Kindle and Kobo, in one library
Connect your reader on Mac or Windows to import highlights, notes and saved words. Keep each book, author and source together.
- All Kindle models for highlights and notes; Vocabulary Builder on supported models
- All Kobo models: highlights, notes and My Words, via USB or a Kobo database file
- Kindle App HTML, Amazon Cloud Notebook and WeRead; Apple Books on Mac
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.
Which Kindle and Kobo readers are supported? →Connect Kindle and import in one click
Quick start, practical workflows, and product guidance for getting the most out of KMate.
- Connect your Kindle with a USB cable that supports data transfer. A charge-only cable will not work.
- Wait until the Kindle shows the connected state, then click Connect Kindle in the toolbar or press Cmd/Ctrl + K.
- On Windows, KMate usually detects the device automatically and starts importing.
- On macOS, older Kindle models may ask for a one-time folder authorization. Choose the Kindle root folder once and KMate can reuse it later.
For newer Paperwhite, Colorsoft, and Scribe models, KMate can recognize the device directly without extra MTP tools or manual setup.
Kindle compatibility at a glance
Current support for importing directly from a connected Kindle is listed below. Highlights/notes and Vocabulary Builder use different data sources. Vocabulary access depends on the firmware, not on whether the device uses MTP. Years refer to model release dates, not purchase dates.
| Kindle model / release | Highlights & notes | Vocabulary Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Kindle Oasis / Voyage | Supported | Supported |
| Kindle Paperwhite (before 2024) | Supported | Supported |
| Kindle Scribe, 1st generation (2022) | Supported | Supported |
| Kindle Paperwhite (2024 and later) | Supported | Not currently supported |
| Kindle Colorsoft series (from 2024) | Supported | Not currently supported |
| Kindle Scribe, 2nd generation (2024) and later | Supported | Not currently supported |
| Kindle Scribe Colorsoft series | Supported | Not currently 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.
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.
Missing words? See the explanation and troubleshooting steps →Sort and group large libraries
KMate automatically organizes imported content by book and author, then lets you reshape large collections without manual cleanup.
- Use the sort menu above the navigation tree to order books by recently imported, title, or recent reading activity.
- Use grouping to cluster books by language, calendar year, read status, learning state, and other library views.
- KMate remembers your sorting and grouping choices, so the library stays consistent between sessions.
Filter recent items, color marks, and duplicates
Filtering is the fastest way to focus on new material or clean noisy highlight data from Kindle.
- Open the filter menu in highlight or vocabulary views to jump to recently imported items or specific color marks and levels.
- Use Duplicate Filter Mode to inspect repeated highlights either in the current list or across all highlights.
- KMate preselects likely duplicates so you can remove clutter quickly while keeping the items you want.
Customize export formats and file output
Copy and export layouts are configurable, so you can shape output for notes apps, archives, or spaced repetition tools.
- Open the options panel and configure the fields used for copy and export in both highlights and vocabulary tabs.
- For Anki export, choose front or back fields as needed. To export all custom fields together, you can keep only one side selected.
- Use Export to File from any navigation node, list view, or search result to generate PDF, Markdown, and other output formats.
Edit content, book metadata, and word forms
Fine-tune reading data in place—from note text and book metadata to vocabulary forms—so your library and dictionary results stay accurate.
- In a highlight’s detail view, double-click the book title or author to rename it. KMate saves the mapping and reapplies it during future imports and iCloud sync; items renamed to the same name are automatically merged to keep the library tidy.
- In a vocabulary detail view, double-click the Word or Stem to edit it. If the detected stem is not the form you expect, correcting it helps KMate retrieve more accurate dictionary, translation, and AI definitions.
- You can also double-click highlights, notes, vocabulary usages, and definitions to edit them. Markdown and keyboard shortcuts speed up cleanup and enrichment.
Add dictionaries and online translation sources
Vocabulary review becomes more useful when each word carries context, local dictionaries, and online or AI definitions.
- KMate imports vocabulary together with usage context automatically.
- You can add local dictionaries in Mobi, PRC, Mdict, StarDict, or custom text formats.
- You can also attach online translators and AI definitions, then review or export those results in database mode or reading mode.
- Because Mobi dictionaries vary in structure and encryption, some Mobi files may not be supported.
Read and study in reading mode
Reading mode is designed for immersive review, not just browsing. It turns your highlights and vocabulary into a study-friendly surface.
- Open reading mode from the navigation context menu or the View menu, or use Cmd/Ctrl + R.
- Switch between card and list layouts, keep book covers visible, and combine sorting with filters to narrow the current review set.
- Jump across activity using the reading heatmap calendar.
- Customize eye-comfort themes, fonts, and card styles to match your reading preferences.
- From the More menu in the toolbar, export the current cards to PDF or print them in the active theme.
Shortcut reference
Use this reference to compare macOS and Windows shortcuts across import, search, views, highlight and vocabulary actions, and reading mode.
Platform rule
Most Cmd/Ctrl shortcuts automatically map to Command on macOS and Ctrl on Windows.
Dictionary shortcut rule
Dictionary management uses Cmd/Ctrl + P. Individual dictionaries use Cmd + Option or Ctrl + Alt with number keys, keeping them separate from color-mark shortcuts on Cmd/Ctrl + 0-9.
Main window shortcuts
| Category | macOS | Windows | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File | Cmd + K | Ctrl + K | Auto-import the connected Kindle | Main window |
| File | Cmd + O | Ctrl + O | Import Kindle or Kindle App files | Main window |
| File | Shift + Cmd + K | Shift + Ctrl + K | Sync Amazon Kindle Notebook | Main window |
| File | Shift + Cmd + O | Shift + Ctrl + O | Import vocabulary files | Main window |
| Edit | Cmd + C | Ctrl + C | Copy the current selection | Works in list, tree, and detail panes |
| Edit | Shift + Cmd + C | Shift + Ctrl + C | Copy using a custom format | Main window |
| Edit | Shift + Cmd + M | Shift + Ctrl + M | Copy as Markdown | Main window |
| Edit | Cmd + A | Ctrl + A | Select all | List or detail pane |
| Edit | Shift + Cmd + A | Shift + Ctrl + A | Invert selection | List pane |
| Edit | Delete / Backspace | Delete / Backspace | Delete current selection | Except when typing in text inputs |
| Edit | Cmd + T | Ctrl + T | Add tags | List pane |
| Edit | Cmd + , | Ctrl + , | Open settings | Main window |
Search and navigation
| Category | macOS | Windows | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Search | Cmd + F | Ctrl + F | Focus the node search box | Tree search |
| Search | Shift + Cmd + F | Shift + Ctrl + F | Focus the content search box | Content search |
| Search | Cmd + Enter | Ctrl + Enter | Search only in the current list | Focus must be in the content search box |
| Search | Enter | Enter | Jump to the next search result | Focus must be in the content search box |
| Navigation | Cmd + [ | Alt + Left or Ctrl + [ | Back | Works in the main window and reading mode |
| Navigation | Cmd + ] | Alt + Right or Ctrl + ] | Forward | Works in the main window and reading mode |
| Navigation | Space | Space | Read the next item | Regular main-window view |
| Navigation | Shift + Cmd + G | Shift + Ctrl + G | Locate the current node | Main window |
| Navigation | Cmd + ↑ | Ctrl + ↑ | Jump to the first item in the list | Regular database view |
| Navigation | Cmd + ↓ | Ctrl + ↓ | Jump to the last item in the list | Regular database view |
Views and interface
| Category | macOS | Windows | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| View | Cmd + R | Ctrl + R | Toggle reading mode | Enter from main window, exit from reading mode |
| View | Shift + Cmd + 1 | Shift + Ctrl + 1 | Switch to the highlights view | Main window |
| View | Shift + Cmd + 2 | Shift + Ctrl + 2 | Switch to the vocabulary view | Main window |
| View | Ctrl + Cmd + F | F11 | Toggle full screen | Main window |
| View | Cmd + / | Ctrl + / | Show or hide the status bar | Main window |
| View | Option + Cmd + E | Alt + Ctrl + E | Toggle tree expansion and collapse | Main window |
| View | Option + Cmd + I | Alt + Ctrl + I | Show or hide list numbering | Main window |
| View | Option + Cmd + L | Alt + Ctrl + L | Show or hide list color backgrounds | Main window |
Highlights and vocabulary actions
| Category | macOS | Windows | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights | Cmd + D | Ctrl + D | Remove duplicate highlights in all data | Highlights view only |
| Highlights | Shift + Cmd + D | Shift + Ctrl + D | Remove duplicate highlights in the current list | Highlights view only |
| Highlights | Shift + Cmd + H | Shift + Ctrl + H | Filter the current list to highlights | Highlights view only |
| Notes | Shift + Cmd + N | Shift + Ctrl + N | Filter the current list to notes | Highlights view only |
| Highlights / Vocabulary | Cmd + - | Ctrl + - | Mark as unread or learning | Unread in highlights; learning in vocabulary |
| Highlights / Vocabulary | Cmd + + | Ctrl + + | Mark as read or mastered | Read in highlights; mastered in vocabulary |
| Vocabulary | Cmd + D | Ctrl + D | Fetch definitions for the current page | Vocabulary view only |
| Vocabulary | Shift + Cmd + D | Shift + Ctrl + D | Fetch definitions for the selection | Vocabulary view only |
| Vocabulary | Cmd + E | Ctrl + E | Clear definitions on the current page | Vocabulary view only |
| Vocabulary | Shift + Cmd + E | Shift + Ctrl + E | Clear definitions for the selection | Vocabulary view only |
| Color marks | Cmd + 0-9 | Ctrl + 0-9 | Assign or clear a color mark on the current selection | Works for highlights, vocabulary, and reading mode |
| Dictionary | Cmd + P | Ctrl + P | Open dictionary management | Vocabulary view only |
| Dictionary | Cmd + Option + 1-9 | Ctrl + Alt + 1-9 | Use dictionary 1 to 9 to fetch definitions | Uses enabled dictionaries only; separated from color marks |
Reading mode shortcuts
| Category | macOS | Windows | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading navigation | ↑ / ↓ / ← / → | ↑ / ↓ / ← / → | Move between cards | List mode mainly uses ↑ / ↓; card mode supports four directions |
| Reading navigation | Cmd + ↑ | Ctrl + ↑ | Jump to the first card | Supported in notes and vocabulary reading mode |
| Reading navigation | Cmd + ↓ | Ctrl + ↓ | Jump to the last card | Supported in notes and vocabulary reading mode |
| Reading action | Cmd + C | Ctrl + C | Copy the hovered or keyboard-selected card | Reading mode |
| Reading action | Space | Space | Collapse or expand the current note card, or open the current vocabulary card panel | Behavior differs between notes and vocabulary modes |
| Reading action | Enter | Enter | Edit the current note | Notes reading mode only |
| Reading action | Cmd + N | Ctrl + N | Create a new note for the current highlight | Notes reading mode only |
| Reading action | Cmd + 0-9 | Ctrl + 0-9 | Assign or clear a color on the hovered or selected card | 0 clears the color mark |
| Reading navigation | Cmd + [ | Alt + Left or Ctrl + [ | Back | Reading mode history navigation |
| Reading navigation | Cmd + ] | Alt + Right or Ctrl + ] | Forward | Reading mode history navigation |
Need quick answers?
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.
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.
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.
Does KMate upload my notes or vocabulary?
No. KMate stores and processes your reading data locally, aside from optional online dictionary or cloud-related actions you trigger yourself.