KMate support
Help Center
Straight answers about KMate desktop, KMate Mobile, syncing, imports, privacy and plans.
KMate Desktop
macOS · Windows
Which Kindle and Kobo readers are supported?
KMate 4.0 on Mac and Windows imports highlights and notes from all Kindle and Kobo models. Kobo support includes Clara Colour / BW / 2E, Libra Colour / 2, Sage and Elipsa 2E, plus My Words via USB or a Kobo database file. Kindle Vocabulary Builder access depends on the model and firmware; see the Kindle vocabulary question for details.
Why can’t KMate connect to my Kindle or Kobo?
Use a USB cable that supports data transfer and confirm the connection on your reader. For Kobo, choose Connect when prompted, then import in KMate. For Kindle models that use MTP, close other apps using the device. On Mac, grant folder access when requested; no additional USB / MTP transfer app is needed.
Can KMate import Vocabulary Builder from every Kindle model?
Not every model is supported. It depends on whether the Kindle system (firmware) allows Vocabulary Builder data to be read. Here is a quick guide by model and release date:
- Classic models such as Oasis, Voyage and Paperwhite released before 2024
Highlights & notes — Supported · Vocabulary Builder — Supported
- Kindle Scribe, 1st generation (2022)
It uses MTP, but its firmware allows Vocabulary Builder data to be read, so KMate supports direct import. The connection protocol alone does not determine compatibility.
- Paperwhite released in 2024 or later, Kindle Colorsoft, Kindle Scribe 2nd generation (2024) and later models, and the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft series
Highlights and notes can be imported, but the firmware does not currently allow Vocabulary Builder data to be read, so KMate cannot import it directly. If notes import successfully but words are missing, this model limitation may be the reason—not a failed connection or an incorrect step.
If you have another Kindle that allows Vocabulary Builder data to be read, check whether your words have synced to that device, then use it to import them into KMate.
We will keep following Kindle updates and add support as soon as Amazon opens access on the affected models.
View Kindle model compatibility →
Supported model, but no words imported?
Make sure Vocabulary Builder is turned on on your Kindle and already contains words you have looked up.
The switch is usually under Settings → Reading Options → Vocabulary Builder. Some firmware versions place Reading Options under Home and Library; older versions may include Language Learning within Reading Options. The exact path varies by firmware version.
After enabling it, press and hold a word in a book to look it up. Confirm that it appears in Vocabulary Builder, then reconnect to KMate and import again. Lookups made while Vocabulary Builder is off are not recorded; turning it on does not mean there are already words to import.
Why are some notes missing after import, or some books not showing up?
KMate can only import notes that actually exist and are readable in the selected source. Notes visible inside a Kindle book may not all be included in the import file or cloud Notebook. Each source has a different scope and limitations:
- Kobo · USB / My Words
Connect your Kobo by USB and confirm Connect on the reader, or select a Kobo database file. KMate imports highlights, notes and words saved in My Words from that device or file.
- Kindle device (My Clippings.txt)
This usually records highlights and text notes created on that Kindle. It does not fully consolidate notes created on other devices or in the Kindle app. Some books also have clipping limits. Once the limit is reached, the file may contain only a limit notice instead of the full highlighted text.
- Kindle app (exported HTML file)
For books purchased from Amazon and personal documents added to your cloud library through Send to Kindle, sync under the same account, then export notes from a Kindle app that supports export and import them into KMate. Books opened only locally in the app usually include only notes from that device. Exported content from some books is also subject to percentage limits; check the actual export notice.
- Amazon Kindle Cloud Notebook (web notes)
This primarily provides synced highlights and notes from books purchased from Amazon. Send to Kindle personal documents usually do not appear here, even when they sync between devices and apps. Local books transferred over USB are also outside this source’s scope.
Recent firmware issue: Multiple users have reported that Kindle firmware versions including 5.19.6 may fail to write new highlights or notes to My Clippings.txt, even though they remain visible inside the book. If you recently updated your Kindle, check the firmware version and whether the file contains your latest notes.
KMate for Mac Pro removes the free edition’s 1,000-note display limit, but cannot recover content missing from the source. You can try another available import source. If notes are present in the source but do not appear in KMate, contact us with your import method, Kindle model, and firmware version so we can help investigate.
What is the difference between the Mac and Windows versions of KMate?
KMate 4.0 shares Kindle/Kobo import, library management, dictionaries, Reading Mode and export on Mac and Windows. Mac also imports Apple Books and syncs with KMate Mobile through personal iCloud (KMate Pro required on Mac; iCloud sync is free in Mobile). Windows automatically detects reader models and connections, and its database can be imported into KMate Mobile for iPhone/iPad review.
KMate Mobile (iOS)
iPhone · iPad
What is KMate Mobile, and who is it for?
KMate Mobile brings Kindle and Kobo notes and vocabulary to iPhone and iPad. Import from compatible readers over USB, files or Amazon Cloud, then read, edit, review and export on your device.
Can I use KMate Mobile without the desktop app?
Yes. Import from compatible Kindle and Kobo readers over USB, note and vocabulary files, Kindle App or Amazon Kindle Cloud. Read and edit, review with flashcards, view statistics and export directly on iPhone or iPad. You can also import a KMate Mac or Windows database.
Which readers support USB import on iPhone and iPad?
USB import supports compatible readers including Kindle Touch, Voyage, Oasis and Paperwhite 1–5, plus Kobo Clara Colour, BW and 2E, and Libra Colour and 2. Connect the reader, open Import and select its folder. KMate shows the model and available content and remembers permissions for multiple devices. You can also import files.
What does Kobo import preserve?
Import Kobo highlights, linked notes and saved words from the reader or a Kobo data file. KMate preserves highlight colors and book sources, and automatically deduplicates repeated imports.
How do flashcards work in version 2.5.0?
Hide the original highlight and recall it from your note, then tap to reveal it. Vocabulary cards reveal examples and definitions progressively and can show full dictionary definitions. Random review reduces recently repeated cards.
Which Mobile features are free, and which require Pro?
The free version includes iCloud sync, Kindle/Kobo/Amazon imports, unlimited browsing and flashcard review, plus TXT and Anki export. Pro adds e-ink themes, font management, custom dictionary lookup, full insights, Markdown/PDF/Kindle clippings export and printing.
Sync & migration
iCloud · Windows → iOS
How does Mac and iOS sync work?
KMate for Mac and KMate Mobile can sync notes, highlights, vocabulary, definitions, tags and learning progress through your personal iCloud account. Your data stays in your Apple account rather than a KMate-operated cloud service. iCloud sync requires KMate Pro on Mac and is free in KMate Mobile.
Can Windows sync with KMate Mobile?
Windows does not use the Mac-to-iOS iCloud sync path. KMate Mobile can import a KMate Windows database so you can carry notes and vocabulary to iPhone or iPad. Treat this as a database handoff, not continuous two-way iCloud sync.
General questions
KMate · KMate Mobile
What is KMate, and how is it different from other tools?
KMate is the cross-platform successor to Kindle Mate, building on more than ten years of Kindle library management. It imports highlights, notes and vocabulary from Kindle and Kobo devices, the Kindle app and Amazon Cloud; on Mac, it also imports Apple Books highlights and notes. Then you can organize, search, read, review and export them in one local-first library. Reading Mode, tags, colors and learning or reading status help you keep working with the material after import. Desktop data stays on your device; KMate for Mac and KMate Mobile can also sync through your personal iCloud account. iCloud sync requires KMate Pro on Mac and is free in KMate Mobile.
Can I use KMate without connecting a reader?
Yes. Import Kindle App HTML, Amazon Cloud Notebook or WeRead notes, or use existing My Clippings.txt, Vocab.db and Kobo database files. Mac also imports Apple Books highlights and notes.
What dictionary formats are supported?
Desktop supports StarDict (.tar.gz), Mdict (.mdx), MOBI/PRC, three-column TSV, and plain-text dictionaries. KMate Mobile can import MDX/MDD, StarDict, MOBI/AZW/PRC, and text dictionaries directly on iPhone and iPad. Local, online and AI dictionaries; use your own API key with DeepSeek, Claude, Kimi, GLM and other supported services. FreeDictionaryAPI.com · Jisho · Dicionário Aberto.
How do Free and Pro differ across Mac, Windows and iOS?
Because the platform and release model differ, KMate uses different Free/Pro strategies. Mac App Store: The free Mac edition has no time limit and supports import, organization, dictionaries and export for your 1,000 most recent imported items. KMate Pro unlocks unlimited capacity and iCloud sync through a one-time purchase or subscription. Microsoft Store (Windows): the download is the Pro edition with all features and unlimited capacity, plus a 15-day free trial. There is no subscription; a one-time purchase unlocks lifetime access. iPhone and iPad: the free edition includes Kindle/Amazon import, unlimited browsing and flashcards, TXT export and Anki export. Pro adds advanced themes and fonts, Markdown/PDF export, printing and unlimited Stats & Insights. Pro adds double-tap word lookup and Kindle My Clippings.txt export. iCloud sync requires KMate Pro on Mac and is free in KMate Mobile.
What are the system requirements?
KMate supports macOS 10.13 or later, Windows 10/11, and iOS/iPadOS 17.0 or later. The Mac edition supports both Intel and Apple Silicon.
Does KMate upload my data?
No. Your library is stored locally by default. iCloud sync uses your personal Apple account; Amazon import reads only the Kindle data you request; and online dictionary features send only the word or phrase being looked up. iCloud sync requires KMate Pro on Mac and is free in KMate Mobile.