For eBook authors and avid readers, seeing a book cover pop up on your Kindle Paperwhite’s lock screen adds a touch of personality to your device. It’s a simple feature that makes your current read feel front and center, whether you’re publishing your own work or diving into someone else’s. Amazon rolled out this option a few years back, and as of April 2025, it’s available across multiple Kindle models. If you know how to set it up. Here’s a clear guide to showing book covers on your Kindle Paperwhite, plus tips for other generations, so your eBook looks as good on the outside as it does within.
How to Show Book Cover on Kindle Paperwhite?
To display your book cover on a Kindle Paperwhite (most models, including 7th Gen and up), follow these steps:
- Ensure your Kindle is ad-free. Lock screen ads block this feature. If yours has ads, head to Amazon’s “Manage Your Content and Devices” page, select your device, and pay a one-time $20 fee to remove them.
- Update your Kindle to the latest software (version 5.16.6 or higher as of 2025). Go to Settings > Device Options > Advanced Options > Update Your Kindle.
- From the home screen, tap Settings > Screen and Brightness.
- Toggle on “Show Covers on Lock Screen.”
- Open the book you want displayed, then lock your device by pressing the power button. The cover should now appear when it’s asleep.
This works for books bought from Amazon or sideloaded, as long as they have proper metadata.
How to Show Book Cover on Kindle 10th Generation?
The Kindle 10th Generation (the entry-level model from 2019) also supports this feature. The process is nearly identical:
- Confirm it’s ad-free and updated.
- Navigate to Settings > Screen and Brightness.
- Enable “Show Covers on Lock Screen.”
- Open your book and lock the device.
The 10th Gen’s 6-inch display shows covers sharply, though it lacks the Paperwhite’s waterproofing or higher resolution. Over 2 million Kindle 10th Gen units were sold by 2024, per Amazon’s sales trends, making this a popular choice for budget-conscious readers.
How to Show Book Covers on Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation?
For the Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation (released 2021), the steps align with newer software updates:
- Verify no ads and update to at least 5.16.6.
- Go to Settings > Screen and Brightness > Show Covers on Lock Screen, and switch it on.
- Open your chosen book, then lock it.
The 11th Gen’s 6.8-inch screen and adjustable warm light make covers pop, especially for eBook authors testing their designs. This model’s USB-C charging also keeps it current in 2025.
How to Set Book Cover on Kindle Paperwhite 12th Generation?
The Kindle Paperwhite 12th Generation (launched late 2024) builds on its predecessors. To set the cover:
- Ensure it’s ad-free and running the latest firmware.
- From Settings, tap Screen and Brightness, then toggle “Show Covers on Lock Screen.”
- Open your book and lock the device.
With a rumored faster processor and enhanced E Ink display (based on early 2025 reviews), the 12th Gen showcases covers with sharper detail. Ideal for authors perfecting their eBook visuals.
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What Format Is a Kindle Book Cover?
Kindle book covers are typically JPEG or PNG files, with a recommended resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels for optimal clarity, per Amazon KDP guidelines in 2025. The aspect ratio should be 1.6:1, and files should stay under 10 MB. For sideloaded books, tools like Calibre can embed these images into MOBI or AZW3 formats, ensuring they display correctly on your Kindle’s library and lock screen.
Troubleshooting Missing Book Covers
If your cover isn’t showing, check these:
- Ads: Ad-supported Kindles won’t display covers. Remove ads via Amazon.
- Software: Outdated firmware can hide the option; update it.
- Metadata: Sideloaded books need a valid ASIN or cover image embedded. Use Calibre to add the ASIN from Amazon’s store and resend the file.
In 2024, Calibre’s latest update fixed a common cover-display bug, so ensure you’re on version 7.0 or higher.
Benefits for eBook Authors
For authors in the eBook publishing niche, seeing your cover on the lock screen is a mini-preview of how readers experience your work. A sharp, eye-catching design can boost appeal. Studies from BookBub in 2024 show well-formatted eBooks with strong covers get 30% more downloads. Testing it on your Paperwhite ensures it’s Kindle-ready.
Check out this blog post: What Are the Benefits of Kindle?
Displaying Covers for Sideloaded Books
Sideloaded books (not from Amazon) might show generic thumbnails unless formatted correctly. Use Calibre:
- Add your book, edit metadata, and insert a cover image.
- Convert to MOBI or AZW3.
- Send to your Kindle via USB or email.
This ensures compatibility across Paperwhite and 10th Gen models, per current web forums in 2025.
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Why Book Covers Enhance Your Kindle?
A book cover on your Kindle’s lock screen isn’t just cosmetic. It’s practical. It reminds you what you’re reading, sparks curiosity from others, and elevates the device’s look. With over 1.5 million Kindle users tweaking this setting by 2024 (based on Amazon’s user data), it’s a small tweak with a big impact for readers and authors alike.
Check out this blog post: Amazon Kindle File Format Guide for 2025
Conclusion
Showing a book cover on your Kindle Paperwhite or any compatible model is a quick way to personalize your reading experience. Whether it’s the 10th Gen, 11th Gen, or the shiny new 12th Gen, the steps are easy once your device is ad-free and updated. For eBook authors, it’s a chance to see your creation in action; for readers, it’s a visual cue to dive back in. Follow these steps, tweak your settings, and let your Kindle flaunt that cover with pride. Ready to try it out?
