Sideloading EPUBs with Bookshelf

share.pngAbout Sideloading EPUBs with Bookshelf

VitalSource Bookshelf allows users to easily read locally stored, DRM-free EPUB files.  To get started,  download and install the latest version of Bookshelf from our Download Page and then follow the steps listed below based on the platform you are using.

Please note, While Search and Content Controls should work with your EPUB.  Notes and Highlights will not work with Sideloaded EPUBs and VitalSource Syncing services.  We also cannot guarantee the performance or readability of Sideloaded EPUBs. 

Sideloading EPUBs with Bookshelf on macOS or Windows

  • Downloaded and install the latest version of Bookshelf from the Bookshelf Download Page
  • Launch Bookshelf.  Create or Sign In to your Bookshelf Account
  • Place the EPUB in a secure folder on your computer 
  • Double-click on the EPUB to open it in Bookshelf
  • Your EPUB will now be available in the My Books swimlane in Bookshelf 
  • To remove the EPUB from Bookshelf click on the information button on the EPUB and click the Remove from Device button. Then click the Remove button to confirm your deletion request. 

Please Note: If you Delete or move the EPUB on your computer, Bookshelf will be unable to open it
 

Sideloading EPUBs with Bookshelf on Android

You can Sideload DRM-free EPUBs with Bookshelf 9.0 for Android. To sideload an EPUB you must use a supported delivery method, email, a cloud storage solution, or a website, and the EPUB you are sideloading must be DRM-free.

Sideloading EPUBs using a Mail app

• Make sure you are using Bookshelf 9.0 or later. You must also sign in to your Bookshelf account before you can sideload any EPUBs.
• Email the EPUB file you wish to open on your Android to yourself or any Bookshelf user.
• In your Mail app, open the message containing your EPUB.
• Tap on the EPUB file attachment in the email to download locally.
• It will save to the Downloads folder on your device's local storage. When downloading is complete, you can either click on the downloading complete notification from the Mail app to open OR use a file explorer app to navigate to the Downloads folder to open
• Bookshelf will open, and your EPUB will now be in your library.
• If you need to locate your EPUB quickly, you can search for the title of the EPUB in the, Find by Title or Author search bar.

How-To Side load EPUB files onto Bookshelf using a Cloud Storage Service (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc...)

• Make sure you are using Bookshelf 9.0 or later. You must also sign in to your Bookshelf account before you can sideload any EPUBs.
• Make sure to sync the EPUB you are looking to sideload to your favorite Cloud Storage Service.
• Tap on the EPUB file on the Cloud Storage Service
• Bookshelf will open and your EPUB will now be in your library.
• If you need to locate your EPUB quickly, you can search for the title of the EPUB in the, Find by Title or Author search bar.

How-To Side load EPUB files from a website

• Make sure you are using Bookshelf 9.0 or later. You must also sign in to your Bookshelf account before you can sideload any EPUBs.
• When downloading an EPUB file from a website, it will save to the Downloads folder on your device's local storage.
• When downloading is complete, you can either click on the downloading complete notification from the browser to open OR use a file explorer app to navigate to the Downloads folder to open
• Bookshelf will open, and your EPUB will now be in your library.
• If you need to locate your EPUB quickly, you can search for the title of the EPUB in the, Find by Title or Author search bar.
 

Sideloading EPUBs with Bookshelf on iOS

You can use Sideload DRM-free EPUBs with Bookshelf 9.0 for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.  To sideload an EPUB you must use a supported delivery method, email, a cloud storage solution, or a website, and the EPUB you are sideloading must be DRM-free. 

Sideloading EPUBs using a Mail app

The GMAIL app does not support sharing attachments to other apps.  If you use GMAIL, you must use the web app to sideload your EPUB. 

  • Make sure you are using Bookshelf 9.0 or later. You must also sign in to your Bookshelf account before you can sideload any EPUBs.
  • Email the EPUB file you wish to open on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch to yourself or any Bookshelf user.
  • In your Mail app, open the message containing your EPUB.
  • Tap and hold on to the EPUB in the email to bring up the sharing menu.
  • Swipe to the left and tap on the "Copy to Bookshelf" option.
  • Bookshelf will open, and your EPUB will now be in your library.
  • If you need to locate your EPUB quickly, you can search for the title of the EPUB in the, Find by Title or Author search bar. 

How-To Side load EPUB files onto Bookshelf using a Cloud Storage Service (e.g., iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc...)

  • Make sure you are using Bookshelf 9.0 or later. You must also sign in to your Bookshelf account before you can sideload any EPUBs.
  • Make sure to sync the EPUB you are looking to sideload to your favorite Cloud Storage Service.
  • In your Cloud Storage app, download the file to your iOS device
  • Tap and hold on to the EPUB to bring up the options menu.  Tap on the Share button.
  • In the app swimlane, swipe right to locate the More menu.
  • Scroll down to locate the Copy to Bookshelf button
  • Bookshelf will open, and your EPUB will now be in your library.
  • If you need to locate your EPUB quickly, you can search for the title of the EPUB in the, Find by Title or Author search bar. 

How-To Side load EPUB files from a website

  • Make sure you are using Bookshelf 9.0 or later. You must also sign in to your Bookshelf account before you can sideload any EPUBs.
  • In Safari, navigate to the EPUB you wish to sideload.
  • Tap the link to download the EPUB.  Then tap the download folder button in Safari and tap the magnifying glass to open the EPUB in the Files app.  
  • Tap and hold on to the EPUB to bring up the options menu.  Tap on the Share button.
  • In the app swimlane, swipe right to locate the More menu.
  • Scroll down to locate the Copy to Bookshelf button
  • Bookshelf will open, and your EPUB will now be in your library.
  • If you need to locate your EPUB quickly, you can search for the title of the EPUB in the, Find by Title or Author search bar. 

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