Using Amazon Kindle (MOBI or AZW3) Files

AZW3 is the fourth generation of Kindle file format which is a proprietary eBook file format created by Amazon.com. AZW is actually based on Mobipocket, which is used for Amazon eBook formats by Kindle devices and apps. Azw3 Reader App For Windows free download, and many more programs. AZW3 is a new version of AZW kindle format and also known as KF8 (Kindle Format 8) developed by Amazon. Compared with other Kindle formats, such as Mobi or AZW, it’s more advanced because it supports HTML5, CSS3 and more layouts, fonts, styles. Thus, AZW3 is the only format newer eBooks are distributed in when purchasing them from Amazon. Technical details of AZW3 files Essentially, AZW3 files consist of compiled EPUB files which utilised a Palm database together with Amazon's DRM protection scheme.

Bob Swanson offers his books in a number of electronic formats. This web page describes how toview the Amazon Kindle (MOBI or AZW3) files.

By the time you get to this page, you should have oneor more '.mobi' or '.azw3' files on your computer, phone, or tablet.Generally, you received the file from a sales operation,and/or downloaded it to your device.Note that the 'AZW3' format is a newer type designed byAmazon for Kindle readers. For your needs, it can be treatedin the same manner as the 'MOBI' format. The names willbe used interchangeably in this writeup.

The MOBI and AZW3 formats were designed by Amazon, in order todistribute electronic books.Books published in this format contain a continuous flowof text and images. Both the electronic reading devices, and software-based viewers of this format provide a wide variety of features to you,the reader.

First of all, MOBI and AZW3 files are designed to be readusing the Kindle (tm) reading devices soldby Amazon.If you have such a device, there are specific instructionsfollowing that help you to load the book. If you do nothave one of the Kindle reading devices, this is NO PROBLEM,because Amazon has provided free reading software andapps that work ona wide variety of computer, phones, and tablets.Check the headings below for instructions specific tothe software readers.

Copy MOBI or AZW3 File to Kindle Device

Connect your Kindle device to your computer with theUSB cable that came with the device. You computer shouldshow the Kindle as an external disk drive. You will useyour File Explorer (Windows) to copy files. On othercomputer systems, use the tool that copies files.

In the file explorer, you will see a directory onthe Kindle device called 'documents'. Simply copythe MOBI or AZW3 file to that directory. When the copy isdone, disconnect the Kindle device from yourcomputer.The next time you start up your Kindle, you willsee the book in your bookshelf.

Note that some Kindle devices will not acceptthe book into the 'documents' area. In that case, placethe file(s) into a directory called 'Books'. When youclick on a MOBI or AZW3 file located in that directory, theKindle reader will start, and you can read the book. It maynot, however, appear in your Bookshelf.

Azw3 Reader Mac Download

Copy MOBI or AZW3 File to Computer, Tablet, or Phone with Kindle Reader Software

Amazon provides free software-based programs (apps)that let you read Kindle books. These programs andapps are available ona wide variety of computers, tablets, and phones. To use the MOBIor AZW3 file you have, you will needto copy that file into the working area set asidefor the Kindle Reader on your machine. Each is a littledifferent, unfortunately. We will try to describe allthat we know about, and we solicit users with othersystem configurations to help provide more informationfor this webpage.

Copy MOBI or AZW3 File to Android Phone with Kindle Reader Software

Be sure you have installed the Kindle Reader App on yourAndroid phone. You are going to find the Kindle directoryusing a file manager. Most Android phones come with an Appfor copying and moving files, we have had good experiencewith the free App called 'ES File Explorer'.

In your file manager, look for the file directory called:
Android/data/com.amazon.kindle/files/
You will copy the MOBI or AZW3 file into this directory. Next timeyou bring up the Kindle Reader App on your phone or tablet, thebook should appear in the Bookshelf.

Note that you can read MOBI and AZW3 files using other Apps onAndroid phones and tablets, including : 'Moon+ Reader', 'FBReader', 'Cool Reader', 'Aldiko', 'Mantano Free Reader', and others.

Copy MOBI or AZW3 File to Windows Computer

NOTE: this method will NOT work with the Windows 8(and later) Kindle App! You must download and run the 'Kindle for PC' Installerprogram on your Windows computer, in order to read3rd-party books, including those created by BobSwanson.To repeat: the Kindle App in the 'Windows Store' onWindows 8 and later, will notwork with Bob Swanson's books, unless distributeddirectly from Amazon.

Azw3 Reader Mac Version

Once installed, the Kindle For PC Program will setup an area for book content. This area isunique to your username. For instance, assumethat your username is 'MYUSER' on yourWindows machine.The MOBI or AZW3 files should be copied to
UsersMYUSERMy DocumentsMy Kindle Content
When the Kindle Reader Program is started upthe next time, it should show the book content on the Bookshelf.

Note that you can install a free product called'Kindle Previewer' on your Windows machine. Thisproduct is designed to allow authors to previewtheir books on a program that appears the sameas an actualKindle device. On the other hand, it works asa very acceptable Kindle book reader on Windows systems.

Another Kindle viewer available on Windows and othersystems is embedded in a free document creator called Calibre.Thisdocument convert/creator comes installed withviewers for all popular electronic publication types,including a Kindle and EPUB viewer.

Copy MOBI or AZW3 File to Other Computer Systems

Note that a working area is set upby the Kindle Readeron Apple MAC machines, similar to theworking area provided on Windows. On theMAC, look in the 'Documents'folder.

Another Kindle viewer available on non-Windowssystemsis a document creator called Calibre.Thisfree document convert/creator comes installed withviewers for all popular electronic publication types,including a Kindle and EPUB viewer.

I am not as familiar with the Apple iPhonesand iPads as I am with Windows and Android.Check this article on using MOBI and EPUB files on the iPhone and Ipad for moreinformation.

Azw3 Reader Free

There are several MOBI and AZW3 readers available onLinux systems, including FBReader (alsoavailable for Windows and MACOS), as well asCalibre(mentioned above).

Viewing Images with the Kindle Reader Program or App

One of the features of postal history books shouldbe illustrations of covers and postcards. When using most Kindlereaders, it is possible to view and 'zoom in' on animage. Check the 'help' for your reader program or app.

More Links

Page Layout Design Made Possible by: Vanilla.
Updated 17 September, 2020

Amazon created the AZW3 format (Kindle Format 8, also known as KF8) to replace the older AZW version of their Kindle eBook files. Contrary to the outdated AZW files, files with the AZW3 extension support markup languages like HTML5 and CSS3. Additionally, it has more formatting options than the old AZW files. Thus, AZW3 is the only format newer eBooks are distributed in when purchasing them from Amazon.

Technical details of AZW3 files

Essentially, AZW3 files consist of compiled EPUB files which utilised a Palm database together with Amazon's DRM protection scheme. EPUB 3 versions support is targeted, yet already existing EPUB files can be used as well. In most cases, contained in the AZW3 file a MOBI file can be found in the beginning, wile the newer EPUB (KF8) can be found later in the file. It is supported by fourth-generation Kindle devices (version 4.1.0), and the Kindle Fire device.

More information about the AZW3 file format