In early 2023, the OverDrive app will be discontinued. We encourage you to make the switch to Libby, our newer reading app. Libby is made by the same people, with the same goal of connecting you to your library and to your favorite books, audiobooks, and magazines.
Download Libby or visit libbyapp.com to get started.
We launched the Libby app in 2017, with the goal of creating a simple and intuitive library app that builds on the core experience from the OverDrive app. We closely reviewed what was working with the OverDrive app and what could be improved. During this time, we didn't want to interrupt the experience for users, so the two apps have both been available.
Thanks to feedback from librarians and readers like you, Libby is now a great app for everyone and there's no longer a reason to have two apps that do the same thing. If you've enjoyed using the OverDrive app, we really hope you'll love Libby.
When you open Libby, you’ll be guided through simple setup steps to find your library and sign in with your card.
Once you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to sync your OverDrive wish list from an in-app notification.
Browse your library and find something new to borrow, or start reading the current loans on your Shelf
.
We've made a lot of changes and additions to Libby in the past few years. If you've tried Libby in the past and weren't convinced, we encourage you check the FAQs below and try the app again. You'll find a list of top questions about how your favorite OverDrive app features work in Libby.
The OverDrive app is no longer under active development, meaning that we won't be adding new features or updates. We are planning to discontinue the OverDrive app in early 2023.
Libby, on the other hand, continues to have new features and updates added based on reader and librarian feedback. Libby offers many unique features and options that are not available in the OverDrive app. We hope you'll give them a try.
Features unique to Libby include:
We plan to discontinue the OverDrive app in early 2023. In the coming months, we'll provide an update on exactly when you'll no longer have access to your library's collection in the OverDrive app.
Yes! When you set up Libby, you’ll be prompted to import your OverDrive wish lists via an in-app notification. Your wish list items will become a tag that’s available on your Shelf .
You can also create other tags in Libby to organize books however you want.
Learn more about importing your wish list and using tags on Libby Help.
No, reading progress for your current loans won't sync to Libby when you switch. You may want to finish your current loans before switching or make a note of your progress and manually pick up where you left off in Libby.
We're exploring ways for you to express interest in any title in the vast OverDrive catalog, so that you receive a push notification if it's purchased by one of your libraries. How libraries choose to spend their digital budgets is always their decision, but some libraries would use anonymized interest in titles as purchasing suggestions. We plan to release a feature around these ideas soon.
If you have a Kindle Fire tablet, you can sideload the app by following our instructions.
If you have a Kindle reader, you can send books to your Kindle (U.S. only) from Libby on a supported device, like an iPhone, Android tablet, or computer.
Learn more about your Kindle options on Libby Help.
On mobile devices, Libby automatically downloads loans for offline reading when you’re on Wi-Fi (to reduce data usage) by default. Download settings can be adjusted in the app to better suit your needs.
Note: Offline reading is not available when you access Libby in your web browser at libbyapp.com.
Learn how to change your download settings on Libby Help.
Yes, you you can set up and manage push notifications (for the Libby mobile app) or email notifications (for libbyapp.com). You can get notifications for available holds, expiring loans, new magazine issues released, and more.
Learn more about setting up notifications for Libby.
Libby supports major screen readers (like VoiceOver and TalkBack), offers built-in accessibility settings, and automatically uses many device-wide accessibility settings (like resized text).
Visit the “Accessibility” category on Libby Help to learn more.
In Libby, you have many options to find content you want to borrow:
We're also working on improvements to simplify the searching and filtering experiences to help you find the books you're looking for more quickly and accurately.
Learn more about browsing and searching on Libby Help.
Instead of downloading audiobooks in parts, you can update your download settings in Libby to manage which loans get downloaded to your device automatically. Libby is very efficient at streaming portions of the audiobook as they are played. A network connection is required for streaming.
Learn how to change your download settings on Libby Help.
To see your reading history in Libby:
Note: You can choose to disable your reading history on your Timeline, if desired.
Your reading history from the OverDrive app won’t transfer to Libby. We recommend exporting your history from your library collection (coming soon) or your list of downloads in the OverDrive app for your own records.
Yes, you can use libbyapp.com to download ebooks and transfer them (via Adobe Digital Editions) to an ereader.
Learn more about transferring ebooks to ereaders on Libby Help.
Yes, you can continue to browse for, borrow, and read library ebooks directly on your Kobo ereader.
Yes, you can update your lending period when you borrow a book in Libby. To do so, tap Borrow, then tap the underlined loan period on the confirmation page.
Libby will remember the lending period you select for future loans in that format.
Note: Your library chooses which lending period options are available. These options are the same in the OverDrive app, on the OverDrive library website, and in Libby.
When you’re browsing search results or a list, select
to see if it’s available at any of your libraries.
Yes, in the Libby reader, select the Appearance setting , then choose Dark mode.
And, if you use dark mode on your device, Libby will automatically use that lighting mode when you’re browsing your library.
No, all titles you enjoy through the Libby app must be borrowed from your library.
Visit help.libbyapp.com for FAQs, how-to articles, and videos about using the app.
With Libby, our goal was to create a new, fresh experience that is warm and welcoming to readers. Libraries are community places, full of people and stories and knowledge, and we wanted the app to show this in a digital setting. We chose the name Libby—a digital library friend who helps guide you to your next great read. The mascot and branding of the app align with this goal.
Loans and holds from all your libraries are automatically added to your Shelf .
Easily find the next book in a series from search results, title details, and your Shelf. Libby makes it easier than ever to discover books in a series.
Create custom tags to categorize books however you’d like, and use Libby’s smart tags to track what you've borrowed or get notified about new issues of your favorite magazines.
Listen to audiobooks with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Get push notifications on your mobile device (or emails from libbyapp.com) for available holds, expiring loans, and more.
Get access to extra learning or entertainment resources (like Kanopy, Craftsy, Universal Class, and more) from your library.
*At participating libraries only
Join members of team OverDrive for a Libby demo and live Q&A.