Whether you’re planning a trip overseas or moving to a different country, you may have some questions and concerns about how your Kindle library will function once you leave your current region. Each country has unique Amazon Kindle stores, so all of the books offered on the website right now may not be accessible when you travel abroad. If you plan on bringing your Kindle device with you on your next trip, here’s what you should know before you go.
I’m traveling abroad, will my Kindle work?
Traveling provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy a good read: long plane rides, lazy days at the beach, or unwinding after a full day of exploring. While some people cut their paperback books in half to make them more portable. You likely chose portability with a Kindle. So, let’s see how it will fare in other countries.
Can I use my Kindle eReader in any country?
The short answer is yes. The longer answer is it’s best to buy your books and download them on your Kindle before you leave. While traveling, you should be able to purchase and download books as normal. But it’s better to have the books loaded, just in case you have internet issues.
Can I use Kindle Unlimited when traveling outside of the US?
No. Kindle Unlimited services are gated to US users only and this is determined by your device’s IP address. You will be unable to download KU books while you’re in a different country. You can try using a VPN, but no guarantees there. Download your KU books before you leave the US. You will be able to read them while travel abroad.
Can I use my Kindle Fire while traveling abroad?
Yes. Traveling should not impact your ability to enjoy content you have already purchased from your home country. You will be able to read downloaded books, listen to music, and watch saved videos without any difficulties throughout your vacation. Here’s a run down of how traveling affects what you can do on your Kindle Fire:
- Books/Magazines – You can still purchase and read the same selection as in your home country.
- Music – You can listen to all songs and albums that you’ve previously purchased and downloaded. Streaming options may be different than in your home country.
- Videos – You can watch to all the shows/movies that you’ve previously purchased, but streaming options will be limited based on selection available in the country that you’re in as determined by your IP address.
- Apps – Your apps will work but some ads or other hooked in content may not show up.
- Web – The Silk browser will work fine, but you may see region-specific default pages.
I’m Moving Abroad, Will My Kindle Work?
Your Kindle device can be registered to only one Amazon store (amazon.com or amazon.ca or amazon.co.uk, etc.) at a time, and you can only browse & purchase titles from that store. The store your device is registered to is based on what country your account is in (some times this is determined by the country that issued your credit card on file with Amazon). For example, if you register your Kindle with a US address, and your credit card has a US billing address, then your account will be on Amazon.com and you’ll only be able to access Kindle ebooks from Amazon.com, the US-based website.
If you plan on moving to a different country, you can keep the books currently in your library and switch between different Kindle stores whenever you please by changing your Kindle COR (Country of Residence).
You may notice that a Kindle book available on Amazon.com is not available on Amazon.ca. Here’s why that might be the case. Much like traditionally printed books, eBooks often have territory-based publishing rights. Some books may only be available in select markets and languages, while others may be available worldwide.
Frequently asked questions switching Kindle Country of Residence:
Will my Kindle eReader lose any books if I switch my Kindle COR?
Nope! The books you have already downloaded will remain in your Kindle, and other digital content you have purchased should be automatically transferred to your updated account.
Can I use Kindle Unlimited outside of the US?
Nope! Unfortunately, Kindle Unlimited is only available for those within the US.
What happens to Kindle Unlimited if I change my Kindle country of residence?
Although you can access saved content when traveling internationally, switching your country of residence will cause any books and magazines you have borrowed through Kindle Unlimited to be returned automatically. Changing your address to one outside of the US will also cancel your Kindle Unlimited subscription altogether. If you want to keep Kindle Unlimited after you have moved outside the US, you might want to create an entirely new Amazon account for your new country and keep your US account.
How do I change my Kindle COR?
For detailed instructions about the actual process, check out our article on changing your country of residence on your Kindle.
Will I lose anything if I switch my Kindle Fire to a different country?
According to Amazon Device Support, “After transferring your account, Kindle content that was transferred will still be available on the Manage Your Content and Devices page on the new account.” In other words, you shouldn’t lose any of your Kindle books or audiobooks when switching your Fire device to a different country.
Lastly, if you would like to save more of your hard-earned money for traveling, feel free to browse through the thousands of free and cheap Kindle books available on our free books page. From romance and mystery novels to historical fiction and memoirs, you’re sure to find several new titles to add to your “must-read” list!
