML, RTF, TXT, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP and PDF. It is possible to send documents from 15 email addresses although keep in mind that all of them must be authorized and you can do this in the Manage content and devices section. In total, up to 25 attachments can be included and they must occupy a maximum of 50 MB in total.
