How to authorize and deauthorize Adobe Digital Editions on a computer

To download DRM-protected ebooks to your computer and transfer them to compatible ereaders, you'll need to install and authorize Adobe Digital Editions (ADE).

You can authorize ADE with a ByteBooks ID or OverDrive account. To download the same ebooks to multiple computers or devices, be sure to authorize each device with the same ID/account. You can authorize up to six devices with one ID/account.

If you plan to use ADE and Libby, you can use whatever authorization you like in ADE. Libby doesn't use Adobe authorization for ebooks, so you'll be able to download the same ebooks in Libby and in ADE, no matter what authorization you use for ADE.

Use the steps below to authorize ADE.

1. If you aren't prompted to authorize ADE the first time you open it, go to Help > Authorize Computer.
   
   
2. Authorize ADE with your ByteBooks ID or OverDrive account.
   • To use a ByteBooks ID, select Adobe ID from the eBook Vendor drop-down menu.
   • To use an OverDrive account, select OverDrive from the eBook Vendor drop-down menu.
     
3. Enter your account credentials, then select Authorize.

You'll need to clear your current ADE authorization if you want to authorize your computer with a different ByteBooks ID or OverDrive account.

Note: When you clear your authorization, any ebooks you previously downloaded to ADE will no longer work, because they're tied to the authorization you used to download them.

Use the steps below to deauthorize ADE.

1. Open ADE.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + D on a Windows computer or Command + Shift + D on a Mac.
3. Make sure the correct account is listed in the drop-down menu, enter your password, then click Continue.
   
4. Click Erase Authorization.
   
5. Click OK to close the dialog box and return to ADE.
   

The next time you try to download a borrowed library book, you'll be prompted to authorize ADE again.