How to Open an ACSM File on a PC or Mac

PDF download Download Article
Easily open ACSM files on your computer, phone, or tablet
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow article teaches you how to use Adobe Digital Editions to open Adobe Content Server Message (.acsm) ebooks on Windows and macOS. ACSM files don't contain the text from the ebook. Instead, they contain data that tells Adobe Content Server that the book was legally purchased or rented. Once this has been confirmed, you can download the book in EPUB or PDF format using Adobe Digital Editions.

Things You Should Know

  • Install Adobe Digital Editions and find the ACSM file on your device.
  • Right-click or control-click the ACSM, select "Open with," and choose "Adobe Digital Editions."
  • Enter the ebook vendor information or skip and check "I want to authorize my computer without an ID”. Click "Authorize" > "OK" to view the file.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Windows or Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you don’t already have this free app installed, use the following steps to install it:
  2. To open ACSM files, follow these steps to authorize your PC or Mac:
    • Click the Help menu and select Authorize Computer .
    • Use the drop-down menu next to "eBook Vendor" to select your library or ebook vendor.
    • Enter the Adobe ID and Password you used to buy or rent the ebook.
    • Click Authorize .
    Advertisement
  3. This opens a File Explorer or Finder window so you can browse for EPUB or ACSM files.
  4. Use the drop-down menu next to "Filename" to switch from "E-Books (*.epub, *.pdf)" to "Adobe Content Server Message (*.acsm)".
    • If you're using a Mac, you should be able to double-click the ACSM file in your Downloads folder immediately after downloading it from Safari. [1] This should open it in Adobe Digital Editions.
  5. If you downloaded an ACSM file from an email or web browser, it should be in your Downloads folder. If not, check these locations:
    • Windows: C:\Users\[username]\Documents\My Digital Editions
    • Mac: ~/[computer name]/Digital Editions
    • Once the Adobe content servers verify that you are authorized, your eBook will be downloaded as an EPUG or PDF file. You can read your downloaded eBooks inside Adobe Digital Editions.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Troubleshooting

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you downloaded an ACSM file from a library, including through Overdrive or a similar product, the file will expire automatically when the borrowing period ends. If the ACSM file won't open in Digital Editions, sign in to your library account and check the borrowing period. Then, try borrowing or downloading the file again. [2]
  2. You can only use Adobe Digital Editions to open ACSM files. You won't be able to open an ACSM file in apps like the Kindle app or move it to your Kindle , Kobo, etc. However, once you open the ACSM file in Adobe Digital Editions, you'll be able to move the actual ebook file (such as an EPUB file ) to your preferred reader. [3]
  3. If the ACSM file won't open on your device, make sure it's authorized in Adobe Digital Editions. Otherwise, the file won't open.
  4. If you're still having trouble with the ACSM file, you may be able to download it using the Libby app or OverDrive .
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Mobile Device

PDF download Download Article
  1. On iPhone and iPad, you can get Adobe Digital Editions from the App Store. On Android, install Adobe Digital Editions from the Google Play Store.
    • If you are using a newer version of Android and see "This app isn't available for your device because it was made for an older version of Android," you can download the APK file and install it on your phone. You can download the APK file here .
  2. If you want to be able to transfer ACSM files to your Android, iPhone, or iPad, you'll need to authorize your phone or tablet in the Digital Editions app.
    • Tap the icon with three lines ( ☰ ) and select Settings .
    • Tap Authorize .
    • Select the ebook vendor.
    • Enter your Adobe ID and password and tap Authorize .
  3. You can use the Files app on your iPhone/iPad or Files by Google (or My Files) on an Android. If you downloaded the ACSM file from the internet, it will most likely be in your Downloads folder.
  4. The ACSM file will now open in the Digital Editions app. Once Adobe Digital Editions recognize the file, you can download the book in EPUB or PDF format to read it.
    5. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      6 Easy Ways to Use Shortcut Keys to Shut Down a Windows PC
      How to
      Check Your Mouse DPI on Windows & Mac
      How to
      Bring an Off Screen Window Back on Windows
      5 Quick Ways to Change Your Desktop Wallpaper on Windows
      6 Simple Ways to Create a .ZIP File from Files or Folders
      How to
      Copy and Paste on Any Device
      4 Easy Ways to Paste Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts
      How to
      Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time
      How to
      Change a File Extension
      3 Easy Ways to Merge Objects in Blender: Step-by-Step
      3 Easy Ways to Customize EXE Program Icons in Windows
      How to
      Copy and Paste a Link
      How To Refresh a Webpage: Desktop & Mobile
      How to
      Select All
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/0530.html
      2. ↑ https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/0290.html
      3. ↑ https://extensionfile.net/open/acsm/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 202,079 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement