Understanding the Features
Losing a Kindle can be frustrating, especially with a collection of books and documents stored on it. Amazon provides several features to help locate and manage your Kindle if it gets lost or misplaced.
Remote Alarm
The remote alarm feature is a straightforward way to locate your Kindle. Here’s how to set it up:
- Access Manage Your Content and Devices: Go to the Amazon website and log in to your account. Navigate to the "Manage Your Content and Devices" section.
- Select Your Device: From the list of devices, select the one you want to activate the remote alarm on.
- Activate Remote Alarm: Click on the "Remote Alarm" button. This will set off an alarm on your Kindle for 2 minutes or until it is found.
Find My Device
The "Find My Device" feature provides an approximate location of your Kindle. Here’s how to use it:
- Access Manage Your Content and Devices: Log in to your Amazon account and navigate to the "Manage Your Content and Devices" section.
- Select Your Device: From the list of devices, select the one you want to locate using "Find My Device."
- Activate Find My Device: Click on "Find My Device." This will show you the approximate location of your Kindle on a map.
Steps to Take If Your Kindle is Lost
If you suspect that your Kindle is lost or stolen, several steps can help manage the situation:
De-register Your Kindle
De-registering your Kindle prevents anyone else from using it and making purchases through your Amazon account. Here’s how to do it:
- Access Manage Your Content and Devices: Log in to your Amazon account and navigate to the "Manage Your Content and Devices" section.
- Select Your Device: From the list of devices, select the one you want to deregister.
- Deregister Device: Click on the "Edit" link beside the name of your Kindle. Copy the device’s serial number and send it to Amazon Customer Service.
- Deregister Button: Click the "Deregister" button twice to finish the deregistration process.
Report Your Kindle as Lost
Reporting your Kindle as lost helps prevent it from being traded or used by someone else. Here’s how to do it:
- Contact Amazon Customer Service: Click on the "Contact Us" button, which can be found on the left side of any Help page on Amazon.
- Mark Device as Lost/Stolen: Inform Amazon Customer Service that your device is lost or stolen. They will mark it accordingly, ensuring it cannot be registered to another account.
Blacklist Your Kindle
Blacklisting your Kindle prevents it from being registered to any other Amazon user. Here’s how to do it:
- Contact Amazon Support: Visit the Amazon website and contact their support team.
- Provide Device Details: Provide your model number and serial number.
- Request Blacklist: Ask Amazon Support to blacklist your device. This will effectively render it unusable for anyone else.
Additional Measures
While the features provided by Amazon are useful, additional measures can protect your device:
Use a Tracker
Consider using a Bluetooth tracker like Tile or TrackR Pixel to ensure your Kindle can be tracked even when it's not connected to Wi-Fi. These devices allow you to locate your Kindle even when it's offline.
Register on Immobilise
Registering your Kindle on Immobilise helps block it from being traded and allows local police forces to cross-check devices they find against the Immobilise register. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit Immobilise Website: Log in to the Immobilise website.
- Mark Device as Lost: Mark your Kindle as lost on the Immobilise website.
Notify Authorities
Notify the authorities at the location where you believe you lost your Kindle. Most airports have dedicated lost and found services that can help reunite you with your device.
Final Tips
- Set a Lock Screen Password: Always set a lock screen password on your Kindle to prevent unauthorized access.
- Regularly Update Your Device: Keep your Kindle software up-to-date to ensure you have the latest security patches.
- Use KindleReunion.com: Utilize KindleReunion.com, a free service that connects people who have lost their Kindles with those who have found them.
By taking these precautions and using the features provided by Amazon, you can enjoy your reading experience without worrying about losing your device.
