First, we would like to clarify a misconception. Haodoo does not produce or support any application that can process or read an EPUB file. You might find apps available on Apple or Google which might carry Haodoo’s name or logo. Those are apps developed by third parties which we have no control over. Any support issue needs to be addressed by the third-party developer. Haodoo is unable to provide help with any app issues.
An EPUB file — short for Electronic Publication — is an open-source ebook file format that is recognized by most e-book readers. The biggest exception to this is Amazon’s Kindle, which had its own proprietary ebook file format called MOBI. However, in 2022, the company started to move away from MOBI and towards its own version of EPUB.
It is not hard to open an EPUB file, but the options vary from one platform to another.
On Windows 11, you have a few possibilities. You can use the browser, an app from the Microsoft Store, or a third-party app such as Calibre. The easiest way is to use the Edge browser or Chrome. Both run the same plugins, so you can use the free EPUBReader. Once installed, right-click the EPUB file on your computer, click Open with and choose the browser with the installed plugin. The EPUB file will then open.
On an Apple device, whether it’s a Mac or iOS, the easiest solution by far is to use the integrated Books app. Books bought through the Apple Store are automatically downloaded as EPUB files and will immediately open in Books. If you download an EPUB book to your device then it is a simple matter of double-clicking it. It will then open in the Books app.
On an Android device (not Amazon Fire tablet), the best option for opening EPUB files is Google Play Books. As well as e-books, you can also use the app for audiobooks and comics, so it’s a good all-round general purpose reading app.
On an Amazon Kindle device, the easiest solution is to use the SendToKindle feature. First download the EPUB files to your computer. Then send the EPUB file to your Kindle account/device. Amazon will convert the EPUB file into the format that your Kindle can accept.
Finally, for Windows and macOS and in terms of longevity, nothing beats Calibre, which has been around since 2006. It can read e-books, as well as convert them and store them in some kind of organized system. The app is in constant development, but its appearance is definitely still stuck in 2006.