If you love reading and have taken the plunge to reading on an e-reader, Amazon’s Kindle is one of the best choices out there. Not only do you enjoy its e-ink technology of zero glare when reading under the sun, it also gives you quick access to the plethora of books on Amazon’s extensive library!
And then, you might have noticed the option to go for Kindle Unlimited. What is it exactly, and is it a good choice for you?
Kindle Unlimited 101: The Basics
First, let’s talk about how Kindle Unlimited differs from simply having a Kindle and buying your e-books on the go. When you own a Kindle (or even a Kindle app on any smart device, including Android, iOS, PC, and Mac) and you purchase an e-book on Amazon, you can enjoy it within seconds thanks to its automatic download feature.
But with Kindle Unlimited, you actually get free borrowing access to selected Kindle titles, which, as of last count, includes over a million ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks! Yes, we repeat, it’s free access with a subscription to Kindle Unlimited. So if you’re a voracious reader, this might be a good thing to look into.
The good news is that Kindle Unlimited lets you borrow up to ten of them at a time, as often as you need, without having to worry about due dates. This means you can go through several books at any one time, and return them to borrow more books.
Does that sound like every bookworm’s dream?
How Do You Access Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is very easy to access. If you use a Kindle or Kindle app, you would already have an Amazon account. All you need is a valid credit card. Then, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Enable 1-Click payment on your Amazon account.
To do this, simply login to your Amazon account using your sign-in credentials. Go to “Your Account,” and click on “Your Content and Devices.”
Go to the “Preferences” tab, and then “Edit Payment Method.” Then, choose whether you want to add a debit or credit card, or use gift cards for your 1-Click payment.
Step 2. Subscribe to Kindle Unlimited.
Now that you have 1-Click Payment enabled, go to any e-book page on Amazon.com, and if it’s eligible for Kindle Unlimited, you will find the Kindle Unlimited box among the purchase options. Click on the Kindle Unlimited button on the price options. This will take you to a confirmation page to subscribe. Select your preferred subscription date range.
Alternatively, go to “Your Account” and click on “Kindle Unlimited.” Proceed with your purchase as per normal.
How much is Kindle Unlimited?
Subscribing to Kindle Unlimited is only $9.99 per month. That’s a great deal if you normally spend more than that amount on e-book purchases each month! You may also opt for a prepaid six-month subscription, which is also at the same rate. But, do stay on the lookout, because Amazon gives out discount deals that pop up once in a while!
If you’re not yet sure about taking the plunge, consider going for the one-month free trial option. That way, you can check and see if the free titles are something that you enjoy.
You can also gift a Kindle Unlimited subscription to your family or friends. Amazon offers prepaid gift plans, starting at six months, with options for 12 and 24 months. And guess what, these usually come at discounted rates!
How to Use Kindle Unlimited
If you’ve finally gone for it, here are the steps for actually using your subsciption:
Browse available titles
To browse through titles available on Kindle Unlimited, go to the Amazon homepage sidebar menu, and click on “Digital Content and Devices” and then “Kindle E-readers & Books.” Or, you may also go to the “Shop By Department” section and click “Books.”
Alternatively, you can also do a search like you normally would, and just check for the Kindle Unlimited logo to know if the title is eligible.
Download or borrow the book.
Then, when you get to the product detail page of an eligible title, look for the separate Kindle Unlimited box among the purchase options. Click “Read with Kindle Unlimited” or “Read for Free.”
This will then automatically download the book to your device or app.
Return the book to borrow more.
If you’re done with a book and would like to clear out your folders, go to “Your Account,” then “Your Kindle Unlimited.” Remember, you can borrow up to ten books at a time on Kindle Unlimited, so you won’t be able to borrow a new book if you already have the allotted ten items on your library.
“Your Borrowed Items” will show you a list of the books you have on your library. Simply select “Return” on the book you want to return.
How to Find Audiobooks on Kindle Unlimited
Some of us enjoy listening to audiobooks on the go. Kindle Unlimited also gives you that option. Some titles eligible for Kindle Unlimited also come with a free companion audiobook. You will know this by the headphone logo next to the Kindle Unlimited logo found on the detail page of your selected title.
If the title you chose comes with a free audiobook companion, you can automatically access it from the Kindle app or the Audible app.
How to Cancel Kindle Unlimited
So what if you change your mind? No problem! It’s easy to cancel your Kindle Unlimited subscription, and it still lets you enjoy the benefits all the way to the next billing date.
Important note, though: for a prepaid subscription, the cancellation is effective immediately and you won’t be able to get a refund for the unused months. You also will not be able to reuse the unused months at a later date.
To cancel your subscription, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Go to “Your Kindle Unlimited,” then find the “Manage Membership” box. Here you will find an option that says “Cancel Kindle Unlimited Membership.”
Step 2. On the page that comes up, you can see how much time you have left to enjoy the benefits of Kindle Unlimited. Then, choose whether you want to “Keep My Membership” or “Cancel Membership.”
Step 3. If you choose “Cancel Membership,” you should receive an e-mail confirming your cancellation.
Step 4. If you decide to re-subscribe to Kindle Unlimited at a later date, simply go back to the “Your Kindle Unlimited” page and then “Manage Membership.” Here you will find an option that says, “Continue Kindle Unlimited Membership.”
Is Kindle Unlimited Right For You?
In the end, you’re the one that can decide if Kindle Unlimited is right for you. If you have the budget and you enjoy reading more than one book a month, then it can possibly be a good investment. But if you don’t really go through at least one book a month, it may just be another pocket-drainer that you can better do without.
If you’re unsure, how about trying the one-month free trial. That way, you get a feel for how it works and you can better imagine if it’s something that can benefit you in the long run.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Delete Books from Kindle: 4 Easy Ways
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- Your Guide to Kindle Vella: Amazon’s Intro to Serialized Fiction
- How to Publish Your Blog on Kindle: Step-by-Step Instructions to Start Making Money from Your Blog on Amazon
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
