It’s fun and relatively easy to replace the default sleep screen images on your Kindle — not only can you better customize it to match your tastes, but if you’re into functionality you can swap in images that display calendars, to-do lists and keyboard shortcuts.
However, Amazon doesn’t enable this capability on factory-fresh Kindles, so if you want to do it, you’ll have to apply a reversible operating system hack.
To Enable Screensaver Images On Your Kindle
Some Advice On Making Screensaver Images
- A beginner’s guide to making custom screensaver images
- Use virtual bookplates to help recover a lost Kindle
Where To Find Other Free Screensaver Images
Image requests? Contact me and I’ll see what I can do — the Poe, Austen and “Watership Down” screens were all suggested by readers.
Download the .zip file for these images (938 KB)
Download the .zip file for these images (1.5 MB)
Christmas & Winter – Download the .zip file for these images (500 KB)
“A Christmas Carol” – Download the .zip file for these images (1.3 MB)
Independence Day (U.S) – Download the .zip file for these images (528 KB)
Halloween – Download the .zip file for these images (520 KB)
Halloween Monsters – Download the .zip file for these images (266 KB)
Misc – Download the .zip file for these images (565 KB)
“Watership Down” – Download the .zip file for these images (1.1 MB)
Cthulhu – Download the .zip file for these images (668 KB)
Sunday Salon: Reading on the Kindle
May 18, 2008 @ 05:42:33
[...] Kindle screensavers can be found at [...]
Jul 11, 2008 @ 16:35:17
How do you remove one of your custom screensavers once installed? Sorry, but I have some favorites I would like to only see.
Oh, and please explain for the not so tech-savy
Jul 18, 2008 @ 18:34:07
@nikkib1974: I’ve added some instructions on this page. Hope this helps!
Oct 22, 2008 @ 14:16:24
How come my own screen savers don’t rotate ? I only get one, I cannot get the Kindle to respond when it’s up and have to turn it off to operate.
Nov 10, 2008 @ 15:52:45
@Lynnda: The Kindle will only display one screensaver per “session”–it doesn’t rotate through the images while in screensaver mode. (In that sense it’s more like closing the cover of a book than triggering a screensaver.) If you have multiple images that you’ve saved as screensavers, you’ll have to exit screensaver mode, then re-enter it to trigger a new one.
I’m not sure what you mean by your second sentence. To deactivate a screensaver, hold down the bottom left key (ALT) and then simultaneously press the bottom right key (aA). If you *are* doing that and you still can’t exit screensaver mode, make sure the following isn’t happening (although it’s pretty far-fetched).
When you created an image for a screensaver, did you remember to make the image full screen? If you didn’t, then it’s likely that the battery and wireless indicator bar was saved as part of the screensaver image. This can be misleading because it might look like you’re *not* in screensaver mode when in fact you are.
If you’re still having problems, I’d suggest deleting your custom screens so that the Kindle will go back to its default screens, then seeing if everything works properly. If not, contact Amazon for technical support.
Jan 13, 2009 @ 06:17:35
Thank you for this fabulous guide and the links to screensavers. I tried to do this earlier but was unsuccessful – your directions are very complete (even the short version). Thanks!
Jan 28, 2009 @ 00:44:06
I’m a little slow on the go and don’t know where to find help – hope you can help.
I purchased a decal cover for my Kindle (from decalgirl.com) and was given a code and “instructions” on how to get a screensaver to match on my Kindle. The problem is, I don’t understand it. How do I get a different screensaver on there?
This seems simple probably, but I’m new to the technology.
Tout sur le Kindle : Comment changer l’écran de veille du Kindle? | eBouquin
Jun 17, 2009 @ 11:06:43
[...] 5. Glissez dans ce dossier toutes les images que le Kindle affichera en écran de veille. Utilisez de préférence des images au format PNG et JPG. N’oubliez pas de redimensionner vos images en 600×800 pixels pour qu’elles soient affichées par le Kindle. Si vous ne trouvez pas quelles images utiliser, voici un site qui propose des images optimisées pour l’écran du Kindle. Il y a un peu de tout et c’est par ici ! [...]
Jan 08, 2010 @ 08:14:36
Do you know how to do this on the Kindle DX? I spent about 3 hrs yesterday following instructions on another website for a “hack” but I still haven’t been successful.
Thanks
Jan 16, 2010 @ 14:33:15
@Donna: I can’t tell you exactly because I don’t have a Kindle DX, but I would suggest this route:
1. Make sure you’ve updated your Kindle to the latest firmware version: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200324680&#manual
2. Try these instructions from MobileRead: http://bit.ly/mobile-read-kindle-dx
Feb 09, 2010 @ 14:05:04
is there anywhere i can upload/donate the screen savers I’ve created so others may download them?
–
Alan
Screensaver Hack for the Kindle 2 International Version | rhk111’s Blogspot
May 04, 2010 @ 11:24:01
[...] – http://kindlerama.com/free-screens – [...]
May 21, 2010 @ 13:35:17
I have tried all day to get a custom screensaver off of my K1. Your detailed removal instructions did the trick. Thank you VERY, very much!
Jun 13, 2010 @ 04:12:33
Yes does anyone know how to to this on a Kindle dx? Ive been trying for ages now and tried hack and all sorts can any body help.
Jun 13, 2010 @ 10:13:06
@”ebook readers” -
The existing hack has a version specifically for the DX. Look here for instructions and a download link.
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_2_US,_Int%27l_and_Kindle_DX_Screen_Saver_Hack
However, if you’ve recently been updated to the new 2.5 software update from Amazon, the current hack won’t work as far as I know. You’ll have to wait until someone comes up with a version that works on 2.5 devices.
Jul 16, 2010 @ 03:58:03
Hi. I've made a few “geeky” screensavers for the Kindle DX. I mostly adapted them from images around the web:
http://picasaweb.google.com/wafuqua/KindleScree…
Oct 25, 2010 @ 23:53:38
my kindle 2 is 2.5.2 and when I go to settings and press menu to UPDATE YOUR KINDLE mine is grayed out ….
Any ideas…
I can’t do the update so I can’t complete the screen saver hack
Oct 26, 2010 @ 00:10:15
@arnie osborn, Are you following the instructions on the MobileRead page?
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88004
If so, you may want to post your question there to see if anyone can help you. I don’t have a Kindle 2 anymore and can’t troubleshoot. My first thoughts, though, are to make sure you’re using the right updater from the list, and make sure it’s copied to the root directory of your Kindle and not placed in a folder.
The Kindle 2 comes in a US and an International version. Here’s how to tell which version you have:
http://booksprung.com/how-to-tell-whether-you-have-a-u-s-or-international-kindle
Good luck – Chris
Oct 31, 2010 @ 12:03:27
Chris – others … is it possible to load .jpeg files to the Kindle 3 for use as a screensaver – i.e., personal phtoto’s.
Oct 31, 2010 @ 13:12:48
@Bob McIntosh, Yes, it’s possible. You still have to follow the MobileRead instructions first to enable custom screensavers. Then you can use any images you like so long as they’re in .gif, .jpg/.jpeg or .png format.
For best results, resize your custom images to 600×800 pixels so that they match the aspect ratio of the Kindle screen.
Feb 13, 2011 @ 05:40:17
50 H.R. Giger Kindle screensavers.
http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/269984581/giger+kindle?tab=comments
Mar 21, 2011 @ 07:27:25
A few of my random attempts:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=257773&id=579872410&l=52a38e0609
Apr 15, 2011 @ 22:32:57
I would love to see more of the word cloud art – those were great! Maybe something a little geekier, like Good Omens or Ender’s Game.