Main Content

Help - Basics - Adobe PDF eBooks

What follows are frequently asked questions about Adobe PDF 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® PDF eBook?
• What software do I need to read Adobe PDF eBooks?
• Does Adobe Digital Editions require additional software?
• What is 'activation'?
• 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 activate a supported eBook device using an Adobe ID?
• How do I download Adobe PDF eBooks on my computer?
• Can I download Adobe PDF eBooks using OverDrive Media Console on my Android, BlackBerry, or iPhone 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 Adobe eBooks early?

What is an Adobe® PDF eBook?

Adobe PDF eBooks are eBooks that you can check out at this site. Download and read Adobe PDF eBooks on your Windows or Mac computer using Adobe Digital Editions. Adobe PDF eBooks can be transferred to supported eBook reading devices.

Back to top

What software do I need to read Adobe PDF eBooks?

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

Back to top

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).

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.

Back to top

What is 'activation'?

Activation allows you to read DRM-protected Adobe eBooks. Adobe Digital Editions can be activated anonymously, or by using an Adobe ID.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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

To activate an 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.

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

Back to top

How do I download Adobe PDF 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.

Back to top

Can I download Adobe PDF eBooks using OverDrive Media Console on my Android, BlackBerry, or iPhone device?

No. OverDrive Media Console for Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone/iPad do not support Adobe PDF eBooks. You can, however, download Adobe EPUB eBooks using OverDrive Media Console for Android v2 (or newer), OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry v2 (or newer), or OverDrive Media Console for iPhone v2.0. To download OverDrive Media Console, click here.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

To which devices can I transfer Adobe eBooks?

To review a list of supported devices, click here.

Back to top

Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to an Amazon® Kindle?

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

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

How do I return Adobe eBooks early?

Adobe eBooks can only be returned early using Adobe Digital Editions. To return Adobe eBooks early…

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 title.
   The eBook is returned.

Back to top