Where to Find Lock Screen Settings on Your Kindle

The lock screen is the image you see when your Kindle is asleep or powered off. To change it, you need to go into your device settings, not your Amazon account. On most Kindle e-readers, tap the top of the screen to open the menu bar, then tap the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) to see your options.

From there, look for Settings — it is usually near the bottom of the menu. Once you are in Settings, scroll down until you see Device Options or Display, depending on your Kindle model. The lock screen option sits in one of these sections.

Key Takeaways

  • You change the lock screen through Settings > Device Options, not through your Amazon account or the home screen.
  • Kindle offers built-in lock screen images, or you can upload your own photo from your computer using the Send to Kindle email address.
  • Custom images must be in JPG or PNG format and work best at 1072 x 1448 pixels for most e-reader models.
  • Changes take effect when ready, and you can switch back to the default lock screen at any time.

Using Kindle's Built-In Lock Screen Images

Amazon includes a set of default lock screen images on every Kindle. These are the easiest option if you want to change from the standard image without uploading your own photo. In Device Options, select Lock Screen or Screensaver (the name varies by model), and you will see a gallery of available images.

Scroll through the options and tap the one you want. The preview will show you how it looks on your screen. Once you select an image, it becomes your lock screen when ready — no confirmation step needed. You can return to this menu anytime to pick a different built-in image.

Uploading a Custom Photo as Your Lock Screen

To use your own photo, you first need to send it to your Kindle using Amazon's Send to Kindle email service. Every Kindle has a unique email address tied to your Amazon account. You can find it in your Amazon account under Manage Your Content and Devices — go to the Devices tab, select your Kindle, and look for the email address listed there.

Save your photo as a JPG or PNG file. The ideal size is 1072 x 1448 pixels, though the Kindle will resize images that are larger or smaller. Email the photo to your Kindle's address with any subject line you want. Within a few minutes, the image will appear in your Kindle's library under Documents.

Once the image is on your device, go back to Settings > Device Options > Lock Screen. You should now see your uploaded photo in the list of available images. Tap it to set it as your lock screen. If you do not see it right away, restart your Kindle and check again.

Resizing and Preparing Images Before You Send Them

A photo that looks good on your phone or computer may not display well on a Kindle lock screen if it is the wrong size or format. Before you email it, open the image in any photo editor — even the basic one built into Windows or Mac works fine.

Crop or resize the image to 1072 x 1448 pixels. This matches the screen dimensions of most Kindle e-readers and prevents stretching or distortion. Save it as JPG (best for photos) or PNG (best for images with text or sharp edges). Then email it to your Kindle address as an attachment. Do not paste the image into the email body — it must be an attachment.

Troubleshooting When Your Custom Image Does Not Appear

If you sent an image but it does not show up in your lock screen options, check these common issues. First, make sure you sent it to the correct Kindle email address — copy it directly from your Amazon account rather than typing it from memory. Second, verify that the file is actually JPG or PNG; some email programs change the format when they send attachments.

Third, wait a few minutes after sending. Amazon's servers sometimes take longer than expected to process the image. If it still has not appeared after 10 minutes, restart your Kindle by holding the power button for 20 seconds, then check again. If the image still does not show up, try sending it again with a slightly different filename — occasionally a duplicate name causes the system to skip the upload.

Switching Back to the Default Lock Screen

If you want to return to Amazon's original lock screen image, go back to Settings > Device Options > Lock Screen and select the image labeled Default or Kindle. This removes your custom image and restores the standard screen that came with your device.

Your uploaded photos remain in your Kindle's Documents library even after you change the lock screen, so you can switch between custom images and the default anytime without re-sending them.

Lock Screen Differences Between Kindle Models

The exact steps vary slightly depending on whether you have a basic Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, or older model. On newer devices, the menu structure is more streamlined, and you may see Screensaver instead of Lock Screen — they refer to the same feature. On very old Kindles (more than five years old), custom lock screens may not be supported at all, and you can only choose from built-in images.

If you cannot find the lock screen option in Device Options, check your device's user manual or search Amazon's help pages with your specific Kindle model number. The model number appears in Settings > Device Info.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a screenshot or image from the internet as my lock screen?

Yes. read the image to your computer, save it as JPG or PNG, resize it to 1072 x 1448 pixels if needed, and email it to your Kindle address. Make sure you have the right to use the image — do not send copyrighted photos unless you own them or have permission.

What happens to my lock screen if I factory reset my Kindle?

A factory reset removes all custom lock screens and returns your device to the default image. Your uploaded photos stay in your Documents library, so you can set them as the lock screen again after the reset if you want.

Can I set a different lock screen for each family member if we share a Kindle?

No. The lock screen is a device-wide setting, not a per-user setting. Everyone who uses the Kindle will see the same lock screen image. If you need separate lock screens, each person would need their own device.

Why does my custom image look blurry on the lock screen?

The image is probably the wrong size or resolution. Resize it to exactly 1072 x 1448 pixels before sending it. If the original photo is very small or low-quality, it may look blurry no matter what size you resize it to — try a different, higher-quality image.

How many custom images can I upload to my Kindle?

There is no hard limit, but each image takes up storage space on your device. Most Kindles have enough room for dozens of photos. If your device is running low on storage, delete old documents or images you no longer need.