Why I keep my Kindle in airplane mode (and you should too)

For all the many smart devices you have in your lineup, there’s still plenty of value in keeping some of them, at least occasionally, offline. Streaming media surely requires an online connection, but that doesn’t mean every tablet and computer you have that can get online always needs to stay online.

That’s especially true when it comes to devices designed for fun and recreation. With that in mind, here’s why you should keep your Kindle in airplane mode and potentially forever.

Functionality doesn’t drastically change

Read and enjoy library titles with ease

It’s worth reminding yourself that very little changes to your Kindle if you stay offline. You can still navigate your library, open and scroll through books, and adjust myriad settings. Features like automatic brightness will continue to function normally as well, and your reading progress will stay tracked.

Even those who are opting for the newest, most feature-packed Kindles, such as the Scribe, won’t find many inconveniences. Documents are stored locally on the device, so you can still write, add notes, and create without staying connected. For those who simply use their kindle for reading, then there really isn’t any need to remain online.

Perhaps the biggest change is that you can’t send books directly to your Kindle when acquired online, but there are issues that exist for some users already, particularly if you’re taking books out of your library. Manually putting files on your Kindle, a process that can take mere minutes, may be worth the time and effort.

Keep Amazon out of your personal library

Avoid promoted purchases and interconnected services

Perhaps the biggest reason to keep your Kindle offline is to push back against the many ways Amazon wants to encroach on your life. The commerce giant is less interested in your reading success and more keen on getting you to engage with its services and purchase items from its marketplace.

Amazon really doesn’t care about authors, or those that want to support them. AI-authored books are available on Amazon’s marketplace, including titles designed to mimic popular books, complete with covers and titles that are similar to the real thing. This is reason alone to withdraw support from them when it comes to reading.

What’s more, there are just so many devices tracking everything you do. Netflix knows what you enjoy streaming, and your TV manufacturer knows what you put on the screen. If you look at something on your computer, a related ad will pop up on your Instagram feed. There are simply so few avenues to escape such data tracking. Amazon doesn’t need to know the details of your reading habits, so keep your Kindle offline.

Avoid Goodreads in favor of better apps

Seek out more supportive reading alternatives

Credit: Goodreads/Pocket-lint

There are also plenty of better alternatives to Goodreads available as well. In addition to generally not being supportive of authors, Goodreads isn’t an app Amazon seems to care a lot about, in part because the interface is so poor and infrequently updated.

Instead, there are those apps like Storygraph that are more aesthetically-pleasing and offer a more detailed look at your reading history. You can track reading sessions with Bookly, while those seeking a more social app can check out Bookwyrm. There are just a lot of better options that foster community, support local bookstores, and encourage reading than Goodreads.

If you’re nervous about switching over, keep in mind you can export your Goodreads data and other apps can read it so that you can maintain all of your tracking. Even if you’re keen on Goodeads being a part of your life, there’s nothing stopping you from taking a couple of minutes after you finish a book to manually input the data into the app instead of letting it do it automatically via Wi-Fi.

Going offline helps minimize distraction

Read at peace while avoiding temptation

Reading, among many other recreational activities, whether they are done on an electronic device, should be devoid of distractions. Such engaging, mindful past times don’t need to be done online and may in fact be better for you without the temptation to start scrolling.

Even if you prefer to use Wi-Fi to transfer books to your Kindle as opposed to the manual route, I’d encourage disconnection once you start reading. Those who struggle to maintain focus may find removing Wi-Fi can help keep a rhythm when it comes to reading. While you’re disconnecting Wi-Fi, I’d recommend keeping your phone away from you as well. A lack of Wi-Fi can also help the entire experience feel more like a physical book than using your smartphone.

Keep your reading habits private and consistent

Offline use prevents unwanted changes and issues

Maintaining an offline Kindle avoids any number of potential headaches and nuisances that come with keeping a device connected to the internet and available for others. While there may be beneficial software updates available, those updates can also interfere with your reading habits. Some features you like may be removed or changed, but new ones may not be entirely welcome.

Reading offline also prevents syncing problems and potential technical issues with files you’ve added to your device. There’s no risk of a title being overwritten or removed, and there’s no risk of your reading habits being tracked.

Above all, keeping your Kindle offline means it’s far more aligned with an actual book than an electronic device. You may find more enjoyment with a device that feels like a genuine escape than one that is attached to the online world.