How-to: Import Third-party Ebooks to Kindle for iOS

Update from January 10th, 2012: the new version of the application (2.9) allows you to add own docs by sending the file to the email address associated with the app. You can find it in the top navigation bar, under Docs.

When you send a .mobi file to this email address, it will be not only added to the app on this specific device, but also you’ll have it stored and synced via your personal Kindle bookshelf. It was not possible with files sent via email the old way, listed below.

A new 2.5 update of Kindle for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch brings a long-expected import functionality. Now a user can import his non-DRM-ed books directly to the application. It means that you can read books downloaded from Gutenberg, Feedbooks, Smashwords, Internet Archive and any other service, which offers prc (mobi) files.

We were very curious about syncing and the answer is “no”. You can’t sync third-party books across devices. They are not added to your account. So if you download a book to iPhone, you won’t be able to read it on the iPad.

There are four ways to add a book to Kindle app.

1. Via Safari

Simply type a book file’s address in an address bar. If you’re using mobilized services like Feedbooks or Gutenberg, you can find a book and select a mobi file for download.

2. Via mail

If you store a book on you computer, you can send a file to yourself via email and open it in Mail app on your iOS device. When you tap on an attachment, “Open in Kindle” box appears.

3. Via cloud storage service

If you use Dropbox, put a file there, and open it from a Dropbox application on your device.

4. Via iTunes

It’s the least convenient way to add books, as you have to connect to your computer. However you can use it to download many books at once.

A full update notice states:

• Continue downloading books while the app is in the background on iOS 4 devices.
• Access millions of free and out-of-copyright books from Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive, and other online sources. Open supported files from Safari and Mail or use File Sharing in iTunes to transfer files to your Kindle app.
• Improved image zoom
• New book indicator
• Bug fixes

You can download the application from here. Enjoy!

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