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Main Content

Help - Basics - Adobe EPUB eBooks

What follows are frequently asked questions about Adobe EPUB eBooks and Adobe Digital Editions. Click the question to hear the question and answer. Each answer is followed by a back to top link that leads back to the list of questions.

• What is an Adobe® EPUB eBook?
• How is an Adobe EPUB eBook different from a PDF eBook?
• What software do I need to read Adobe EPUB eBooks?
• Does Adobe Digital Editions require additional software?
• What is 'activation'?
• I updated to OverDrive Media Console v2 (or newer) for iPhone/iPad and the app doesn't work. What should I do?
• How do I activate OverDrive Media Console for Android™?
• How do I activate OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry?
• How do I activate OverDrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad?
• How do I activate OverDrive Media Console for Windows Phone 7?
• Should I activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously or with an Adobe ID?
• How do I activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously?
• How do I activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID?
• How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks on my computer?
• How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks to my Android device?
• How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks to my Apple device?
• How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks to my BlackBerry device?
• How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks to my Windows Phone 7 device?
• How do I activate a supported eBook device using an Adobe ID?
• To which devices can I transfer Adobe eBooks?
• Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to an Amazon® Kindle?
• Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to a Barnes & Noble nook™?
• Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony® Reader?
• Can I download Adobe eBooks directly to a Sony Reader™ Wi-Fi® (PRS-T1)?
• Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to Palm® and Pocket PC devices?
• Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to other computers?
• How do I transfer Adobe eBooks to supported eBook devices?
• How do I return eBooks using Adobe Digital Editions?
• How do I return eBooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for Android?
• How do I return eBooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for BlackBerry?
• How do I return eBooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for Windows Phone?

What is an Adobe® EPUB eBook?

Adobe EPUB eBooks are digital versions of print books that you can check out at this site. Download and read Adobe EPUB eBooks on your Windows® or Mac® computer using Adobe Digital Editions and on supported Android, Apple, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone 7 devices using OverDrive Media Console v2 (or newer). Adobe EPUB eBooks can also be transferred from Windows and Mac to many eBook reading devices.

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How is an Adobe EPUB eBook different from a PDF eBook?

Adobe EPUB eBooks have reflowable text, which means that you can change the font, resize the text, or alter the size of your display and the text of the Adobe EPUB eBook 'reflows' to fill the screen. This makes Adobe EPUB eBooks the optimal choice for reading eBooks on small screens. While some PDFs are reflowable on some devices, one of the main strengths of the PDF format is its ability to preserve the layout of complex documents.

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What software do I need to read Adobe EPUB eBooks?

To read Adobe EPUB eBooks on your Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, or Windows Phone 7 device, you need OverDrive Media Console v2 (or newer). To download OverDrive Media Console, click here.

To read Adobe EPUB eBooks on your computer, or to transfer Adobe eBooks to supported eBook reading devices, you need Adobe Digital Editions. To download Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

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Does Adobe Digital Editions require additional software?

Yes. Adobe Digital Editions requires Adobe Flash Player. The version of Adobe Flash Player that is required varies depending on your operating system…

• Windows Vista (or newer) requires Adobe Flash Player v9.0.28 (or newer).
• Windows XP requires Adobe Flash Player v7.0 (or newer).
• Mac OS® X requires Adobe Flash Player 8 (or newer).

To download Adobe Flash Player, click here.

Additionally, JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to install Adobe Digital Editions…

• For instructions on enabling JavaScript in your Windows-based browser, click here.
• For instructions on enabling JavaScript in your Macintosh-based browser, click here.

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What is 'activation'?

Activation allows you to read DRM-protected Adobe eBooks.

OverDrive Media Console for Android and OverDrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad require an Adobe ID for activation. Adobe Digital Editions can be activated anonymously, or by using an Adobe ID.

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I updated to OverDrive Media Console v2 (or newer) for iPhone/iPad and the app doesn't work. What should I do?

If you experience issues after updating, please restart your device…

1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on the top of the device until the red slider appears.
2. Slide the slider and wait for the device to shut down.
3. Press the Sleep/Wake button again to restart.

If this does not resolve the issue, please uninstall and reinstall the app. If you continue to have problems, please contact support.

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How do I activate OverDrive Media Console for Android™?

1. Get an Adobe ID.
   Visit Adobe.com to create an Adobe ID. If you have an Adobe ID, skip to step 2.
2. Open OverDrive Media Console.
3. From the Library, select Menu > App Settings.
   The 'App Settings' page opens.
4. Scroll to 'eBook Options'.
   Enter your Adobe ID and password.
5. Select the 'Authorize' button.
   OverDrive Media Console is authorized.

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How do I activate OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry?

1. Open OverDrive Media Console.
2. Select Menu > Options.
   The 'Options' screen is displayed.
3. Under 'eBook Options', enter your Adobe ID (email address) and password.
   If needed, get an Adobe ID.
4. Click 'Authorize'.
   Your device is authorized.

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How do I activate OverDrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad?

1. Get an Adobe ID.
   Visit Adobe.com to create an Adobe ID. If you have an Adobe ID, skip to step 2.
2. Open OverDrive Media Console.
3. From the Library, tap Get Books + > Settings.
   The 'Settings' page opens.
4. Scroll to 'eBook Settings'.
5. Tap 'Authorize'.
   The 'Adobe Authorization' screen opens.
6. Enter your Adobe ID and password.
7. Tap 'Authorize'.
   OverDrive Media Console is authorized.

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How do I activate OverDrive Media Console for Windows Phone 7?

1. Get an Adobe ID.
   Visit Adobe.com to create an Adobe ID. If you have an Adobe ID, skip to step 2.
2. Swipe left-to-right from the 'recent' screen to show the 'menu' screen.
3. Select 'settings'.
4. Swipe to the 'eBook' panel.
5. Select 'authorize'.
6. Enter your Adobe ID in the 'Adobe ID' box.
7. Select 'Authorize'
8. Enter your Adobe ID password.
9. Select 'OK'
   OverDrive Media Console is authorized.

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Should I activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously or with an Adobe ID?

Activating Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID allows you to do more with Adobe eBooks, such as downloading them on multiple computers and transferring them to supported portable devices. However, this is a matter of personal preference. Before deciding, please consider the following…

If you use anonymous activation, note these limitations…

• You will only be able to read a downloaded Adobe eBook on a single computer.
• You can activate using an Adobe ID at any time. However, if you activate Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID which has already been used on another computer, the Adobe eBooks you originally downloaded while using anonymous activation will no longer work.

If you use an Adobe ID…

• You will be able to download an Adobe eBook on up to 6 computers/devices that have been activated with the same Adobe ID.
• You will be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to supported eBook devices activated with the same Adobe ID.

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How do I activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously?

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
   The 'Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
2. Click 'Continue'.
   The 'Authorize Computer' screen is displayed.
3. Select 'Don't Authorize Computer'.
4. Click 'Activate'.
   You are prompted to confirm that you do not want to use an Adobe ID.
5. Select 'Continue'.
6. Click 'Finish' to close the 'Setup Assistant' dialog box.

You may choose to activate with an Adobe ID at any time by choosing the 'Authorize Computer' option in the 'Library' menu.

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How do I activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID?

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
   The 'Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
2. Click 'Continue'.
   The 'Authorize Computer' screen is displayed.
3. Enter your Adobe ID (email address) and password.
   If needed, get an Adobe ID.
4. Click 'Activate'.
   Your computer is activated to your Adobe ID.
5. Click 'Finish' to close the 'Setup Assistant' dialog box.

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How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks on my computer?

After checking out a title, select its 'Download' link. Adobe Digital Editions opens and downloads the title. The title opens automatically after it is downloaded.

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How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks to my Android device?

1. After checking out a title, select its 'Download' link.
   OverDrive Media Console opens and downloads the title.
   The title is shown in the 'Library'.
2. Select the title to open it.

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How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks to my Apple device?

1. After checking out a title, select its 'Download' link.
   OverDrive Media Console opens and downloads the title.
   The title is shown in the 'Library'.
2. Select the title to open it.

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How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks to my BlackBerry device?

1. After checking out a title, select its 'Download' link.
   OverDrive Media Console opens and downloads the title.
   The title is shown in the 'Library'.
2. Select the title to open it.

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How do I download Adobe EPUB eBooks to my Windows Phone 7 device?

1. After checking out a title, select its 'Download' link.
   OverDrive Media Console opens and downloads the title.
   The title is shown in the 'library'.
2. Select the title to open it.

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How do I activate a supported eBook device using an Adobe ID?

1. Connect the eBook device to your computer.
2. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
   Adobe Digital Editions launches and detects the eBook device. The 'Device Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
3. Click 'Authorize Device'.
   Adobe Digital Editions activates the eBook device. You can now transfer DRM-protected Adobe eBooks to the device.

Adobe Digital Editions and the eBook device must be activated with the same Adobe ID to transfer DRM-protected Adobe eBooks to the device.

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To which devices can I transfer Adobe eBooks?

To review a list of supported devices, click here.

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Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to an Amazon® Kindle?

No. The Amazon Kindle does not support the Adobe eBooks available at this site.

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Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to a Barnes & Noble nook™?

Yes. To transfer Adobe eBooks to a Barnes & Noble nook, Adobe Digital Editions and the nook must be activated using the same Adobe ID.

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Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony® Reader?

Adobe eBooks can be transferred to most Sony Readers. In order to transfer Adobe eBooks to a Sony Reader, you need to have the Sony Reader™ Library software installed. Some Sony Readers require a firmware update in order to support Adobe eBooks. To download Sony Reader Library software and Sony Reader firmware updates, click here.

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Can I download Adobe eBooks directly to a Sony Reader™ Wi-Fi® (PRS-T1)?

Yes. You can browse, download, and enjoy Adobe eBooks on a Sony Reader™ Wi-Fi® (PRS-T1) as long as you have access to a Wi-Fi connection.

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Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to Palm® and Pocket PC devices?

No. Palm and Pocket PC devices do not support the Adobe eBooks available at this site.

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Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to other computers?

Adobe eBooks cannot be transferred from one computer to another. However, if you activated Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID you can download the eBook on another computer that is activated with the same Adobe ID.

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How do I transfer Adobe eBooks to supported eBook devices?

To transfer Adobe eBooks using Adobe Digital Editions…

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
2. Select the 'Library View' icon (in the upper left corner).
   The Adobe Digital Editions library is displayed.
3. Click on the Adobe eBook you want to transfer.
4. Drag the Adobe eBook to the eBook device icon in the left pane of Adobe Digital Editions.
   The 'Copy Documents' dialog box is displayed and the title is transferred.
   When transfer is complete the 'Copy Documents' dialog box closes. Disconnect the eBook device and enjoy the eBook on-the-go.

Note that to transfer Adobe eBooks to a supported eBook device, Adobe Digital Editions and the eBook device must be activated using the same Adobe ID.

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How do I return eBooks using Adobe Digital Editions?

1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
2. Select the 'Library View' icon (in the upper left corner).
   The Adobe Digital Editions library is displayed.
3. Under the 'Bookshelves' heading, select 'Borrowed'.
4. Click the eBook you want to return.
5. Click the 'Item Options' arrow (in the upper left corner of the selected eBook).
6. Select 'Return Borrowed Item'.
7. Click 'Return' to verify that you want to return the eBook.
   The eBook is returned.

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How do I return eBooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for Android?

To return eBooks from the bookshelf…

1. Tap the ‘+’ icon next to an eBook, then tap ‘Return/Delete’.
2. Tap ‘Return then Delete’.
   The eBook is both returned and deleted from your device.

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How do I return eBooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for BlackBerry?

To return eBooks from the bookshelf…

1. Select the title you would like to return, then push the BlackBerry button.
2. Select 'Return/Delete'.
3. Select ‘Return then Delete’.
   The eBook is both returned and deleted from your device.

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How do I return eBooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for Windows Phone?

To return eBooks from the bookshelf…

1. T1. Tap and hold an eBook to show the menu, then tap ‘return/delete’.
2. Tap ‘Return then Delete’.
   The eBook is both returned and deleted from your device.

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