Where Does Libby Download Books on Mobile?
Where the Libby library app downloads borrowed ebooks plus audiobooks on mobile, and how loans sync.
Last updated
Libby downloads into app private storage on Android and iOS, governed by Download Rules rather than folder paths. Loans, holds, and tags sync through the library account, not through files.
That account centric design means devices are interchangeable: sign in and the shelf repopulates. Local storage only decides what plays offline. Return books early from the shelf to free space; expired loans clean themselves up. Holds and tags transfer automatically. Kindles sync loans separately.
Where Libby stores this, by platform
App-private storage (rules in Settings)
Internal storage by default with SD card rules on Android via Download Rules. Files stay encrypted to the install and account. Clearing app data wipes downloads but never the shelf itself.
Sandboxed app storage (no user path)
Sandboxed storage with no location options. Re download loans after reinstalls from the synced shelf. Offloading preserves the app but still requires fresh downloads.
Frequently asked questions
can i copy libby books to a new phone
No. Loans live in app private storage tied to the library card session, with files encrypted per install. Moving phones means re downloading from the shelf, which syncs through the account. Keep holds and tags; they transfer automatically.
how do i change libby download settings
In Settings > Download Rules (Wi-Fi only toggles, quality, and storage location on Android). Downloads obey those rules on arrival; changing them affects future loans only. iOS offers no location choice beyond the sandbox.
does libby work offline
Yes for borrowed titles until loans expire or return early. The loan clock runs server side, so expired books vanish regardless of downloads. Download before travel; plane mode never extends a loan period.
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