Problem: Kindle Fire won't open .mobi file (solved)

[Scott]

A user recently reported being unable to open a .mobi file after downloading it using the Kindle Fire. After some investigating I think I found the solution.

The issue is that the Kindle Fire automatically saves things to the 'Downloads' directory. However, the Kindle Fire uses the Kindle for Android app. So the book needs to be in the 'Books' directory.

You can either connect to a computer to move the files, or download a file manager like ES File Explorer.

Another option that might work is to email the file to your xxxxx@kindle.com email address. Then they show up as Documents.

If this solution does not work for anyone, please post here to let us know. Include any additional details. If the solution does work, feel free to post a confirmation here too so that we can be sure this solution works. Thanks!

[alwaysreading09]

I tried with the ES downloader and it did not work. It woudlnt open it.

However, i went back and downloaded the File Manager for Kindle Fire and after i found the file under (Dont pick index out of the files or it wont work) the "downloads" file it give the option of HOW to open it and i chose "amazon kindle" (3rd in the list of options) and it opened it up. I did have to keep going into it the same way each time tho. If any issues arise I will be sure to post. (And im not sure if it will save my page so be sure to pay attention to where you are in the book).

-- 09 Sep 2012, 21:14 --

Ive confirmed that it does NOT save your page or give you the option to bookmark it like normal books.

[Scott]

I do not think you just want to open the file with the File Manager, but move the files from the 'downloads' folder into the 'books' directory for the Kindle for Android App. Hopefully, that will make it so the app automatically includes the file and saves your page and so forth.

[alwaysreading09]

It wont let me do that for some reason... if only you were in my town... we could meet for coffee and you could do it for me lol

[Scott]

How to manage files with any given app on the Fire, I am not sure. If it was me and the file managing app I was using did not let me easily move files, I would remove it and download one that did. (Even if the app is capable of moving files, if it isn't easy and user-friendly then I would just get another app because convince was the whole point of getting the app in the first place. But that's just me; others might find it more inconvenient to download and sift through new apps.) However, I definitely expect you can move files by managing your files using your PC.

Using PC to copy files to the Kindle Fire via USB on PC:

1. Connect your Fire to your computer with a Micro USB cable.
2. Unlock your Kindle! If you do not wake and unlock your Fire the computer will not connect to it.
3. Go into "Computer" (or My Computer ) and look for a new drive that shows up as being 4.99 GB. Double click the drive to open it. You can copy files from your computer to the Kindle and move files around in the Kindle just like you would for a flash drive.

***

However, upon further investigation, I have found that this issue of side-loaded books displaying on the Kindle Fire's documents shelf instead of the books shelf can be caused by being mislabeled with a certain meta tag. I do not know whether this would also cause the problem of it not saving your spot and such. If you have Calibre (which is free, and I use it), you can use Calibre to remove the problematic tag with the following instructions:

If you want your non-Amazon MOBI book to show in the Books page instead of the Documents page, you can do it like this with Calibre:

1. Select the MOBI book in Calibre
2. Right-click it and select "Convert books > Convert individually"
3. In the conversion page, scroll down the left column to "MOBI Output"
4. Beside 'Personal Doc Tag, where it reads "[PDOC]", DELETE it.
5. Now resave it over itself by selecting 'OK'
6. Now reload it onto the Fire
7. It will now show up in the Books page!

If I find a simpler solution, I will let you know. If you find a way to save your spot when opening side-loaded .mobi/.prc files, post the details here in case anyone else has a similar problem.

[lyriko]

I was so excited to receive my kindle and after having it for less than a month it froze and never worked again.
I opened it but to no avail it was just a waste of money.

[bookcrazymommy]

I have been having this issue. I will try hooking it to my laptop tonight and see if this works. I was very upset when I couldn't get my .mobi books to open. Thank you for posting this in detail