Amazon Adds Stylus Handwriting to Kindle App for Android

With the update, users can write directly on Kindle books with a stylus and choose from different pen styles, colors and sizes. The same tools can be used to highlight, circle and underline text. TechRadar said the feature could be useful for studying and for readers who annotate fiction.

The update is not confined to large-screen devices. Users on Reddit said the feature had reached standard phones including the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, though it appears to work only on devices with native stylus support. Some users also confirmed that it works on certain Android-powered e-readers, such as some Boox models.

Reddit comments cited by TechRadar were positive, with users describing the addition as “a nice surprise,” “awesome” and “such a game changer.” One comment said, “I was so happy to see this.”

TechRadar reported that the feature is currently available only on the Android app. It also said an Amazon support page mentions Active Canvas, the feature that lets users write directly on a Kindle book, as available on supported iOS devices, suggesting the iPad and iPhone apps could receive the update soon.

Editor's Summary

Amazon’s Android Kindle app now supports stylus handwriting annotations, extending a Kindle Scribe capability to phones and some e-readers with native stylus support. The feature has drawn positive user comments, while Amazon’s support page hints at possible iOS availability. The update broadens annotation tools for Kindle readers without requiring Amazon’s dedicated writing device.