Books purchased on Google Play - can they be read on any reader??

**kgilbertsen** · 01-25-2013, 10:35 AM

I just bought a book through Google Play, but it seems only the Play Books app can be used to read it. Is this correct? Or is there some way to allow other readers to access it? (Mantano, Aldiko, Ebook Reader, etc.) I can't find the book file anywhere on the Nexus.
Thanks

**wunderbar** · 01-25-2013, 10:56 AM

Nope. Just like the amazon ecosystem the only way you can legally read them is through the app.

**mr_nobody** · 01-25-2013, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by wunderbar

Nope. Just like the amazon ecosystem the only way you can legally read them is through the app.

No, your information is not correct. You can log into play using your computer and then download an epub/pdf version.

**wunderbar** · 01-25-2013, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by mr_nobody

No, your information is not correct. You can log into play using your computer and then download an epub/pdf version.

You are right! Sorry I had forgotten about that. I don't believe *every* book is made available for that, but I remember doing it in the past, just not for a while obviously.

**mr_nobody** · 01-25-2013, 11:14 AM

Well the other thing is that for a non negligible period of time, this feature was broken but last time I checked, it was working again. Also, depending on the book, these downloads may be drm infected so you will need to handle them accordingly...

**kgilbertsen** · 01-25-2013, 11:54 AM

Thanks all! I was able to get it visible in Aldiko and Mantano, but not the Ebook Reader app. I saw no way to import books in that app.

EDIT: I had talked with the Google Play people on the phone earlier, and they did not know about the ability to download the ePub and/or PDF formats!

**bigtroutz** · 01-25-2013, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by kgilbertsen

Thanks all! I was able to get it visible in Aldiko and Mantano, but not the Ebook Reader app. I saw no way to import books in that app.

Reading ebooks on any device is dependent on what that device allows by way of format / application and there are many many formats. The kindle app and kindle devices only allow by default .azw, .mobi, .prc, .txt, .pdf files but NOT .ePub. Because the Nexus 7 has the latest Android OS, you may use as many eReader applications you like and there are many more good ones than you have fingers and toes. Some of the best ones can read most all of the most common ebook formats like ePub as well as those employed by the kindles, like CoolReader. More on eBook formats here:

Second, eBook converter / DRM removal tools are also as common as leaves on trees and I would never say one is best. However, the freeware Calibre is very widely used in the eBook community and has versions for PC, Mac, Linux and Android. Hamster is the converter subset of Calibre. Much more info here:

some more useful links:
--> Calibre home

---> currently 600+ places for free books online
----> reviews of some of the best Android eReader Apps
-----> same as above reviews
----> real nice comparison tables

**kgilbertsen** · 01-25-2013, 05:45 PM

Wow, thanks! I'll get busy with these options and will hopefully figure it out.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Android Central Forums

**Azwizzard** · 01-26-2013, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by mr_nobody

No, your information is not correct. You can log into play using your computer and then download an epub/pdf version.

How exactly do we do this? I logged onto my Google Account and didn't see an option to download a epub/pd version of my books I purchased...

Thanks!

**bigtroutz** · 01-26-2013, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by Azwizzard

How exactly do we do this? I logged onto my Google Account and didn't see an option to download a epub/pd version of my books I purchased...

Thanks!

one way is to use the "Share" choice to a text file which will save the link to the file.

You may then use the "google book downloader" [available on CNET download.com] to capture a PDF image of the book to your Desktop. From there you can do what you like.

otherwise, if you press and hold on the book cover, you can select "make available offline" (pin the book) and this can supposedly be used for reading in Chrome

even more info in this vid: (I just found it but did not watch it, you might find easier ways in it)

**kgilbertsen** · 01-26-2013, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Azwizzard

How exactly do we do this? I logged onto my Google Account and didn't see an option to download a epub/pd version of my books I purchased...

Thanks!

Once at your Google Play site, choose 'My Books', then click on one of your books. From there click on the tab 'How to Read'. On that page, scroll down to 'eReaders and Other Devices' where you'll see the options to download the ePub or PDF versions of the book. HTH