Download & Transfer via USB is a function provided by Amazon which allows you to use the USB cable to transfer Kindle content from a computer to your Kindle Fire and Kindle e-ink device. Additionally, it offers a workaround solution to removing Kindle DRM. Recently, some issues occurred when trying to download Kindle books for USB transfer in Amazon website. Many users reported the download & transfer via USB feature is not working. So here I write this post to teach you how to download kindle books via "Download and transfer via USB" and help you fix the "Download & Transfer via USB Not Working" issue.
Part 1. How to Download & Transfer via USB on Amazon
1 Go to the Amazon website page - Manage Your Content and Devices and log in with your Amazon account.
2 Click the “More actions” button behind the book title.
3 Next, click “Download & transfer via USB” from the drop-down list.
4 Then a window will pop up. From the dropdown list, choose your Kindle device, and click the button “Download”.
A note will show up when you are downloading the content.
At most times, the downloaded content would be azw3 file, or azw file occasionally.
The download never starts? Go ahead to Part 2 - Problem 1: Unable Download & Transfer via USB - The download never starts for solutions.
5 Transfer books to Kindle device via USB.
After downloading, use your USB cable to connect your Kindle device to your computer. Your Kindle will appear as a drive on your computer. Copy your downloaded file from your computer to into the appropriate folder. Depending on your device type, the folder names may vary. For example, on Kindle Paperwhite, move books to the "Documents" folder. On Kindle Fire tablets, move books to the "Books" folder.
Must-know Tips: Remove Kindle DRM via "Download & Transfer via USB"
If you own a Kindle device, you can try this method to remove Kindle DRM. No matter you are using Windows or Mac, the method of "Download & Transfer via USB" is working well together with Epubor Ultimate to decrypt and convert Kindle books. Just connect your Kindle e-ink device to your computer, and drag your AZW3 or AZW files to Epubor Ultimate, they will be decrypted automatically.
Or you can follow the detailed guide on Remove Kindle DRM via "Download &Transfer Kindle Books via USB".
Part 2. Trouble Shotting - Download & Transfer via USB Not Working
Problem 1. Unable Download & Transfer via USB - The download never starts
Trying download and transfer via USB, I'm getting a message that says "Success: Downloaded your Kindle content to your computer via Your Media Library". I have no idea what this means. There is no "Your Media Library" on my computer. The download never starts.
When you click "Download & Transfer via USB", a pop-up window should open. However, a lot of browsers have blocked the pop-up window by default such as Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. So the firs time you use Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari, a notice will show "Download your Kindle content to your computer via Your Media Library", but then you will get nothing. The download never starts no matter how many times you click the "Download".
Solution Allow pop-up windows in browser settings.
1 For Google Chrome users:
For Chrome users, the first time you click the button "Download & Transfer via USB", a notice "pop-ups blocked" will appear in the upper-right corner of the address bar. You can just check "Always allow pop-ups and redirects from https://www.amazon.com".
You can also go to the "Settings" >> "Privacy & Security" >> "Site Settings" >> "Pop-ups and redirects" >> select "Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects".
2 For Firefox users:
For Firefox users, the first time you click the button "Download & Transfer via USB", a pop-up symbol will appear in the address bar. You just need to click "Options" >> "Allow pop-ups for www.amazon.com". Then the download box would appear.
If the notice does not appear in the address bar, you can also go to the "Settings" >> "Privacy & Security" . And then uncheck "Block pop-up windows", or click "Exceptions" and add www.amazon.com into the allowing pop-up list.
3 For Safari users:
Click Safari in the upper-left corner >> "Preference" >> "Websites" >> "Pop-up Windows". Change the status of amazon.com to "Allow".
Problem 2. No option for Download & Transfer via USB
I click the Download & transfer via USB action on amazon site. The options in the drop down menu are the Kindle apps and Kindle Cloud Reader, but neither of them are selectable. So I cannot finish the download. Must I possess Kindle or Fire hardware to enable the download option?
"Download & Transfer via USB" is only available for Kindle e-ink device or Kindle Fire tablet owners. Kindle apps (on phones, tablets, computers) are not compatible with that function. That's part of the Amazon security as they don't want you to make copies.
Solution If you have a Kindle e-ink device or Fire tablet but still receive such an error when downloading the content, it seems that you haven't registered your Kindle device yet. Please first make sure that you have registered your Kindle device with your Amazon account and try once again.
If you don't have a Kindle device, you cannot download books from Amazon site. Please use Kindle app for PC/Mac/Android/iOS to download your Kindle ebooks.
If you have a kindle device, but your kindle books are obtained from Kindle Unlimited. Amazon has diable the "Download & transfer via usb" option for kinde unlimited books in 2023. Thus you cannot download kindle unlimited books via this method.
If you have a kindle device, but your kindle devices are released in the late of 2024(12th generation). Many users report having the new Kindle for 2024 and the Kindle Paperwhite 6, and they confirm that neither is appearing on the list of devices for downloading and transferring eBooks via USB.
Notice: Meet some problems when registering your Kinlde device? Read the article for a solution: Solved: Can’t Register Kindle.
Problem 3. Download an FSDownloadContent file, not AZW3 eBook File
On downloading a book through Amazon website to my computer and then USB transfer to my Kindle, Amazon downloads an illegible file called "FSDownloadContent", rather than the usual .azw3 or .azw file. Is this a problem with the download?
This problem is related to Amazon downloads using Safari browser. The Amazon download is not compatible with some certain combination of Mac OS and Safari versions.
Solution Try downloading the book using a different browser (i.e. Chrome). Another possible solution is to try simply adding the ".azw3" file extension after the file name. Sometimes that solves the problem.
OK. These are all things about Download & Transfer via USB. If you have any more questions concerning this issue, just leave a comment below. Don't forget to download Epubor Ultimate if you want to remove Kindle DRM through this method.
Michelle loves technology & reading very much. She seeks the methods to enjoy eBooks and audiobooks more freely and wants to share everything new she has got with you.
"You do not have compatible devices for this content..."
My kindle fire device is registered. I have contacted Amazon, but their rep was unable to help.
I hope this helps.
Then you can download your kindle books via download and transfer via usb again.
can you further explain allowing Amazon pop-ups for us aging rookies?
And thanks!
I removed the block popups but still can't download and transfer via usb. When I click on that function--it just keeps spinning and looping. I have chrome.
I removed the block popups but still can't download and transfer via usb. When I click on that function--it just keeps spinning and looping. I have chrome.
Good to know that I'm not the only one having this exact same problem. I was doing fine using Chrome, then all of the sudden is stopped working. The problem also occurs with Safari.
It has nothing to do with pop-up boxes because I can still get the box for adding to collections.
Guess I'll try again tomorrow.
Same here - same problem, both with Chrome and Microsoft Edge. I've used download and transfer via USB for years, but suddenly, all I get is popups and an infinite wait while the circle spins.
BUT WAIT!
Just a moment ago I tried it again, so I could describe the problem accurately, and the download worked! Did Amazon just fix something?! I'm going to quick download everything I can, in case it quits working again!
got a non-kindle ebook reader, and I'm not able to download anything. Every single attempt causes this pop-up to show up
'You do not have any compatible devices registered for this content. Buy a Kindle or get the free Kindle reading app.'
Any solution for this? Why am I being forced to read my books only through their stinky android app?
You need register at least one kindle eink device with your amazon account to download kindle books via "Download and transfer via usb".
Any more problem, please feel free to contact us.
My problem is that after ten years my favorite magazine stopped arriving. I don't have WiFi at home (just a web connection), but recently I can't get it via USB as I can't select any recent magazines for download. It only shows years from 2011 to 2014.
And of course it is now impossible to contact Amazon by email. Have spent many hours on Chat (8 hours today alone), while repeatedly being transferred to a new "consultant" who couldn't be bothered to read the log, and kept demanding that I repeat the same information over and over, and do the same stupid test (please rest your Kindle).
The problem has now been sent to the "technical people", but this is the second time that promises has been made but with no result. We shall see.
For years I have downloaded library books to my computer and stored them in Calibre until I am ready to download them on to my Kindle. I just purchased a new Kindle Fire, generation 11. I am no longer able to download any books to my Kindle.It seems that Amazon only will allow books purchase from them to be downloaded to Kindle. I have been told that I have make changes in the "media transfer mode". Any instruction that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
thank you so much for your help! I have traveled a lot in the last two years and always have issues with the internet connection while I stay overseas. there are a few helpful tips to download content from Kindle cloud but no one explains it this clearly and simply as you did. I appreciate your effort and time, please keep posting your tech tips online.
can we get an update on this please. what is the solution for those that ONLY have the kindle app on mac, iOS, and iPad?? you suggest to download via the kindle app but the book itself cannot be downloaded without the latest version of Kindle app. which is why we're here in the first place, the steps to downgrade Kindle do not work for this.
so what is workaround??
Hi,
If you don't have a Kindle device, we recommend our new product Kindle Converter to decrypt and convert the Kindle books published in 2023. You need to install an Android emulator, V4.6 Kindle for Android, and Kindle Converter software.
User guide: https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html
Best regards,
Epubor Team