For various reasons, we need to connect kindle to Mac. But the most common problem when you are trying to connect kindle to your Mac OS is that MacOS won’t show kindle in the finder. Here I will guide you through how to connect kindle to Mac, and share some solutions that when kindle is not showing up on Mac.
Part 1. How to Connect Kindle to Mac OS(Kindle Released before 2024)
Step 1. Plug the USB cable into an empty port on your Mac. The Kindle icon appears on your MAC desktop.
Pro tip:
If you are using a newer Mac, you may only find Type-C port but not the regular USB-A.
Then in this way, you'll need USB-C to USB Adapter to connect your Kindle to Mac.
Step 2. To transfer files to Kindle device, you can drag content to the kindle. For more ways to transfer kindle file to Mac, please read 3 Best Ways to Send Books to Kindle from Mac.
Step 3. To disconnect kindle to Mac, just right click the Kindle icon, and then choose "Eject Kindle". After disconnected kindle from your Mac, its icon will not showing on your Mac desktop anymore.
Part 2. How to Connect Kindle to Mac OS (Kindle Released after 2024)
Note: Kindle Scribe and other Kindle models released in 2024 and later that cannot connect to a Mac via USB without additional software. To begin, first check your Kindle model to confirm whether it belongs to the newer generation—such as the Kindle Scribe, Kindle Colorsoft Signature, or the 12th Gen Kindle Paperwhite.
If your device is one of these models, follow the steps below to connect your Kindle to a Mac for USB file transfer.
Step 1 Download and install MacDroid on your Mac.
Step 2 Launch MacDroid and select the MTP connection option.
Step 3 Connect your Kindle eReader to your Mac using a USB cable. If you’re using an ARM-based MacBook, click “Allow” when prompted.
Step 4 Open Finder and transfer files between your Mac and Kindle. You can move files from your Mac to Kindle, or upload files from Kindle back to your Mac the same way.
How to remove drm from Kindle device?
Once connected your kindle to your Mac, you are able to remove drm from your Kindle books with Epubor Ultimate. If you need to back up your kindle books, this is the best way to remove kindle drm in 2025.
Part 3. Troubleshooting: Kindle not Showing up on Mac
I have connected kindle PaperWhite to my Mac via USB, but the Kindle is not showing in Finder.
I can't connect my kindle with an USB cable to my Mac. The Kindle doesn't appear as a device. Charging works, but just that. Anybody with the same problem?
Solution 1: Change the USB cable to kindle original USB cable.
Do you know that there are two kinds of micro USB cable?
♦ Regular or data cables, which can be used for transferring data and charging.
♦ Charge-only cables, which use only to provide just power.
Kindle seems to require specific cables for data transfer. Sometimes, the cable you use maybe enough to charge the device, but not for it to appear in Finder. That's why you need to use the original kindle usb cable because it is data cable.
Solution 2: Restart the kindle while it is plugged.
Solution 3: Update your Kindle.
Solution 4: Fully charge the Kindle.
Part 4. Pro Tip: How to Connect Kindle Fire to Mac OS
I can't connect my Kindle Fire 7, just got it yesterday, to my Mac computer. Mac does not recognize it. I want to transfer some stuff from Mac to Kindle. Any ideas?
File transfers to Kindle Fire on Mac require the Android File Transfer utility.
Step 1. Download and install Android File Transfer to your Mac.
Step 2. Connect your Kindle fire to Mac with USB cable. Run Android file transfer and you'll connect your kindle fire to Mac successfully.
Note: If you've set a lock screen passwords for your Kindle fire, you may need to unlock your device before it can be opened on your computer.
Now you can connect your kindle or kindle fire to your Mac for file transfer.
Iris Yan Marketing Architect at Epubor since 2017, drives the brand’s product design, advertising, and all-channel strategy.
