ebookbookEbook guides
What opens, what you can keep
Field notes for Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Play Books, Libby, EPUB, PDF, and Calibre. Formats, sideloading, loans, refunds, and the setup that makes a long book readable.
Featured
Borrowing library books with Libby
Cards, apps, and how a library loan shows up in Libby.
kindleKindleStore books and personal documents are two different piles.koboKoboEPUB-first readers. OverDrive is built into many e-ink models.apple-booksApple BooksEPUB and PDF on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, tied to your Apple ID.google-playGoogle Play BooksAndroid and web reader, with a separate stack for files you upload.libbyLibbyLibrary loans. The book leaves on the due date.epubEPUBThe open reflowable format most stores use, except Amazon purchases.pdfPDFFixed pages. Fine for papers and textbooks, clumsy for novels on e-ink.calibreCalibreA desktop library for DRM-free files. Not a store and not a pirate tool.
Each shelf answers the same five questions, so Kindle and Kobo are easy to compare: which files open, how to get a book onto the device, whether a library loan can live there, where to buy, and how to set type, notes, and accessibility.
This is not a shop and not a dump of files. Store books are licenses. Library loans expire. DRM-free files you were sold or given are the copies you can archive. The guides describe official apps. They do not walk through breaking DRM.
Start with the problem
JumpThe file will not openWhich file types Kindle actually acceptsGet it onto the readerSend to Kindle, USB, and the usual trapsBorrow instead of buyHow Libby loans, holds, and Kindle fulfillment workA loan is not a copy you keepWhat expires, what you may export, what you may not archiveConversion wrecked the layoutWhen to convert, and when to leave the file aloneRefunds and subscriptionsRefund windows, Kindle Unlimited, and what 'owned' meansSideload onto KoboUSB, Calibre, and OverDrive on e-inkType that fights youFonts, spacing, and themes for long sessions
Four shelves at a glance
Compare| Opens | Library | What you keep | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle | AZW3, KFX, EPUB via Send to Kindle, PDF | Libby can send some US loans to Kindle. Not worldwide. | Store books stay licensed to Amazon. Personal documents are a separate pile. |
| Kobo | EPUB, KEPUB, PDF, some comics on selected devices | OverDrive is built into many e-ink models. Libby on a phone still browses holds. | Store DRM or a file you loaded. Sideloaded DRM-free EPUB is just a file. |
| Apple Books | EPUB, PDF, Apple Books store files | Not a library app. Borrow in Libby, keep personal files in Books if you want. | Store titles follow the Apple ID. Imported files remain ordinary files. |
| Libby | In-app reading, audiobook streaming, Kindle button where it exists | This is the library. Cards, holds, lucky-day copies. | Nothing after the due date. Notes may survive; the book does not. |
Formats & Files
FormatsWhich file types open in KindleA practical list of formats Kindle will open, what gets converted on the way in, and what still fails.Which file types open in KoboA practical list of formats Kobo will open, what gets converted on the way in, and what still fails.Which file types open in Apple BooksA practical list of formats Apple Books will open, what gets converted on the way in, and what still fails.Which file types open in Google Play BooksA practical list of formats Google Play Books will open, what gets converted on the way in, and what still fails.Which file types open in LibbyA practical list of formats Libby will open, what gets converted on the way in, and what still fails.Which file types open in EPUBA practical list of formats EPUB will open, what gets converted on the way in, and what still fails.
Devices & Apps
DevicesSending and sideloading books onto KindleThe reliable ways to get a file into Kindle without bouncing between three help articles.Sending and sideloading books onto KoboThe reliable ways to get a file into Kobo without bouncing between three help articles.Sending and sideloading books onto Apple BooksThe reliable ways to get a file into Apple Books without bouncing between three help articles.Sending and sideloading books onto Google Play BooksThe reliable ways to get a file into Google Play Books without bouncing between three help articles.Sending and sideloading books onto LibbyThe reliable ways to get a file into Libby without bouncing between three help articles.Sending and sideloading books onto EPUBThe reliable ways to get a file into EPUB without bouncing between three help articles.
Libraries & Lending
LibrariesBorrowing library books with KindleCards, apps, and how a library loan shows up in Kindle.Borrowing library books with KoboCards, apps, and how a library loan shows up in Kobo.Borrowing library books with Apple BooksCards, apps, and how a library loan shows up in Apple Books.Borrowing library books with Google Play BooksCards, apps, and how a library loan shows up in Google Play Books.Borrowing library books with LibbyCards, apps, and how a library loan shows up in Libby.Borrowing library books with EPUBCards, apps, and how a library loan shows up in EPUB.
Buying & Stores
BuyingWhere to buy books that work in KindleOfficial stores, DRM-free shops, and which purchases will never open in Kindle.Where to buy books that work in KoboOfficial stores, DRM-free shops, and which purchases will never open in Kobo.Where to buy books that work in Apple BooksOfficial stores, DRM-free shops, and which purchases will never open in Apple Books.Where to buy books that work in Google Play BooksOfficial stores, DRM-free shops, and which purchases will never open in Google Play Books.Where to buy books that work in LibbyOfficial stores, DRM-free shops, and which purchases will never open in Libby.Where to buy books that work in EPUBOfficial stores, DRM-free shops, and which purchases will never open in EPUB.
Reading Setup
SetupFonts, spacing, and themes in KindleA setup guide for Kindle so long sessions do not fight the default type.Fonts, spacing, and themes in KoboA setup guide for Kobo so long sessions do not fight the default type.Fonts, spacing, and themes in Apple BooksA setup guide for Apple Books so long sessions do not fight the default type.Fonts, spacing, and themes in Google Play BooksA setup guide for Google Play Books so long sessions do not fight the default type.Fonts, spacing, and themes in LibbyA setup guide for Libby so long sessions do not fight the default type.Fonts, spacing, and themes in EPUBA setup guide for EPUB so long sessions do not fight the default type.