How to switch profiles on an Amazon tablet
To switch profiles on an Amazon tablet, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel, then tap your profile name or picture in the upper right corner. A menu will appear showing all profiles on the device — tap the one you want to use, and the tablet will load that profile's apps, books, and settings.
The process takes about 10 seconds and works the same way on Fire tablets running Fire OS 5 or newer. Each profile is completely separate — one person's apps and purchases don't show up on another person's home screen, and parental controls can restrict what younger users see.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap your profile name to see all profiles on the tablet.
- Each profile has its own home screen, apps, books, and Amazon account — switching between them takes about 10 seconds.
- You can set up a child profile with parental controls to limit what a younger user can access.
- If you forget which profile you're on, check the top right corner of the Quick Settings panel — your current profile name appears there.
Setting up a new profile on your tablet
To add a new profile, open the Quick Settings panel (swipe down from the top), tap your profile name, then tap Add New Profile at the bottom of the menu. The tablet will ask whether this is an adult or child profile. Choose the type, then enter a name and select a picture for the profile.
If you choose a child profile, you'll be asked to set a parental control PIN — a four-digit code that prevents the child from changing restrictions or switching to an adult profile without permission. Write this PIN down somewhere safe; if you lose it, you'll need to reset the entire tablet to regain access.
Adult profiles require an Amazon account to read apps and make purchases. Child profiles can use apps and books already on the tablet, but need parental permission to read new ones.
Understanding what each profile can see and do
Each profile on an Amazon tablet is isolated from the others. One person's downloaded apps don't appear on another person's home screen, and their reading history, watchlist, and purchase history stay private to their account.
When you switch to a profile, the tablet loads that profile's version of the Amazon Appstore, Kindle library, and Prime Video account. If two people share a Prime membership, they'll both see the same Prime Video catalog, but their watch histories remain separate. Books purchased under one account appear only in that account's Kindle library.
Child profiles can be restricted to specific content — you can turn off the Appstore entirely, limit access to books rated for older ages, or block web browsing. These restrictions are enforced by the parental control PIN, so a child cannot bypass them without the code.
Removing a profile you no longer need
To delete a profile, open the Quick Settings panel, tap your profile name, then long-press (hold your finger on) the profile you want to remove. A menu will appear with a Delete option. Tap it, and the tablet will ask for confirmation.
Deleting a profile removes all apps, books, and settings associated with that account from the tablet. The person's Amazon account itself is not affected — they can still use it on other devices. If you delete a child profile, any parental control restrictions tied to that profile are also removed.
You cannot delete the profile you are currently using. If you need to remove your own profile, switch to a different one first, then delete the original.
Troubleshooting when you can't switch profiles
If the profile menu doesn't appear when you tap your profile name, try restarting the tablet. Hold the power button for 10 seconds until the device shuts down, then press it again to turn it back on. This fixes most temporary glitches that prevent the profile switcher from working.
If you see only one profile even though you know others exist, check whether the tablet is in Airplane Mode — swipe down from the top and look for the Airplane Mode icon. If it's on, tap it to turn it off. Some tablets also require a Wi-Fi connection to load all profiles, so make sure you're connected to your network.
If you're locked out of a child profile because you forgot the parental control PIN, the only way to regain access is to perform a factory reset. This erases all data on the tablet, so it should be a last resort. To reset, go to Settings > Device Options > Reset to Factory Defaults and follow the prompts.
Managing Amazon accounts across profiles
Each adult profile on a tablet must be linked to its own Amazon account. When you create an adult profile, the tablet will ask you to sign in with an Amazon username and password. That account controls what apps and books that profile can read, and what payment method is used for purchases.
Child profiles don't need their own Amazon account — they use the parent's account for purchases, but the parent can set spending limits and require approval before any purchase goes through. To set purchase restrictions on a child profile, open Settings, tap Parental Controls, select the child's profile, and choose your PIN. From there you can require approval for all purchases or set a monthly spending limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two people use the same Amazon account on different profiles?
No. Each adult profile must have its own Amazon account. If two people try to use the same account on separate profiles, the second person to log in will replace the first person's session. For shared content like Prime Video, set up separate profiles with separate accounts — they'll both see the same Prime catalog but keep separate watch histories.
What happens to my apps when I switch profiles?
Your apps stay on the tablet, but they don't appear on another person's home screen. When you switch back to your profile, all your apps are still there exactly as you left them. Apps purchased under one account cannot be used by another profile unless that person also owns the app under their own account.
Can I set up a profile without an Amazon account?
Child profiles don't require their own Amazon account — they use the parent's account for downloads. Adult profiles must be linked to an Amazon account to read apps and make purchases. If you don't have an Amazon account, you'll need to create one before setting up an adult profile.
How do I change a child profile to an adult profile?
You cannot convert a child profile to an adult profile directly. You'll need to delete the child profile and create a new adult profile instead. The new profile will have its own name and settings, so it will be a fresh start rather than an upgrade of the old one.
What if my child knows my parental control PIN?
Change the PIN by going to Settings > Parental Controls, selecting the child's profile, and entering your current PIN. You'll then be prompted to create a new one. Choose a PIN that's not a birthday or obvious number, and don't share it with the child.