The short answer
An EPUB file is an ebook. It is the most widely supported open format for digital books, used by most stores and readers other than Amazon Kindle, which has its own.
The thing that sets EPUB apart from a PDF is reflow. The text is not locked to a fixed page. It rearranges to fit whatever screen you are reading on, and you can change the font size without the layout breaking. That is what makes a long book comfortable to read on a phone.
How to open an EPUB file
- iPhone and iPad. Apple Books opens EPUB directly. Tap the file and it lands in your library.
- Android. Google Play Books opens it, or a free reader app like Librera or Moon Reader.
- Windows and Mac. Apple Books on Mac, or Calibre on either platform, which is free and also organizes a whole library.
- In a browser. A reader extension can open EPUB without any app.
EPUB or PDF, which to use
Choose EPUB when the content is mostly text meant for reading on screens, like a novel or a guide. Choose PDF when the exact page layout matters, like a form, a report, or anything meant to be printed.
How to share an EPUB file
EPUB files are usually small, but email is still a clumsy way to send a book. A link is simpler.
- Upload the EPUB to snapy.
- Copy the link.
- Share it. The reader downloads the book and opens it in their app of choice.
Upload a file to share an ebook as a link, or learn how to turn a PDF into a link.